Garage Doors-an Overview of Styles, Types, Options, and How to Choose a New Garage Door

There are an abundance of options as far as building materials and designs available in new garage doors, wood and steel being the most commonly installed. Each type of garage door will have options available for the exterior style/color, decorative windows, hardware, insulation, etc. Every garage door manufacturer will tell you theirs is best, and give you tons of reasons why you should agree. Just like any other product or service. That being said, you should keep in mind that the new garage door you are thinking of purchasing is going to be around for a long time. Garage doors usually last anywhere from 10-20 years, depending on usage and maintenance, and can possibly last longer.

Steel garage doors are the most commonly installed types. Their lower costs, maintenance, and a variety of available designs make them the obvious choice for most homeowners. No painting is required, although the doors can be painted, and most manufacturers offer different finish warranties on their garage doors. Styles include, but are not limited to, raised panel designs, flush panels, and various carriage house designs. Most have insulation options, as well. Considering the fact that most garages share an interior wall with the home, insulation inside your garage door can help conserve on heating and cooling costs.

While their not as common as they once were, wooden garage doors are still readily available in most places. They are available in the same standard styles as steel doors, and can be built to suit. Their costs are generally slightly higher than steel doors, and they will need to be painted or stained to prevent water damage. There are still benefits to having a wooden garage door. A standard model wood door can provide a better R-value than a basic non-insulated steel door. Wooden garage doors can also take a little bit more punishment than the steel types-something to consider if you have kids that play near the doors, or work in or around the garage yourself. Wood doors also have insulation options available. The versatility of wooden garage doors is probably their best point. Homeowners wanting custom garage doors for their home typically go with wooden garage doors.

Vinyl garage doors are beginning to make a larger impression on the market. These doors won’t rust, and are more resistant to dings and scratches than the steel doors. Prepare to pay substantially more for these types of garage doors. Many dealers don’t carry any in stock, so a lead time of 2-4 weeks can be expected. They usually look like a steel door as far as exterior styles are concerned. Vinyl garage doors also have similar insulation options as steel garage doors.

Composite garage doors are becoming more mainstream as consumer demand for environmentally-friendly products grows. These garage doors are typically made from recycled wood. They are insulated in most cases. Again, opting for insulation on a garage door can provide a higher R-value. Composite doors can be painted, or even stained.

Our website has links to many of the large garage door manufacturer sites. Some of these sites will have a “door designer” available where you can view different color and style options for their doors. You can usually find other information on warranties or other garage door specs. When you have your new garage door installed be sure to remember to keep the invoice/receipt in a safe place, and make sure you complete any required registrations in order to have a valid warranty.