When it comes to choosing a garage door, there is a range of options. However, it’s not just about choosing a colour. There are several things to consider that could impact which one you choose. Here’s a look at the options…

From sectional to up-and-over doors are a lot of options when it comes to deciding on a garage door. It doesn’t just come down to the mechanism though. There are a lot of things to keep in mind when making your choice. This includes how much space you need to be able to open the door, how you want it to open, the material it’s made of and if you want it to be automated.

Our Garage Door Buying Guide

In order to select the right door, you need to consider a few things…

Clearance

Before deciding on the type of door you want, you need to look at the layout of your garage. This is because you need to have enough space to open the door once it has been fitted. For example, side-hung doors will need to open outwards or inwards. This means that you need to have even clearance for the door to open without hitting an obstruction. On the other hand, vertically-opening doors, such as roller doors will take up a portion of the ceiling space. If you have a low ceiling in your garage this might not be the best option.

Material

The next step in our garage door buying guide is the type of material your door will be made of. The thickness will, of course, depend on the opening type but certain materials are more certain to some design than others.

Wood

Due to its weight and care requirements, wood is more suited to either a design that opens horizontally or up-and-over doors that are made of one solid panel (not sectional).

It is also a very attractive option, coming in different colours depending on the type of wood. Wood also acts as a good thermal barrier for your garage.

Steel

Although it offers less natural insulation than other materials, steel is lightweight, making it ideal for doors that open vertically, such as up-and-over or roller doors.

They can also be insulated with extra material to ensure that your garage stays warmer. With a laminate finish, you can also get them in a range of colours to match the rest of your home.

Aluminium

Aluminium is another lightweight material that is ideal for vertically-opening doors such as up-an-over and sectional doors. It is also durable and a conductor of heat.

It is hard-wearing and, similar to steel, it can be coated in different finishes to suit your style and the rest of your home.

PVC

PVC is a popular material for garage doors due to it being lightweight and adaptable. It can be used for all types of doors and can be easily automated.

It is a more budget-friendly option that offers better insulation than steel and aluminium but it isn’t as strong.

Type

There are many different types of garage doors and each one opens differently. Because of this, each type has its own benefits and drawbacks.

Up-And-Over

Up-and-over doors are the most traditional type of garage door. It is a solid piece that moves along tracks on the ceiling, where it will lay parallel. There are two types of up-and-over doors: canopy and retractable. The main difference between the two is that one protrudes outwards slightly from the door opening meaning that some clearance may be needed.

Sectional

Sectional doors are pretty much what the name suggests. They are made up of several sections which allow them to glide along tracks with ease. It is similar to an up-and-over door in that it moves along the ceiling of the garage.

Roller

Working similarly to rolling shutters, these are made up of narrow slats that allow them to be rolled up. The slats are either rolled up into a box or around a drum (think about how a roller blind works). This option is space-efficient as it only requires a small amount of headroom.

Side-Hung

These doors work similarly to normal doors in that they have hinges on the side and they open outwards. The main downside of these is that they require constant clearance around each door so that they can be opened.

Sliding

Sliding doors are pretty much what they sound like – they slide. They hang from a track and are guided by a track along the floor. Constructed with several thin vertical panels, they slide down the inside wall of the garage.

Other options

Our garage door buying guide wouldn’t be complete without looking at the other options that you could consider. One of these is automation. This involves fitting a motor that can automatically open the door for you with a click of a button. One such system would be Somfy.

Systems like these also have added security benefits and safety features.

I hope that you have found this garage door buying guide helpful. As mentioned, there are a lot of factors that you need to think about when choosing a door. The option can be overwhelming, so if you need any help at all please don’t hesitate to get in touch!