Best Types Of Garage Doors To Install in Raleigh, NC

Key takeaways

• Steel garage doors are the most common type in Raleigh, NC because they are durable, secure and low-maintenance, and they come with wood-grain textures.
• Sectional garage doors are the most popular operating style for homes: hinged panels roll up a vertical track and then back along the garage ceiling.
• Composite garage doors, made of wood fibers and resin, look like wood but resist rot, splitting and cracking and usually cost less than real wood.
• Clopay lists R-values of 18.4 for most of its 2-inch Intellicore insulated steel doors, compared with 12.9 for its thinner 1-3/8-inch insulated models.
• Roll-up doors with narrow horizontal slats are built for commercial use but fit homes where ceiling space is limited.

The best garage door types to install in Raleigh, NC are steel, carriage house, modern, wood, composite, glass, insulated, roll-up and sectional doors, and the right one depends on your budget, your home’s style and how much upkeep you want to do. Steel is the most common choice, wood and carriage house doors give the warmest look, and insulated doors make the most sense for an attached garage in Raleigh’s hot summers and cold snaps. RJ Garage Door Service has installed garage doors across Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Fayetteville and the Triangle since 2013. Below are the pros and cons of each type.

Garage door type	Best for	Main drawback
Traditional steel	Durability and low maintenance	Basic models have little insulation
Carriage house	Classic, rustic curb appeal	Costs more than traditional doors
Modern/contemporary	Minimalist and modern homes	Glass panels can reduce privacy
Wood	A warm, natural look	Needs regular sealing, painting or staining
Composite	Wood look with less upkeep	Costs more than basic steel
Glass	Natural light and a modern look	Privacy and temperature control
Insulated	Energy efficiency and quiet operation	Heavier and more expensive
Roll-up	Limited ceiling space and heavy use	Industrial look
Sectional	Most residential garages and short driveways	Hinges and tracks need regular care

Are traditional steel garage doors a good choice?

Traditional steel garage doors are a good choice for most homes, and they are the most common and durable type of garage door. Steel doors come in designs from basic to decorative and give strong security with low maintenance.

The advantages of steel garage doors are:

• Steel resists rust and warping, and thicker-gauge or multi-layer steel doors resist dents better than thin single-layer doors.
• Steel needs minimal upkeep beyond occasional cleaning and lubrication.
• Steel doors come in many designs and finishes, including wood-grain textures.

The drawbacks of steel garage doors are:

• Basic steel models may not insulate well unless you upgrade.
• Steel may lack the warmth and natural look of real wood.

What are carriage house garage doors?

Carriage house garage doors are doors built to look like the swing-out doors on old carriage houses, with a rustic and elegant appearance. Carriage house doors often have decorative hardware and can be made of steel, wood or composite.

The advantages of carriage house garage doors are:

• Carriage house doors add a classic, rustic look to a home.
• They come in several materials, including wood, steel and composites.
• You can customize them with decorative hardware and window options.

The drawbacks of carriage house garage doors are:

• Carriage house doors usually cost more than traditional doors because of their decorative design.
• Wooden versions need more upkeep, and steel versions still need regular care.

What are modern/contemporary garage doors?

Modern/contemporary garage doors are doors with sleek, clean lines, often made of aluminum and glass. Modern doors suit contemporary architecture and give a home a distinctive, stylish look.

The advantages of modern garage doors are:

• Modern doors complement modern and minimalist architectural styles.
• They are often made from durable aluminum and glass.
• You can choose tinted or frosted glass and custom colors.

The drawbacks of modern garage doors are:

• Glass panels may reduce privacy, depending on how transparent they are.
• Modern doors generally cost more because of the materials and design.

Are wooden garage doors worth it?

Wooden garage doors are worth it if you want a classic, natural look and are willing to maintain it. Wood doors can be customized with stains, finishes and panel designs, but they need more maintenance than doors made of other materials.

The advantages of wooden garage doors are:

• Wood has a warm, classic appearance that you can customize with stains and finishes.
• Wood doors can be built to match any architectural style with different panel layouts.

The drawbacks of wooden garage doors are:

• Wood needs regular sealing, painting or staining to protect it from the elements, and Raleigh’s humidity makes that upkeep more frequent.
• Wood doors usually cost more than steel or composite doors.

What are composite garage doors?

Composite garage doors are doors made from a combination of wood fibers and resin that look like wood but need less maintenance. Composite doors resist rot, splitting and cracking.

The advantages of composite garage doors are:

• Composite mimics the look of wood with less maintenance.
• Composite resists rot, splitting and cracking and performs well in different kinds of weather.
• Composite doors are often better insulated than real wood doors.

The drawbacks of composite garage doors are:

• Composite costs more than basic steel, though usually less than real wood.
• Even a realistic composite door may not fully match the warmth of natural wood.

Are glass garage doors a good fit for Raleigh homes?

Glass garage doors are a good fit for modern Raleigh homes. Glass garage doors usually have aluminum frames and large glass panels, let natural light into the garage, and come with different levels of transparency.

The advantages of glass garage doors are:

• Glass lets sunlight into the garage, so you need less artificial lighting.
• Glass doors give a sleek, contemporary look.
• Tinted and frosted glass options let you pick your privacy level.

The drawbacks of glass garage doors are:

• Clear glass may not give much privacy.
• Glass doors can let in more heat or cold unless they are well insulated.
• Glass doors generally cost more because of the materials and design.

Why choose insulated garage doors?

Insulated garage doors are worth choosing because insulation between the door’s panels makes them energy-efficient and helps hold the temperature inside the garage, which is useful in Raleigh’s varied climate. Insulation is measured by R-value, and higher numbers insulate better. Clopay’s Intellicore page, for example, lists an R-value of 18.4 for most of its 2-inch polyurethane-insulated doors and 12.9 for its 1-3/8-inch models.

The advantages of insulated garage doors are:

• Insulated doors keep the garage temperature more consistent, which can lower energy costs.
• Insulated doors are often built with multiple layers, which makes them sturdier.
• Insulation makes the door quieter when it runs.

The drawbacks of insulated garage doors are:

• Insulated doors cost more than non-insulated doors.
• Insulated doors are heavier than single-layer doors and may need a stronger opener.

If your garage is detached and you never heat or cool it, a non-insulated door is often the better value.

When do roll-up garage doors make sense?

Roll-up garage doors make sense where space is tight or the door gets heavy use. Roll-up doors are made of narrow horizontal slats that roll into a coil above the opening, and while they are most common in commercial buildings, they also work in homes.

The advantages of roll-up garage doors are:

• Roll-up doors save space because they coil compactly above the opening.
• They are built for commercial settings, so they withstand heavy use.
• Roll-up doors are strong and secure.

The drawbacks of roll-up garage doors are:

• Roll-up doors usually look industrial, which many homeowners find less attractive.
• They can cost more because of their heavy-duty construction.

Why are sectional garage doors so popular?

Sectional garage doors are the most popular type for homes because they fit most residential garages and are easy to operate. A sectional door is made of panels joined by hinges. When the door opens, the sections travel up a vertical track and then horizontally along the garage ceiling.

The advantages of sectional garage doors are:

• Sectional doors are widely used, easy to operate and fit most residential garages.
• They come in many designs, colors and insulation options.
• Sectional doors open straight up instead of swinging out, so they suit short driveways.

The drawbacks of sectional garage doors are:

• Hinges and tracks need regular lubrication and care.
• Damage to one section may mean replacing that whole panel, depending on how bad it is.

RJ Garage Door Service helps Raleigh homeowners choose and install the right garage door, whether you want a wooden door, a modern glass door or a steel door. If you are ready to upgrade your garage door or want to explore your options, contact RJ Garage Door Service or call (919) 438-7447 for a free estimate.