Comparing Wood and Steel Garage Doors

Sometimes having to choose between a metal and a wood garage door can be a pain, especially if you aren’t really all that familiar with either option. Before you spend hours agonizing over which one you should buy, keep reading to find out what each one has to offer, as well as what each one doesn’t.

Steel Advantages

Steel doors can have a smooth, contemporary look or a woodgrain appearance for traditional or rustic styles. As well, there are some other advantages worth considering:

• They require very little maintenance other than routine cleanings to keep them looking great. Baked-on paint is tough, which means you can scrub it without having to worry about dings or scratches showing up after you’ve gotten rid of all the dirt.
• Steel doors typically provide better insulation when you opt to have it. The combination of the steel with the polyurethane or polystyrene insulation provides a good combination against both hot and cold temperatures.
• Steel is also highly durable when it is filled with foam injection polyurethane. The foam core creates a much more solid door, which also helps cut down noise too.

Disadvantages

As with all things in this world, nothing is perfect. The disadvantages of steel doors aren’t significant, but they can be factors that make or break the decision for you.

• These doors are generally available in only one to three-inch increments, so if you are looking for a very specifically sized door, you might not be able to get it in steel.
• If you opt for an uninsulated door, it will be easy to dent since there is nothing behind the panels to provide support.
• Steel doors come in a wide variety of styles and colors, with or without windows, providing almost an unlimited choice of doors. However, a completely unique, custom-built door is impossible.

Price

Steel doors are available in a broad range of prices, which also affects their durability. For single doors, you should expect to pay anywhere from $600 up to $900. If you need a double door, the price will be closer to $1,100 up to $1,700.

Wood Advantages

Wood doors are often associated with character, warmth and tradition. They are available in a variety of qualities as well, but they do have some distinct advantages:

• They create a rustic, traditional look
• You can customize wood doors in many different ways, from the color to windows, and trim options.
• You will also be able to species of wood that exactly matches the wood of your home to create a more cohesive look.

Wood Disadvantages

There are a few disadvantages that you need to consider as well:

• These doors have poor insulating capabilities, which makes them better suited to garages that aren’t climate controlled.
• Wood requires more maintenance to keep it from fading or splintering.
• They are much more expensive than steel doors.

Price

A single wooden door ranges from $1,000 up to $3,500, and a double is around $2,200 up to $6,200.

Now that you better understand what wood and steel have to offer, you’ll be able to make the decision that best meets your needs.