Installing a new garage door is one of the easiest ways to give your home a facelift and boost its curb appeal. A new garage door will also increase the value of your house and provide a much better return on your investment compared to most other home improvements. However, it’s always important that you carefully consider which type of garage door you want to install. To make this easier, this article will compare steel and vinyl garage doors to help you understand the pros and cons of each type.
Cost
When deciding which type of garage door to install, one of the first things you’ll want to focus on is the cost. While vinyl garage doors are typically less expensive than wood, they’re considerably more expensive than steel. However, looking only at the upfront cost doesn’t tell the full story.
When taking into account the specific maintenance requirements and warranties, vinyl garage doors often end up being the more cost-effective option overall. Most steel garage doors only come with a 10- to 20-year warranty. Vinyl garage doors, on the other hand, often come with a limited lifetime warranty that covers the door itself. Many manufacturers also include an additional warranty that covers the vinyl against cracking, peeling, chipping, flaking or fading.
Maintenance and Durability
Both steel and vinyl garage doors are quite durable and don’t require all that much maintenance, especially compared to traditional wood garage doors. You’ll still need to have the rollers, track, springs, and other hardware maintained regularly, but a steel or vinyl garage door itself is easy to maintain and keep clean. Either steel or vinyl can easily be cleaned simply by spraying it off with a hose.
One area where vinyl has an advantage is that it’s highly resistant to impact damage, scratching, scuffs, and weathering. An issue with steel garage doors is that they can easily be dented, dinged, or suffer hail damage. This issue isn’t merely cosmetic since any dents or dings can cause the steel to rust and corrode, which can shorten the lifespan of the door. This is why vinyl is often the better choice if you have kids because it will withstand whatever they may throw at the door. In extremely cold temperatures, impacts can easily cause vinyl to crack, but this isn’t something you’ll need to worry about in the Arizona climate.
Vinyl can potentially get scratched or scuffed, but you won’t be able to notice it nearly as much as you do with steel. This is because vinyl is the same color throughout instead of having a painted finish like steel.
Appearance and Style
Both steel and vinyl garage doors are available in a wide range of styles and sizes and offer a similar look and aesthetic appeal. Either type can have a smooth finish or be embossed with a wood grain. However, embossed steel tends to look much more realistic compared to vinyl. It’s usually the better choice if you want the appearance of a traditional wood door.
Both types come in a fairly wide range of colors, but you’re more limited on color options with vinyl. With steel, you’ll generally have no issues finding the exact color you want that matches or contrasts with the rest of your home’s exterior. You’re mostly limited to lighter colors with vinyl doors since darker vinyl tends to be quite prone to fading over time due to sun exposure. You can minimize this effect by choosing a door that has a UV-resistant finish, but you still need to choose a lighter color that reflects the sunlight. A darker color will absorb sunlight and heat, which can often lead to the vinyl warping over time.
Another thing to consider is that you can always repaint a steel door if you decide you want to change its color. With vinyl, you’re essentially stuck with whatever color you originally chose. Vinyl can be painted, but it can be difficult to get the paint to adhere properly. Painted vinyl is also more prone to peeling and cracking than painted steel.
AAA Garage Door and Gates is a family-owned and -operated company that provides expert residential garage door installation and commercial garage door services to customers in Glendale and throughout the Phoenix metro area. Our garage door experts specialize in installation and can help you choose the right door for your home or business. We can also assist with any of your garage door maintenance, repair, and inspection needs. For more information on the available options for your new garage door, contact us today.
