Different Types of Garage Door Materials: Steel, Wood, Aluminum, and More

Know the Pros and Cons of New Garage Door Materials You Can Choose From

Whether you’re building a garage from scratch or opting for a new garage door replacement, the different types of garage door materials can become overwhelming. To help you decide which garage door is the best for your property, we have compiled a complete guide to all the garage door materials. At Dodds Doors, we have the knowledge and expertise to help you choose the garage door materials for your garage and install any type of garage door once you have decided. From traditional wood garage doors to lightweight aluminum doors and energy-efficient steel garage doors, you will find that there are so many different pros and cons for each material. 

Keep on reading to learn more about the different types of garage door materials to choose from. 

Aluminum Garage Doors

One of the most common garage door materials is aluminum. Due to its affordability, lightweight, and durability, it is a great choice for residential and commercial garage doors.

Benefits of Aluminum Garage Doors

When you opt for aluminum garage doors, there are a wide range of benefits, including: 

• Rust-resistant: One of the most noteworthy aspects of aluminum garage doors is they are resistant to rust. Unlike steel, aluminum can withstand ongoing humidity levels without rusting or oxidizing. In the GTA area, where snow, rain, and unexpected weather conditions occur, you will benefit greatly from a rust-resistant garage door. 
• Durable: When you have aluminum garage doors, you can benefit from their durability. Aluminum garage doors are less heavy than any other steel or metal garage door while maintaining strength and durability against the elements. 
• Customizable versatility: When you opt for aluminum garage doors, don’t always assume they’re meant for industrial, commercialized spaces. Aluminum garage doors come in a wide range of different styles, textures, and colours, helping meet your aesthetic preferences. Whether you need windows or a perfectly enclosed door, you will find so many options to accommodate both types of doors. 
• Low maintenance: Never worry about treating, painting, or sealing the door surface when you choose aluminum garage doors. They require little maintenance besides the regular roller or weatherstripping repairs. 
• Affordable and cost-effective: Aluminum garage doors are an excellent choice when you’re trying not to break the bank. That’s because they are far less expensive than wood or fibreglass options.

Detriments of Aluminum Garage Doors

When you choose aluminum garage doors, there are a few detrimental factors that are worth considering, such as: 

• Low energy efficiency and minimal insulation: If you want your garage properly insulated and energy efficient, consider something besides an aluminum garage door. With poor insulation and thermal efficiency, we suggest investing in additional insulation and weatherstripping materials if you opt for an aluminum garage door. 
• Prone to dents and weaker than steel: While aluminum has a superior strength-to-weight ratio, steel is still the stronger of the two materials. Steel is thicker and heavier than aluminum; over time, you risk dents and other damage when choosing aluminum garage doors. 

Steel Garage Doors

It’s important to know the pros and cons of steel garage doors. We have compiled a list for you to understand all the aspects of garage doors made from steel. 

Noteworthy Aspects of Steel Garage Doors

Steel garage doors are an excellent option for commercial and residential properties. Some of the primary advantages include: 

• Easy to maintain: Unlike other garage door materials, you won’t have to worry about holes, cracks, or wood rot. You also never have to worry about paint jobs, wood rot treatments, or ongoing refinishing tasks. 
• Affordable: Unlike other garage door materials, steel is a cost-effective option that is one of the least expensive. This means you get quality without breaking the bank. 
• Durable and long-lasting: Steel garage doors are a long-lasting and durable material that can stand the test of time. These are great options for both residential and commercial applications due to their durability and longevity.
• Energy efficient: While the material itself is not energy efficient, a lot of steel garage doors come with a thermal core lining to help with energy efficiency and insulation. 

Less-Desirable Aspects of Steel Garage Doors

Before you settle on a steel door, consider some of the disadvantages. These cons include:

• Easily dented: When you choose steel garage doors, they can dent. Steel is a strong and durable material, but with any harsh impact, you will be stuck with dents and even scratches. 
• Prone to corrosion and rust: Steel garage doors, while not always, are susceptible to rust or corrosion over time, especially if near any coastlines or salt water. 
• Noisy and heavy: As with any steel door, these are bulkier and heavier options than aluminum, which can impact the performance over time, as well as cause loud, noisy, or squeaky applications. The weight can also cause wear and tear to other garage door components, such as the opening mechanism. 

Wood Garage Doors

A popular residential garage door option, natural wood doors are beautiful and dependable as design options. 

Advantages of Wood Garage Doors

When it comes to choosing a garage wood door, there are a wide range of benefits, such as:

• Aesthetic appeal: Wood garage doors are marvelled for their beauty. You can choose from a wide range of different types of wood options, including cedar and solid oak. The wood grain can boost your curb appeal and majorly improve your property value. 
• Energy-efficient: When you opt for a wood garage door, you’ll notice that these are energy-efficient with lots of insulation. With proper weather stripping, you will find that these wood garage doors can withstand cold temperatures while still insulating any of the heat within your garage. 
• Paintable: Unlike steel or aluminum, wood surfaces can be stained or painted to any preferred colour. This allows you to express your style or even choose a fun colour. The best part is that you can always paint it a different colour if you’re unhappy with the first shade you choose. 
• Decorative options: You can get decorative wooden garage doors, even customized with etchings, patterns, or other designs. With this luxurious look of wood, you can also choose from different styles, allowing windows to let natural light in. 

Disadvantages of Wood Garage Doors

If you’re considering getting a wood garage door, it’s important to recognize the primary disadvantages of this material option. This includes:

• Heavy: Wood garage doors are quite heavy, which isn’t an advantage. This can bring wear and tear to the garage door opening mechanisms over time and result in noisy operation. 
• Costly to install and maintain: Wood garage doors are one of the more expensive materials to choose from, and with the need to constantly maintain paint jobs, sealants, and wood rot treatments, sanding and finishing the wood garage door is necessary on a routine basis. 
• Prone to wood rot or cracking: Wood rot is a pesky issue that can occur when you opt for a wooden garage door. When left untreated, wood rot can spread rapidly, destroying the entire structure over time. 
• Has a comparatively short lifespan: Compared to aluminum and steel, even pressure-treated lumber is prone to withering and rotting. 

Additional Garage Door Materials to Choose the Right Garage Door

While aluminum, steel, and wood are the most popular materials to choose from, you can also opt for:

• Vinyl garage doors: For humid climates, vinyl doors are completely waterproof for your peace of mind. However, this isn’t the best material for a garage door as it is easily punctured, making it a major security hazard to your property.
• Fibreglass garage doors: With little maintenance and longevity, fibreglass doors are an excellent choice for residential garages. 
• Composite garage doors: Faux wood, or composite garage doors, are a durable, lightweight, and affordable alternative to wood or fibreglass. 

What Is the Best Material for a Garage Door?

At the end of the day, it really depends on your preferences and your garage door’s purpose. If you care more about curb appeal than longevity, real wood is a better choice to replace your garage door with. However, if you want a long-lasting garage door, perhaps steel or aluminum is more up your alley. No matter what you choose as part of your home’s exterior, they’re all versatile and durable options. 

Call Us Today to Schedule Service and Learn More About Garage Door Material Options

Whether replacing or installing a new garage door in your home or business, leave your garage door needs to our skilled team at Dodds Doors. With a wide range of services available in the GTA area, you can have peace of mind knowing we are your all-in-one door solution for all your garage needs. Whether you want steel garage doors due to their remarkable energy efficiency or a custom wood door built with beautiful windows, we can assist with all your commercial and residential garage door projects. 

Give us a call today to schedule service with our highly rated local pros.