Amarr vs Clopay Garage Doors: In-Depth Comparison

Choosing the right garage door for your home is not easy. You have to consider many factors, such as style, material, durability, insulation, warranty, and customer service. 

Two of the most popular garage door brands are Amarr and Clopay. Both have been in the industry for decades and offer a wide range of products for residential and commercial use. 

But how do they differ from each other? Which one is better for your home?

Let’s explore an in-depth comparison of Amarr vs Clopay garage doors based on their company background, product offerings, market position, reputation, customer feedback, and warranty policies.

Amarr Garage Doors

Amarr is one of the leading garage door manufacturers in North America. The company’s history dates back to 1951, when the Brenner family founded it in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, as a small building supply retailer.

In 2013, Amarr was acquired by Entrematic, a global leader in entrance automation products and solutions. Entrematic is part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, the world’s largest provider of door-opening solutions. Under Entrematic, Amarr continues to operate as a separate brand, with its own management team and headquarters in Winston-Salem.

It has 17 manufacturing plants and 75 distribution centers across the US, Canada, and Mexico. The company employs more than 1,000 people and serves over 3,000 independent garage door dealers. 

Amarr offers a wide range of garage doors for residential and commercial use. These include:

Residential Doors

The company has three main collections of residential garage doors: Traditional, Carriage House, and Specialty. 

• Traditional – Classic garage doors feature raised or flush panels and are made of steel or wood composite materials. They are available with single, double, or triple-layer insulation and durability. Some of the popular models in this collection are Stratford, Heritage, Lincoln, and Olympus.
• Carriage House – These garage doors operate like modern sectional doors, mimicking the look of old-fashioned swing-out doors. Crafted from steel, wood, or aluminum, they feature decorative windows, hardware, and designs. Some of the popular models in this collection are Classica, Hillcrest, Oak Summit, and Designer’s Choice.
• Specialty – Offering unique and modern designs, these garage doors include full-view glass, faux wood, and horizontal grooves. They come in aluminum or steel and feature contemporary colors, finishes, and options. Some of the popular models in this collection are Vista, Coastal, and Horizon.

Commercial Doors

Amarr also provides a variety of garage doors for commercial and industrial applications. The company’s product line includes:

• Rolling Steel – These garage doors comprise interlocking steel slats rolling up and down on a steel barrel, ideal for high-security and high-traffic locations like warehouses and storefronts. Popular models include Amarr 4000, 4100, and 4200. 
• Sectional – These garage doors move along a track and feature horizontal sections hinged together. They are suitable for medium to large openings such as loading docks and fire stations. 

Customization

The brand also offers a range of customization options for garage doors, such as:

• Window Inserts – These are decorative glass panels that can be added to the garage door sections to enhance the appearance and let in natural light. Amarr offers various window shapes, sizes, and designs, such as arch, square, sunray, and cascade.
• Color Options and Finishes – Different colors and finishes applied to garage door surfaces match the home or building exterior. Amarr has a standard palette of 17 colors, custom colors, and woodgrain finishes for some models.
• Accessories – Additional products installed alongside garage doors improve functionality and convenience. Amarr offers a selection of accessories, such as door openers, smart home devices, weather seals, and decorative hardware.

Customer Feedback

Amarr has received mostly positive feedback from its customers, who appreciate the quality, durability, and design of its garage doors.

• Safety Assurance – Amarr’s wind load garage doors blend style with safety, featuring reinforcement systems that withstand high-wind conditions while complying with local building codes.
• Smart Control – With Amarr’s mobile app, users can conveniently monitor and control their garage doors from anywhere, ensuring peace of mind and safety at all times.

However, Amarr also has some areas for improvement based on customer complaints.

Timeouts, crashes, and bugs encountered on Android and iOS devices are common issues expected in the initial stages of Amarr’s app release.

Awards

Amarr has received several awards and recognitions for its quality, innovation, and service. 

• Professional Door Dealer Magazine – Amarr was voted the Best Residential Garage Door Manufacturer by the readers of Professional Door Dealer Magazine, a leading publication in the garage door industry, for 10 consecutive years from 2010 to 2019.
• Builder Magazine – From 2013 to 2019, Amarr was named the Brand Leader in Garage Doors by Builder Magazine, a leading publication for the home building industry.
• Houzz – Amarr was awarded the Best of Houzz in Design and Service by Houzz, a leading platform for home remodeling and design, for six consecutive years from 2014 to 2019.

Clopay Garage Doors

Clopay is another leading garage door manufacturer in North America, with a history that goes back to 1859. The company was originally founded by August Clopay in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a paper mill. Over the years, Clopay diversified its business and entered the garage door industry in 1964.

Clopay offers a wide range of garage doors for residential and commercial use. These include:

Residential Doors

Each collection has different styles, materials, and features to suit various preferences and needs.

• Classic – These are traditional garage doors with raised, recessed, or flush panels made from steel or composite materials. They are offered in single-, double-, or triple-layer construction and provide varying insulation and durability levels.
• Modern – Contemporary garage doors feature sleek designs like full-view glass, flush panels, and grooved lines. Crafted from aluminum or steel, they showcase modern colors, finishes, and options.
• Wood Look – Garage doors replicate wood’s natural beauty without the upkeep or expense. 
• Custom – Handcrafted from premium wood species like cedar, mahogany, and redwood, these offer unique designs and craftsmanship.

Commercial Doors

Clopay also provides a variety of garage doors for commercial and industrial applications. The company’s product line includes:

• Rolling Steel – Characterized by interlocking steel slats rolling on a steel barrel, these garage doors are optimal for high-security environments like warehouses and factories. Some of the popular models in this category are Clopay 500, 600, and 700 Series.
• Sectional – These garage doors feature horizontal sections hinged together, moving along a track. They are ideal for medium to large openings such as loading docks and fire stations. Some of the popular models in this category are Clopay 800, 900, and 1000 Series.

Customization

Clopay also offers a range of customization options for its garage doors, such as:

• Window Inserts – These decorative glass panels enhance the garage door’s aesthetics and allow natural light to enter. Clopay offers various shapes and designs, such as arch, square, sunray, and cascade.
• Color Options and Finishes – Choose from a range of colors and finishes to match your home’s exterior. Clopay provides 18 standard colors and offers custom colors and woodgrain finishes for select models.
• Accessories – Enhance functionality with additional products from Clopay’s accessory selection, such as door openers, smart home devices, weather seals, and decorative hardware.
  

Clopay has a strong market position and reputation based on its:

• Industry Standing – Clopay is the largest and oldest garage door manufacturer in North America, with a market share of about 20%. The company has a loyal and diverse customer base that includes homeowners, builders, and dealers. 

• Customer Feedback – Moreover, Clopay has received mostly positive feedback from its customers, who appreciate the quality, durability, and design of its garage doors. 

According to online reviews, some of the common praise for Clopay includes:

• Easy to install and operate
• Sturdy and resistant to dents, scratches, and rust
• Attractive and enhance the curb appeal of the home or building
• Well-insulated and energy-efficient
• Affordable and offers good value for the money

However, Clopay has some areas for improvement based on customer complaints and criticisms. According to online reviews, these are:

• Clopay Corporation lacks direct sales channels, so customers must purchase through dealers, adding a step to the buying process.
• Over time, certain Clopay doors may experience fading, resulting in a whitish appearance.

Awards

Clopay has garnered significant recognition for its commitment to quality, innovation, and service. Among the notable awards and accolades received:

• Door + Access Systems Magazine – Door + Access Systems Magazine lauded Clopay’s “imagine™” advertising campaign as a top industry ad.

Additionally, Clopay was honored with three Brand Builder Awards from Hanley Wood, a prominent publisher in the residential design and construction industry.

Amarr vs Clopay Comparison

Now, we will compare Amarr and Clopay garage doors based on five main criteria: 

Overall, Clopay slightly outperforms Amarr in design options and customization, while Amarr leads in warranty coverage and customer support. However, both brands are evenly matched in terms of durability, customer satisfaction, pricing, and value for money. Ultimately, the choice depends on individual preferences and specific requirements.

Conclusion

Amarr and Clopay are two of the most popular and reputable garage door brands in the market. They offer a wide range of products for residential and commercial use.

We hope that this guide has helped you understand the similarities and differences between Amarr and Clopay garage doors and that it will assist you in making an informed and confident decision for your home or building.