To timber or not to timber. Choosing a timber garage door for your home

As the allure of timber and timber-look garage doors continue to ascend, homeowners are increasingly drawn to adding value to home. From the kerb or up close, garage doors have the opportunity to complement a home’s architecture.

With options ranging from various stains to diverse profiles, both natural timber and timber-look garage doors present enticing choices for those seeking a classically natural aesthetic. If you find yourself enamoured with the idea of a timber garage door, rest assured, we’re here to help you decide between a timber garage door versus a timber-like garage door.

Our comprehensive guide covers all the essential factors to consider when deciding on using timber for a garage door. Here is what we will cover in this guide:

• What a timber garage door consists of
• What the important considerations when choosing a timber garage door
• What are the benefits of a natural timber door?
• What are the disadvantages of a natural timber door?
• Natural timber species and their weight
• Questions to ask your garage door installer

Note: Mortlock Timber is a timber supplier who can supply directly to your garage door manufacturer or installer. We do not manufacturer garage doors.

What a timber garage door consists of

A timber garage consists of incorporating cladding or batten systems to a backing material such as plywood or another composite material. This material provides a reliable surface for cladding or battens to be fixed to, along with a weatherproofing layer.

This weather proofing layer is designed to protect the underlying structure and insulation from moisture and environmental elements. We often recommend to our installers, Pro Clima and their products for effective weather resistant barriers.

These factors allow the door to merge with the rest of wall visually when used with the two layers.

Types of garage doors that use timber

A sectional garage door, also known as a sliding garage door, is made from sturdy panels attached by hinges. These panels run on tracks that move vertically up and horizontally across the garage ceiling, requiring less ground clearance than the older tilt door design.

The tilt door, built as a single panel and reinforced with an internal steel frame, opens outwards and swings upwards until fully open. It then rests horizontally against the garage door header. This design allows the garage door to be installed and customized to fit spaces of virtually any size.

What the important considerations when choosing a timber garage door

The level of maintenance required

How much maintenance are you prepared to undertake to achieve your desired garage door?

Often timber products are delivered to a project factory-coated and ready to be installed. However, with garage doors, we often recommend that orders are put through as raw (uncoated). This allows the installers to use our natural timber products without the worry of the oil/coating interacting with their adhesives.

Once installation of the timber is completed a second coat should be applied.

Now if the retention of the natural timber colour is the important to the owner, a third coat of oil should be applied within six months of the second coat. From there maintenance coats should be applied as often as every 12-18 months to retain the colour of timber seen on the week of install.

Typically, weathered surfaces can be left up to 4-5 years without recoating, as discussed above.

Styles, materials and durability

Timber species and product selection is crucial to the project when it comes to a garage door. The size, power and therefore the cost of the garage door motor will vary depending on the timber species of choice. For example, a heavier timber species like spotted gum at 19kg p/m² will require a more powerful garage door motor than a thermally-modified piece of timber such as Malvec which weighs around 8.2kg p/m².

Different natural timber species have different characteristics from aesthetics to structural integrity. Whether you are after a knotty timber with distinctive grains, or a timber that has a smooth ‘no-knot surface’, find more information on each species here.

While the species of timber is important, as is the coating or finish you choose. Wood stains and protective, penetrating oils such as Cutek Extreme CD50, change the appearance of the timber. To change the appearance of the natural timber to your desired look, you will need to understand the relationship between the coatings and the timber you choose.

Mortlock Timber’s Recommendation:

Although lightweight, thermally modified timber is incredibly durable. This timber has undergone a heavily pressurised process to essentially cook the timber, changing it at a cellular level. . The coating of the timber will provide a necessary barrier. Hardwood timber is durably too and is a viable option, however, we do not advise thinning or dressing down the timber to a less stable condition.

The benefits of a natural timber garage door

Environment

Timber garage doors offer the opportunity to use environmentally sustainable materials. By choosing timber under our PEFC Chain of Custody certification, you ensure that the timber came from sustainably managed forests. This not only supports responsible forestry but also contributes to the conservation of ecosystems. We partnered with Responsible Wood to start taking more sustainable steps as a company.

Aesthetic Appeal

The beauty of natural timber is hard to replicate. Timber garage doors provide a natural and warm appearance that enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of your home. The unique grain patterns and textures of timber add character and a sense of luxury that synthetic materials often cannot match.

Durability

Timber garage doors can be customised with different techniques, finishes, and coatings. This allows for a wide range of design possibilities to match your personal style and the architectural design of your home. Techniques like Shou Sugi Ban and various coatings can create distinct , making your garage door a true point of difference.

Customisation

Different finishes and different species of timber can create a different look and feel when it comes to using timber. This includes Shou Sugi Ban timber and coatings.

The disadvantages of a natural timber garage door

Natural timber garage doors will require maintenance. This is dependent on the desired look and feel of the timber. Following the first coat on the timber used, a second coat of oil will be required. Following that, it will be at the owner’s discretion to maintain the timber to achieve their desired result. To get a full run down on what maintenance will be required for your particular garage door, find more in this blog here or our maintenance guide.

Weight of timber can be heavy. See below for a table outlining the details of each timber species.

Natural timber for a garage can be more expensive than other materials. Timber-look garage doors comprise of aluminium and composite timber, making them a cheaper alternative to using natural timber.

The risk of fire. While hardwood species such as spotted gum, blackbutt and ironbark, all register a BAL rating, some timber options do not achieve one. Thermally-modified timber, a highly recommended natural timber for garage doors, does not achieve a BAL rating, so it is important to identify if your area is classified as bush fire prone.

Garage door profiles

Our natural timber systems offer a variety of options for different garage door customisations.

Our Trendplank is a concealed fixed cladding system designed to allowing for just the right amount of natural timber movement.

Proplank is a click-in or direct fixed battens of different sizes, shapes and spacing configurations.

Shou Sugi Ban is a charred timber finish that can be applied to our systems.

Natural timber species and their weight

Questions to ask your garage door installer

What is the weight requirement of the supporting structure and system of my desired garage door?

It is important ensure your garage’s frame can support the timber and the door, to ensure safety and longevity. If you are installing a complete new system, you and your installer will need to ensure the garage door motor has sufficient power to handle the weight of the timber or timber-like garage door efficiently.

Are these materials inside my budget and will their inclusion

Your garage door installer should talk you through the advantages and disadvantages of the available materials, including the differences in cost, and why one might be more appropriate to your style of house than another. After all, your garage door takes up a significant proportion of your home’s façade, so choosing a material that fits in with the overall aesthetic is crucial.

Do you prefer set lengths rather than random lengths?

Some garage manufacturers and installers that we have worked with prefer set, full lengths over random lengths. This is often for their preference of cutting down set lengths to match and marry up the timber grain to another piece of timber. This on a sectional and tilt style garage door will enable a cleaner appearance when butting up pieces of timber to one another.

Drive your inspiration and ideas for a timber garage door

Timber cladding for a garage door is an attractive and functional choice that enhances the appearance and durability of the door. By selecting the right type of wood and maintaining it properly, homeowners can enjoy the benefits of a beautiful, long-lasting timber-clad garage door. From picking the perfect timber species to design and finish options, we can help you create the perfect garage door for the Aussie homeowner. 

If you’d like to explore your timber garage door options, contact us or request a free quote and our expert team will assist and guide you through the journey!