Different Garage Door Styles: Which is Best for Your Home?

Choosing a new garage door is a big decision. As one of the most prominent features on your property’s façade, you need a door that naturally integrates with your home’s architecture without looking out of place. But it’s not just about aesthetics; your garage door needs to be functional and fit for purpose too. In 2025, there is a vast array of different garage door types and styles to choose from - from classic designs to modern, high-tech solutions, and it’s important to find a garage door that balances aesthetics, functionality and long-term value.

But where do you start? 

This comprehensive article guides you through the main garage door styles available in the UK, looking at the defining features, benefits and drawbacks of each. Armed with an understanding of some of the key differences between the different styles, you’ll be well placed to purchase a new garage door that not only looks the part, but is also perfectly suited to your lifestyle and home.

The Enduring Appeal of Classic & Traditional Garage Doors

Traditional garage doors remain a popular choice - particularly for owners of period properties, and those who favour a classic or elegant aesthetic.

Side-Hinged Doors

Think of a traditional garage door, and you’ll probably picture a side-hinged door. Side-hinged garage doors evolved from the carriage and coach house doors from days gone by, and can offer a classic, olde-worlde charm.

Side-hinged garage doors usually comprise two hinged doors that swing outwards on opening. Typically made from timber (and sometimes steel), side-hinged doors often feature decorative handles and hinges to enhance the traditional style and aesthetic.

There are many different styles to choose from - whether you’re looking to achieve the appearance of a barn door or carriage style garage door, or a more contemporary alternative. Below you’ll find some examples of side-hinged garage door styles:

• Barn garage doors - particularly popular with homeowners of rural properties or those seeking a classic, agricultural feel. 
• Cottage / carriage style garage doors offer a sense of rustic charm. 
• Tudor garage door style with raised timber framework.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of choosing a side-hinged garage door.

Pros:

• Traditional Aesthetic: Side-hinged garage doors naturally provide an authentic, traditional appearance - particularly when manufactured from timber.
• Pedestrian Access: When pedestrian access to your garage is required, you only need to open a single door rather than opening the entire garage aperture. This offers extra convenience if you use your garage for storage or as a workshop and don’t need to move a vehicle in and out.
• Clear and Unrestricted Internal Access: With side-hinged doors opening outwards onto the driveway, the inside of your garage is easily accessible, providing extra room for storage.

Cons:

• Driveway Space: Side-hinge garage doors require a lot of clearance on the driveway, which can be a real inconvenience - particularly for those with large vehicles or limited driveway space.
• Security & Insulation: The simple design of side-hinged garage doors come with limitations in terms of their insulation and security properties. Seams at the centre and edges of the doors make the garage vulnerable to drafts and weather, whilst making it a target for forced entry.
• Manual Operation: Side-hinge garage doors usually require manual operation, and they can be heavy and cumbersome to open and close. This can be problematic, and potentially dangerous in windy conditions. 

Up and Over Garage Doors

Up-and-over garage doors have long been among the most popular in the UK thanks to their straightforward design and operation. The door panel pivots outwards and then slides up into a horizontal position, resting along tracks on the garage ceiling. 

The single panel design gives flexibility over the style and material used in manufacture. For example: 

• A Georgian style garage door can be achieved by adding raised rectangular panels on each door.
• The appearance of a 1930s garage door can be achieved by incorporating vertical panels, topped with recessed squares; this effect can be made even more authentic with the addition of windows - although this is of course a more expensive option.

Pros:

• Aesthetics: Up-and-over doors provide aesthetic versatility; the single flat surface provides a blank canvas for different garage door styles and materials. Timber offers a warm, natural look, while GRP (Glass reinforced plastic) can offer a low-maintenance finish.
• Affordability: Manual up-and-over models generally provide a more budget-friendly option for those looking for a basic garage door without the frills.

Cons:

• Outward Swing: The outward-swing of an up-and-over garage door requires a good amount of clear driveway space to open; this can pose a real problem on smaller or shorter driveways where space is at a premium.
• Noise: Opening and closing an up-and-over garage door is typically noisier than alternative garage door types due to its operation. However, this can be mitigated with regular maintenance and lubrication.
• Lack of Overhead Space: As the name suggest, up-and-over garage doors rest parallel to the ceiling on guide rails when open. This limits the potential for overhead storage, as well as reducing storage on the walls.
• Security: As they are usually at the lower end of the budget, up-and-over garage doors often come with more rudimentary locking mechanisms. This often leaves them less secure than more modern, multi-point systems.
• Insulation: Up-and-overs generally offer poorer insulation and sealing against drafts compared to more modern alternatives.

The Rise of Modern & Streamlined Garage Door Designs

Traditional garage doors have their place, but increasingly homeowners are turning to more modern alternatives. Many modern garage doors balance sleek aesthetics with operational ease, whilst boasting a broad range of features and benefits that are more difficult to find in more traditional designs. You’re likely to find one of the below modern garage door types fitted in a new build or following a renovation.

Sectional Garage Doors

Sectional garage doors are similar to their up-and-over counterparts, but offer a huge upgrade in terms of functionality and aesthetics. 

Made up of several horizontal sections, they rise vertically and slide on overhead tracks, resting parallel to the garage ceiling on opening. The vertical operation allows for a tighter seal around the opening (and between sections), enhancing security and insulation. It also frees up valuable drive space! 

Sectional garage doors provide a clean, minimalist look that fits naturally with a wide range of homes and architectural styles. For example, they provide a perfect option for those seeking a mid century modern garage door, coming in a variety of finishes.

Pros:

• Sleek Aesthetics: Sectional garage doors offer clean lines and an attractive, modern aesthetic.
• Space-Saving: Sectional garage doors retract vertically on opening, as opposed to their up-and-over counterparts which swing out into the driveway. No need to park at the end of your driveway to open the garage door! 
• Security and Insulation: The vertical opening of sectional garage doors allows them to be fitted with a tighter seal, which enhances insulation properties. This, combined with multi-panel construction and a modern locking system offers enhanced security for the contents of your garage. 
• Smooth Operation: Gliding on rollers, modern sectional garage doors offer a smooth, quiet operation. They are typically easy to automate too, making daily use effortless.

Cons:

• Internal Space: Like up-and-over garage doors, sectional garage doors require significant ceiling space inside the garage for the tracks; this can limit overhead storage.

Roller Garage Doors

Roller garage doors provide the ultimate in modern convenience and kerb appeal, combining sleek aesthetics with unparalleled functionality. 

Similar to sectional garage doors, roller garage doors are manufactured from a series of thin horizontal slats. However, they open vertically, rolling up into a compact box mounted above the garage opening.

Their minimalist design provides a clean, elegant appearance that perfectly complements old and new architectural styles. With no guiderails or tracks to contend with, you can make the most of all available space in your garage; you can even add overhead storage if you wish!

Such is the demand for roller garage doors, they are available in a broad variety of different colours and finishes to perfectly match your home and desired aesthetic. That means you can even achieve the appearance of a more traditional wooden garage door without any of the functional drawbacks.

Pros:

• Ultimate Space-Saving: With no inward or outward swing and no overhead tracks, roller garage doors offer maximum space on both your driveway and inside your garage.
• Security: Modern roller garage doors generally provide better security when compared with traditional models. For example, roller garage doors from Garolla offer secure garage doors as standard, with robust, interlocking slats and automatic locking mechanisms. 
• Insulation & Durability: With interlocking slats and an edge-to-edge fit, roller garage doors often provide enhanced insulation properties, as well as being highly weather-proof, and requiring minimal maintenance. 
• Convenience: Roller garage doors offer effortless opening and closing, with most modern options coming with electric operation as standard, with a remote control upgrade option. 

The Garolla Difference: Premium Aesthetics & Functionality without the Price Tag

As we have explored, there are many different types and styles of garage doors to choose from. However, modern living calls for convenience, security and quality; Garolla’s electric garage doors deliver on all fronts. They are designed to address the drawbacks of more traditional garage doors, whilst being remarkably affordable too - including free installation.

Robust security comes as standard with all Garolla garage doors, which feature strong interlocking aluminium slats, and an automatic locking mechanism. When closed, the door provides a strong, solid curtain without any handles or points of vulnerability. This provides a formidable barrier to intruders, providing peace of mind about your garage’s contents.

Maximising space is another key benefit, with the door rolling vertically into a rooftop box. This means the overhead space in your garage is freed up for storage, whilst no clearance space is required on the driveway. This contrasts with older garage door styles such as up-and-over and barn style garage doors which open outward, requiring a lot of driveway clearance.

Garolla garage doors are offer excellent insulative properties, offering a significant upgrade when compared with traditional styles. Featuring double-skinned, foam filled aluminium slats and a tight outer seal, the electric roller doors help maintain a stable temperature all year round - minimising heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. This makes the garage more energy efficient whilst helping make it a more usable space throughout the year.

Maintenance and longevity are key considerations for people when purchasing a new garage door. Manufactured from high-quality, weather-resistant aluminium, Garolla roller garage doors won’t rot like more traditional timber garage doors, and they won’t rust like some steel models. No sanding, painting or staining is required to keep it looking pristine; a simple wipe down from time to time will suffice. This makes Garolla garage doors a smart, long-term investment that will retain its kerb appeal for years to come.

With a smart, clean aesthetic, and excellent customisation options, Garolla garage doors offer a great compromise for people looking to achieve a more traditional aesthetic. For example, for homeowners looking to achieve the appearance of a barn garage door or 1930s style garage door, you can add a realistic wood-effect foil to achieve the warmth and texture of timber without any of the drawbacks associated with traditional garage doors. With their subtle yet stylish design, Garolla garage doors naturally suit a wide variety of architectural styles - combining classic kerb appeal with all the benefits of a modern, cutting-edge garage door.

Summary and Conclusion

There are many different factors to consider when choosing the right garage door type and style.

Whereas traditional Georgian and cottage styles can be achieved with up-and-over and side-hinged garage doors, modern sectional and roller garage doors prioritise practicality, security and convenience, making them a smart, long-term investment.

For homeowners seeking a new garage door with a timeless, appealing aesthetic and the best of modern convenience, functionality and security, a Garolla electric roller garage door is the obvious choice. 

Whether you are looking to replace a 1930s style garage door or a mid century up-and-over, Garolla garage doors provide a durable, reliable, and aesthetically pleasing solution.

Ready to create the perfect custom garage door for your home? Book your free survey and discover why our electric roller doors provide the ultimate in style and substance.