When choosing your new garage door, the weather is something often gets ignored. Most people naturally focus on the colour, design, and how it will look from the street, which is reasonable but the material behind that design plays a big part in how well your door ages over time.
It’s fair to say homes in South Africa experience a pretty wide range of weather conditions, for example a garage door installed a few streets away from the ocean in Durban or Cape Town wont deal with the same environment as one fitted on Johannesburg. Coastal moisture, dry heat, afternoon storms, and constant sun exposure, these all affect materials differently.
Taking these conditions into account early can save you from a lot of unnecessary maintenance later down the line, and let’s be honest those maintenance costs associated with the whole process too!
Why Aluminium Works Particularly Well in Different Conditions
Now you might be thinking ‘well ill just go with a steel garage door because woods obviously going to have a higher maintenance tax’ and you would be partially right, steel garage doors do generally hold up better than wooden garage doors maintenance wise.
But the garage door that truly takes the top spot for dealing with the overall widest range weather conditions? That would be Aluminium!
Aluminium has become such a common choice for modern homes, especially for people looking for something simple and easy to maintain.
One of the biggest advantages comes from how well aluminium handles that dreaded moisture. In coastal areas, rust is always something homeowners need to think about with steel garage doors. Salty air and humidity can be harsh on outdoor fittings, so having a material that naturally resists rust is a major benefit in those areas.
Another reason aluminium is used so often is its light weight. A lighter garage door can make everyday operation easier and is well suited to automation systems. This is mainly because of the fact that these lightweight doors put less strain (weight wise) on systems like garage motors.
The design options have also improved over time. Aluminium garage doors are now available in a range of colours and finishes, including options that create a timber-style appearance without using traditional wood.
Where Steel Garage Doors Fit In
Steel has always been associated with strength, and rightly so, that is still one of its biggest advantages.
For many homes, especially inland properties, steel provides a reliable garage door option that can handle regular daily use, so for areas like Johannesburg steel garage doors are generally a good fit, as they offer a strong structure they work well for homeowners who want something practical and long-lasting.
As with most exterior materials, the environment & maintenance matters. A steel garage door that is properly finished and maintained will generally perform much better than one that did not get maintained over the years.
Some people also prefer steel garage doors for security reasons, as its much more of a barrier to entry than for example a wooden or aluminium garage doors.
Choosing a Wooden Garage Door
There is a very good reason wooden garage doors have remained popular through the years. They offer a look that’s honestly difficult for other materials to match, natural warm, and overall aesthetic to the eye.
Wood does however require more attention than other materials. Sun, rain, and moisture can affect the surface over time, which means accepting a maintenance routine does become part of owning a wooden garage door.
For some homeowners, that extra care is worth it because they prefer the appearance and feel of real wood, for others it’s a real ownership consideration.
Matching Your Garage Door to Your Home
So, while there is no perfect garage door material for every situation, the right option depends on your location, the style of your home, and how much maintenance you are prepared to put down for your garage door.
Someone living close to the coast may have different priorities compared to someone living further inland. A busy household may care more about durability and easy operation, while another homeowner may focus more on appearance.
The important thing here is to be informed about the pros and cons of each material and understand which fits your situation best.
Still Undecided? Chat to us!
If your still stuck deciding which garage door would work best for you, feel free to reach out to our team at Roos Garage Doors and chat to us about which door you’re considering and why, and our team will gladly help you pick the best garage door for your home!