If you’re looking for the best of both worlds for a new garage door, you should consider steel garage doors that look like wood. Faux wood doors offer all the benefits of steel garage doors, including durability and lower maintenance, and provide the beauty and charm of wooden garage doors. We’ll cover the pros and cons, explore the best faux wood doors, and answer questions about pricing.
If you’re new to our company, we offer turnkey garage door services for homeowners and builders in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex. We also design and build wood garage doors that can be shipped anywhere in the country. Whether you need an affordable steel door or a carriage-house-style wood door, we have you covered.
As a wood garage door builder, we’re fans of how real wood offers unlimited design options and finishes. We can build chevron garage doors with arched glass panels and use different wood species to deliver a wide range of finishes. However, we know that wood garage doors might not be the best fit for every home. Wood-look doors make sense if you want the warmth and texture of real wood paired with a simple design.
Pros and Cons of Steel Garage Doors That Look Like Wood
We’re fans of pro-con lists. And while wood-look steel garage doors have a lot going for them, there are a few downsides to be aware of.
Pros:
Low Maintenance
Natural wood garage doors require staining every 3 – 5 years, depending on sun exposure. A faux wood door never requires refinishing. The only regular maintenance recommended is to tune & lube your door annually and check the weather seal for air infiltration. Steel garage doors are easy to wash, don’t weather in the sun as fast as real wood, and can take overspray from your sprinkler system without fading.
Energy Efficiency
Often referred to as two or three-layer construction, faux wood garage doors made from steel can include polyurethane or polystyrene insulation that delivers an impressive R-value. For our Texas homeowners, this will come in handy for our extremely hot summers and mild winters. When shopping for a faux wood garage door, ask your local garage door dealer how many construction layers are used and what type of insulation is available.
Transformative
Garage doors are usually the biggest single element for any home style, so upgrading to faux wood garage doors will drastically change your home’s exterior. If you have a steel garage door in a solid color, then check out the before and after photo of the CHI Plank we recently installed in Denton County. We believe a distinct garage door is the most impactful and easiest home improvement upgrade available. Curious about the ROI of each type of home improvement project around North Texas? Take a look at this research report, ranking Dallas home improvements from best to worst ROI.
Versatile
Faux wood garage doors come in different styles. So, whether your home is a modern farmhouse or a more contemporary design, you’ll have plenty of style options. You can opt for new garage doors with a wide array of highly durable wood finishes.
Cons:
Affordability
Wood grain steel garage doors cost more than a standard solid color. While this isn’t always a dealbreaker, you should know that the finish does increase the price.
Extreme Visibility
Wood-look garage sections will likely contrast with the rest of your home. Whether you have brick, stucco, or even siding, a large wood opening will stand out. If you want a garage door to blend in, we recommend choosing a finish that closely matches your siding or window color.
Fixed Finish
Once you select and install a wood-look garage door, changing it is nearly impossible. We say nearly because we don’t recommend it, nor have we seen anyone paint over a steel garage door that looks like wood. Unlike hardwood floors or natural wood garage doors, you can’t sand off the top layer and stain it to reflect the latest trending color.
CHI Planks are our favorite wood look garage doors
If you’re looking for a door that will add a touch of texture and warmth to your home, then a CHI Plank steel garage door in an Accents Woodtone is a perfect choice. These steel doors feature wood-shaped horizontal grooves that deliver a sense of depth and dimension, making your home stand out. Available in seven different wood tones, the CHI Plank dramatically changes your curb appeal.
Amarr Classica in faux wood
Looking for a stylish and functional garage door to enhance your home’s curb appeal? Look no further than the Amarr Classica collection. These wood-look garage doors have taller sections and larger windows, allowing more natural light to enter your garage. Plus, the polyurethane insulation provides energy savings, ensuring that your door is stylish and efficient. Available in three distinct wood finishes.
CHI Shoreline wood-look steel
If you’re looking for a classic carriage house door that will add beauty and value to your home, the CHI shoreline is a good choice. Available in various materials and designs, these doors offer the classic appearance and texture of real wood overlays without the need for recurrent maintenance. With a wide range of styles to choose from, you’ll be able to find the perfect look for your home. Whether you’re opting for a traditional or modern aesthetic, the CHI shoreline has the perfect door for you. Choose from four beautiful wood finishes.
Overlay vs. faux wood garage doors
Overlay garage doors are built by adding wood or composite trim to the exterior of a steel base. This approach delivers a natural wood look but lacks durability. If you want the natural wood look but don’t want a custom-made solid wood door, we recommend quality products like the CHI Plank or Amarr Classica instead of overlay doors.
Cost of Wood Look Steel Garage Doors
“How much are faux wood garage doors” is probably the first question we get from homeowners. It makes sense to us; we also want to know how to budget when making home improvements. Generally, faux wood garage doors made from steel cost between $6,000 to $15,000+, depending on size, glass, and decorative hardware. Some carriage house styles may be more expensive than basic designs.
Conclusion
We can talk for hours about faux wood vs. composite overlay vs. real wood doors. But you don’t want to hear that right now. Our goal is to give you the confidence to buy a garage door you’ll be happy with for years to come.
If you still have a faux wood garage door or general garage door questions, let us know. We’ve spent years helping homeowners and builders pick the perfect garage door, so we’re well-suited to guide you. Call us at 817-500-5988 or contact us here to get in touch. Thanks for stopping by.
