A wooden garage door gives the warmest, most authentic look and can be built in almost any size, style or finish. The tradeoff is upkeep: wood needs finish and moisture care on the schedule specified for its coating and exposure, or it can warp, crack or rot. Wood doors also cost more than steel and are heavy.
Which woods are used?
- Cedar and redwood: naturally resist moisture and insects, which makes them among the more durable choices.
- Hemlock, mahogany and plywood: also common. Each wood differs in grain, color, durability and price.
Styles
- Traditional: raised panels for a conventional look.
- Carriage style: the look of an old carriage house. See carriage garage doors.
- Contemporary: wood combined with frosted glass or aluminum.
- Custom: designed to match your house's architecture, colors and details.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Natural beauty, and the widest range of custom sizes, shapes, finishes, windows and hardware.
- Can last for decades when properly cared for.
- Insulates better than bare steel or aluminum and dampens noise. Added insulation improves it further; compare R-values if energy use matters.
- Often more resistant to dents than metal doors.
- Made from a renewable resource.
Cons
- Needs regular sealing, painting or staining, and occasional repairs. Wood expands and contracts with temperature and humidity, and water that seeps in causes rot.
- Costs more than steel or fiberglass, both up front and in upkeep.
- Can be damaged by termites where they are common, so watch for signs of activity.
- Weight must be matched with the correct counterbalance and opener. A sound, properly balanced wood door should not be forced or assumed safe to lift when a spring or cable is damaged.
- Not fire resistant. Some high fire-risk areas may regulate wood doors, so check local building rules first.
How to care for a wood garage door
- Clean it periodically with a mild detergent and a soft brush.
- Follow the manufacturer's coating schedule and inspect exposed edges and joints for moisture damage.
- Renew the approved finish when its condition requires it, especially after prolonged sun or rain exposure.
- Look for peeling finish, cracks, soft spots and insect damage.
Want the look with less upkeep? A faux wood garage door uses steel, fiberglass or composite with a wood-grain finish.
For a price on a new garage door, 1A Garage Doors gives free estimates on new doors. Call (916) 838-8182 or see our garage door installation page.
Photo: modern garage doors (CC BY-SA 4.0); resized and converted for this page.
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