Faux Wood Garage Doors: Style Meets Durability
Are you stuck between wanting a good-looking garage door and one that lasts for years? You’re not alone. Many homeowners face this exact problem.
Faux wood garage doors offer a perfect solution. They look just like real wood but have added strength and require less upkeep.
This article explains why these doors have become so popular among homeowners. Readers will learn about their key properties and understand what they really are.
By the time you finish reading, you’ll know if a faux wood garage door is the right choice for your home. Let’s start by explaining what makes these doors so special.
Benefits of Choosing Faux Over Traditional Wood
Let me tell you why faux wood might be the better option for your garage door. I’ve seen many homeowners switch to faux wood and never look back!
- Weather-Resistant: Real wood can warp and crack when exposed to rain, snow, or intense heat. Faux wood stands up to these conditions without changing shape or color. This means your garage door will look good for years, no matter what Mother Nature throws at it.
- Less Maintenance: With real wood, you need to sand, stain, and seal it every few years. Who has time for that? Faux wood needs almost no care just wash it with soap and water once in a while. This saves you both time and money in the long run.
- Cost-Effective: The initial price of faux wood doors is often less than real wood. Plus, you save on those ongoing care costs. Your wallet will thank you!
- Pest-Proof: Termites and other wood-eating bugs can’t snack on faux wood. This gives you one less thing to worry about as a homeowner.
- Equal Beauty: Today’s faux wood looks so close to the real thing that most people can’t tell the difference from the street. You get the warm, natural look without the drawbacks.
Approximate Cost Considerations
Here’s a table comparing the costs of faux wood and real wood garage doors:
| Garage Door Type |
Price Range |
Factors Affecting Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Faux Wood Garage Doors | $1,000 – $8,000 | Materials, design, insulation features |
| Real Wood Garage Doors | $1,500 – $10,000+ | Type of wood (cedar, mahogany), design, premium features |
Designing with Faux Wood
When it comes to your home’s look, the garage door plays a bigger role than you might think. It can take up to 30% of your home’s front face! That’s why picking the right faux wood style matters so much.
Match Your Home’s Character
Faux wood doors come in many styles, from rustic to modern. For brick homes, darker faux wood tones create a striking contrast.
If you have a farmhouse-style home, choose a door with simple lines and warm brown hues. Doors with panel details and medium wood tones pair well with Colonial houses.
Add Windows for Extra Charm
Adding windows to your garage door increases its appearance and brightens up your garage space with natural light.
Small square windows at the top give a classic look, while longer panels down the sides offer a modern touch. For a more rustic or traditional look, metal handles and hinges can transform the door, evoking the charm of a carriage house.
Color Choices Matter
Faux wood garage doors come in a wide range of colors beyond the traditional browns, allowing you to match the door perfectly to your home’s style.
Unlike real wood, which requires regular maintenance and re-painting, faux wood colors are resistant to fading, ensuring your door stays vibrant and fresh for years.
Hardware Makes a Difference
When selecting hardware for your faux wood garage door, consider the overall style of your home.
Matte black handles and hinges can create a timeless, sophisticated appearance, while bronze and copper offer a vintage charm that blends beautifully with warm wood tones.
Effects of Weather on Faux Wood Doors
Garage doors face some tough challenges from weather and daily use. Faux wood doors handle these tests with impressive results compared to their natural wood counterparts.
| Weather Condition | Faux Wood Performance | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Rain and Moisture Resistance | Faux wood resists water absorption, preventing swelling, warping, and rot. | Ideal for wet climates, heavy rain, and stormy conditions. |
| Sun and Heat Protection | Faux wood contains UV blockers to prevent fading and color deterioration. | Maintains vibrant color and finish despite prolonged sun exposure. |
| Cold Weather Performance | Remains stable in cold weather without contracting or cracking. | Prevents gaps, cracks, and energy loss during winter. |
| Wind Resistance | Built with durable cores, faux wood doors withstand high winds. | Perfect for storm-prone or hurricane areas. |
| Salt Air Durability | Faux wood is unaffected by salt in coastal air, unlike metal or real wood. | Suitable for coastal homes, resisting corrosion and decay. |
Maintaining Faux Wood Doors: Tips for Longevity
Good news for homeowners faux wood garage doors need very little attention to stay looking fresh and new. With just a bit of basic care, these doors can remain attractive for many years.
- Regular Cleaning Routine: A simple wash with mild soap and water every few months keeps faux wood doors clean. Use a soft cloth or sponge rather than rough brushes that might scratch the surface. Rinse well with a garden hose on low pressure to avoid forcing water into any seams.
- Inspection Checks: Twice a year, check the door’s hardware, tracks, and moving parts. Look for loose screws, worn rollers, or bent tracks. Listen for unusual sounds during operation that might signal problems.
- Lubricating Moving Parts: Apply a silicone-based spray to hinges, rollers, and tracks annually. This keeps the door moving smoothly and quietly. Avoid using WD-40 or oil-based products as they can attract dust and cause buildup over time.
- Touch-Up as Needed: While faux wood resists damage well, accidents happen. Keep any touch-up materials that came with the door for quick fixes to scratches or marks. Small repairs done promptly keep the door looking new longer.
- Professional Service: Schedule a garage door company visit every 1-2 years for a full check of the springs, opener, and safety features. This step helps catch wear and tear that might not be obvious to untrained eyes.
Different Faux Wood Finishes
The variety of faux wood finishes available today makes it possible to find the perfect match for any home style. Each finish offers its unique look while maintaining the practical benefits of manufactured materials like:
Oak patterns remain one of home design’s most desired wood looks.
- Faux wood doors with oak patterns show distinctive grain features and warm honey tones. These doors suit many traditional home styles and blend well with brick or neutral siding colors.
Rich walnut tones, darker walnut finishes bring a sense of luxury to the home exterior.
- The deep brown colors with subtle grain patterns create a striking focal point. These finishes work well on homes with lighter exteriors, where the contrast adds visual interest.
The cherry warmth look offers reddish-brown tones that add warmth to a home’s appearance.
- Cherry finishes’ smooth, fine-grain patterns suit both classic and modern house designs.
Distressed and reclaimed styles, for homes with rustic or farmhouse styles.
- Distressed faux wood finishes mimic the look of weathered or reclaimed lumber. These finishes include subtle marks, knots, and color variations that suggest years of character.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve seen what faux wood garage doors offer, the choice becomes clearer. These doors give you the beauty of wood without the headaches of constant upkeep.
We covered the key points: they stand up to weather, need very little care, and come in many styles to match your home. Plus, they cost less in the long run than real wood.
What’s your next step? Take some photos of your home’s exterior and visit a door showroom to see samples in person. Touch them, look at them from different angles, and ask about warranty options.
Ready to improve your home’s look and value? A faux wood garage door might be the perfect answer you’ve been searching for.
