Weathering the Storm: How to Choose the Best Coastal Garage Doors

Do you remember the old story about the three little pigs? In the end, the pig with the brick house was the one who was safe from the Big Bad Wolf. Your home is supposed to be a safe place to escape life's stresses. Nowadays, one Big Bad Wolf that we worry about is extreme weather — huffing and puffing and threatening our security in so many different ways! One way you can protect your home is by investing in a coastal garage door. Here are some tips for choosing the best.

What Exactly Are Coastal Garage Doors?

Designed for seacoast environments, they're composed of materials that resist heat, moisture, and corrosive salt air. The most commonly used materials are vinyl and vinyl-composite, wood composite, urethane composite, fiberglass, and aluminum. They all offer the added benefits of resisting damage from insect pests, rot, and mold. Like other garage door types, coastal garage doors can be insulated and soundproofed. Vinyl and vinyl-composite, fiberglass, and aluminum are popular choices because of their low maintenance requirements.

How Can Climate Affect Garage Doors?

• Extreme heat: Warps some materials, especially when interior temperatures are much cooler
• Direct sunlight: Fades colors over time
• Precipitation and humidity: Cause wood products to swell; generates rust in metals containing iron
• High wind events: Can buckle panels and dislodge doors from tracks if not braced or wind load rated with built-in reinforcement

Is DIY Cheaper?

If you know what you're doing, own the tools, and have the time, doing it yourself might be cheaper in the beginning. You won't worry about labor costs, sub-standard work, unethical employees, or no-shows. You're familiar with the installation process because you were the installer. However, short-term savings are often devoured by several Big Bad Wolves that might lie in wait: missing or defective parts, confusing directions, broken tools, repeated interruptions, and unexpected personal crises that stop everything dead in its tracks.

What Are the Benefits of Working with Professionals?

Garage door technicians are specialists with a wealth of knowledge. Their training and experience include the chemistry of materials, comparative pros and cons in different climates, precision installation, maintenance, troubleshooting problems, handling repairs, and advising do-it-yourselfers. Certified technicians undergo regular training to stay abreast of changes in the industry. Maybe most important to you, a reputable professional company will provide 24-hour emergency services when nobody else can.

What Makes a Coastal Garage Door Outstanding?

Any decision presents pros and cons, but these tips will make a difference! If you choose aluminum for your coastal garage doors, get the powder coating for added protection against corrosion, chipping, scratching, and general wear. To guard against the effects of the sun, opt for light colors and a UV-reflective coating. Unless you'll be frequently opening and closing the garage doors, many building experts recommend an R-value of 18 for energy-saving insulation.

Weathering the Storm

Did you know the first garages were gatehouses built to house war chariots? Back in the late 1800s, the first garage doors resembled swinging barn doors and helped protect automobiles from — you guessed it — the weather.

Now you know how to get the best garage doors for years of curb appeal, reliability, and peace of mind!