Wood vs steel: what should my garage door be made from

Weighing the benefits of wood and steel doors

One of the most important decisions you will make when selecting a new garage door will be the type of material that the manufacturer uses to fashion the panel. The majority of garage doors are made of steel or wood, with aluminum becoming a bit more popular, especially among coastal communities that deal with plenty of moisture and salt air conditions.

However, the two best materials for garage doors tend to be steel or wood, both of which offer many advantage over aluminum, PVC or fiberglass. The choice between steel and wood has more to do with your personal preference and budget rather than the benefits and drawbacks of either material.

Wooden garage doors

Garage doors made of wood can be placed into two separate categories, consisting of wood and wood composite doors. While both are made of wood, the different ways the two are put together lead to fairly significant differences in terms of quality and aesthetics.

Home renovation guru Bob Vila describes wood composite doors as "a wood frame covered with sheets of fiberboard" while wood garage doors are "are built with layers, or plies, to prevent warping." Hence, the main difference between the two revolves mostly around the use of fiberboard instead of wood from a specific type of tree.

The quality of a wood composite door is determined mostly by the density of the fiberboard surface that gives the door the appearance of traditional wood. Details such as grooves, knots and other features of natural wood give the impression of a door made of lumber.

There are several types of wood to choose from for those who wish to install a non‑composite garage door. Plywood is an inexpensive option that allows homeowners to craft a great looking wood door at a reduced cost. On the other end of the cost scale, mahogany is an expensive option, although it offers a dramatic colour and style that other types of wood cannot achieve.

The type of wood you choose depends on your budget, style and the ease of use of the door. Dense woods like mahogany may be very heavy, which results in redwood being a better high‑end choice if you’re looking for lighter panels.

Less expensive woods can also produce a striking result. Douglas‑fir tends to be popular because of the strength and durability it provides along with a beautiful, natural grain that’s pleasing to the eye. Cedar is another good choice because it’s naturally resistance to decay, pests, humidity and rotting that destroys other types of wood.

Steel garage doors

Another superb material for your garage door is steel. This material doesn’t compare to wood in terms of natural beauty, but nonetheless may be treated and finished in such a way to produce the appearance of a wood surface. As a result, you achieve a comparable look at a reduced cost.

Steel is much more sturdy than aluminum, which dents and warps easily, and much less trouble to take care of than wood, which often require yearly treatment and finish to prevent it from rapidly deteriorating. That being considered, stainless steel is susceptible to rust and corrosion if scratched or dented, which requires that you keep a look out for any damage to the surface.

While some may consider wood to be the more versatile material, steel garage doors can be painted, designed, welded and shaped into all the same designs as a wooden door. Steel can also be painted and affixed with some sort vinyl covered to achieve the desired look.

When shopping for a steel door, you should keep an eye out for the process that created the door. Usually, the better quality doors are fashioned from a pair of galvanized steel layers. The outer layer of the steel door should be coated with a fortified finish applied to the surface, or a composite material that protects the integrity of the steel.

Wood vs. steel – which garage door is for you?

If you’ve taken the time to look at the pros and cons of wood and steel garage doors, you’ll realize that both solutions offer fantastic strength and durability while enabling homeowners to choose a design that complements the aesthetic look of their home. Both materials need to be taken care of to ensure that rust and rot doesn’t shorten the lifespan of the panel and ruin the look of the garage door.

Typically, wood doors are prized because of their natural beauty and ability to insulate while steel is prized for it’s cost effectiveness and versatility of appearance. If you’re having difficulty choosing between the two, it doesn’t hurt to have a conversation with Portes de garage JS Bourassa to learn more about your options.