Most homeowners don't recognize the huge role garage doors play in their lives. Garage doors do such a big service in terms of security, but notice comes their way only when they break down. The typical garage door is either steel or wood.
Maintenance requirements are the primary difference between steel and wood residential doors, testified the product manager of a leading manufacturer of commercial and residential sliding doors. Minor touch ups are all that's needed to maintain steel doors coated with baked enamel in prime condition. Because of the baked on finish, a steel door will retain its appearance for many years, requiring only minor touch ups to cover any scratches acquired over the years.
However, steel doors can also be painted. The door need not clash with the home exterior, and a full bodied, well colored paint is applied to this end. No harm comes to galvanized steel doors from rain, sleet, or snow.
In contrast, a greater effort is required to prevent cracking and sagging in wood doors. Prior to exposure, it is suggested that the homeowner applies at least two coats of oil based paint, stain or other exterior finish to all surfaces of the door. Every year thereafter, the homeowner should apply a single coat to the exterior of the door to preserve the wood.
This advice will prolong the wood door's life for many more years. Due to wood's elasticity, it can maintain its young look longer than steel doors. Wood can accommodate greater impact than solid steel. For example, a wood door is not likely to bend, and most definitely will not dent if hit with a hard object. On the other hand, a steel door can dent or bend.
The choice of insulation is out there for steel and wood flush doors, but not for wood panel doors. Weather stripping all around the door is a co requirement for insulation.
Many prefer insulation for a quieter, stronger door. Full insulation involves more than the garage door. Measurements of the garage opening, head room, and side room, should all be taken into consideration when getting a garage door. The headroom is the region from the uppermost part of opening to the closest hindrance.
Likewise, from the side opening to the next thing on the wall is the side room. To fix up the hardware, you need the exact measurements. Oftentimes, the dealer can measure the door opening him, along with a free estimate. No matter the cost, garage doors are best mounted by the dealer. Fortunately for handymen, directions come with the door.
