The Dos and Don'ts Of DIY Garage Door Maintenance

« Back to Home

Pros and Cons of Metal Garage Doors

Posted on

When you need a new garage door for your property, you may have more choices for materials than you may realize, including steel, aluminium, wood and fibreglass. While each has its own advantages, metal is still a favourite option for many homeowners, and a metal garage door may be a very affordable option. However, beyond your purchase cost, note a few pros and cons of metal garage doors so you know if this is the right choice for your home.

Insulating

Metal conducts heat and cold, so a metal door may not offer much protection from the elements for the items you have stored inside a garage. If you need to protect your car, lawn care equipment, sporting goods and other such items from extreme heat, bitter cold, humidity and the like, consider a metal door that has an insulated backing or core between two sheets of metal. This will help block outside weather elements and protect items in the garage.

Weight

An aluminium garage door is not very heavy, but a steel door can be very weighty. This added weight can put undue pressure on the chains or springs that operate the door. In turn, you might notice more groaning or squealing when a steel door is in motion, and you may need to replace those springs or chains more often when you choose a heavy steel door. If you want a thick and secure door but want to avoid this added weight, consider a layer of steel over a lightweight core.

Durability

Wood garage doors need consistent maintenance, as wood absorbs moisture and then expands, and then dries out and shrinks. This can cause a wood garage door to cup, bow, crack and split. Regularly sealing the door can prevent this damage, although you may still need to fill in cracks and chips over the years. Wood also tends to fade when exposed to the elements, so a wood garage door will need fresh paint or stain on a regular basis.

Metal, on the other hand, is very durable and won't cup, bow or splinter. Metal doors are also typically powder coated, not painted; this refers to a type of colouring that is applied in powder form and then attached to the metal with an electrical charge. This process makes the colour more durable and less likely to fade or chip over time. In turn, your metal door may never need a fresh coat of paint, no matter its age and no matter the weather conditions to which it's exposed.


Share