In days gone by, the humble household garage usually served as place to securely park your car; sometimes a storage area or workshop. However, here in the 21st century, homeowners are increasingly reclaiming this space as an extension to their home. Modern garage conversion ideas see people getting creative and transforming their garage into home gyms, home cinemas, offices, salons… the list goes on!
With this trend in mind, having a garage door with pedestrian access (sometimes called a “wicket door”, “side door” or “access door”) may seem like an appealing option. After all, they provide quick and convenient access without having to open the entire garage door aperture.
However, when choosing your new garage door, you need to factor in a number of practical and aesthetic considerations. Whilst having a garage with an access door may seem like a no-brainer, you need to consider the pros and cons to reach an informed decision.In this guide, we take a deep-dive into the benefits and drawbacks of having a garage door with pedestrian access, helping you to decide if it represents the right choice for your home and needs.
The Benefits: Why a Garage Door with Pedestrian Access is a Popular Choice
A garage door with pedestrian access may seem like the obvious choice for homeowners who use their garage for reasons other than vehicle storage. Let’s take a look at the key benefits of having a wicket door within your garage door.
Convenience
Being able to regularly pop in to your garage without opening the main door is the main benefit. A pedestrian access garage door allows you to quickly grab a tool, bicycle, or an item from storage, providing great convenience. This can be particularly helpful in bad weather, as you don’t have to spend time and effort opening the full garage door - getting soaked to the skin in the process!
Aesthetics
It’s not for everyone, but some homeowners like the unique and quirky appearance of garage doors with pedestrian access. The side door acts as a counterpoint to the single, continuous surface, helping your home stand out.
The Downsides: Why an Integrated Access Door Might Not Be The Best Solution
Having a garage door with side access might seem appealing for convenience and accessibility. However, they also come with a number of drawbacks; you’ll want to weigh these up when buying your new garage door.
Compromised Security
A garage door featuring an integrated pedestrian door invariably compromises its overall security. Adding a separate hinge and lock mechanism creates a point of weakness, and an area in the door for criminals to target. The gap around the pedestrian door provides a clear and obvious vulnerability to your home’s security.
Energy Efficiency
This one is a double-edged sword, but in overall energy efficiency terms, we have to chalk it up as a con. With an access door, you don’t need to open the full aperture of your garage door, and this is provides a great benefit during colder months, helping you to keep your garage warmer. However, when closed, the seam around the integrated door provides an additional thermal bridge, which allows cold air in during the winter. So, the net effect throughout the year is reduced thermal efficiency and potentially a higher household energy bill as a result.
Safety & Damage Risks
Generally speaking, integrated pedestrian doors have a raised threshold, which presents a significant trip hazard. This can be particularly dangerous for children, the elderly, and people carrying items in and out of the garage. It also makes it difficult to roll a bicycle or bin in and out of the garage, which negates the entire purpose of the wicket door’s purported convenience benefits. Furthermore, if the pedestrian door is not properly closed or locked, this can cause a safety and security issue. Operating the main garage door with the pedestrian door ajar can cause serious damage to the door and its components / mechanisms, as well as serious injury.
Functional Limitations
Garage doors with an integrated access door naturally compromise on a number of functional and safety features. The main drawback is structural integrity, with a smaller, integrated hinged door weakening the door’s security properties whilst making it more prone to malfunction and damage.
The added complexity of the garage door’s design, and the added net weight of the door can put extra strain on the opener motor and springs, leading to more frequent breakdowns and a shorter overall lifespan.
Higher Cost & Maintenance
A garage door with an integrated pedestrian access door is a much more complex product that requires more engineering and manufacturing than a standard garage door. This generally means there is a higher initial cost, as well as the need for more frequent and costly maintenance down the line. There’s extra hinges, locks, seals, handles… these all require maintenance and wear out over time. And then of course if any part of the integrated door fails, this can compromise the entire operation of the garage door.
The Best of Both Worlds: An Automatic Roller Door
Having explored the benefits and (mainly!) drawbacks of having a garage door with pedestrian access, it’s time to offer an alternative. A modern electric roller garage door offers zero compromise on convenience, security or functionality - a combination that a door-within-a-door system simply cannot match.
Convenience
There’s no need for a separate access point with a modern roller garage door. Most electric garage doors are operated by a remote control, giving you the ability to open and close the door at the touch of a button. In a matter of seconds, your entire garage door opens, giving you full, unobstructed access for people, bicycles or lawnmowers. All the convenience of a quick entry and exit without the hassle of having a second door.
Superior Security
A good quality roller garage door closes to a single, solid curtain, providing a solid and secure barrier. Garolla garage doors are made with robust, interlocking aluminum slats and an automatic locking mechanism for additional security and peace of mind.
Enhanced Safety
A modern automatic roller garage door like those from Garolla, features built-in safety technology to stop the door closing on any obstructions. The photo-eye sensor detects anything in the path of the closing garage door, automatically stopping and retracting it to prevent accidents or damage. This is particularly important to families who have children and pets. This safety feature (Garolla’s features its industry leading SafeGuard Plus) eliminates the chance of hands / paws / limbs being injured or items damaged by the door. An integrated pedestrian door on the other hand can easily slam shut in the wind. Finally, with no raised threshold or lip, roller garage doors minimise the chance for trips and slips.
Optimal Insulation
A high-quality roller door is constructed with insulated slats and a tight seal around the perimeter, providing excellent thermal efficiency. This is in contrast with a pedestrian access garage door which, as we have already explored inherently compromises on insulative properties due to its many seams and hinges. A well insulated garage door ensures a relatively stable internal temperature all year round, whilst helping to lower your home’s energy bills.
Garolla and Your Garage: The Ultimate Combination
For the ultimate solution in garage convenience, style, and security, a Garolla electric roller garage door is the perfect choice. Designed to be a solid, secure and effortless entry point, our doors provide a quality all round solution - at an unbeatable price.
With remote-controlled operation, you can open and close your garage door with minimal fuss. Furthermore, the smooth vertical rolling action means you can get your car, bicycle, or tools in and out without any hassle. With strong and well-insulated slats, you can enjoy peace of mind about your possessions, as well as your garage temperature. The superior safety features and unmatched convenience of a Garolla garage door show that you don't need a clunky, inconvenient side door to get the most out of your garage - whatever you happen to use it for!