Garage door upgrades continue to top the list of home improvement projects with a high return on investment. Replacing the door is an affordable and straightforward project that can dramatically enhance your home’s exterior appeal and increase its market value.
Faux wood garage doors are rapidly becoming popular for these projects. Faux wood doors offer the warmth and beauty of natural wood without the demanding upkeep, making them an attractive option for homeowners looking to upgrade their home’s appearance.
“Homeowners can’t get enough of the look of wood, but they are often deterred by the daunting upkeep,” says Christina Carlson, award-winning architect of Union Studio Architecture and Design, and architect of the This Old House 2020 Idea House on Cape Cod. “That’s where faux-wood options come in.”
In this article, we take a closer look at options from garage door manufacturer Clopay, which Carlson has used in multiple This Old House projects.
Wood Look Garage Door, Less Maintenance
Wood garage doors are undeniably beautiful, but they require significant attention to maintain their appearance and functionality. Exposure to sun and moisture can adversely affect wood doors, necessitating regular maintenance to protect the finish. This typically involves repainting or restaining every few years, a time-consuming process that includes sanding and refinishing.
Faux wood doors offer an attractive alternative. While early versions of faux wood were less convincing, modern options have made significant strides in realism.
For instance, Clopay’s Canyon Ridge Collection features cladding and overlays molded from real wood boards, replicating authentic grain patterns and surface textures. The result is a genuinely wood-like appearance in a material that resists moisture and UV damage and requires far less maintenance than its natural counterpart.
Shown: Clopay® Canyon Ridge® Carriage House (5-Layer)
Faux Wood Doors on Historic Buildings
If you’re remodeling an older home or building in a historic district, every detail counts. When it comes to exterior building products — windows, garage doors, railings, porch floors — natural wood was once the only choice for retaining authenticity and the only product that local historic commissions would approve. But today’s faux woods are rising to the occasion.
When converting an 1890s firehouse in Jersey City, N.J., into his personal residence last fall, HGTV designer and construction expert Anthony Carrino needed a garage door that would look the part, stand the test of time, and not require frequent upkeep. He chose a Clopay faux-wood carriage house-style door to replicate the appearance of traditional wood craftsmanship.
Shown: Clopay® Reserve® Wood with Extira®
A Low-Maintenance Modern Garage Door Option
Looking for something a little more modern? Clopay’s Canyon Ridge Modern low-maintenance garage doors provide a range of contemporary styles that beautifully complement mid-century and modern homes. Choose from horizontal plank designs, aluminum inlays, and full-view glass options, that won’t rot, warp or crack.
“The minimalist design and unique window configurations of the garage door shown here echo the sleeker lines of the home and its rectangular paneled glass windows, enhancing the contemporary look,” Carlson says.
Shown: Clopay® Canyon Ridge® Modern
Coastal Curb Appeal with Faux Wood
For homes in coastal locations, the bright and cheerful blue Canyon Ridge Doors featured in the This Old House 2017 Beach House project exemplify how faux wood can excel in challenging environments. These doors are set to make a comeback in the 2020 Idea House in Cape Cod, Mass., designed by Carlson.
Coastal homes face unique challenges: Moisture can cause natural wood to rot, and temperature fluctuations can lead to warping. Faux wood doors like the Canyon Ridge series are engineered to resist these issues. They won’t rot, warp, or crack, and their moisture- and UV-resistant properties make them ideal for seaside locations.
Additionally, built-in reinforcement protects homes from hurricane-force winds, while polyurethane foam insulation ensures year-round comfort in both the garage and any living space above it. This blend of aesthetic appeal and functional resilience makes faux wood doors perfect for coastal living.
Shown: Clopay® Canyon Ridge® Carriage House (5-Layer)
Paint-Grade Perfection and Custom Faux Wood Detail
For homeowners seeking a painted wood look with the convenience of composites, Clopay’s Extira paint-grade garage doors offer an excellent solution. These doors feature a smooth, knot-free, grain-free surface that can be routed, carved, and painted just like real wood. This versatility allows for the creation of detailed and custom patterns, such as the eye-catching chevron design shown here.
Extira doors are made from eco-friendly materials and offer superior resistance to moisture, rot, and termites compared to traditional paint-grade materials like MDF and many wood species. This combination of customizability and durability makes Extira an attractive option for those who want to add a unique touch to their home’s exterior without sacrificing longevity. The ability to customize these doors to match any design vision adds an additional layer of appeal.
Shown: Clopay Reserve® Wood with Extira®
Easy and Economical Steel Garage Doors
For homeowners looking for a more budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise on appearance, steel doors with Clopay’s wood-look Ultra-Grain finish present an attractive solution. These energy-efficient garage doors feature a wood grain pattern imprinted directly onto the steel, resulting in a durable, low-maintenance finish that mimics the look of natural wood.
Available in a variety of colors, these doors require minimal upkeep—simply washing and waxing the surface annually is sufficient to maintain their appearance. This ease of maintenance, combined with their affordability and realistic wood-like appearance, makes Ultra-Grain finished steel doors an increasingly popular choice among homeowners. This option balances cost with the desired look, making it accessible for many budgets.
Shown: Clopay Gallery® with Ultra-Grain® Finish
Customizable Style
Carriage-house-style garage doors continue to be a popular choice among homeowners, offering timeless charm that complements a wide range of architectural styles. While true carriage doors that swing open can be prohibitively expensive and impractical for most modern homes, you can achieve a similar aesthetic with modern overhead doors.
By adding arched windows and decorative hardware to faux wood or steel doors, you can create the illusion of traditional carriage house doors. This approach allows homeowners to enjoy the classic look they desire without sacrificing the convenience and functionality of modern garage door systems. The versatility of these customizable options means you can tailor the appearance to perfectly match your home’s exterior design. This customization provides a way to marry historical aesthetics with contemporary conveniences seamlessly.
Shown: Clopay Gallery® with Ultra-Grain® finish
Mixing Garage Mediums
Incorporating natural wood tones into modern home designs has become increasingly popular, serving as a “third-neutral” alongside black and white exteriors. “Natural wood tones bring warmth and beauty to more modern styles, making the home ultimately more inviting,” Carlson says. The contrasting slate-look doors shown here provide the rustic appeal of real wood without the associated maintenance requirements.
This trend of mixing materials and finishes allows homeowners to create unique, eye-catching exteriors that stand out in their neighborhoods. By combining the warmth of wood tones with sleek, modern design elements, you can achieve a balanced and inviting look that enhances your home’s curb appeal while maintaining practicality. This blending of materials showcases how innovative design can create harmony between different styles.
Looking for more inspiration? Here are 12 more makeovers to ignite your imagination.
Shown: Clopay Canyon Ridge® Carriage House (4-Layer)
Finishing Touches
The possibilities for personalizing your garage doors are virtually limitless. Window shapes and styles can be chosen to complement the main house, with options including arched, rectangular, or square designs. For a historic look, consider details like seeded glass. You can also select varying levels of glass opacity to balance natural light with privacy needs.
Accessories play a crucial role in completing the look of your garage door. As Carlson suggests, “Think of period-appropriate hardware as the jewelry that completes the look.” Decorative handles, hinges, and step plates can be selected to complement any door style, allowing you to create a cohesive and polished appearance that enhances your home’s overall aesthetic. These finishing touches are essential for creating a door that feels both personalized and complete.
Shown: Clopay Canyon Ridge® Carriage House (5-Layer)
Cape Classic Garage Door
The 2020 Idea House on Cape Cod showcases a striking example of modern garage door design. A sleek, black, faux wood Clopay door make a bold statement on this coastal home. “The single panel and square lites of this door have a relaxed feel, reminiscent of a boathouse — the perfect vibe for a cottage on the Cape,” Carlson says.
This choice exemplifies how a well-designed garage door can significantly contribute to a home’s overall aesthetic. The combination of high efficiency, low maintenance requirements, and unquestionable quality ensures that homeowners will enjoy this feature for years to come, making it a worthwhile investment in both style and functionality.
Clopay offers faux and natural wood doors to fit any home style and budget. Try a new door on your home now with the Door Imagination System. And for more advice and information, check out this informative buying guide.