Cedar garage doors are undeniably appealing because of their natural patterns and the timeless quality cedar has an evergreen to resist rot and insects. For some people, garage doors are becoming an important and personal touch. That said, garage doors require care and maintenance to keep them functioning, especially when they are fully made of natural materials like cedar. An all-cedar garage door will not be as insulated as a composite door. However, cedar garage doors provide a unique quality and character and for some, that may be desirable.
The Wood Makes a Difference
Many companies that sell garage doors made of cedar will source the materials from western red cedar, which is the gold standard and fully meets the expectations of natural resistance to rot and insects. However, not all garage doors made of cedar will be made of western red cedar and you may find doors made of inferior quality materials, like other types of cedar or even pine with a cedar finish.
Good companies are forthcoming with the type of timber they’re using. If they are vague with their answers, or just use the term “premium cedar”, you do not want to work with these companies. Instead, ask about the type of cedar they will use. Ask about the species, the grade, the source, and finally the type of wood. Clear grain cedar will cost more than knotty cedar, but that is justified and you should understand what you are buying.
What separates the best from the rest?
There is a level of personal preference here since no two people are the same. People are more than happy to have their hand held through the whole process. Others are more independent and will be happier if they just have their door installed and don’t have to do anything else. Both approaches to work are valid, and will find the one that best suits them.
More people should understand the importance of good installation. I have seen stunning cedar doors that are ruined because they have not been installed well or because the door frame has not been prepared well. If the installer is good, he will make sure the door frame is square, that he has resolved all damp problems beforehand, and that the door is the correct size to fill the opening and not just pushed into the frame.
Don’t forget about aftercare as Cedar is going to need some maintenance, that’s a fact. Some companies give you the option to sign a contract for maintenance services, which you may find beneficial if you don’t want to do it yourself every few years. Some will place a bucket of oil in your hands and send you on your way, which is also a valid approach, albeit not particularly service oriented. Just know what you are getting into.
Local vs National: Does It Actually Matter?
It’s a tough one. The truth is that some local companies offer more efficient aftercare, and usually have more to lose when it comes to reputation, so they will be more attentive to fixing things quickly. If a national company has a depot that’s 60 miles away, they will not be as attentive.
The larger companies have the option of better buying power, which will lead to cheaper prices. The truth is that it comes down to the actual companies that you are comparing. The best local installers will beat the best national chains every time. Not all local firms are good, and some national businesses do surprisingly good work.
Cedar Wood Garage Doors Security and Safety vs The Competition
First and foremost, we need to get the most obvious issue involved here. Cedar garage doors are not the most secure option. They are not to be mistaken for being unsafe, but with the wood being a more easier material to be split, cut, etc, most of the other options will be more secure. Steel with the right locking mechanisms will always be more secure and tougher to force open.
With proper specifications, timber doors can be quite secure. Things like solid wood construction (not just a timber frame with thin wood panels), decent lock sets, and reinforced mounting points. Some commercial grade manufacturers offer doors with timber veneers with steel cores. This gives a more secure option than timber doors and the look of cedar, all with less security.
Fire safety and timber garage doors is another consideration. Obviously, timber doors burn, but so do steel doors. In extreme heat conditions steel doors can buckle. New modern fire rated timber doors are very specialized and a cost to go with that. In most domestic garages, standard cedar with a good intumescent seal does the job fine.
Cedar garage doors require commitment. They will need to be treated regularly, they will change colour over time and they might not last as long as a steel option. Although cedar woods garage doors add warmth and character to a garage that other synthetic materials cannot.
Select a business that is upfront about the trade-offs, as opposed to one that exaggerates the positives. Also, since pictures never seem to perfectly represent how cedar may look like up close, try visiting a few showrooms before making a decision.