Garage doors are not all created equal. Homeowners consider many factors when picking their garage doors: aesthetics, energy efficiency, ease of use, price. But one thing that often goes overlooked is weather and the kinds of conditions their garage doors will be exposed to. From steel and wood to fibreglass, each material handles heat, cold, wind, and moisture differently, so choosing the right door for your climate isn’t just smart, it’s essential! 

Whether you live with extreme cold or high winds, our guide to weather conditions and garage doors will give you everything you need to know to make an informed decision.

Heat and Sunlight

The intense heat from direct sunlight and summer can wreak havoc on your garage doors. 

The heat can warp the metal hardware in your garage door accelerating their deterioration and weakening them over time. This means you’ll need to pay for repairs or even a full replacement sometime down the line if you don’t consider a door that does well in the heat. 

For a durable garage door that can withstand the scorching summers of the Interior and long-term UV exposure, opt for a steel door. Sturdy and well insulated, they can stand up to the heat while helping you minimize energy costs to keep your garage comfortable. 

As the sun can also cause paint to chip and crack over time, choosing a door with UV-protected paint is a great way to keep your garage door looking beautiful summer after summer. 

Extreme Cold

Extreme cold may cause the many metal components of your door to contract and stiffen up. It can also cause the lubricants to thicken up, reducing performance. 

You should also watch out for water from snow melt pooling near your garage door. As the temperatures drop and the water freezes, your door may be frozen shut! Trying to use your garage door at that point can lead to cracking and damage. 

To counteract the effects of harsh winters on your garage door, homeowners in the Prairies and other colder parts of Canada should go for a durable insulated steel door with a high R-value to help keep the cold out!

Downpour

Some areas experience heavy rainfall throughout the year. That kind of exposure to excessive moisture can lead to severe problems with some garage doors. Warping, cracking, rot, and corrosion are all issues that may show up when the rains don’t stop, such as the West coast.

Wooden garage doors can be especially vulnerable to wetter conditions as wood absorbs moisture, causing it to swell. That leads to peeling paint, damaged finish, warping, and rot. Instead, homeowners on the coast tend to go for rust-resistant materials like vinyl to face the rainfall year after year.

High Winds and Storms

Strong winds can cause quite a bit of physical damage to your garage door; they can rattle your door off its track, leading to damage. 

Those same winds can also hurl objects into your door, denting it and even putting holes in it. With Calgary and Lethbridge being some of the windiest cities in Canada, homeowners in Alberta and the Prairies tend to stay away from garage doors with glass panes as they can shatter when battered by the wind. 

Finding the Garage Door That Suits Your Climate

Garage doors come in a variety of materials. Each one offers different benefits, from the elegance of wood to the durability of steel:

• Aluminum doors: Well-suited to regions with high humidity, they are resistant to rust and corrosion, making them a steadfast barrier against relentless moisture. Aluminum is lightweight, sturdy, and those doors tend to be easy to operate. 
   
• Wood doors: wooden garage doors offer a timeless elegance to your home. They’re great in drier climates where there’s minimal risk of warping or rotting. Wooden doors can be protected from the heat with regular maintenance. 
   
• Fibreglass doors: coastal homeowners, meet fibreglass. Fibreglass garage doors are resilient and can easily withstand the wind and the corrosive effects of damp, salty air. Their ability to mimic wood makes them an eye-catching choice.
   
• Steel doors: steel garage doors offer impressive durability and security. They protect your home against break-ins and extreme weather alike. Insulation options further guard your home against hot and cold temperatures. 
   
• Vinyl doors: vinyl garage doors provide a great solution in regions where moisture and salt pose a threat. They can endure coastal storms, humid summers, and rainy winters with ease. 

Different garage door materials are suited for different climates, and no one can guide you better to make a smart, informed decision than the garage door experts at Creative Door Services.

Call Creative Door Services

Creative Door Services carries one of the most extensive product catalogues in Western Canada, and we have the extensive knowledge to match. Whatever your garage door needs are, we offer endless options for designs, windows, finishes, hardware, and colour, allowing you to fully realize your vision for your home. With garage doors to suit nearly every budget, we can work with you to find the best solution.

Our experienced and certified technicians are here to help you make the right choice, keeping what matters to you in mind: style, durability, and performance. 

Find a garage door that stays beautiful, functional, and reliable for years to come by contacting a Creative Door Services location near you in Kelowna, British Columbia; Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Fort McMurray, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Winnipeg, Manitoba.