Which Garage Door?
When you’re in the market for a new garage door, grappling with all the necessary information to make an informed decision can be quite intimidating. This concise guide is designed to help you understand the various types of garage doors available, and indeed, why different kinds exist in the first place.
Each category below provides a link to more detailed information about that specific door type. If you have any further questions that aren’t covered here, please feel free to contact us by email or telephone at 01926 463888.
Up & Over Door
Still the most recognizable door style in the UK, this time-tested, one-piece panel design operates exactly as its name suggests: it moves up and over into the garage opening as a single unit. Immensely popular for compelling reasons, the Up and Over door effortlessly fulfills the basic function of a garage door. It is generally the easiest type of garage door to purchase and install.
Key Advantages:
- Typically the simplest to install, often delivered ready as a single piece.
- Suitable for both manual and electric operation.
- A highly reliable, proven design and mechanism.
- Provides effective weatherproofing.
- Offers a vast selection of designs, colors, and materials, even with a “create your own” customization option.
- Features two distinct opening mechanisms: Canopy or Retractable.
- Security Rated options are now available, including LPS1175 SR1 rated models.
- Some versions are available with an integrated pedestrian door within the main panel for easy walk-through access.
Sectional Garage Door
Possessing a slightly more intricate mechanism, these garage doors are constructed from individual panel sections that open by sliding upwards, then curve back into the garage on horizontal rails. Perfect for automation, these doors provide a valuable space-saving alternative to Up and Overs. Sectional doors can achieve superior levels of insulation and security that are often not possible with other garage door types.
The sectional door is always a strong contender to consider when evaluating roller garage doors, as it consistently performs at much higher levels and stands as by far the most durable long-term garage door solution.
Key Advantages:
- Offers fantastic security and structural strength.
- Boasts impressive insulation qualities, with available stated U-values.
- Excellent for short driveways or garages that require maximum drive-through dimensions.
- Stylish and exceptionally well-engineered.
- Vertical Opening: Allows you to park directly against the door and operate it.
- Available in very large dimensions for bigger garages – up to 8m wide!
- Options for double-glazed windows are available.
Side Hinged (Swing) Door
Opening like traditional double swing doors, Side Hinged Doors are a timeless choice for a garage entrance, proving ideal for garages that require regular pedestrian access. With a significant resurgence of this door type in the UK, numerous double-skinned insulated options are now available, presenting a genuine choice for a secure, insulated, and easy-to-operate garage door.
Modern options now exist that can recreate the beauty and styles of period-type hinged doors but incorporate all the advantages of contemporary security, insulation, and durability. You can also acquire very high-specification doors with various ratings for security and insulation that may be necessary for your specific project.
Key Advantages:
- Allows quick access for pedestrian use – ideal when you don’t use your garage primarily for a car.
- Boasts stylish, traditional appearances.
- Available in a range of materials: softwood and hardwood timber, steel, GRP.
- Good insulation is available for garages that are used as rooms, with stated U-values provided.
- Generally easy to install, especially when delivered as a doorset with the sub-frame already fitted.
- Low maintenance, simple operation.
- Automation is optional on all types and sizes.
- Security-rated specifications are available: LPS1175 SR1 and SR2, RC2, and PAS 24.
Roller Shutter Door
Roller Doors operate vertically, but rather than retracting back into the overhead space like Up and Over or sectional doors, these doors neatly curl up into a compact roll above the opening. They are well-suited for installations with limited headroom while still providing strong security and insulation. The roller door is the most versatile in terms of fitting, as it can be installed inside, between, or outside the garage opening. It is the most frequently emulated door type in the UK, and although many might appear similar, it’s essential to investigate further to understand the genuine differences between specifications and components.
Key Advantages:
- Vertical operation.
- Generally easy installation for branded models.
- Offers strong security properties when provided with suitable locking mechanisms.
- Suitable for both automation or manual operation.
- Good insulation qualities, though only one model currently has a stated U-value if this is important.
- Space-saving, making them perfect for small or obstructed garages.
- Security-rated options: LPS1175 SR1, Secured by Design accreditations.
Round-the-Corner Garage Door
No need for a guessing game here! A Round-the-Corner Door functions like a cross between a sectional and a roller, sliding off to one side and along an inside wall. It’s excellent for easy pedestrian access and partial opening. Available in wider-than-average sizes and requires very little headroom.
Key Advantages:
- Horizontal operation.
- Perfect when there is limited headroom for any other door type.
- Even weight distribution for smooth, effortless opening.
- Partial opening capability for easy pedestrian access.
- Suited for large and very large openings.
- Easily maintained.