Vinyl Vs. Steel.edited.doc

Vinyl Vs. Steel: Which one is better for my garage door?
Traditionally, garage doors were made of wood. However, with time, more
materials have been used to make garage doors. Steel and vinyl are some of
the materials that are commonly used. When choosing garage doors for your
home, the options available may overwhelm you. So what do you choose
between steel and vinyl?
It is imperative to know that both materials have their pros and cons. Here
are some of them to help you make an informed decision.

Steel Garage Doors
Steel garage doors are by far the most common you will find in the market.
They are a great choice, especially if you are going for durability. Steel
garage doors are light and quality ones come with long warranties. These
doors are a great deterrent for outsiders. However, steel doors are easily
prone to dents and dings. They are also poor insulators and you may have to
consider extra insulation for them. Steel doors are also more difficult for garage door repair companies to fix dents in.

Vinyl Garage Doors
Vinyl garage doors offer the best contrast for cost and sustainability.
They are also quite durable and unlike steel, they are more resistant to
dents and scratches. They also offer great resistant to harsh weather
conditions. However, customizing your vinyl garage doors may not be as easy
as with the steel doors. Just like the steel doors, they are poor
insulators, although some are manufactured with internal insulation.

Here’s what to compare when deciding between the two
Aesthetics
You will certainly want to choose garage doors that complement the outward
look of your house. Both steel and vinyl doors can be customized to have
the popular wood-look. However, vinyl doors do not look as realistic as
steel doors. Customization with steel doors is also easier as compared to
vinyl doors.
Pricing
Although vinyl garage doors are more expensive than steel ones with regards
to the initial costs, the cost-effective benefits outweigh the initial
costs. If you are working on a low budget, vinyl may be a great option for
you once you take into account the warranties and maintenance costs.
Insulation
Both steel and vinyl garage doors are poor insulators. In most cases,
however, steel doors are made of two sheets with a layer of insulation in
between them. Often, vinyl doors are left insulated. This makes it
difficult for them to maintain a consistent temperature in your garage. You
can, however, opt for aftermarket options to insulate your doors.
Maintenance
Regular mechanical maintenance is required so as to extend the life of your
garage doors. When it comes to vinyl doors, though, very little maintenance
is required in terms of visual appeal. Steel doors require constant
painting as the paint wears off due to sun exposure. Vinyl is also more
resistant to dents as compared to steel. If you live in an area with cold
climate, steel may be the better option for you. Cold weather causes the
vinyl to crack while steel would only get dented under the same conditions.