Design Your Door
Where To Buy/ServiceModern Real Wood Garage Doors
For centuries, wood has been a trusted material for building strong, beautiful structures. Today, modern real wood garage doors continue this tradition, offering a timeless look. But with so many options available, how do you choose the perfect wood garage door for your contemporary home?
In this article we’ll talk about the different styles of wood garage doors, the benefits they offer, and the best types of wood to use for a modern garage door. And of course, what your options are when it comes to selecting a modern wood garage door from Clopay.
While often associated with traditional architecture, wood garage doors can also add a touch of character to modern homes. When it comes to modern wood garage doors, there are a few types to consider:
- Solid Panel: These sleek doors are comprised of flat panels, minimalist in nature, and offer a smooth, clean look that complements modern design. They are typically the most cost-effective option.
- Raised Panel: For a bit more visual interest, raised panel doors feature recessed or raised sections. This creates a subtle play of light and shadow, adding depth and dimension to your modern facade.
- Carriage House: For a unique blend of modern and classic, carriage house garage doors (also known as barn-style doors) are a popular look for a modern farmhouse. They have a distinct appearance that combines modern lines with rustic designs.
- Contemporary: In contrast to traditional designs, modern or contemporary garage doors embrace clean lines and minimalistic details. They typically feature flush panel designs and subtle colors that seamlessly blend with modern homes.
The ideal wood for your garage door hinges on a combination of factors, including your budget, climate, and desired look. Here are some common wood choices, each with its own strengths.
Cedar is a popular choice for garage doors due to its inherent rot-resistance. This quality makes it a great option for homeowners in humid climates. Cedar is known for its beautiful warm-color tones, which range from a light golden hue to a richer reddish-brown. The natural oils in cedar also provide some level of insect resistance, adding to the door's longevity. Cedar is available in Clopay’s Reserve® Wood doors and Classic™ Wood raised panel doors.
Hemlock offers an attractive balance of affordability and strength for a wood garage door. In fact, it’s the strongest wood species in the Clopay® line. In some parts of the country, wooden WindCode® doors are available only in hemlock to meet building codes because of its strength. Hemlock can be stained or painted to match your taste.
Redwood is a top contender for wood garage doors thanks to its beauty, durability, and resistance to warping, rot, and insects. The natural oils in redwood also provide excellent weather resistance, protecting your garage door from rain, sun, and extreme temperatures. Redwood boasts a beautiful reddish hue, adding a touch of timeless elegance to your home's exterior. Clopay’s Reserve® Wood doors and Classic™ Wood raised panel doors are available in redwood.
Meranti wood has a rich, reddish-brown color and the grain is consistent and even, making it ideal for staining. Meranti’s durability is comparable to hemlock. Clopay® offers Meranti in their Reserve® Wood Custom, Limited Edition, and Modern garage door lines.
Fir is a strong wood that’s naturally resistant to warping and shrinking. It can range in color from yellowish tan to a light brown. While fir isn't inherently waterproof, it readily accepts sealants and finishes. Clopay® offers Douglas Fir on the Reserve® Wood Custom, Limited Edition and Modern doors.
Luan is a lightweight hardwood known for being affordable and stable, meaning less warping or cracking over time. However, Luan isn’t as durable as other hardwoods and may require more frequent maintenance to keep it looking its best. It’s used in Clopay’s Reserve® Wood doors and as a panel material in Classic™ Wood doors.
Reclaimed Wood can add a unique touch and eco-friendly appeal to your garage door. By using salvaged wood, you're reducing demand for newly cut lumber and giving character-rich wood a second life. Clopay® can create a custom wood garage door made from reclaimed materials.
Modern real wood garage doors create a lasting first impression with their unrivaled aesthetic appeal. The natural wood grain offers a unique texture you can’t get from any other material. Thanks to the timeless beauty of wood, installing a wood garage door can really increase your home’s curb appeal.
Wood garage doors also allow for a high level of customization, including a variety of paint and stain colors. With Clopay’s factory finish paint and stain options, homeowners can choose the color that best complements their home (without having to hire a paint contractor). The door will arrive ready to install—finished properly with a top-quality paint or stain and backed by Clopay’s warranty.
Modern real wood garage doors aren’t just beautiful; they’re built to last. High-quality hardwoods are specifically chosen for their exceptional strength and natural resistance to warping and rotting. With proper care and maintenance, a real wood garage door can last decades.
The lifespan of a wooden garage door depends on two key factors: quality and care. Real wood garage doors, crafted from naturally durable hardwoods like cedar or mahogany, can last an impressive 20 to 40 years, or even longer with proper maintenance.
However, the key to maximizing a wooden garage door's lifespan lies in regular upkeep. This includes annual cleaning to remove dirt and debris that can trap moisture. Periodic resealing with a high-quality exterior wood sealant is essential to maintain the door's weatherproofing. Minor dings and scratches should be addressed promptly to prevent them from becoming bigger problems. By following these simple maintenance practices, you can ensure your real wood garage door is a focal point of your home’s exterior for years to come.
There are two Clopay® wood garage door collections that feature modern designs. They’re listed below. It’s also important to remember that while your preference may be to enjoy the natural look of wood, Clopay® offers stain and finish options (including custom options) that are factory finished, under warranty, and makes your door ready to install upon delivery.
Reserve® Wood Modern
The simple design and clean lines of Clopay's Reserve Wood Modern doors highlight the natural beauty of wood. This door, comprised of horizontal planks, is available in light, dark, or mixed Cedar, Redwood, Meranti, or Fir. The Reserve Wood Modern door has many design options and you can mix materials or add windows and aluminum accent strips.
Reserve® Wood Custom
The possibilities are endless when it comes to designing a Reserve® Wood Custom door. Clopay® offers unlimited wood species (including specialty woods like Ipe or Sapele Mahogany), designs, and a wide variety of stain and finish options to create a one-of-a-kind door.
Talk to a dealer near you to learn more about the right modern wood garage door for your home.
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