Whether you’re looking to add curb appeal or value to your home, these doors are a solid choice. They offer durability, insulation and security.
Steel: Premium-quality steel garage doors feature a thick-gauge steel outer skin filled with energy-efficient polystyrene or polyurethane foam insulation to achieve R-values up to 18.4. Some styles are double-skin, which hides the frame from view inside your garage.
Durability
When a garage door is made with heavy duty materials, it’s built to withstand a lot of wear and tear. Its slats are typically free-acting and interlocking, allowing them to articulate easily as the door rolls up and down. They’re also resistant to corrosion and damage due to their galvanized coatings. In addition, their smooth surfaces resist the buildup of dirt and debris, reducing maintenance time.
A heavy-duty steel door is a good choice for homeowners looking to improve their home’s strength and durability. These doors are usually made with rugged, real-gauge steel and hot-dip galvanized in zinc to prevent rusting. They are then coated with a primer and topcoat paint, which makes them easy to clean and resistant to chipping and scratching. Steel garage doors are also incredibly quiet to open and close.
Many steel garage doors have the option to add glass windows and accent pieces, which helps them match the style of a home’s exterior. This is a great way to customize a garage door without spending too much money on it. These doors are also ideal for people who want a modern look for their house’s exterior.
Some of the best garage doors are designed with composite wood overlays, which can give a door a luxury appearance and make it more stylish. These doors can be painted in contrasting colors to create a unique look and are available with various overlay patterns. The Coachman Series, for example, is a steel garage door with a composite wood overlay that gives it a classic carriage-house look and R-values of up to 18.4.
Aluminum garage doors are also an excellent choice for homeowners who want a sturdy door that will withstand the elements. These doors are lighter than steel, which reduces stress on the torsion springs and mechanism – as well as making it less dangerous in case the door malfunctions.
Premium-quality steel doors have cores of either rigid polystyrene or polyurethane foam insulation, which helps them to conserve energy and keep homes comfortable in any weather. These doors are also stronger than standard-quality steel models, which means they’re less likely to sag over time and easier to operate.
Insulation
Insulation is a key feature of any garage door. It keeps the contents of your garage safe from extreme temperatures and reduces noise from outside. It’s especially important in the winter, when garage doors are opened frequently and exposed to freezing cold air.
Most garages have more uses than just a space to park cars and store things. People use them as workshops, rec rooms and even living spaces. Adding an insulated garage door means that these areas can be used year-round.
There are a variety of insulation options for garage doors, including polystyrene and polyurethane. These are a little different from the spray foam you might know from home improvement stores. The difference is that these insulation materials are bonded to the steel of the garage door to create an insulated sandwich. These doors typically offer higher R-value ratings than spray foam, as well as superior durability and strength.
Non-insulated steel garage doors are thin and provide minimal protection from the elements or intruders. They’re also less able to stand up to impacts like basketballs, bikes and hail. In some cases, a thick non-insulated steel garage door could do more harm than good if it’s located in an area with heavy wind gusts or severe weather conditions.
An insulated garage door can make your home more comfortable, especially in the winter. It can also help you save money on energy bills and prevent drafts. Many insulated garage doors also come with windows to enhance the look of your home and allow natural light in.
Clopay’s Thermacore® collection offers a variety of durable, insulated garage doors in various styles and designs. These doors offer a variety of color and window options to complement any home. Thermacore doors feature a sandwich construction of steel-polyurethane-steel for premium insulation. They are available in short and long raised panel and carriage house design options. R-values are up to 18.4. This makes them one of the most energy efficient steel garage doors on the market. They are manufactured right here in the U.S. and are backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Security
Your garage door is one of the main entry points to your home, so it should be a strong deterrent against intruders. If you choose the right option, it will protect your belongings, vehicles and loved ones from break-ins. The best options are secure, insulated and look great. They also operate smoothly and come with safety features that prevent pinching.
Steel garage doors offer the most security for your home. They are difficult to break into and resistant to rust and rot, making them more durable than fiberglass or wooden doors. They can also be a fire-rated option for your home, providing a safe escape route in the event of a house fire.
Up and over garage doors are another good choice for homeowners that want a secure and dependable door. They have a finished steel fixing frame that eliminates timber frame wrap and rot and make the door stronger than other types of doors. They have single locking mechanisms that are difficult to break into, and they are often equipped with a deadbolt for additional protection.
Roll-up garage doors are a good option for homeowners that want a durable and secure door. They are not as noisy as sectional garage doors, and they have interlocking slats that coil into a barrel shape when open. These slats are thicker than traditional panels, and they are coated with a layer of rust-prevention paint to keep them looking new and protected from corrosion.
Many of these garage doors are fitted with a variety of safety devices, including electronic “eyes” that reverse the door when they are close to something underneath them. Most are also equipped with mechanisms that stop the door from closing if it hits an object or person.
You can also upgrade your garage door by installing a variety of smart home solutions. For instance, you can install a motion-sensing floodlight that lights up when someone approaches your garage and helps to scare off intruders. You can also add a smart garage controller to your garage that gives you remote access from anywhere. You can monitor the door and even re-key your lock yourself using an app.
Style
Your garage door is an important part of your home that provides a first impression to guests and passersby. If you want yours to have a lasting appeal with minimal maintenance, consider a heavy-duty steel door. These doors are designed for long term durability and come with excellent energy efficiency, allowing you to regulate the temperature in your garage year round. They also provide wind resistance, making them a good choice for homes in harsh weather conditions.
Heavy duty garage doors are available in a range of styles and materials to match your budget and durability needs. Some of the most popular options are wood composite and fiberglass. Both are durable and beautiful, and each offers its own set of unique benefits at different price points.
Wood composite garage doors are a great option for those wanting a traditional, elegant look. They are a combination of real wood and steel, and they come in carriage house, contemporary and traditional designs. They can be insulated, which helps them retain heat in colder temperatures and save money on utility bills. Clopay’s Intellicore insulation technology uses dense polyurethane foam to trap heat, reduce sound and make your garage a comfortable space to store cars, tools and other items.
Fiberglass garage doors are a good choice for homeowners on a tight budget or who want to sell their home in the near future. They are a durable, affordable material that comes in many different color and design options to match your home’s architectural style. If you are looking for a quieter garage door, consider opting for a glass model with an obscure or rain, seeded or frosted glass option.
Up and over garage doors are a classic, cost-effective option for those who don’t plan on using their garage often. They are made from durable materials and have finished steel fixing frames, which simplify installation and eliminate the need for timber frame wrap. They are also a safer choice for those with small children or pets, as they don’t require the use of springs that can pinch fingers.