There are many decisions to make when installing a new garage door. Indianapolis homeowners wonder what the best garage door materials are. Two of the top ones—fiberglass and steel—each have their pros and cons. We’ll compare these two choices in this article to help you understand your options and determine what is the best choice for your home.
Steel Garage Doors
It is most common to find a steel garage door in an American home. The benefits include being strong, dependable, and affordable. Steel is also highly durable, so it requires little maintenance. A polyester paint adds even more durability and can make the door resistant to fading. Consider a wood finish to give your door a grain texture. It will still provide the same strength and won’t crack or become warped; if well-cared for, a steel door will remain rust-free for many years.
Other materials, such as wood, aluminum, and fiberglass, offer security, but steel is the most secure. The only downside is it can be dented by relatively light impacts. It’s also prone to rusting if not properly maintained.
Fiberglass Garage Doors
Essentially a steel door with fiberglass layers, a fiberglass garage door is coated such that it often has a longer lifespan than a plain steel model. This construction strengthens the door. You can also have a garage door with the appearance of wood, thanks to a specialized finish, but avoid the cost and maintenance of owning a wood garage door. In addition to these advantages, fiberglass garage doors are often fit with layers of insulating materials; this insulation can help achieve long-term savings in heating and cooling.
Fiberglass is more resistant overall to salt-water corrosion, but it can fade over time due to exposure to weather and the elements. Another disadvantage is that it’s prone to cracking, denting, and other damage in high winds.
Fiberglass vs. Steel Garage Doors
With the benefits of both steel and fiberglass doors explained, here are some other factors you’ll want to consider when comparing these different types of garage doors.
- Cost Comparison: Steel doors are known as being among the most affordable garage door options on the market. Fiberglass, on the other hand, is a little more costly. The actual cost depends on the panel style, hardware, and garage door opener as well as glass lite options. Many homeowners now choose to have glass integrated with their garage doors, which can help boost versatility, curb appeal, and property value. In addition, the thicker, more insulated a door is, the higher in price it tends to be.
- Appearance and Customization: If you’re looking for something that’s easy to customize, steel and fiberglass garage doors fit the bill. They come in various colors, styles, and panel designs. You’ll also find a variety of hardware options and extras such as windows. While a wood finish is a popular choice for both, it tends to look more authentic with a fiberglass garage door. Steel garage doors are less malleable so the wood finish may not look as real.
Contact Garage Door Doctor
As your trusted Indianapolis garage door service company, we can tend to all your garage door needs. We provide professional, high-quality garage door installation, garage door repair, and garage door replacement for our residential, commercial, and industrial customers. A family owned business, we provide same-day service and are available 24/7 for emergencies. We’re open to serve you safely during the coronavirus pandemic with no contact service, following PPE, sanitation, and social distancing practices. To request a visit, contact us online or call 317-934-7706 today!
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