Which Garage Door Is Right For Your Home?

WHICH GARAGE DOOR IS RIGHT FOR YOUR HOME?

There’s an ideal garage door for every home but which is the right one for you? We’re here to advise you of the pros and cons on the most popular types of garage doors on the market today.

Automatic Garage Doors

Tired of getting out your car to open your garage door manually? Then an automatic garage door is for you. You may not even need to replace your old garage door either as automated systems can be fitted retroactively too.

They can also improve access to your garage space and advances in technology mean there’s a something for every budget.

Pros	Cons
Easy to retrofit to most garage doors Prices for every budget Added security features Good insulation No more opening your garage door manually!	May require regular maintenance Will add cost to a new garage door

Roller Garage Doors

Roller doors open vertically so the door slides into the garage. This saves you space as the doors do not swing out onto your driveway.

Roller doors are a versatile choice as they can fit garages of all shapes and sizes. They’re also ideal if you have a smaller driveway as the opening/closing function do not swing out externally. However, even though roller doors come in a range of colours there is only one design: horizontal ribs.

Pros	Cons
Suitable for different garage types Great internal/external space saver Easy to automate	Only one design option

Up & Over Garage Doors

The most popular type of garage doors thanks to their security and ease of use. Up and over garage doors also come in a range of different materials including composite, timber, aluminium and uPVC so there’s bound to be a style to suit your property.

Two styles are available: canopy and retractable. We recommend canopy if your entrance is less than 8 feet wide and for manual operation. Retractable is ideal for entrance sizes larger than 8 feet or if you require an automated garage door.

Pros	Cons
Easy to operate Can be automated Come in range of materials	Gap between door and frame means your garage won’t be insulated.

Sectional Garage Doors

Ideal if you need to make the most of your garage space or have a short driveway as sectional garage doors slide straight up into your garage’s ceiling. They can also be insulated (up to 42mm) which means you could use the garage as an extra room as no warmth will escape.

Sectional doors come in a range of shapes, sizes and different materials. This means that no matter the size of your budget there’s one to suit you. They can be automated too. One drawback is the lack of design – Currently, there are only ribbed or Georgian to choose from so your choices are limited.

Pros	Cons
Great insulation Can be automated Ideal for short driveways Suitable for all garage entrances	Only two designs Storage space in roof is sacrificed as the door slides vertically upPros

Side-Hinged Garage Doors

A traditional style that opens like normal entrance doors. Because they’re hinged at the sides and almost always open outwards, side-hinged garage doors are a good option if space within your garage is limited.

Also, no vertical lift means they’re more convenient to open and close.

Pros	Cons
Opens like a regular door Choose symmetrical or asymmetrical looks Ideal for short driveways Suitable for all garage entrances	Doors opening outwards use up more space Harder to automatePros

Overlap Garage Doors

Park right up to your garage if you want to – overlap garage door’s unique opening method means you’ll have no trouble at all. Also, no internal tracking means you’ll have more storage space in your garage.

Overlaps have a unique look that’s more suitable to modern exteriors. Therefore, they may not be the best choice for older properties.

Pros	Cons
No ceiling track means more storage space Opening method ensures no outward space Sleek modern design Ideal for automation	May not suit more traditional homesPros

Side-Sliding Garage Doors

Some garages require a more unique installation that can’t be solved by more traditional garage doors. Side sliding doors could be the answer.

Their opening method means space is saved inside and outside. Noise is kept to a minimum too. However, their design means they’re a very specialised option, tailored to specific needs.

Pros	Cons
Saves space inside and outside Suitable for timber and steel Flexible design options Doors can bend round corners	Can be heavy to operate Expensive compared to other options Requires level ground