Four Reasons Your Garage Needs A Cedar Door This Spring

With the winter season giving way to the spring thaw, it's time to start thinking about preparing your property for the warm weather. This is also the perfect time to replace your garage door if it's suffered damage from the winter weather. If you're in the market for a new garage door, you should think about investing in something more unique and durable, such as cedar. Cedar lumber is well-known for its ability to stand up to the elements. Here's a look at several reasons to consider investing in cedar for your garage door.

Aesthetically Pleasing

Cedar has a rich color that is unmistakable when it's new, and it becomes equally distinguished when it's weathered. New cedar's rich, dark red color is widely known and appreciated, but you may also find that the beautiful silvery look of weathered cedar is equally as attractive. It produces an elegant overall appearance whether you preserve the natural color or allow it to naturally weather.

Durable Material

Cedar's resistance to damage from weather makes it a great investment for people who are looking for a long-lasting material. Cedar has anti-microbial properties that help keep bacteria, mildew and other issues at bay.

This is particularly important if you live in a humid climate. The moisture in the area could put some garage door materials at risk of mold growth. In addition, metal materials may be vulnerable to corrosion.

Since mold growth can be hazardous to your family's health, you'll want to choose something that doesn't invite those spores in humid environments. Cedar's resistance to mold makes it an ideal choice in this situation.

Lightweight Wood

Unlike some woods that are particularly heavy, cedar wood is a fairly lightweight material. The lighter your garage door weight, the less stressful it is going to be on an automatic garage door opener. This may allow you to preserve your garage door opener by reducing wear and tear. In addition, it makes it easier for you to open and close the door manually when it's necessary.

Versatile Finishing Options

If you want to protect that unique red hue of the cedar, all you need to do is maintain the wood. Treat the door with teak oil like you would with outdoor cedar furniture. The teak oil will soak into the wood, preserving the natural color and adding a natural layer of protection against the elements. Apply the oil with a lint-free cloth. Rub the oil across the surface, giving it several minutes to soak in. Then, repeat the process again. Do this a few times until the oil stops soaking in. Every year, sand the door and then reapply the oil. If you'd rather let the wood weather naturally, you can just leave it unprotected until it develops that light silvery shimmer.

In addition to treating cedar wood with oil or nothing at all, there are many other options for finishing cedar wood. Opting for a cedar garage door means you'll be able to customize it however you prefer. In fact, cedar garage doors can be finished with wood stains, varnish and even paint, if you prefer. If you opt to paint the wood, you'll just need to sand the surface and then use a tack cloth to remove the dust. This roughs up the surface of the wood for the paint to properly adhere. Then, start with a quality primer and proceed with paint once the primer has cured properly.

As you can see, cedar is a great choice for most garage doors. Depending on the look you're trying to create, it may work well for your needs. Talk with a local garage door manufacturer today to find out if it will fit your garage. Starting the project now lets you tackle the spring season with a fresh look!


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