At RJ Garage Door Services, we’ve seen firsthand how North Carolina’s hot, humid summers, unpredictable storm seasons, and crisp mountain winters can put a garage door through its paces. Choosing the right door material isn’t just about curb appeal—it’s about finding the sweet spot between durability, insulation, maintenance, and budget for your specific neighborhood-level climate, whether you’re on the breezy coast of Wilmington or in the cooler elevations around Boone.
In the comparison chart below, our technicians break down the real-world pros and cons of today’s most popular garage-door materials—steel, aluminum, wood, composites, fiberglass, vinyl, and more—so you can feel confident that the panel you pick today will still look great and glide smoothly years down the road.
Scroll right for additional materials.
| Galvanized Steel | Aluminum | Solid-Wood | Engineered‑Wood | Fiberglass | Vinyl | Full‑View Glass | Stainless Steel | Copper | ABS Plastic | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average installed cost | $600–$2 000 | $700–$2 100 | $700–$1 800 | $650–$4 740 | $1 000–$2 100 | $1 000–$2 600 | $1 800–$6 070 | $2 500–$5 000* | $4 500–$9 000* | $800–$1 800 |
| Average lifespan (yrs) | 20–30 | 20–30 | 25–40 | 25–35 | 20–30 | 30 + | 20–30 | 30 + | 50 + | 20–25 |
| Maintenance level | Low | Low | High (refinish) | Medium | Low | Very Low | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Insulation R‑value (w/ factory insulation) | 6–12 | 3–6 | ≈ 2 | 6–8 | 7–10 | 4–6 | 0.5–3 | 6–12 | 0–6 | 3–4 |
| Weight (lbs) | 80–150 | 70–110 | 300 + | 250 + | 100–130 | 85–115 | 300 + | 90–160 | 200–300 | 80–100 |
| Dent resistance | Medium | Low | High | High | High | High | Medium | High | High | Medium |
| Corrosion resistance | Medium | High | N/A | N/A | High | High | High | Very High | Very High (patina) | High |
| Rot / moisture resistance | High | High | Low (seal often) | Medium–High | High | High | High | High | High | High |
| Finish options | Powder‑coat, faux‑wood, paint | Anodized, powder‑coat | Stain / paint unlimited | Stain / paint | Real‑grain gel‑coat | Integral color | Anodized, powder‑coat | Brushed / polished | Natural patina | Limited colors |
| Custom design flexibility | High | High | Very High | High | Medium | Medium | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Sound dampening | Medium | Low | High | High | Medium–High | Medium | Low | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Recyclability / eco score | 100 % recyclable | 100 % | Renewable (harvest impact) | Uses wood waste | Limited recycling | 100 % recyclable | Glass & aluminum recyclable | 100 % | 100 % | Limited |
| UV / color‑fade resistance | Medium | Medium | Low (needs finish) | Medium | High | Medium | High | High | Patinas | Medium |
| Fire resistance | Good | Good | Fair | Fair–Good | Good | Fair | Good | Excellent | Excellent | Fair |
| Wind‑load ratings available | Yes (hurricane models) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Custom | Limited |
| Typical manufacturer warranty (yrs) | 10–15 | 10–15 | 1–3 paint / 5 panel | 5–10 | 5–10 | Lifetime on panels | 5–10 | 15–20 | 10 + | 5 |
| Ease of repair | Easy (panel swaps) | Easy | Complex carpentry | Medium | Medium | Medium | Glass panel costly | Medium | Custom | Easy |
| Best‑fit climates | All; may rust near coasts | Coastal / humid | Dry / temperate | Variable | Coastal‑safe | Humid & coastal | Mild to hot | Coastal premium | Mild; showcase | Mild |
| Curb‑appeal potential | High | High modern | Classic premium | Craftsman | Modern | Low–Medium | Modern luxury | Contemporary luxe | Statement luxury | Budget |
| Overall energy efficiency | High (2‑layer + PU) | Moderate | Low | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Low | High (insulated) | Moderate | Low |
