A garage door is usually one of the main features on the front of any house. Garage doors especially double doors can occupy a substantial area of the front of the house and therefore care should be exercised in choosing the correct type.
Beautifully constructed wooden garage doors can undoubtedly enhance the front of any house. Garage doors made from wood was the traditional choice. However in the recent year’s a wooden garage door has been overlooked in favour for other materials such as vinyl, fibreglass and metal types due to their longevity, minimal maintenance and light weight structures. However, compared to wooden doors, vinyl and metals types do not provide the same visual impact. Metal doors can be prone to dents and deformations of the outside surface. Even the kicking of a foot ball against a metal door can ruin the appearance of the door over a very short period. Steel doors will eventually rust while fibreglass and vinyl types will degrade over time becoming brittle and crack due to exposure to ultra violet sunlight and then they are difficult to repair. By contrast wooden doors can “take a hammering” and being a natural product will retain their beauty with age. Dents and scuffs on wooden doors actually can add to their character.
Wood garage doors are simple in their construction i.e. rails and stiles with inner panels. There are no complicated internal workings bits just waiting to fail due to rush. The majority of metal and vinyl type garage doors employ either an up-and-over or carriage style opening system. In both of these cases there are complex mechanisms to operate the door such as powerful springs which assist in the opening operation. These mechanisms even if well maintained well will often fail and require replacement. Replacement of torsion springs can be dangerous and should be carried out by a qualified person. With wooden doors they are often on strong simple hinges which are easy to replace when required.
Wooden doors look great from both inside and outside. Even the thermal efficiency of wood doors is much superior to other material types especially steel. Heat loss through un-insulated steel or vinyl doors is much greater than with wooden doors even without insulation. Condensation will form on the internal face of steel un-insulated doors. Wood doors also offer a higher degree of security to vinyl type doors as a result of their heaver construction and better quality locking mechanisms typically found in solid wooden doors. If you require a higher level of security the doors can be reinforced with steel that will resist even the most determined burglar.
Garage wooden doors do require maintenance though in the form sanding, staining, painting etc., however, with regular maintenance they can easily outlast any of the other so called maintenance free types such as fibreglass, steel, aluminum and vinyl doors. Traditional wooden garage doors are an excellent choice. Wooden doors will generally enhance the appearance of your house and complement the existing features of the house such as wooden paneled entrance doors.
Above is a prime example of what can happen to garage doors when they are not maintained correctly
Be careful when choosing a set of wooden doors. The quality of wooden products can vary according to the type of wood used in the construction e.g. composite (compressed fibers and laminates) or solid wood. The price therefore can vary widely depending on the wood used and as ever you get what you pay for so avoid cheap wooden garage doors.
Wooden doors are still the first choice among architects and builders alike. A good set of solid wooden doors will add a touch of quality to your home and could even increase its value. You will know the difference between a good set of wooden doors and an inferior metal or vinyl type by just the swinging action of the doors alone.
In summary, a wooden door set is not only the best looking option for your garage but they will last longer if properly maintained than the alternatives. They are simpler to operate, more environmentally friendly and score higher with regard to thermal efficiency and security.
Above is a typical example of a metal up and over door – doesn’t it look awful
Above are some typical examples of beautiful wooden doors – don’t they look fantastic
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If you are worried about home security, it may be worthwhile upgrading the entrance door with steel security doors. A steel door can really make a difference as statistics show that the majority of break-ins are usually through the main entrance door. It also shows that the would be burglar will only spend a few minutes trying to force the door before giving up. The chances are that once they notice a steel type door is fitted they will not even try.
If you are planning to replace the entrance doors to your home then you need to read – choosing a timber front door. If you would prefer a more maintenance free option then choose a composite door.