Choosing the Right Garage Door Material for Miami’s Climate
Material is one of the most important considerations when buying a new garage door. It often goes hand in hand with other elements, such as the type and style of the garage door, and it plays an essential role in blending seamlessly with your home’s aesthetic.
Whether you are looking for durability, aesthetic appeal or the perfect combination, it is crucial to understand your options before making a final decision. Discover the best garage door materials for Florida as we examine the ins and outs of garage doors and their materials.
Types of Garage Doors
Each type of garage door offers unique benefits, and it will impact overall functionality, aesthetics and your home’s security. Certain types of garage doors are far more common in certain areas, but these are the most popular types you’ll find:
- Roller garage doors: Roller doors are often a prevalent choice for residential and commercial use. They consist of narrow connected slats that roll into a coil, often within a drum above the door’s opening. If you have limited ceiling space, this low-maintenance and usually durable garage door is a practical solution for your home.
- Sectional garage doors: A sectional garage door comprises several panels connected by hinges, and as the door opens, the panels hinge around and sit under the garage ceiling. When the door opens or closes, the wheels at the edge of each panel roll inside a vertical track. This is a highly versatile type of garage door and is often customizable in terms of material, color and finishes.
- Counterweight or tilt garage doors: These are often referred to as tilt-up doors, as the door contains a single piece of material that tilts up and into the garage when you open it. These doors are typically supported by counterweights that assist in smooth and seamless operation. Tilt-ups are slightly less common as they require ample headroom but can come in sleek and stylish designs.
- Side-hinged garage doors: This type requires sufficient space at the front of the garage entrance as it swings open and closed on a hinged frame on either side of the door opening. Imagine a traditional-style barn door — that is the movement you’ll see with these.
Residential Garage Door Styles
In addition to choosing the right garage door material and type, you’ll want to understand the various styles and their structures and configurations. Certain styles of doors only come in particular materials, which your local Florida garage door expert can help explain further. Here are three popular residential garage door styles:
- Traditional style: For a classic look, these doors’ design includes raised rectangular panels and can even feature windows, usually at the top. This versatile style can complement various home aesthetics, making it a go-to choice for many homeowners.
- Contemporary style: This style offers a functional, sleek and modern appearance. It often incorporates minimalist designs, clean lines and several large glass panels. This door is a great addition to any modern or mid-century modern home, and it radiates style and sophistication.
- Carriage house style: Although these doors can accentuate the aesthetic of various home designs, they often lend a rustic element and resemble barn-style doors. Old carriage houses inspired the style, and these doors usually include decorative hardware and swing or slide open — however, many modern versions act like sectional doors.
Types of Garage Door Materials
The material you choose for your garage door is essential, especially when considering the climate and weather in your area. For instance, Miami, Florida, is known to experience hurricanes periodically. You will need to keep that in mind, especially when the likes of Clopay assign a WINDCODE® rating to its garage doors, depending on the severity of storms.
On the other hand, you can likely select a garage door without insulation, as Miami experiences more of a warmer climate predominantly. These are some of the potential options for garage door materials:
- Steel garage doors: Steel is a popular choice as it is incredibly durable, cost-effective and low-maintenance. It offers excellent security and is available in various styles and finishes — this means it can even mimic wood without the same level of upkeep. Overall, steel is a versatile and highly practical option.
- Wood garage doors: Wood provides a more natural and timeless aesthetic that enhances curb appeal for many homes. You can customize your wood garage door with various types of wood stains, paints and designs. However, overall, wood requires more maintenance than other materials to protect it from pests and the elements, but its unique charm can be worth it.
- Wood composite garage doors: Wood composite combines the beauty and elegance of wood with the durability of other synthetic materials, such as plastic fibers. This material is far more resistant to splitting, warping and rotting than natural wood. It also requires less overall maintenance, and because it is typically made using recycled materials, it tends to be more eco-friendly.
- Aluminum and glass garage doors: Aluminum frames with glass offer a sleek and modern look. They incorporate clean lines and large glass panels that allow natural light into the garage door. This material is excellent for contemporary homes — however, it is lightweight, which makes it more susceptible to damage from wind and debris.
What Is the Best Garage Door Material for Florida Homes?
Due to the Florida climate, knowing how to choose the right garage door for your home is essential. In Miami, Florida, the best type of garage door is suited to hurricane impact, and most of these doors are manufactured using steel.
The best material for garage doors is steel because it’s incredibly durable and resistant to Miami’s humid and hurricane-prone climate. Steel doors can withstand the high winds and impact common during hurricanes. You also benefit from steel’s excellent security and protection.
Steel garage doors, such as the Modern Steel™ Collection, the Classic Collection™ Value Series, the Coachman® Collection and the Canyon Ridge® Carriage House and Louver, provide premium aesthetics and functionality that all Miami homeowners should look for.
Get the Best Garage Doors From ADCO Garage Doors
If you’re seeking the best type of garage door material for your Miami home, consider ADCO Garage Doors and our range of hurricane-impact garage doors. As a Clopay Master Authorized® Dealer, we offer a wide selection of residential garage doors that suit any home style and client need.
We are proud to serve the Miami-Dade County with expert garage door knowledge, products, installation, maintenance and repair services. You can complete a contact form or call us at 305-885-8836 with any questions regarding garage door materials, types or styles.