Wooden garage doors have been on South African homes for decades, and they are still a popular choice on new houses for one simple reason: they look good. A well-made timber door adds warmth and character to the front of a house, and on a home where the garage faces the street it can lift the whole look of the property. The trade-off is cost and care, so it is worth understanding both before you choose one.
Why people choose a wooden garage door
- The look. Natural timber has a warmth that painted steel and aluminium do not, and it suits traditional and modern homes alike.
- Strength. A solid timber door is heavy and sturdy, which makes it hard to force.
- Insulation and noise. Wood keeps out draughts and road noise better than a thin steel door.
- Design freedom. Wooden doors can be made to almost any design, from plain boards to raised panels, slats or windows that let light into the garage.
- Kerb appeal. A good wooden door that is kept in condition adds to the impression a house makes when you come to sell.
Timbers and finishes
Meranti is the most common timber for garage doors in South Africa: it is stable, takes a finish well and is reasonably priced for a hardwood. Doors are also made in other hardwoods and in cedar, which comes in shades from light amber to deep honey brown. Whatever the timber, the door should come sealed or treated from the factory and needs a protective finish kept up for the rest of its life.
If you like the look but not the upkeep, a steel door with a wood-grain finish gives a similar appearance for less money and almost no maintenance.
Styles and how they open
Wooden doors come in the same opening styles as other garage doors, and the style affects both the price and the motor you need. See our overview of the types of garage doors for how each one works.
- Up-and-over (tip-up): one solid panel that tilts up and back into the garage. Simple and strong.
- Sectional: horizontal panels that run up and back along tracks. Seals well and needs no space in front of the door.
- Side-sliding and folding: doors that slide to the side or fold in sections (bi-fold, tri-fold), often used for custom or architectural designs.
With a custom design, check early that the chosen style can open the way you want: some decorative designs limit whether a door can slide, roll or tilt.
What a wooden garage door costs
Wood is usually the most expensive garage door material, and a custom-made door costs more than a standard design. The price depends on the timber, the size (single, double or custom), the design and panelling, any windows, whether the door is factory-sealed, and the motor needed to move it. Our guide to garage door prices explains each of these factors and how to compare quotes. Against that, a wooden door that is looked after lasts a very long time, and keeping it in condition is far cheaper than replacing it.
Automating a wooden door
A wooden door is heavier than a steel or aluminium one, so the motor has to be sized for its weight. An undersized motor strains and fails early. Make sure the installation includes a backup battery for load shedding, safety settings that stop and reverse the door if it meets an obstruction, and an emergency release you can reach from inside the garage. Automation also means you open and close the door from the car, which is safer at night.
Looking after a wooden garage door
Wood does not rust, but it does swell, crack and rot if water gets into it. A simple routine keeps it in good condition:
- Keep the finish up. Recoat the sealant, varnish or paint at least every two years, more often on a door that faces the afternoon sun. Clean the door thoroughly before you refinish it, and use a weather-resistant product, either a penetrating finish or a film finish.
- Seal the joints. On a panelled door, fill gaps around the panels with an exterior caulk before you seal, so water cannot get behind them.
- Keep water away. Wipe the door down after heavy rain if water sits on it, fix any leaks or gutters that drip onto it, and keep the garage ventilated so moisture does not build up inside.
- Check for damage. A door used several times a day takes a lot of stress. Look for cracks, gaps or soft spots in the wood and deal with them early.
- Look after the hardware. Check the rollers, hinges and tracks, and lubricate them if they start to squeak. Keep the springs and other metal parts dry to stop rust.
Leave the springs to a professional. They hold the weight of a heavy door under high tension, and adjusting or replacing them without the right tools can cause serious injury. Our guide to basic garage door maintenance covers the rest of the moving parts.
Fitting: kit or professional
Wooden garage door kits are available for people who want to build and fit their own. A wooden door is heavy and has to be hung square, balanced and tensioned correctly, so for most homeowners a professional fit is the safer choice, with the workmanship guaranteed in writing. Ours is guaranteed for 24 months. See our garage door installations and repairs for the doors and motors we fit.
If you are deciding between a wooden door and steel, or your wooden door needs refinishing, new hardware or a motor that can handle its weight, we can look at it and quote in writing. Call Tyson on 071 846 7554 or request a free written quote.