It is quite possible that your garage door is the most frequently used and most hardworking door in the house. If only one member of your family leaves through the garage once a day, your garage door opens and closes 730 times a year. Multiply that by multiple people and multiple trips per day, and we’re looking at thousands upon thousands of times that the door has to work properly. If your garage door is starting to show its age, it may be time to think about replacing it.
If you are considering new garage door installation, the first thing to do is decide which material you would like your new garage door to be made out of. The door’s material will determine the looks, durability, energy efficiency and cost. Here are four of the more popular options for garage doors.
Common Materials Used for Garage Doors:
- Fiberglass or Vinyl: One of the lightest material types you can choose from are fiberglass or vinyl garage doors. Although they resemble wood doors, fiberglass and vinyl won’t rot like wood does. They also won’t rust or dent easily like steel doors do. Vinyl doors are a good energy-efficient choice because they have a stiff foam core. Both of these doors are prone to color fading, although they can be painted or stained. Both can also be insulated to R-12.
- Metal: Steel isn’t the lightest but it is the most popular option for garage doors. It’s strong, requires almost no care and will last for years. A sensible choice would be a dent-resistant 24-guage steel sections door. One thing to keep in mind is that if you live close to the ocean, rusting is a possibility. If there is anything wrong with this type of door, garage door repair will most likely fix any problems.
- Wood: Wood garage doors give you the most style options, in terms of shapes and decorative add-ons. Engineered woods and wood-fiber boards are often used to make paint grade doors, while stain-grade doors are made of solid wood. Naturally, wood doors need the most maintenance, requiring periodic painting/sealing/staining. They can be insulated up to R-10.
- Composite: Composite garage doors are made from cellulose fibers that are fused with resins. What you get is a sturdy material that doesn’t crack, warp, rot, rust or dent. These doors can be insulated to R-8.
If you have decided to upgrade your garage door with garage door repair or garage door installation, contact Window Depot USA. In addition to garage door repair and garage door installation services, Window Depot USA provides a variety of other services in Chattanooga, Cleveland TN, and surrounding areas. Our contractors offer residential exterior door installation, window replacement, vinyl siding installation, soffit repair, gutter installations, and much more. Contact Window Depot USA, today for a free quote on any garage door install at 423-894-0011.
