Garage Door Statistics
A garage door has a demanding life of ups and downs. It is one of the busiest doors in our home, and we don’t realise how often we use it until it breaks down. Garage doors are constantly under a lot of tension and require regular maintenance to ensure they are working properly.
Here are some interesting facts about garage doors that you may not know:
1) The average garage door opener is used 3 to 5 times a day, approximately 1500 times per year.
2) Garage doors have an average lifespan of 15-20 years
3) Jerry Seinfeld owns one of the worlds most expensive garage doors, amounting to a whopping US $500,000.00. Housing none other than 46 Porches from his personal collection.
4) The first garage door was invented in 1921 by C.G. Johnson, followed by the first electric garage door in 1926. (DASMA, 2021)
5) Compared to other home improvements, garage door installation has one of the highest returns on investment, with an average of 97% ROI. (Home Advisor, 2020)
6) The most common type of garage door is the sectional garage door, which is made up of several hinged panels that slide up and overhead to open. (Houzz)
Garage Door Materials
There are a variety of garage door materials to choose from, each with its benefits and drawbacks. The most common types of garage doors are made from steel, wood, and fibreglass.
Steel Garage Doors
Steel is the most popular material for garage doors because it is durable and low maintenance. They can be insulated to help keep your garage warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Pros:
- Durable, low-maintenance, can be insulated
- Has the longest warranty
- Wide range of finishes, designs and window options
- Economical
Cons:
- Susceptible to denting and rusting
- Steel garage doors, if made from uninsulated steel, will waste energy.
Wood Garage Doors
Wood garage doors offer a classic look and can be customised to match the style of your home. However, wood doors require more maintenance than other types and are not as energy-efficient.
Pros:
- Wood garage doors have a timeless beauty, and they can be stained or painted to match the look of your home.
- Wooden doors are durable and can last for many years with proper care.
- Wooden garage doors are customisable. Wooden doors have a wide variety of designs to choose from
- Eco-friendly. Wood is a renewable resource, hence making it more eco-friendly than steel.
Cons:
- Garage doors made from wood usually require a lot of maintenance.
- Wood is not a good insulator making it less energy efficient.
- Wooden garage doors are heavy.
- Wooden garage doors are a bit higher in the price range.
Fibreglass Garage Doors
Fibreglass garage doors are a good option if you want a low-maintenance and energy-efficient door. However, fibreglass doors can be damaged easily and are not as durable as other types of doors.
Pros:
- A fibreglass garage door is light and affordable.
- Fibreglass is semi-transparent, allowing more light into the garage.
- Fibreglass garage doors do not dent or rust.
- The doors are cheaper than other types of doors.
Cons:
- Fibreglass doors could be better insulators since fibreglass is light and semi-transparent.
- Fibreglass is not a very good choice for garage doors in windy coastal areas, and they tend to break easily and are annoyingly noisy.
- Fibreglass is prone to yellowing.
Aluminium Garage Doors
Aluminium garage doors are a good option if you want a lightweight and low maintenance door. However, aluminium doors can be dented easily and are not as energy-efficient as other types of doors.
Pros:
- Aluminium garage doors are lightweight compared to steel and wood. This makes aluminium garage doors easier to install than steel or wooden ones.
- Aluminium is durable but budget-friendly.
- Aluminium is naturally resistant to rust & corrosion.
Cons:
- Aluminium is not hit-resistant compared to steel doors. The dents made in aluminium can be hard to fix without the help of a specialist.
- Aluminium can get softer in high temperatures.
