Is An Aluminum Garage Door Right For Your Modern Home?
Posted on: 18 May 2017
If you have a home that's styled in a very modern, contemporary way, aluminum may be one of the first materials you consider for your garage door. After all, an aluminum garage door typically has a sleek, sophisticated look that fits in well with modern decor. However, while aluminum doors do have their advantages, they also have a few minor downfalls to consider. Be sure to weigh these pros and cons as you decide whether this is the right garage door material for you.
Pros of Aluminum Garage Doors
1. They're lightweight.
If you plan on installing the door yourself, aluminum is a great choice. It's much lighter than other options, like wood and steel, making it possible to install it with fewer helpers. If the door ever comes off the opener and you need to lift it manually, you won't struggle too much.
2. They're inexpensive.
You can expect to pay between $400 and $700 for an aluminum garage door -- and that includes having it installed! This is much cheaper than other garage door options. For instance, you may pay $800 to $1,000, or even more, for a wooden garage door. Custom-design that wood door and the price goes up to $3,000 or more. Steel doors often ring in around $1,200.
3. They do not rust or rot.
Wooden garage doors are prone to rot if you don't regularly paint or waterproof them. Steel, while beautiful when new, will soon develop rust -- especially if you live near the coast where there's always salt in the air. Aluminum does not rust. It will eventually corrode, but this won't happen for many, many years and can be kept at bay by the occasional cost of paint.
Cons of Aluminum Doors
1. They bend easily.
Aluminum is not known for its hardness; think about how easy aluminum cans are to bend. Garage doors are made from thicker sheets of aluminum than are aluminum cans, but they are still more likely to bend and dent than doors made from steel or wood.
2. They are not self-insulating.
As a metal, aluminum is a conductor. It will allow heat to travel through it quite easily. If you have a detached garage and have no concerns about keeping it warm, then this is not an issue. However, if you plan to heat your garage, you'll need to add a thick layer of insulation to the inside of an aluminum door to prevent excessive heat loss.
For more information on installing aluminum garage doors, check out a company like Artex Overhead Door.
Share