Should You Consider a Wood Garage Door Over Steel?

 Posted on February 13, 2025 in Garage Doors

Choosing a new garage door is not the same as it once was. There are so many options you can now consider, including color, design, materials, durability, and how the garage door complements your home in general. Different materials can withstand different levels of use and require different levels of maintenance, so this is a consideration. As you can see, many factors must be taken into account when choosing a new garage door.

Below are some tips to help you determine whether you should choose a wood garage door or a steel garage door. Speaking to a licensed Downer’s Grove, IL garage-building and repair expert from Blue Sky Builders, Inc. means you have someone who has been in the business for more than 45 years to help you make these important decisions.

Once we have helped you choose your garage door, we can discuss replacing old garage windows, adding a steel entry door, or updating the siding and roofing on your garage. If you are considering turning part or all of your garage into a home office, exercise area, or family room, we can help you with that endeavor as well.

Wood Garage Doors: Pros and Cons

Wood garage doors are elegant and timeless and can significantly enhance your home's curb appeal. They are commonly made with a strong hemlock frame and hardboard panels, which offer durability and beauty at the same time. Small scratches and scuffs are less likely to show up on wood grain textures than on metal surfaces.

On the negative side, wood doors require considerably more maintenance than steel and will require refinishing or repainting every few years, especially in hot, dry climates. Wood doors typically have less insulation, so your garage will be hotter in the summer and colder in the winter.

While wood doors are more expensive than steel doors, they can add more resale value to your home. Wood garage doors can be constructed out of real wood, like solid cedar or redwood. "Faux" wood garage doors typically have a steel core with a wood overlay, making them much lighter and less expensive than solid wood doors.

It can be hard for most people to tell the difference between a solid wood door and a faux wood door, but real wood garage doors are likely to be custom-made and more expensive. Where security is concerned, wood garage doors are very heavy, but they may be able to be cut much easier than a steel garage door for someone who is determined to gain access.

Steel Garage Doors: Pros and Cons

Steel garage doors generally look more "modern" than wooden garage doors, although that can depend on the finish. A black steel garage door may look sleek and sophisticated, while a bold red color could call attention to your home's beauty. Steel is durable, fire-proof, and resistant to warping. Security is a major asset of steel garages. Steel garage doors are strong and more difficult to force open.

Steel garage doors are usually very well insulated, helping keep interior garage temperatures more stable. The extra insulation also makes the garage door quieter to operate. Steel doors are lighter than real wood doors, easier to maintain, and less susceptible to adverse weather conditions. They are usually less expensive than real wood doors, but they may not have the custom look that some people want. Thicker gauge steel doors provide resistance to dents and dings but are more susceptible to rust.

Contact a DuPage County, IL Garage-Repair and Replacement Company

If you are considering replacing your garage door and are having difficulty deciding what type of garage door is best for your home and your situation, our Chicago, IL garage-building and repair experts are ready to help you make this important decision.

When you choose Blue Sky Builders, Inc., you will have chosen a company that provides free on-site estimates at your convenience and is in its 45th year of service to more than 50 communities in the western, northern, and southern suburbs, along with the Chicago area. Call 630-852-8485 for all your garage door needs.