Which Garage Door Material Is Best for Utah Homes?
When choosing a new garage door, most homeowners are mainly concerned with color and style. While these factors are obviously important for ensuring the door blends with the rest of the house and boosting curb appeal, you should also carefully consider which material is best. In truth, there’s really no such thing as the best garage door material. Steel, aluminum, composite, and wood doors are popular choices, but each has advantages and drawbacks in certain areas. In this article, our garage door installation experts look at the pros and cons of all four options and how they perform in Utah’s climate.
Steel Garage Doors
Installing a steel garage door in Utah is a great investment. Steel garage doors are the most popular option, as they offer a great combination of strength, durability, and security for a fairly low price. Steel is naturally insulating, making it resistant to both extreme heat and cold. That said, we’d still recommend opting for an insulated door, as it will do a better job of blocking heat and cold, making your home more energy efficient. Overall, steel doors offer the best value for the money, as they require very little maintenance and typically last 20 to 40 years.
While steel doors are quite strong and can withstand extreme winds, they are prone to getting dented from the impact of hail or flying debris. Steel is also prone to rusting, but this is more of a concern in coastal regions due to the salty sea air. In Utah, the only time you’d really need to worry about a steel door rusting is if the finish gets scratched or starts to flake away because of a dent.
Aluminum Garage Doors
Many aluminum garage doors offer a sleek, modern appearance that many homeowners find more aesthetically pleasing than steel. Aluminum is extremely lightweight and fully resistant to rusting. On the other hand, it’s nowhere near as strong as steel and can be dented or damaged far more easily. Aluminum is also a poor insulator, which is one of the reasons aluminum garage doors aren’t as common in places like Utah, which can experience both extreme cold and heat. Aluminum doors tend to be more expensive than steel but cost much less than wood or composite doors.
Wood Garage Doors
Installing a wood garage door in Utah isn’t necessarily a bad option, especially if you’re primarily concerned with aesthetics and prefer the classic look that real wood provides. Wood doors are quite strong and won’t get dented like steel or aluminum. Wood is also fairly good at insulating and blocking out heat and cool, but wood doors don’t perform as well in this regard as insulated steel doors.
The main drawbacks to wood doors are the high cost and the high maintenance requirements. Wood is significantly more expensive than the other garage door materials. Wood doors are also quite heavy and typically require a larger, more powerful opener. The biggest concern with wood is that it is prone to rotting, warping, cracking, or termite damage if not maintained regularly. To avoid these issues and maintain the appearance of a wood garage door, you need to refinish and reseal it every 3 to 5 years. If the door is constantly exposed to direct sunlight, it may need to be refinished every year or two.
Composite Garage Doors
Composite garage doors offer similar benefits to wood in terms of style and appearance, but without all of the drawbacks. These doors are made out of various composite materials and molded to mimic the look of real wood. While you can tell the difference when standing near the door, it will look almost exactly like the real thing from the street. Composite doors are strong, durable, weatherproof, and resistant to denting, moisture, and pests. However, the composite material can crack, often requiring the door to be replaced. Although composite doors cost more than steel or aluminum, they are much cheaper than wood. They’re also good at insulating and can stand up well in the Utah climate.
At the end of the day, choosing the right garage door material really comes down to what factors are most important to you. If you’re looking to install a new garage door in Logan or the surrounding areas of Northern Utah and Southeastern Idaho, you can trust the experts at Garage Pro. We offer an extensive selection of residential and commercial doors and will help you find the best option for your home or business. To schedule a consultation and learn more about us and your garage door installation options, contact us today.
