Guide: Wooden Garage Doors vs Wood-Look Garage Doors

Curb Appeal , Garage Doors   Brett Rowley  | 10 July 2018

If you are looking to replace your garage door or are building a new home and can’t make a decision on a genuine wooden garage door or wooden look then we have devised the perfect compare and contrast to help you make the right decision. 

Ultimately, the garage door is the gateway to your home, it not only keeps your cars and belongings safe, it also adds to your home’s curb appeal so it’s vital you make the right decision that is best fitted. 

So if you’re wondering “what type of door is best for garage” or “can I make my garage door look like wood”, keep reading below. Here is a list of the pros & cons for each type of garage door:

 

Genuine Wooden Garage

Pros

  • Customisability: Wooden sectional garage doors are extremely customisable and come in many different designs. Choose from various types of timber, colour and stain to achieve that timeless and classic finish that never goes out of style. This has become a very popular option for modern garage doors. If you want a completely customisable wooden door, see a garage door professional. 
  • Eco-friendly: Being a renewable resource, wooden doors are more eco-friendly than most other types of doors. Additionally, due to its structural nature, wooden doors are easier to repair as you can simply replace the damaged portion as opposed to the entire door.
  • Durability: Quite durable and are built to withstand dents, scratches, scrapes and severe weather temperature changes. Also provides a natural sound barrier.
  • Versatile: If you are unhappy about the way your door looks then simply repaint or apply a different finish.

Cons

  • Cost: Timber is generally more expensive than steel and other materials so keep in mind that the more you customise the greater the costs. Keeping the customisations simple and basic can keep your cost low if you choose to go genuine.
  • Maintenance: One of the biggest downsides to going genuine is the frequent maintenance it requires. Repainting, refinishing, sanding and constant inspections are required to ensure that your door does not rot, warp or chip. Can be more difficult to maintain if you live in a damp climate as moisture can cause rot and warping.
  • Insulation: Is a poor insulator and may end up causing a negative effect on your energy bills. There is insulation available but can drive up the costs.

 

Wood Look Garage Doors (Faux)

Wood-look garage doors are made out of materials such as fibreglass and wood composites. The overlay is intricately designed and can contain real wood pieces to mimic actual timber or cedar wood textures and grain patterns. Wood-look garage doors come in either sectional, or even timber-look roller doors. 

Pros

  • Cost: A lot cheaper compared to genuine wood and are readily available all year round whereas seasons can affect the availability of genuine wood.
  • Maintenance: Unlike genuine wooden sectional and roller garage doors, faux wooden-look garages are extremely easy to maintain as all they require is a simple wash.
  • Durability: Highly durable and resistant to all forms of damage, including moisture and rot, cracks and dents, and last a lot longer with minimal upkeep.
  • Style: Extremely versatile and comes in many different wood-look shades, hues and colours and styles like oak, cedar and chestnut wood to match your home’s colour scheme.
  • Insulation: Cheap to purchase and easy to install when compared to wooden doors.

Cons

  • Aesthetics: Although wood-look doors look realistic, they won’t fool someone with a keen eye for details up-close.

 

Here are questions we often get asked by our customers when it comes to wood look doors.

What’s the difference between timber look and wood look garage doors?

Nothing. Timber look garage doors is just another way of saying wood look garage doors.

Can you paint a garage door to make it look like wood?

In short, yes you can, and timber colour paint is readily available. It can be a lengthy and tedious process and would typically require the help of a professional. That said, it is completely DIY with the right tools and paint.

Are wood garage doors more expensive?

The cost of a wood  garage door will vary depending on the size of your garage, the type of timber, colour and finish you choose. You can expect to pay up to $10,000 for a high-end wood composite door versus $2,500 to $5,000 for a wood look garage door.

How long do wood garage doors last?

The average lifespan of a wood garage door will typically vary based on location and climate, as well as the quality of product and how well it is maintained. A wood garage door lasts between 20 to 25 years if it is properly maintained and well looked after.

 

Need help making a decision?

If you are still struggling to make a decision on whether you should go with genuine wood or the wood-look garage door then contact Gryphon Garage Doors. Gryphon can help answer your questions like “what are the different styles of garage doors” and “what is the most popular type of garage door”. 

 

Where to get your garage door serviced, repaired and installed 

Gryphon Garage Doors is one of the best garage door companies for sectional and roller door repair in Perth, and have been helping Australians protect their homes and commercial spaces in stylish ways for over 25 years. Why is this important? Well it means we’ve come across countless different jobs, and have had to overcome each one. So no matter your situation, you gotta get a Gryphon. We have:

  • Finger proof safety 
  • Quietest motors on the market 
  • Trained professionals 
  • Customised products
  • Warranty up to 7 years!
  • After sales service

Your garage broke down and you need it to open ASAP? Not a problem, give us a call and we will try our best to get to you today and open your space. We look forward to hearing from you.

Brett Rowley

Brett is a garage door expert who also runs Gryphon Garage Doors. He strives for great customer service, excellent product knowledge and constant innovation.