Eden Coast's Blog

The market for composite garage doors has been a real phenomenon over the last 6 years or so. It was not born of the desire to create a less expensive alternative to wood. Remember, aluminum widows are more expensive than wood windows. But why? Both were born of the desire to create a longer lasting alternative to wood without all the maintenance and worries of wood-related issues such as rot and insects. Once “non-wood” materials first became more readily available and people started to see their advantages, all sorts of materials were stuck on the outside of garage doors. Unfortunately, most offered limited success.

Wood is popular because it can be cut, planed, shaped and made into just about any type of design that you can visualize. However, wood has limitations when it comes to durability. Some of today’s composites are machined in the same ways as wood, easily lending themselves to customization. Yet, some people just don’t get it. “Cookie cutter composite” is a manufacturing reality in the garage door industry today offering only a few designs with limited colors. These doors are mass produced in a factory on an assembly line with little, if any, room for personal touches. But not all composite garage door manufacturers operate that way. Fortunately, for you, the consumer, the list of true composite craftsmen in the market is short.

So why choose composite, and how do I decide which one to go with?

The answer to the first part is easy; hands down, it is a better alternative to wood. Many new composites are available, and there are innovative companies combining traditional craftsmanship with beautiful, durable finishes. While nothing will ever take the place of wood for its unique graining and beauty, there are comparable alternatives. Wood is popular because different types of woods can be used to achieve many different types of colors. The same is true with warranted durable finishes available from a true composite manufacturer.

So, how do you decide which one to go with? This answer is a little more detailed. You should consider going with someone that puts as much thought into the building of your door as you do the decorating and the designing of it. Do a little research and ask these questions:

• Can I have any design I want?
• Will someone help me or my architect come up with a design that is unique and compliments our home?
• Can I have any color that I want?
• Can I match a wood that I like or that is already on my house?

Once you’re comfortable with the answers to these questions, then it is time to find a dealer. We’ll explore ways to help you find the right value added dealer for your needs in our next discussion.

If you’re looking for a reason to purchase a composite door, remember the most important reason composite doors exist: to be a longer lasting alternative to wood. And when you purchase a composite door, choose a manufacturer that offers true craftsmanship, not a “Cookie cutter” approach to design and finishing.

As always,I encourage and welcome your comments or questions on this topic to further the discussion.

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Everyone knows that the finishing details of your home are unique and special. Have you every thought about designing your garage door in this same light? At Eden Coast, we proudly stand on our guiding principle, “If you can dream it, we can build it.” As you think about your unique design, here are some questions you may be pondering.

What if I have a very ornate or detailed design? In order to maximize every detail, we utilize a range of overlay board thicknesses which allows us to create the best detail in the industry. If you need a traditional wood color such as cedar, oak or mahogany, then it is certainly available. However, we offer the ability to further customize your “dream garage door” to match other types of wood and paint colors, including black!. Black (or any dark color) is never an option for wood doors. The dark colors increase the heat gain in the material causing wood and other less stable composite products to expand and contract significantly. This shifting of the material compromises the adhesive bond to the door and also encourages warping, splitting and cracking. The damaged material then forms gaps in which moisture can become trapped, making the wood wet and further exacerbating the problem.

Would I like to add the benefit of windows to my garage? Windows and glass options are completely customizable. Although we offer several standard designs, perhaps you have a unique window design surrounding your front door, or iron work on your front porch or terrace. You can easily build these unique details into the windows of your garage doors, too. In fact, we can create the illusion of windows without actual glazing using our “faux window” designs.

Do I need a special type of door because I live in a windy region? For our customers in wind-prone regions, we are able to furnish wind and/or large missile impact rated doors without compromising the beauty or quality construction of our products. So, whether you are in Florida, Texas or any other area requiring wind load, we’ve got you covered. Our staff is experienced with the component and cladding elements of structural design for both Miami-Dade and TDI building codes.

What sets Eden Coast apart is our dedication to you. We are committed to giving you the look you love without the maintenance of wood. Our superior craftsmanship, innovative manufacturing and finishing capabilities allow us to accomplish just about any architectural design you can imagine.

Image from FreeDigitalPhotos.net/ Stuart Miles