A wood garage door is one of the most popular types of garage doors on the market. While it no longer reigns as the top choice in materials for garage doors, there is no doubt that many newer garage doors utilize wood and there are still plenty of older doors in existence. Most prefer the aesthetics of a garage door, but there are some drawbacks with the wood garage door as well.
Up until the 1980s, the wood garage door was the common standard for residential applications. While other types of overhead garage doors found a niche in commercial ventures, they had not yet caught on in the residential market. This was mainly due to aesthetics.
A wood garage door is nearly unmatched in its ability to provide a stylish look to the front of any garage. This is further exemplified by how other materials, such as vinyl and steel, are made to emulate the look of wood. From natural textures to a variety of colors, the wood garage door can offer a number of looks.
The wood garage door has a number of characteristics that may be considered good or bad, but need to be taken into account. One of those is weight. The wood material makes the doors very heavy, which is one reason why they are seen so seldom on the commercial garage. Another is longevity. Other materials may last longer.
Associated with longevity is the gradual deterioration that all wooden garage doors experience. Steel garage doors, and other materials, do not have this problem. Both rotting and warping can become serious problems. In some cases, the garage door panels will need replaced. In other cases, a total replacement of the overhead garage door may be the best solution.
Another factor to consider is cost. On average, a wood garage door costs approximately 20 percent more than a steel door of similar quality. However, this depends on a number of different factors. Steel doors have a variety of gauges and insulation options. This comparison is for two lower-end model doors made of wood and steel.
The cost, while perhaps not a major factor, is no small consideration, especially considering the consumer is paying more money for a door with a shorter lifespan. However, for those who like the look and flexibility of wood, it may be an easy decision to make. In the end, despite the shortcomings, that is why wood garage doors still remain relatively popular.