Understanding the Different Types of Clopay® Garage Door Materials
August 07, 2023
If you’re in the market for a new garage door or looking for an upgrade, you naturally want to know all about the different kinds of garage doors and types of garage door materials available.
Clopay manufactures garage doors in various materials, styles, sizes and colors to accentuate any home. Before you settle for a door, read on to understand the different types of Clopay garage door materials. We’ll look at the pros and cons of wood, steel, fiberglass and glass garage doors made by Clopay to help you make an informed decision.
Wood Garage Doors
Clopay wood garage doors are a popular option because they’re sturdy and durable. A few pros and cons may help you better understand this garage door material type.
Pros
- Durability: Wood doors are tough and durable and can withstand extreme temperatures. They’re less likely to be damaged by corrosion and rust.
- Insulation: These doors are good insulators and help regulate the garage’s internal temperature so it’s kept warm in winter and cool in summer.
- Curb appeal: Wood doors are beautiful. They exude elegance and draw the attention of passersby, highlighting the home with their timeless look and style.
- Customization: Homeowners with wood garage doors can easily customize them for a truly unique look based on their taste, style, color and preference.
Cons
- Maintenance: Wood garage doors require maintenance in terms of staining, painting and resealing but will last for decades if well-maintained. They also tend to attract termites and other insects that eat through and damage the wood if they’re improperly maintained.
- Cost: These doors are costly depending on the type and quality of the wood used and the chosen design’s complexity. A suitable opener system should be installed because they’re heavier than most doors. This will likely increase the total door and installation price.
- Weather resistance: While they may not rust or corrode, wood doors are prone to shrinking and expanding in severe heat, leading to swelling and warping after extended periods of exposure without maintenance.
Composite Wood Garage Doors
Many are taken aback when they learn that the wood door they admire is actually its composite counterpart, thanks to its uncanny resemblance to natural wood.
Although they look so much alike you can hardly tell them apart, there are some notable distinctions between natural wood and composite. The main difference is that composite garage doors are made of wood fibers and other synthetic matter and are finished with a wood sealant.
Clopay composite garage doors often have steel underneath, with the composite acting as an overlay. A few pros and cons of composite garage doors include:
Pros
- Durability: The materials used to manufacture composite wood help protect it from weather elements that can cause warping, expansion and cracking. As a result, composite garage door components are often more durable than wood in the long run.
- Cost-effective: Composite wood garage doors are one of the most affordable options.
- Maintenance: These garage doors require minimal maintenance and are less likely to rot and corrode because of the material used. Therefore, they’re lighter and easier to install than wood garage doors.
Cons
- Longevity: Composite wood garage doors may not last as long as natural wood doors and are prone to scratches and denting, even upon minor impact.
- Authenticity: It may resemble natural wood, but composite wood can be identified upon close inspection. This detail may be important for those who value authenticity and would prefer the look of real wood.
Steel Garage Doors
Steel garage doors are high-quality, robust and favored by many homeowners. Like the other doors, they have benefits and downsides worth mentioning. Some include:
Pros
- Durability: Steel is a strong material that can withstand harsh weather and high-speed winds. It’s resistant to the elements and impenetrable to rain, snow and ice.
- Cost-effective: Steel garage doors are generally more affordable than wood, glass or fiberglass doors and are a popular choice as a result. However, a lack of insulation can lead to higher energy costs.
- Maintenance: These doors require less maintenance because restaining and painting aren’t necessary.
- Insulation: Insulated steel doors save energy by regulating heat and cold within the garage and rooms in close proximity.
Cons
- Prone to dents and rust: Steel can withstand strong winds and heavy rain, but with time, rust may form if the protective coating is exposed. Additionally, the force of any impact will lead to dents even though it’s highly durable.
- Noise: With extensive use, steel garage doors may become squeaky and generally noisier than other doors, causing a disturbance to neighbors.
- Customization: Steel doors have less customization potential, although they still offer a large variety.
Glass Garage Doors
Some might question the effectiveness of garage doors, but they can offer significant benefits to homes. Here are a few advantages and downsides of these types of garage doors:
Pros
- Curb appeal: Glass garage doors offer a sleek, modern look that perfectly accentuates the rest of the home.
- Home resale value: The visual appeal of a glass garage door may attract prospective buyers, which could increase your property value if you decide to sell.
- Lighting: Natural lighting openly flows into the garage through the glass, reducing the need for artificial lights and helping decrease energy consumption.
Cons
- Cost: Insulated glass garage doors tend to be more expensive because of their fragility.
- Prone to breakage: Harsh impacts can cause the glass to crack or break.
- Maintenance: You may need to clean the glass on the garage door frequently to ensure it doesn’t appear dirty.
Let Halo Overhead Doors Install Your Garage Door Today
At Halo Overhead Doors, we’re proud of the large variety of garage doors we have available for our valued clients. As a Clopay Master Installer, we can help you choose the right Clopay door for your needs and property goals. Beyond Clopay, we offer products from several other high-quality garage door brands, so you have plenty of choices.
Are you ready to install a new garage door? Call us at (713) 224-3667 or feel free to request a service or estimate online.
