Metal vs Wooden Garage Doors

• Durability: Metal garage doors are strong, weather-resistant, and secure, ideal for various climates. Wooden doors resist dents naturally but need more weather protection.
• Maintenance Needs: Wooden doors require yearly maintenance such as sanding and restaining, whereas metal doors need less upkeep, mainly occasional cleaning and rust prevention.
• Aesthetic Appeal and Customization: Wooden doors offer a luxurious appearance with diverse designs, while metal doors, more utilitarian in nature, also provide a range of styles and colours.
• Cost and Insulation: Metal doors are generally more budget-friendly, while wooden doors can enhance home value. Wood offers better natural insulation, beneficial for attached garages, but metal doors require additional insulation for effective temperature control.

So, you’ve finally taken the plunge and decided to replace your garage door. With so many options available, making the right choice can feel overwhelming. Finding the garage door that suits your needs is dependent on a number of factors. In this article, we’ll be stripping it back to the basics and helping you decide which material is better for your home: wood or metal?

Durability

Your garage door is exposed to the elements on a daily basis, so durability is an important factor. Steel garage doors are incredibly robust and stand the test of time. Their watertight properties mean that they are weather resistant and you can be sure the contents of your garage will remain protected. Steel doors are also impressively resistant to forced entry and the gauge and thickness of the steel can be adapted to suit your needs.

Wooden doors tend to be less resilient than their steel counterparts and are often affected by adverse weather conditions. They are more vulnerable to both rain and intense humidity and can suffer from warping or buckling if not subjected to proper care. You can, however, use specialist coatings to improve their durability. The natural strength of wood also means that they are less susceptible to dents, unlike steel doors.

Maintenance

Although all garage doors require maintenance to keep them in top condition, wooden doors require more. They need to be sanded down and restained annually to maintain their natural lustre.

By contrast, steel doors require very little in the way of maintenance. They are easy to clean and can be hosed down occasionally to get rid of any dirt. Steel doors are more prone to rust, but this issue can be resolved by applying a corrosive-resistant coating.

Aesthetic

Choosing a new garage door can give a much-needed cosmetic upgrade to your home. Wooden garage doors offer a warm finish and elevate your exterior. If you’re putting your house on the market, they provide an instant kerb appeal and a luxurious aesthetic. You can choose from a variety of different woods and designs, and many are handcrafted for a bespoke finish.

Steel doors are often considered to be a utilitarian option. However, they are extremely customisable and available in a range of styles and colours. There are also many different operational options to choose from: whether that be roller doors, sectional, or the more traditional up-and-over style. 

Budget

Typically, steel garage doors are a budget-friendly option as they are cheaper to manufacture and install. However upon considering prices, it should be noted that wooden doors can increase the value of your property and it may be prudent to make the switch when considering selling your home. The right supplier should be able to find you a wide range of garage doors to suit all budgets.

Level of insulation

This is a useful factor to consider if your garage is attached to your home. Wood is a natural insulator, which means you can be a lot more flexible; your garage could be used as a multi-purpose extension of your home rather than just a storage area. Wood is also a good sound barrier, something which could prove useful if you live in a noisier area.

Steel doors, by design, don’t retain heat well. However, this can be combatted with a range of insulation measures. 

We also offer a stunning range of composite doors and front doors.

Making the choice between a wooden or steel garage door is very much a personal decision that lies with which features you value. Whichever style of door you opt for, know that JB Garage Doors has it covered. We’re one of the leading garage door suppliers across Maidstone, Ashford, Canterbury, Sevenoaks, Rochester, Orpington and the surrounding Kent area. If you’d like to discuss your ideas or are looking for guidance from our expert team then simply give us a call.