Ah, the salty air, the sunny weather! Living near the coast may positively impact your mood, but the same benefit can’t be said for your garage door.

The weather elements of coastal climates should be considered when shopping for a new garage door. After all, you’ll want this door to look good for as long as possible. Extend the lifespan of your door by knowing which garage doors are best for coastal areas.

Vinyl composite

Vinyl composite garage doors are made of a more malleable material than traditional vinyl. They are manufactured in white but can be painted in various colors or stained to look like wood. Vinyl composite garage doors are an excellent option for coastal environments because they can withstand the elements. The material is rust-, salt-, insect-, rot-, moisture-, and fungus-resistant. This also means they are virtually maintenance-free and can be cleaned with a simple garden hose and sponge.

Wood composite

Wood composite garage doors are a “made for outdoor material” consisting of resin and wood fibers which create a door that can offer the look and feel of real wood without the maintenance. Wood composite doors are moisture-resistant, which leads to less warping and cracking than real wood doors experience. Additionally, these doors are termite resistant and can absorb heat better than almost any other material, making them a great choice for homes in beachy areas.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass garage doors have the texture of a wood garage door, but are a better option than real wood for a coastal environment. They’re rust- and rot-resistant so they keep looking good for years to come. However, dark fiberglass garage doors can fade overtime from harsh sun exposure, so be sure to keep that in mind.

Vinyl

Vinyl garage doors are typical among homeowners that want the simplicity of a traditional garage door, but live near the shore where having a steel door will lead to rust within the first year. These doors are rust- and rot-resistant and won’t splinter, warp or twist the way a standard wood door could. Additionally, they won’t absorb moisture which can be an issue for other garage door materials.

Why Some Materials Aren’t Good for the Coast:

Rust: The salty, moist air can cause rust and corrosion on steel, which is a popular material for garage doors. That makes steel a no-go for the beach.

Warping: The constant change of moisture in the air can cause a standard wood garage door to expand and shrink, warping the design and ultimately causing damage.

Rot: A wood garage door absorbs moisture, which can result in rot. This can affect the way the door looks and operates.