A good residential garage door can satisfy the basic human need to want to feel safe. Your garage door is the single biggest entry point into your home, yet many people don’t give much thought to the door that keeps the outside from coming in. Materials Matter When you start to consider the purchase of a residential garage door, material should be one of the primary considerations. Fiberglass is one of the materials commonly found on the market. The panels are encased in an aluminum frame and you can paint them. They offer little defense against burglars or the elements in terms of weather. They may resist dents from an errant basketball, but an airborne 2X4 in a hurricane will have no trouble passing through a fiberglass panel. Wood is the next common choice. Some wood doors can be quite heavy and might present resistance to a burglar, but wood doors also require a lot of maintenance. They need refinished on a regular basis to prevent water damage, warping and rotting. Some people pick wood because they like the look or to improve the curb appeal of a home. Aluminum is the third most popular choice. With optional faux wood texturing and finishes that usually last a long time, aluminum doors are a popular budget-friendly choice. They’re lighter and less expensive than steel or wood, but do not stand up well to burglars or airborne debris. If you opt for an un-insulated aluminum garage door, you are not improving the energy efficiency of your home. Steel Does it All Steel has a lot of advantages. Most importantly, this is as secure as a garage door is going to get. Coupled with a good lock, a steel door will keep out most burglars that aren’t willing to employ extreme break in methods. They also provide an excellent defense against the elements, including airborne debris. Steel doors come in varying thicknesses, measured as gauge. The lower the number, the more robust it is. A budget steel door may have 27 gauge panels, while a top quality door may be 24 gauge. Steel doors also have a variety of finish options. Simulated wood grains can give your home the same look and curb appeal that homeowners desire from a wood door, and some of the embossed finishes make a beautiful addition to the house's style and architecture. The added benefit is that steel is a significantly stronger and more durable material that requires less maintenance. If energy conservation is a consideration, an insulated steel door is the best option. It not only lowers your heating and cooling costs and makes the rooms adjoining the garage more comfortable, but it actually insulates against noise as well. The last reason steel wins is life span. Steel doors will last longer than other materials. A quality steel garage door will have at least a 15 year warranty, with many of them having lifetime warranties. If you want to keep your family safe, lower your energy bills and spend less time on maintenance, consider a high quality steel residential garage door.
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Residential Garage Doors, Garage Door Repair, Safe Garage, Garage Safety, Steel Garage, Garage Material,
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