The steel vs wood vs aluminum garage door question comes up early for most homeowners, and the right answer usually has less to do with looks than with how much upkeep you're willing to sign up for. Each material trades off cost, durability, and maintenance differently, and the Puget Sound area's wet climate makes some of those tradeoffs matter more than they would elsewhere.
Steel
Steel is the standard choice for most homes, and it's what we install as our Traditional-style Hörmann doors. It's dent-resistant when insulated, holds paint well, doesn't warp or rot in damp weather, and needs essentially no regular maintenance beyond an occasional wash and a check of the hardware. It's also the most cost-effective of the three materials for a given size and insulation level.
Wood
Wood has a warmth and natural grain that steel can't fully replicate, and it's a strong look for craftsman and traditional-style homes. The tradeoff is real: wood costs more upfront, and in a wet climate like ours it needs periodic refinishing — sanding, staining, or repainting — to prevent swelling, warping, and rot at the seams. It's a style investment more than a value choice.
Aluminum
Aluminum is lightweight and naturally rust-proof, which makes it a common pairing with large glass panels on modern, full-view doors. Because it's a softer metal than steel, it dents more easily from stray basketballs or a bumped bumper, and glass-and-aluminum doors tend to cost more than a standard steel door due to the glazing.
How they compare side by side
- Cost: steel is generally the lowest, aluminum with glass runs higher, wood is typically the most expensive
- Maintenance: steel is lowest-maintenance, aluminum is low but dent-prone, wood needs regular refinishing
- Climate performance: steel and aluminum both handle Pacific Northwest damp weather well; wood needs more attention to avoid moisture damage
- Durability: steel resists dents best (especially insulated), wood can rot or warp over time, aluminum dents but won't rust
Our wizard gives you an exact installed price for a steel Hörmann door in about two minutes, based on your actual size and style, so you have a real number to weigh against whatever else you're considering.