Steel vs. Wood vs. Aluminum: Which Garage Door Material Is Right for You?
When installing new garage doors on your property, several factors come into play, including style and design options, color, and smart features. However, one of the most significant considerations is the material used to make the doors.
At Mesa Garage Doors, we’re happy to work with you to find the best garage door material for your unique needs. Let’s look at what to look for when choosing your new garage doors and how to decide what’s best for your home: steel, wood, or aluminum. We offer customizable, high-quality garage door options, suitable for any home aesthetic.
Why Garage Door Material Matters
The material you choose for your garage door needs to be sturdy, but you also want it to look nice with your home and last a long time in the California climate. Different materials are better for different aesthetics, and you’ll also want to consider factors like:
- Strength and security
- Insulation and energy efficiency
- Weather sealing potential
- Being high or low maintenance
Anaheim’s semi-arid climate is characterized by warm winters and hot, dry summers. Garage door materials in the Orange County area must be able to withstand temperatures above 85°F, a dry climate, and erratic, heavy rainfall.
Steel Garage Doors: Strength & Security
According to the International Residential Code, if you have a garage entry door made of steel, it has to be at least 1⅜ inches thick, making it incredibly strong and providing excellent security against would-be intruders. In a garage door durability comparison, a steel door rates highly, especially if a protective coating is applied to prevent scratches and corrosion.
Because steel is a malleable material, you can find steel doors in all types of designs and customized aesthetics. There’s an entire rainbow of finishes and color options, allowing us to adapt the door to best suit your home.
If your priorities are strength, weather resistance, and customizability, then steel garage doors are an excellent choice.
Wood Garage Doors: Timeless Beauty & Custom Appeal
Wood garage doors add a classic, timeless look to any home. Wooden doors come in all formats and are not usually constructed of solid wood. Instead, they are made from hardboard or plywood with a hardwood veneer or created from composite wood, which are much more cost-effective options.
Redwood and cedar are commonly used in California because of their local availability and their weather resistance. Wood garage doors are a sustainable option, especially if they’re made from recycled wood, and they can easily be repaired or customized to fit any door opening.
If you’re interested in an aesthetically pleasing door option that’ll add value to your home, wood garage doors may be the way to go.
Aluminum Garage Doors: Lightweight & Modern
Aluminum is one of the most modern garage door options. They’re lightweight, low-maintenance, and usually easy to install. Homeowners often choose aluminum doors for their longevity and their low initial cost.
Even though they’re not dent-resistant, they’re sturdy and have high corrosion resistance, making them a good choice for LA-area homes.
Comparing Steel, Wood, and Aluminum Garage Doors
Let’s explore the pros and cons of installing steel, wood, or aluminum garage doors on your property.
Steel
These are the pros and cons of steel garage doors:
Pros
- High weather resistance, and won’t warp or crack during the rainy winter season
- Generally low-maintenance, especially when covered with a protective coating
- One of the best options for well-insulated garage doors
Cons
- If scratched, it needs to be painted over quickly, or you risk rusting
- Dents can be difficult to fix
- The doors are heavy, causing the door openers to work harder and potentially damaging weaker door frames
Wood
These are the pros and cons of wood garage doors:
Pros
- Wear-resistant and long-lasting with proper care
- Attractive, with a timeless look that adds curb appeal to any home
- Highly customizable, making it easy to create a unique look
- Provides excellent natural soundproofing
Cons
- Initial installation costs can be expensive
- Wood doors are less insulating than steel or aluminum doors
- Requires regular upkeep, including regular cleaning and sealant or stain applications to protect the wood against the weather
Aluminum
These are the pros and cons of aluminum garage doors:
Pros
- Aluminum is a lightweight metal that will cause less strain on the opener
- Has excellent corrosion resistance
- Requires less maintenance than other options
- Aluminum garage doors are highly customizable
Cons
- Aluminum doors are easily dented
- Poor insulation allows air conditioning and heating to escape
- Offers low security protection, as aluminum is easily damaged
- The metallic, modern aesthetic doesn’t suit some home designs
How To Choose the Best Garage Door Material for Your Home
Deciding whether to switch your garage door materials or choosing which type of door to put on your garage can be challenging, because each material has its ups and downs. When you’re deciding, you’ll want to think about factors like:
- Your aesthetic preference: Do you prefer traditional vs. contemporary garage doors? Do you want a classic wood grain? A modern, sleek, metallic look?
- Your needs: Do you need better insulation to lower your energy bills? Do you want to prioritize security? Are you looking to boost your home’s curb appeal?
- Your budget: Some materials, like solid wood, are more costly than others and require more maintenance.
At Mesa Garage Doors, we specialize in helping homeowners get the right doors for their needs. Schedule a free garage door consultation with our team, and we’ll go over your options with you and help you find the right fit for your home.
Contact Mesa for All Your Garage Door Needs
Whether you’re considering adding custom garage doors to your home or want to switch from wood doors to steel or aluminum, we’re here to help. You can book a free in-home consultation online or call us at 714-515-7419 to speak to an expert about your next garage door installation.
Contact our team today to learn more about our custom material options, or visit our Anaheim showroom Monday through Friday to explore our garage door product selection. We look forward to working with you.
