Garage doors are an essential component of contemporary living, offering a host of benefits that extend beyond functionality.
While your garage door serves a primarily functional purpose, which is to provide secure access to your vehicles and belongings, it should also encompass aspects of safety, convenience, aesthetics and energy efficiency.
Considering an upgrade? Prepare to be faced with a wide range of garage door types, each with its own unique set of strengths and weaknesses.
Here's our comprehensive guide to navigating the different styles of garage doors on the market and choosing the most appropriate style for your home and needs.
Up-and-Over Garage Doors
Up-and-over garage doors offer a straightforward and cost-effective solution to garage access. The defining feature of this traditional type of garage door is a large panel that pivots upwards to open and descends to close.
There are two different types of up-and-over garage doors: retractable and canopy. Retractable garage doors swing entirely into the garage when open, whereas canopy doors partially protrude outside, providing a small shelter.
Pros of up and over garage doors
- One of the most affordable kinds of garage doors
- A practical choice for homeowners who prioritise ease of maintenance
- Durable and long-lasting
Cons of up and over garage doors
- Ample clearance is required for the garage door to open and close
- Up-and-over garage doors are stored inside the garage when open, which reduces the amount of usable space
- Widely regarded as being insecure, with criminals able to use outer clearance to pry doors open
- Reduced insulation capabilities and increased susceptibility to weather exposure make them less energy-efficient than other garage door types
- Often involve manual lifting, so increasingly unsuitable for older homeowners
- Access space is required to lift and lower the garage door, which means you can't park a car right up to it
Side-hinged Garage Doors
Side-hinged garage doors are another simple, traditional style. Unlike types of overhead doors that open vertically, they feature two large panels that swing open outwards from the centre of the garage door opening.
Pros of side-hinged garage doors
- Another cost-effective option for budget-conscious homeowner
- Their traditional design contributes to a classic and stylish appearance
- Convenient and user-friendly operation
- Provide quick and easy access to the garage, which is helpful if you need to use it frequently
- No internal space required for opening, leaving the whole garage space free for storage
- Minimal moving mechanical parts makes them easy to maintain
Cons of side-hinged garage doors
- Similar drawbacks to those associated with up-and-over garage doors in terms of security concerns and energy efficiency
- Requires a large amount of clearance space to open doors onto the driveway; might not be suitable for homes with small driveways where a car is also kept
- Less design flexibility in comparison to more contemporary garage door types
Round-the-Corner Garage Doors
This type of garage door was one of the earliest available on the market. It operates by sliding to one side of the garage opening and along the inside wall. The door is hung from a track along the ceiling and guided by a channel on the floor. There are also bi-parting models that let you open and close one side at a time.
Pros of round-the-corner garage doors
- Well-suited to garages with little headroom
- Can be manufactured in very large widths due to even weight distribution
- Can open partially to provide pedestrian access
- Require minimal maintenance due to reduced strain on moving parts
Cons of round-the-corner garage doors
- Require one clear wall for the door to travel along, reducing interior space
- The bottom track needs regular cleaning to ensure smoothing operation
- They tend to have a more industrial appearance, which some homeowners may find less appealing
Sectional Garage Doors
Sectional garage doors offer a combination of functionality and security, composed of multiple panel sections that slide up and down along tracks. They open and close vertically, without any outward swing onto the driveway, and can be operated manually or electronically.
Pros of sectional garage doors
- Adaptable and versatile, allowing them to be customised to fit almost any garage opening
- Their robust construction and design offers a greater level of security
- Increased insulation capabilities and minimised weather exposure make them more energy-efficient than other garage door types
Cons of sectional garage doors
- They carry a higher upfront cost compared to more traditional kinds of garage doors
- Their complex design may necessitate a greater level of maintenance
- They rely on an internal metal framework to 'store' the door inside the garage when open, thus reducing the available ceiling and wall storage space in your garage
Roller Garage Doors
Sleek and stylish, roller garage doors open vertically and tuck away into a box above the garage opening. They're available with both manual and electric operation.
Pros of roller garage doors
- Their compact design saves space both internal and external space
- Having fewer moving parts minimises the required upkeep
- Highly versatile, they can be installed in practically any size or shape of garage
- Electric roller doors often come with remote control capabilities, letting you operate them from a distance or inside your vehicle
- They offer excellent insulation, helping to keep your energy bills down by reducing heat transfer between the garage and the outside environment
Selecting the right garage door
When choosing the right garage door for your home you'll need to consider a few factors to ensure it's the right fit:
- Space – Different kinds of garage doors open in different ways; the best choice depends on the space available space inside and outside your garage.
- Material – The type of garage door you choose often determines the material it's made from, which in turn influences how secure and energy-efficient it is.
- Automation – Do you want to be manually lifting or opening your garage door? Or would you rather enjoy the benefits of electric garage-door automation, where the door will lift and close at the touch of a button?
- Appearance – A garage door should enhance your home's kerb appeal. But make sure you don't sacrifice usability and convenience in the process.
- Budget – The type of garage door you choose influences how much it costs. Yet while budget plays a role, it's also about how much value it adds to your home.
Why choose a Garolla roller garage door?
At Garolla, we specialise in electric roller doors, offering a variety of types and sizes to meet your needs. Here's why you should choose us:
- Our doors free up to 25% more space compared to other types of overhead doors, rolling up neatly without taking up valuable overhead or driveway room.
- Built from twin-walled aluminium insulated with polyurethane, our doors are light, rigid and resistant to the elements.
- Effortless electric operation comes as standard, delivering ease of use at the touch of a button.
- Our doors improve your garage-door security with advanced safety features such as auto locks, anti-clone remote controls and a sturdy side guide system.
- All our products are available in a wide choice of colours and finishes, helping you find the perfect match for your home.
- Our prices are completely transparent and, for added value, we like to throw in free fitting from your local engineer and a free five-year warranty.
If you're considering a roller garage door, explore our range or get in touch with our friendly, expert team today. We'd love to help you transform your home with our secure, stylish and hassle-free solutions.