When choosing a new garage door, one of the most important decisions is which type of material you want. The options are all over the board, ranging from wood to steel, aluminum to fiberglass, and even plain glass. Each offers its own benefits and drawbacks.

Wood

Wood was the first material to be used for making garage doors. It is very sturdy and much less prone to denting than some other materials. It is also a better natural insulator than doors made of steel, for example, but it is still not better at keeping the heat or cool in than an insulated door.

Wood has a very classic and traditional look and can be customized with paneling or other details. The more customized the wood, the higher the price though. An important thing to keep in mind about wood doors is that they do require frequent repainting or restaining in order to look their best.

Steel

A more updated choice for a garage door is steel. It is very durable and requires little maintenance. It is one of the less expensive materials and if you choose a higher grade, lower-gauge, the door will hold up to bumps and pressure well. In order to save on energy costs for your house, however, you will almost certainly need to go with an insulated door as it is not a good insulator.

Aluminum

Aluminum is very similar to steel in look and feel, but in general it is lighter-weight and more prone to denting. It is also less expensive and can be painted and styled in many designs. Another benefit is that it is rust-resistant.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is a new and nearly as popular. It is made up of compressed sheets of glass and is fairly hardy, sometimes proving greater strength than some of the thinner steel doors. While fiberglass is another poor insulator, it is very resistant to salt-air corrosion and the associated peeling, so it is often ideal for homes located in coastal regions. These doors can be rather pricey though.

Glass

Finally, you could also go with an ultra-modern approach and get a glass garage entrance, offering full view to the outside for your garage. All the sunlight coming in can bring in heat and cut down on electricity costs. Glass ones a very new, and trendy option and are certainly one of the most expensive ways to go.

Before you buy your next garage door it is important to explore all the possibilities and which material will be the best fit for you home and your needs.