Those who live in Tacoma and the South Sound area are aware of how the weather here changes quite frequently: you get extended periods of rain, the temperatures are quite cool, the salty air from Puget Sound tends to go farther inland, and there is no shortage of mornings that remain damp all day long. A wet climate is something that does not only wear out your roof and deck but can also seriously blemish the garage door and the hardware, and reduce its lifespan.
At Emerald Garage Door, we assist homeowners in the cities of Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Puyallup, Lakewood, University Place, Federal Way, and areas farther from these cities, in selecting garage doors that not only beautify their house but stay durable for years. To keep this guide at a manageable length, we’ve mainly focused on three popular choices: fiberglass, aluminum, and composite. You’ll discover how each copes with damp conditions, what finishes are hot, and how to choose a door that complements your home and your maintenance style.
Why Wet Climates Are Tough on Garage Doors
In a wet region, garage doors are undergoing the following recurring issues that are the root problems of most of the era-related defects in the paintings:
- Material swelling due to moisture absorption (particularly wooden parts on the doors)
- Corrosion and rusting of metal parts and hardware
- Reduced paint adhesion as a result of the surface remaining cool and humid
- Texture finish getting dirty and stained by mildew growth
- The finish is getting dull and chalky due to the combination of UV and constant weathering
The ideal garage door for a “wet climate” is not merely about the material of the door panel. The material + core construction + exterior skin + factory finish + edge sealing + quality hardware combination determines the performance of the door in Tacoma situations.
Painting & Finish Trends That Matter in the Pacific Northwest
It kind of prepares you for understanding where the industry is headed, if you know what painting and finishing trends in which the sector is moving ahead before that comparison of materials. Most of today’s “painting trends” are actually finish system trends, factory-applied coatings and overlays which are intended to reduce maintenance and improve longevity in harsh environments.
1) Factory Finishes Are Winning (for a reason)
More homeowners are opting for factory finished doors instead of field-painted ones. The coating systems are generally applied in a controlled environment, which is advantageous in wet climates where the high humidity can interfere with curing and adhesion.
So, if you are looking for the most durable door, go for a door that is factory-finished with a high-quality baked-on finish or powder-coated finish, especially on aluminum doors.
2) Wood-Look Without Wood Maintenance
A major Tascoma neighborhood trend, that is seen everywhere from the North End of the craftsman homes to the newer conventionally constructed home areas in Puyallup and Lakewood, is the need for the warm and wood-like appearance of the raised wood grained panel style doors with no need of annual re-staining and sealing. This is mainly the reason why:
- Composite wood-look doors are common
- Fiberglass wood-grain finishing is used
- High-definition embossed textures with durable topcoats are applied
3) Darker Colors Are In, But They Need Better Coatings
Deep charcoal, black, or dark bronze tones, have become the latest trend of garage doors in the modern exteriors. In fact, dark colors will look great and have a huge visual impact but they have the disadvantage that they absorb heat from the sun more (also when it is shady) that can cause the material finish to be stressed.
So if you want to use a dark exterior in a moist environment, the paint must be of a higher quality and the factory finish that resists chalking and moisture must be stronger.
Material Comparison for Wet Climates: Fiberglass vs Aluminum vs Composite
We would like to briefly touch on the three materials that you mentioned and discuss how each one of them is dealing with the wet, cold, and rarely salty Tacoma conditions.
Fiberglass Garage Doors in Wet Climates
Why Fiberglass is popular
A fiberglass door typically has a fiberglass skin on the outside and the door is usually supported by a frame (usually steel or aluminum). The door can be filled with different kinds of insulation depending on the model. Fiberglass doors are renowned for being:
- Rust resistant
- One of the moisture stable materials (unlike wood, they don’t swell)
- They can be textured with wood-grain pictures replicating essentially a cedar or fir wood
Benefits of Fiberglass in Wet Climate
There are two major advantages that fiberglass can bring to a house in Tacoma:
- The absence of rust on the skin: The moisture in the air, water splashes, and wet winters are the things that get rust/oxidation on the steel line of doors. So normally, such factors would not have any effect on a fiberglass surface.
- Great wood-look: Fiberglass has the capability to look like wood very naturally in a way that if you were to compare it with a real wood door in the Pacific Northwest, there would be no need to re-stain and seal that door constantly.
Things to be cautious about
Fiberglass may not suit everyone perfectly, so it is good to know the details of the fiberglass.
- The impact resistance differs from one model to another. Certain fiberglass skins may even crack if struck severely (picture the ball hitting, bike hitting, or simple hitting with the door).
- The quality gap is quite large. Superior fiberglass doors come with tougher skins, better reinforced edges, and stronger backing materials.
- Finish also matters. A factory finish will help keep the door stain-free.
Best Use-Case Scenario for a Tacoma Home
Fiberglass is still a good option in case you are:
- Looking for an extremely low-maintenance material
- Wanting to have the wood-grain look for your house
- Not willing to have your door rust due to coastal air or soggy weather
Aluminum Garage Doors in Wet Climates
Why aluminum is trending
Aluminum garage doors are used for full-view glass doors frequently in contemporary homes, especially with:
- Full-view glass doors (aluminum frames with glass panels)
- Sleek, minimalist designs
- Custom powder-coated colors
Wet climate advantages
The main point of aluminum in Tacoma is that it doesn’t rust, which is the biggest reason why people buy it:
- Aluminum doesn’t rust. Steel on the other hand, if it is not properly treated will surely rust, but in the case of aluminum even if it oxidizes, it doesn’t rust.
- Powder coating is a major advantage. Powder-coated aluminum finishes are extremely popular because they’re durable and resist peeling.
Things to keep an eye on
Moreover, aluminum can be dented more easily than steel. If your garage door takes regular ”life happens” hits, then you would want to have a thicker gauge frame or a design that can hide minor dents.
Besides that, oxidation can still occur. You may find chalking or oxidation if the finish is of lower quality or it has been heavily weathered.
In addition, glass needs to be cleaned regularly. Full-view doors are definitely a great feature on your house but the glass will show water spots, pollen, and dirt during rainy seasons.
Best use-case in Tacoma
Aluminum is a top pick if you want:
- A modern look (especially full-view)
- Excellent performance in damp air
- A factory powder-coated finish in a custom color
Composite Garage Doors in Wet Climates
What “composite” usually means
Composite garage doors are constructed differently from one manufacturer to another but most comprise:
- Core made of steel
- Composite outer layer (usually engineered wood, or resin-based)
- Insulation in the middle
- Durable topcoat designed to imitate wood paint or wood stain
Composite is popular because it hits the “best of both worlds” goal: wood aesthetics with better weather tolerance.
Wet climate advantages
Composite doors can be very good in Tacoma because:
- They can resist damages caused by swelling, cracking, and warping that would normally happen with wood.
- The outer layer usually is able to hold the paint/finish well and it looks the same over time.
- Both wood and composite doors expand and contract with changing weather conditions, but most composites are specifically designed to be stable.
Things to watch for
- Edges and seams must be well protected. While being exposed to a wet climate, these points are the most vulnerable ones. If water can get in through panel seams, bottom edges, or trim joints, then there will be deterioration happening.
- Hardware quality will always be important. Even if the door skin is oil-resistant, hinges, rollers, and springs still need the right corrosion resistance for Tacoma conditions.
- The weight can increase. Some composite doors are heavier than fiberglass or aluminum, which means that the compatibility of the opener and the sizing of the springs become even more significant.
Best use-case in Tacoma
Composite is a good choice if you want:
- An upscale, carriage-house or craftsman style look
- Much less maintenance than if you had real wood
- Highest durability level with a great feel of quality
What’s “Best” for Tacoma? A Practical Recommendation
There is no single answer that fits every home, nevertheless, based on the priorities of the majority of the homeowners in Tacoma, here is a simple way to make a decision:
If you want, a moisture-friendly door that helps you avoid rust and has the wood-grain curb appeal with not a lot of portable upkeep, would be the best choice for you:
fiberglass.
Choose aluminum if you want:
One who enjoys the modern style of a house, whose house is built to the highest standard of performance in wet climate, and who accepts the factory powder-coated finish benefit to the fullest, these are people who live in contemporary homes or have full-view designs and they would like aluminum.
Choose composite if you want:
Composite doors can be a smart choice for you if you prefer a high-quality wood-style door with almost no damage caused by moisture, and a stable door that will still be looking very good and feeling solid, after many years, if well-constructed and sealed.
You want your home to be closer to the water (Gig Harbor, parts of Tacoma near Commencement Bay, or areas where salty air is noticeable), the rust free benefit of fiberglass or aluminum goes up even more. Composite still performs very well, but the quality of construction and the sealing of the edges becomes even more important.
Painting & Maintenance Tips for Wet Climates
Regardless of how great the materials are, proper maintenance is still necessary in the South Sound. Overdoing it is not at all necessary; it is the consistency that really makes a difference.
- In a year, you might only want to clean the door a couple of times. Use a gentle soap and water to clean the door and dirt and grime won’t be able to hold moisture against the surface.
- Check the bottom seal and the weatherstripping around the door. The bottom of the door is usually the portal for water to get inside resulting in the finish wearing out.
- Supporting hardware needs to be lubricated with the proper products that are aimed at them. Hinge and roller in wet climatic conditions will, if regularly lubricated, not squeak or have surface corrosion.
- Be mindful of the finish changes at the beginning. When the paint becomes dull, chalky, or discolored, it can be a sign that the coating is getting old. If you fix these issues early on, then you won’t have to do a big restoration later on.
- Use hardware that resists corrosion. Upgrades to springs, bearings, and hinges can be made in order to better tolerate the damp air and thus have a longer service life.
Emerald Garage Door: Helping Tacoma Homeowners Choose the Right Door for the Weather
Garage doors are quite large exterior surfaces of your house, and in case of a wet climate like Tacoma, they happen to be one of the hard-working surfaces as well. Making the right choice of a material and finish for the door can significantly reduce the level of maintenance, save you money on your investment, and keep your home looking great during the rainy season and afterwards.
Green Garage Door can help you mix and match door material, insulation, hardware, and finish to your home style and the weather you will be dealing with each year, if you are reviewing your garage door options such as fiberglass vs aluminum vs composite in the Tacoma area.
You can email Emerald Garage Door for additional help in the selection of a door for your wet climate, hold-up finish choices, and professional installation that will keep the moisture out of your home.
