Select galvanized steel for durability.
If you're looking to increase your home's curb appeal, garage door hardware is the perfect place to start. Hardware is a functional and decorative accessory that makes the outside of a garage more eye-appealing. Depending on your hardware preferences and durability factors, some metal options are best-suited for the exterior of a garage door. Does this Spark an idea?
Durability
Choose galvanized or stainless steel hardware if your top priority is durability. Steel is a strong material that does not bend or break easily and holds up well over time. Galvanized and stainless steel garage door hardware can withstand tension, so the up-and-down motion from garage door use does not compromise the integrity of the material. The drawback to putting steel on the outside of a garage is its susceptibility to rust due to moisture and bad weather conditions. According to the Public Broadcasting Station, steel can also weaken when exposed to high temperatures.
Weight
Opt for aluminum garage door hardware if you want a lightweight metal. According to Artistic Garage Doors, cast aluminum is rustproof and does not corrode when exposed to outdoor elements. Aluminum is a good choice if you have a fiberglass or thin wooden garage door that cannot support heavy hardware. The brushed-metallic silvery sheen in aluminum is especially eye-appealing on garage doors in a cottage or Victorian style. Avoid aluminum hardware if your garage is near a basketball goal or other recreational equipment where balls could dent or damage the surface of the hardware.
Ornamentation
Select powder-coated wrought iron garage door hardware if you want decorative ornamental hardware that is available in a wide variety of design options. Wrought iron hardware has a classic dark, foreboding motif that complements Tudor styles, medieval themes and carriage door designs. Powder-coated wrought iron is rust-free and has a soft black metallic color that looks weathered. Access Custom Garage Doors reports that powder-coated wrought iron hardware complements wooden garage doors. Powder-coated wrought iron can get brittle and fade with long-term sun exposure.
Traditional Design
Install brass hardware on the outside of your garage if you prefer the intense high-gloss shine of a bright yellow metal. Brass hardware has an authentic appeal that accommodates traditional colonial motifs. Oxidation causes brass to lose its luster and eventually corrode from rust, so you must polish it frequently. According to Greenwich Metal Finishing, it is difficult for a homeowner to successfully restore brass exterior hardware to its original finish once it has tarnished. Opt for brass-plated hardware, usually applied over steel, if you don't want to polish your hardware.
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