Buying a new garage door is not something you do every day. Think you know what to expect when shopping for a new front door, or think the latest model will be the same as your 15-year-old door? You’re in for a shock Garage Door Supplier We’ve listed the factors to consider when selecting the right garage door for your home: materials, insulation, installation, and maintenance.
Modern doors are stronger, more secure, and better insulated, requiring far less maintenance than their predecessors. Choosing materials, styles, colors, or window treatments has never been easy.
Materials For the Best Garage Doors
Steel
Steel garage doors with rigid-foam insulation are usually found nowadays. Panels made from 24-gauge steel are the strongest (26- and 28-gauge steel is also used); most are embossed with a wood-grain pattern or finished with a smooth surface. If you want maximum protection against rust, choose a model with a baked-on primer and polyester topcoat. 10-year warranties typically cover steel doors; limited lifetime warranties are not uncommon.
Wood
Despite wood’s status as the primary material for garage doors, it has fallen behind other materials in the middle of the market. The increased maintenance and regular painting of wood doors required contribute to this. Hemlock frames and hardboard panels are used to make most wood doors. However, custom doors are often constructed from Douglas fir solids. Typical warranties for factory-made wood doors are one year, while many custom-made doors come with 15-year warranties.
Plastic
The plastic door is fairly new to the scene, but it might become the preferred option one day. It is lightweight, durable, and requires no maintenance. Polyethylene doors from Gadco are constructed from the same high-density plastic used to line truck beds. In contrast to their metal and wood counterparts, they are corrosion- and rot-free and operate practically silently. Light-colored versions are UV-resistant, so they can withstand the sun without fading. This color-through PVC panel offers a selection of panel styles that go beyond the basic rectangle offered by Overhead Door. A 20-year warranty is offered on plastic doors.
What Is the Best R-Value for a Garage Door?
A door’s R-value is usually measured based on the overall door, but some manufacturers measure it based on the center of a panel, which produces a higher R-value. In addition to some top-of-the-line wooden doors, some plastic doors come with insulation. Complete storm-proofing of the door is provided by rubber bulbs or flanges weather sealing at the bottom.
The first thing you’ll want to do when it comes to sealing the gap between the door and the jamb is to install a weatherstrip. This will provide a barrier between the two to prevent air from getting in. The best way to seal any gaps in the door is to use a weatherstrip that is specifically designed for this purpose. The weatherstrip should be made of material that’s specifically designed for the job. For example, if you’re looking for a door seal, you won’t want to go with a vinyl or rubber weatherstrip as these don’t provide adequate protection. If you have a vinyl-covered door, you may want to consider using a “caulk gun” to apply a sealant around the door frame and along the top of the door. This will help create a stronger bond between the door and the jamb and make sure it’s sealed properly.
Cost Of Garage Doors
It can be difficult to make accurate price comparisons between types of doors due to their wide range of features, including size, decorative treatments, and insulation abilities. It’s usually steel doors that are the cheapest, with plastic and wood more expensive. Custom work can be twice as expensive.