The cost of wooden doors is generally lower than doors made of steel or other materials. Painted, flat-panel wooden doors are the least expensive garage doors. Wooden doors with raised panels are more expensive than flat-panel garage doors but are still more affordable than doors made of other materials. Homeowners have a wide range of prices to choose from, and there is a wooden door to fit every budget.
Wood Choices
Wooden garage doors are available in different grades of wood. The most popular and least costly choice is painted wood. Manufacturers usually offer painted garage doors in several colors, and the homeowner can always choose to paint the door another color as a do-it-yourself project. Stain-grade wood is more expensive than painted wood and adds an elegant look to a home.
Insulation
Wooden doors provide better insulation than steel doors. Weather stripping can be added to the door for even better insulation. Wooden doors are excellent choices for garages that are used for play or utility areas because of the good insulation they provide.
Styles
The two basic styles of wooden doors are the roll up and the tilt up door. The roll up door provides a tight fit between the door and the door opening because it is installed behind the door opening. Roll up doors have four or more horizontal sections that are hinged together and roll on a track to open. Tilt up doors are installed inside the door opening, and the entire panel tilts out and then is pushed up to open. Tilt doors are a cost-saving option and are typically up to 35% cheaper than a roll up door.
Customization
The combinations of features for wooden doors are endless. The following are a few of the features available for wooden doors.
? Windows: Some homeowners want solid wooden doors, and others want doors with windows to allow more light to enter the garage. Wooden doors can be made with any size, style, and number of windows.
? Panels: Homeowners have a choice of no panels, rectangular panels, or square panels. The choice depends on the taste of the homeowner. The panel selection should complement the other garage door features as well as the home.
? Special designs: Carriage and barn doors are two specialized wooden doors that give homes a unique look. Both doors appear to open by swinging open or sliding along a horizontal track, but they open the same as a traditional section garage door.
There are many different wooden doors with specific features available from manufacturers. Be sure to consider all the available options before selecting a wooden door for your home.
