You are contemplating making a change to your garage door, and your coworker suggests, “As long as you are at it, why not have your garage door frame covered in aluminum at the same time?” You didn’t even know that this could be done, and anyway, you’d been saying that one of these weekends, you were going to tackle this project and paint all of it.
Covering the wooden frame in aluminum, or in construction terms, applying aluminum capping or cladding, isn’t only a question of appearance but also a question of maintenance. With the numerous choices of colors available, you can coordinate your door frame with your garage door, and as well, make its upkeep child’s play.
What type of aluminum is used?
First, you should be aware that the aluminum used for this type of project is that same as that sold in rolls and used by companies specializing in making gutters or other exterior building components in aluminum. The aluminum is bent using specialized equipment to the dimensions of your frame (the jambs and lintel). As a reference, the majority of wood garage door frames are made with 2x8s or 2x10s.
There is the alternative of doing this type of job yourself by buying the aluminum, taking it to an aluminum products dealer, having them bend the aluminum sheet to your dimensions and then putting it all together. With all of that in mind, it is strongly advised to have the work done by a garage door specialist who will install your new door. Most of them possess the necessary equipment to do this work properly.
So what are the real advantages to aluminum cladding?
For a (nearly) maintenance-free product!
The top benefits of aluminum are that is doesn’t rust or fade in sunlight. It requires very little maintenance. Aluminum used by professionals is coated with baked-on paint plus a protective layer making it very wear and weather resistant. If the surface becomes covered with dust and grime, you only have to use soapy water and a soft cloth to clean it, just like you do for your garage door, or your car.
So the exterior wood frame lasts longer
By covering the wood frame in aluminum, you will avoid the job of repainting or staining it every two years. It will be protected against weathering and especially rotting that comes with time.
For a smooth appearance
To get a good seal between the aluminum cladding and the other exterior components of the house (ex.: brick or PVC), simply cover the joint between the frame weatherstripping and that of the exterior finish with a sealant that will stay flexible in bitterly cold temperatures.
For an attractive look
We often forget that the garage door is the first thing you see when you are visiting a house. The garage door counts for between 30 and 40% of the front of the house. Leaving the frame of the door in wood that you would need to paint will not represent you well, showing a kind of carelessness on your part. If you are looking to put your house on the market in the near future and want to sell it quickly, it’s sure that any good realtor will highlight this fact to you. It is often the little details that make the difference to homebuyers when they make a choice.
What’s the bottom line?
If, after reading this blog, you have some questions, contact us at 607-687-5126. We know how to advise you on the best choice to make. You can also send us an email and request an online quotation.
Lastly, if you want to change your garage door but you haven’t finalized your choice, take some time to use our Design Centre, and create your own personalized garage door. Also viewing our image gallery will give you lots of ideas.
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