There are 188 days of sunlight in Waukegan each year. Of course, you want to make sure your home is safe every day, regardless of the weather.
It makes sense why you’re on the hunt for garage doors that can stand up against the elements — including the sun. What are the best garage doors for direct sunlight?
Wooden Garage Doors
Unfortunately, if you’re looking to avoid sun damage to doors, then you may want to skip the wooden garage door option. Although these are some of the most beautiful residential garage doors out there, they simply do not stand up in direct sunlight.
Wood can fade, crack or otherwise warp when exposed to prolonged direct sunlight. If your garage faces the sun for most of the day, then, you will want to look for a different material.
Aluminum Garage Doors
An aluminum garage door can withstand direct sunlight, aesthetically speaking. If you choose aluminum, you’ll save a bit of money, since this is the most budget-friendly material when it comes to garage doors. Plus, you can customize an aluminum garage door with stamped designs and windows so that they look unique and bespoke, even if they are cost-effective.
There is one problem, though. Aluminum conducts heat, which means your garage doors may become hot to the touch when placed in direct sunlight. If you have kids playing outside in the driveway, for example, you may want to choose a different material that doesn’t pose such a burn risk.
If you do have an aluminum garage door, you can choose to paint it a light color. That way, it will deflect a bit of the sunlight and maintain a slightly lower temperature.
Steel Garage Doors
You have so many options when it comes to making your home more secure. Installing a steel garage door is one such upgrade, as this very strong metal creates an unbreakable barrier between the outside and your garage.
However, much like aluminum, steel garage doors conduct heat, too. They don’t get as hot as aluminum, but they will still be hot to the touch. Again, choosing one in a lighter color can help reduce the heat of your garage door so that, if you happen to touch it, it won’t be as hot.
Fiberglass Garage Doors
The coolest option of all is a fiberglass garage door. This material doesn’t get as hot as steel or aluminum, and it won’t warp in the sun like a wooden door might.
On top of that, fiberglass can be painted so that it looks just like wooden planks. It is much more durable, too, so it will last for years with the look of a wooden door — and without all of the maintenance.
Choose the Right Garage Doors for You
Garage doors that face the sun have to be chosen carefully so that they don’t get damaged or hot to the touch. The above guide should help you but, if you still have questions, we can help you, too.
Click here to contact us for a free estimate. We can help Waukegan-area residents to put the perfect garage door on their homes, whether they face the sun or not.
