When discussing the important parts of your home, one is the garage. Simply, it is a ‘safe’ for vehicles. Interestingly, to some garage owners, their parking spot has gone from being a keeping space for their vehicles to one that adds aesthetic appeal. Let’s see about one of the most crucial components of a garage: the garage door.
The garage door is a crucial component of any home because it provides security for your vehicles and belongings and significantly contributes to curb appeal.
When selecting a garage door (or a new one), it’s important to consider the material of the door. Some common materials include wood, glass, steel, and composite materials. Each material has its own unique properties that make it suitable for specific purposes.
Garage door types
There are various types of garage doors, including sectional garage doors, roll-up garage doors, side sliding garage doors, swing-out garage doors, and canopy garage doors. Each type has advantages and disadvantages depending on the homeowner’s location, environmental and climate conditions, and personal preferences. These are the different types of garage doors:
Garage doors by materials
Garage doors are available in various materials. This is the first step for deciding which garage door material will suit your garage. Here are some of the most common materials used for garage doors:
Wood Garage doors
The classic wood material offers any home a warm, natural look. They can be customized to suit different styles, such as craftsman or traditional. However, they require regular maintenance and can be prone to warping, rotting, and cracking.
Glass garage doors
The glass material is a great selection for your garage space as a two-in-one functioning area. It allows natural light to enter the garage and can be used for living spaces. Glass garage doors are a modern option that adds a sleek and contemporary look to a home. However, they can be fragile and require regular cleaning.
Steel garage doors
Talking about durability, low maintenance, and excellent security option, talk about the steel material. They come in various styles, from modern to traditional, and are energy efficient. However, their appearance can be impacted by rust and dents.
Fiberglass garage doors
If you want a lightweight garage door that is also resistant to moisture and endures high humidity, the fiberglass material ticks this box. They can be painted to resemble wood and are energy efficient. However, they can be prone to cracking in cold temperatures and may not be as durable as other materials.
Aluminum garage doors
Aluminum garage door materials, like steel, are lightweight and rust-resistant, making them ideal for coastal areas. Although they can be prone to dents and may not offer as much insulation as other materials, they are low-maintenance and come in various styles.
Vinyl garage doors
Vinyl garage doors are resistant to dents, scratches, and rust. They come in various styles and can be customized to suit different home styles. They are low-maintenance, energy-efficient, and durable. However, they may not offer the same level of customization as wood or other materials.
Wood composite garage doors
Wood composite garage doors are made from wood fibers and resins. They can be painted or stained to resemble natural wood and come in a range of styles, and they are also low maintenance and resistant to warping and rotting. However, they may not offer the same level of authenticity as real wood.
Paneled design garage doors
These garage doors have several hinged panels, allowing the door to roll up and down along tracks on either side of the opening. They come in various materials, such as wood, steel, and glass.
Garage door by styles
Carriage house-style garage doors
These garage doors are designed to resemble the look of old-fashioned carriage houses. They are typically made of wood and have decorative hardware, such as handles and hinges, to give them an authentic look.
French-style garage doors
These garage doors are characterized by large windows, often divided into smaller panes. They can be made of various materials, including wood, steel, and glass.
Traditional garage doors
These garage doors are the most common and can be made of steel, wood composites, and natural wood. They often feature raised or recessed panels and come in various colors and finishes to match the home’s curb appeal.
Rustic garage doors
These garage doors are typically made of natural wood or wood composites and feature a rough, textured surface. They are often stained to enhance the natural wood grain and give a rustic appearance.
Modern garage doors
These garage doors have a sleek and streamlined appearance, with clean lines and a minimalistic design. They can be made of glass, aluminum, or steel and may feature unique finishes or colors.
7 common types of garage doors
These garage doors are commonly installed in homes throughout the country, even with the availability of alternative options. While they may also be found in commercial or industrial settings, the essential features can be found in residential garage doors. Although they may have different designs, they operate similarly.
Sectional garage doors
Sectional garage doors are made up of panel sections that are connected with hinges. They are one of the most popular types of garage doors. These doors move up and down on tracks, which curve back into the garage when the door opens.
Sectional doors are available in steel, aluminum, and wood materials. Sectional door offers excellent insulation and can be customized to match your home’s curb appeal.
Roll-up garage doors
Roll-up garage doors are made up of horizontal slats that roll up into a coil when the door is opened. These doors operate by moving up and down on tracks, which are mounted on the garage ceiling.
Roll-up doors are usually made of steel and are very durable. They are commonly used in commercial buildings and storage facilities due to their high level of security.
Swing out garage doors
Swing-out garage doors, also known as side-hinged garage doors, swing open like traditional doors. They are usually made of wood and offer your garage a rustic or traditional look.
These doors can be a great option if you have limited headroom in your garage. They are also easy to operate manually.
Sliding garage doors
Sliding garage doors comprise horizontal panels that slide to the side when the door is opened. These doors are commonly used in industrial or commercial buildings but can also be installed in residential garages. They offer your garage a sleek and modern look and can be customized with materials like glass or steel.
Bi-fold garage doors
Bi-fold garage doors have horizontal panels that fold in half when the door is opened. These doors operate by moving up and down on tracks, which are mounted on the garage ceiling. Bi-fold garage doors are a great option if you want to maximize the vertical space in your garage. They are commonly made of steel or aluminum.
Tilt-up canopy garage doors
Tilt-up canopy garage doors comprise one solid piece that tilts up and out when the door is opened. They are usually made of wood and offer a traditional look to your garage.
Tilt-up canopy doors are easy to operate manually and can be a good option if your garage has limited headroom.
Tilt-up retractable garage doors
Tilt-up retractable garage doors comprise one solid piece that tilts up and into the garage when the door is opened. They are usually made of steel and offer a sleek and modern look to your garage.
Tilt-up retractable garage doors can be a good option if you want to maximize the vertical space in your garage.
Bottom line
There are many different types of garage doors, including paneled, carriage house, French, traditional, rustic, and contemporary forms. They can be built of composite wood, glass, steel, fiberglass, aluminum, and vinyl. Every design and material has distinct aesthetic and practical qualities to offer.
The ideal garage door style and material should match the architecture, be durable, require little care, and be within your budget.
Do you want to further complement your home by adding a garage to your or replacing your garage door? We can help you make it happen. Contact us today!