Steel vs Wood garage doors

Sometimes it is hard to make a decision when you have so many choices. You've narrowed it down to a steel garage door or a wooden one. So, how do you choose? What makes one material better than the other? Steel must be durable, but the wooden ones look so classic and nice. To help you make your decision, here are the benefits of installing a steel garage door instead of a wooden one:

Cost: steel is comparatively less expensive. While wood used to be the most popular if not only material used, steel now accounts for more than half of the doors sold today. Supply and demand for this material make it a cheaper alternative to some other materials.

Insulation: The doors of old are too thin to provide adequate insulation which translates into higher heating and cooling bills, that is if your garage is attached to your house. Steel products are hollow and just the right amount of insulation can be blown in between the layers to protect the garage and the home from excessive heat and cold.

Simulate wood appearance: If you like the wooden look, you can choose a style that has a wood grain finish but all the benefits that go along with a steel garage door. In fact, you can get a product with windows, panels and in all the popular styles available today.

Durable: Well, Superman is not called the "man of wood" is he? This metal will last for years and years and keep the same beauty, efficiency and security. Bump into it with a car and not much happens. It can also withstand all of the elements-wind, rain, snow, hail and extreme heat.

Low maintenance: Keep the metal oiled and moving properly annually and that is about it. A wooden product must be sanded and re-stained or painted every couple of years. There is also a problem with warping and rotting because of moisture in the air. Oh, and termites!

Lighter weight: While it may not sound right, a steel product is lighter than a wooden one. This is because thinner sheets are still durable and because they are hollow, insulation is in the center.

If you decide to install a steel one, you won't be sorry. Talk with a professional to help you choose the most aesthetically pleasing door for your home as well as install it for you. While you choose what style, also consider an electric opener to be installed at the same time for convenience. This is a very important decision as it will account for a large portion of your home's facade. You want a stylish, affordable, secure and safe door.