When the time comes to get a garage door, many homeowners must decide: which type of material? The variation in garage door material makes this decision an important one. The type of material you choose for your garage door can have an effect on garage door security, maintenance, appearance and functionality. Choosing the right door can lead to years of happiness with your garage.
Fiberglass Garage Door Pros and Cons
Fiberglass doors are relatively lightweight, so they’re easy to operate even without your automatic garage door opener. In fact, the weight of the door puts less wear and tear on your automatic garage door opener, so your equipment can last longer.
Fiberglass can easily be molded to match the texture of wood grain, if that’s an aesthetic choice you like. It can also be painted to match the color of wood grain, so that from a distance, your garage door will look like it’s made of wood.
What are the disadvantages of fiberglass?
Fiberglass can crack in times of extreme temperature and during freeze/thaw cycles. Fiberglass is also easy to dent, and many would say that it’s less secure than some other types of garage door.
Wooden Garage Door Pros and Cons
Nothing matches the beauty of hardwood. The variations in color and textures found in wood grain doors are unparalleled. When your garage door is made of real wood, that becomes abundantly clear to everyone who passes by your home.
Wood is very sturdy and secure. And, for homeowners who like style and beauty, wooden garage doors are perhaps the most attractive option on the market.
Of course, there are down sides. Wood requires a lot of maintenance that other types of garage doors do not. Every few years, it must be sanded down and stripped of its finish, then a new finish must be applied. If this is not done, wood can start to rot. Wood is also vulnerable to pest infestation. If it is compromised by termites, it may need to be repaired or replaced.
Which One is Right for You?
When trying to decide between one type of garage door and another, consider your budget and the amount of maintenance you can put into your garage door. Wooden doors, while beautiful, tend to cost more than fiberglass. Wooden doors also require a lot of maintenance that many other doors do not. If you have a sizable budget and time to perform maintenance, consider a wood door.
Fiberglass can be affordable and functional, but also shorter lived than some other types of garage door materials. If you’re on a budget, or if you have little time to perform garage door maintenance, fiberglass may be the garage door for you.
Contact Your Garage Door Technician for a Quote
At Overhead Door of Oklahoma City, we’ll provide a free quote to you for garage door replacement. Contact us today to find out more about buying a new garage door for your home.
