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The Pros & Cons of Installing a Steel Garage Door

12/18/2023

Considering replacing your current garage door? There are several materials to choose from. While you’ll most often see aluminum or vinyl garage door panels in base models, steel is also a common option for many homeowners and businesses. Is steel the right material for your new garage door? Let’s talk specs, pros, cons, and cost:

Steel Garage Door Specifications

Steel garage doors are typically made from galvanized steel, which provides resistance to corrosion and rust. The thickness of the steel can vary, with thicker gauges offering better strength and durability. However, there is a sweet spot for steel garage door gauge, because you want something durable but not so heavy it wears out your garage door opener.

Steel garage doors are insulated with foam or polystyrene, which helps to improve energy efficiency and reduce noise levels. R-value, which measures the insulating ability, ranges from 2 to 18. They come in a variety of panel designs, including raised panels, flush panels, and carriage house style. The garage door panel design can affect the appearance, strength, and insulation value of the door.

Pros of Installing a Steel Garage Door

Steel is a popular choice of material for both residential and commercial overhead doors, and for good reason. Pros of steel garage doors include:

  • Durable: Steel is a strong and resilient material that can withstand years of wear and tear.
  • Low-Maintenance: Steel garage doors require minimal maintenance, making them a convenient and time-saving option.
  • Affordable: Steel garage doors are typically less expensive than other types of garage doors, such as wood or fiberglass.
  • Energy Efficient: Insulated steel garage doors can help to improve energy efficiency by keeping your garage warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
  • Versatility: Steel garage doors come in a variety of styles and finishes to complement any home.
  • Resistant to Rot and Rust: Galvanized steel is resistant to rot and rust, making it a good choice for homes in all climates.

Cons of Choosing a Steel Garage Door

Nothing’s without its downsides, though. Some caveats to steel garage doors are:

  • Susceptible to Dents: Steel garage doors can be dented by hail, stones, or other objects. While you can patch and smooth over a dent with steel filler, there is no way to actually repair the dent without replacing the whole garage door panel.
  • Not as Attractive as Other Materials: Some people may find steel garage doors to be less attractive than wood or fiberglass garage doors. Steel can be painted and powder-coated, but its style does lean modern-industrial, which isn’t for everyone.
  • Prone to Heat Transfer: Steel garage doors can transfer heat easily, making them less energy efficient than insulated doors. Insulating a steel door is a must, which might be a deal-breaker for some.

Cost of a New Steel Garage Door Install

The cost of a steel garage door can vary depending on the size, style, finish, and insulation level. However, they are generally less expensive than other types of garage doors. Here’s a rough cost estimate:

  • Non-insulated: $300 – $800
  • Insulated: $500 – $1500
  • High-end: $1500 – $3000

Don’t forget to factor in things like door size, type, style, windows, high-lift options, etc. Those will drive the cost up a bit. But as far as affordability, steel is a low-cost, low-maintenance option for garage doors that is a bit nicer than aluminum or vinyl.SACS is the perfect place to partner with on your next overhead door repair, replacement or installation. Get started designing your custom door, and be sure to give us a call with any questions.

Preventative Garage Door Maintenance: A Guide

What kind of preventative maintenance should you be doing to ensure your garage door works in prime condition? For starters, you should go over all movable parts with a lug wrench and tighten down all the bolts. This will minimize any rattling, ease wear and tear, and quiet down your garage door. You should also periodically oil down all moving parts on your garage door with an approved garage door lubricant — never WD40 which can cause the parts of your garage door to prematurely rust. It’s also a good idea to periodically watch your garage door open and close. Does it open smoothly or does it struggle in a section or two? Take a close look at your garage door springs. Look for any signs of rust, slacking or looseness. If there’s an issue, call a garage door professional for a more thorough inspection.

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