Steel Garage Doors

Steel doors are the most common type of garage doors. They represent a relatively cheap option, with many standard sizes, and with several colors out-of-the-box. And, in many ways, they are the best in the market, allowing high-performing insulation.

Types of steel garage doors 

Big commercial surfaces and many manufacturers present three distinct types of steel doors:

- Single layer doors, with a single sheet of galvanized steel: these are the cheaper doors, and they haven’t any layer of insulation backing them. They are a bad option if your garage is attached to your house or if you are planning to pass a reasonable time in it.

- Double layer steel doors, with a galvanized steel skin on the outside and a layer of either polyurethane or polystyrene on the inside, to provide soundproofing and insulating capability to the door (polyurethane is commonly a better option than polystyrene).

- Triple layer doors, with the same materials as double layer doors but with an extra galvanized steel layer on the inside to protect the insulation layer. That additional skin makes triple layer doors stronger and more secure.

Most triple layer doors have also thicker insulation, allowing greater R-Value, or, in other words, better insulation.

Steel garage doors pros

Today's steel garage doors….

- are stronger and more durable than doors made of other materials;
- do not warp or crap and rarely dent;
- do not require repainting as often as wood garage doors. 

Choosing a Good Premium Steel Garage Door

The best doors use thick layers of steel, and polyurethane. A garage door of 2 inches thick, 24 gauge steel and a minimum R-value of 5 is a typical good option.

Also important is the type of galvanizing. A hot-dip galvanized garage door prevents rusting. Rust-preventing zinc coats are highly effective, more than electro-galvanizing.

Note:
Steel presents varying strengths, measured by its gauge number. The lower the gauge number, the stronger and more dent resistant the door is: 24 gauge is stronger than 25 gauge...


Painting System

A two-step paint system, including a primer coat and a tough polyester topcoat – dispensing painting after installation – is a good option.


Warranties

Long warranties (20 years and more) are typical on steel garage doors. A warranty should cover all parts of the door: cover paint finish, hardware, adhesive…

Steel Garage Door Prices

See: Garage Doors Prices
See also: Garage Doors Basics



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