The advantages and disadvantages of wooden garage doors

When you are looking for a garage door there are many things to consider. Things like security, longevity, budget, and what best suits your home’s aesthetic are just some of the things to keep in mind.

That is why today we will take a look at wooden garage doors. We will look at some of their advantages and disadvantages, to help you determine if they are the right doors for you, and your home.

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Advantage: Classic aesthetic

Wooden garage doors are the oldest type of garage doors, that are still made today, with the original garages being barns or carriage houses. That is why wooden garage doors have a traditional beauty to them. This combined with the natural beauty and majesty of wood can give your home a more luxurious appearance. This is one of the reasons wooden garage doors are often chosen, as they are often the first thing you and guests see when arriving at your home.

Disadvantage: Maintenance

A wooden garage door does require more maintenance than its metallic counterparts. This is because you must protect the wood from moisture and other environmental elements. This maintenance can be quite an involved process with the wood needing sanding and re-sealing or re-painting every year. This must be done to both the inside and outside of the door making it quite laborious. 

However, proper regular maintenance can extend the longevity of your door, making it worth the effort. Wood garage doors last between 15 and 30 years depending on maintenance and environmental factors. That is why it is important to protect your garage door with sealants, and by keeping a watchful eye out for any signs of rot or damage.

Advantage: Durable

Another advantage of wooden garage doors is that they are quite durable. This is due to the fact that wood is able to absorb impacts. Compared to metal doors which tend to get dented or scratched by impacts. With wooden garage doors, the most you will have to do after a minor impact is touch up the paint or finish. In a world where accidents are bound to happen, this durability can give you peace of mind.

Disadvantage: Heavy

Wood is not a light material, which means that wooden garage doors tend to be heavy. This is considered a disadvantage as it will mean you have to buy a larger garage door motor which will cost more. The extra weight also means your motor and other components operate under more strain, compared to those of lighter garage doors. 

Fortunately, most modern garage door motors come with safety features like collision detection. This ensures that the heavy garage doors don’t harm any property or persons while opening or closing.

Advantage: Natural insulation

Wood garage doors are naturally well-insulated. This is because the wood has air pockets within its cellular structure, making it a natural insulator. You do also get additional insulation options with wooden garage doors. Though these types of doors use a wood overlay, instead of the doors being made of solid wood.

Disadvantage: Environmental concerns

Another disadvantage of wooden garage doors is environmental concerns. This can be counter-intuitive as wood is seen as a renewable resource. There is however a difference between a renewable resource and a sustainable one. New trees take years to grow and reach maturity, which is why wood isn’t really a sustainable resource. Wood is also non-recyclable with most old wood products ending up in landfills or incinerators. Compared to steel which can be recycled, wooden garage doors can have worse environmental impacts.

Fortunately, these environmental impacts can be offset by the long lifespan of your wooden garage door. If your wooden garage door lasts long enough it allows time for new trees to grow, and the resource is effectively renewed.

Advantage: Customisable

Wooden garage doors are more easily customised when compared to steel doors. Firstly there is more variety of designs and types of wood when ordering your garage doors. Secondly, you can easily paint, or sand and stain wooden garage doors. Staining is a great method for bringing out the natural grain of wood. These options allow you to better express your personal style and that you have a truly unique garage door.

Disadvantage: Cost

Wood garage doors tend to cost more than their metallic counterpart. This is in part due to the cost of wood, as well as the work that goes into the designs. So if a wood garage door is what you want be prepared to pay a bit more.

Fortunately, wooden garage doors do tend to last longer than others. So while the upfront cost is high their longevity makes them slightly more cost-effective. This is yet another reason why proper maintenance is very important for your wood garage doors.

These are just some of the advantages and disadvantages of wooden garage doors, which are still a good option. We hope this list will help you find the right garage door for you. However, if you are still undecided about what garage door suits you, or you want professional advice regarding your garage door. Then contact Lockfront Automation for professional assistance with any automation needs, as well as an extensive range of wooden garage doors.