Whether it’s maximizing efficiency in space utilization or adding elegance—a variety of garage door types exist to suit every need and taste. From traditional roll-up doors to sophisticated overhead designs or even contemporary glass options, there’s sure to be something that catches your eye while providing all the necessary functionalities for whatever type of garage you have. So take some time to explore different options before making your final decision—it’s worth it for achieving both style and convenience in one package.
It may seem pretty tough to decide the perfect option that works well for you and complements the exterior of your home. The commonest garage door type you would find is the overhead garage door, which is raised and lowered by a motor mounted on the space’s ceiling.
And some properties have slide-up and side-hinged doors amongst varying alternatives. This article gathers everything you should know about garage doors along with various materials for constructing them.
Different Types of Garage Doors
The garage door type you choose can create a huge difference in your home exterior, as properties with front-facing garages has the door of this parking lot as a center of attraction as folks pull into the driveway.
Based on the size, you can construct a single or double door for the garage. But according to the manner garage doors open, they are classified into the following:
Sectional Garage Doors
Most residential garage doors in the United States are of the sectional style, and you must have noticed this trend in many homes. The door panel is broken into sections and held by hinges, as the name implies.
The garage door panel can bend over a curved portion, with such hinges affecting its opening pattern. During the “opening and closing” door movement, the wheels of the panel’s edge roll inside each side of the door’s vertical rack.
A pair of springs (high-tensioned) is hooked to the operating cables atop the door’s opening. This construction holds the door from drifting downwards when partially opened. While this door comes in insulated and non-insulated versions, the former would come in handy for heating garages during winter.
Roll-up Garage Doors
Roller garage doors are pretty common in many commercial properties. This practical and durable solution opens vertically through slats surrounding a drum. The design of roll-up doors helps maximize space within and in front of the garage.
Again, this space-saving style allows car owners to enjoy the convenience associated with an electrically-operated door. Its no-frill and heavy-duty design are commendable, but you may find it costlier than sectional garage doors.
Side-Hinged Garage Doors
Side-hinged garage doors, also referred to as “swing out garage doors,” are classical options, resembling barn doors when opened and closed. Recently, an increasing need for this garage door style is noticeable, much more for homes with limited head rooms or obstructions.
Unlike the sectional door, the hinges are not between sections but on the sides. With this feature, you can open the sides’ doors rather than swing them upwards. More importantly, homeowners can customize this piece to either allow the door to swing outwards or inwards.
Side Sliding Garage Doors
This door operates in a slide-to-the-side and emerges among the earliest garage door operation methods. Although not a famous option, recently this side sliding door goes well with people who love simplicity.
It does not require any types of garage door springs for balancing and has a retractable motor built within that allows automatic movements. If you want to get into the garage quickly after the car alarm goes off, you can open this door partially.
Tilt-Up Garage Doors
While there are a couple of tilt-up garage doors, this serves as a terrific alternative to sectional and roll-up doors, and it tilts into the garage. Thus, you would find some properties with such doors installed for their garages.
However, this traditional choice may appear quite challenging to operate and are more expensive. Two common types of tilt-up doors include:
The Retractable Tilt-Up Garage Door:
This door lifts and moves into the parking space but suspends independently away from the frame. Thus, it does not protrude from the house, and its configuration needs additional space.
The Canopy Tilt-Up Garage Door:
The canopy door is a less complicated option that appears like the hinge-style doors. It is made from a solid piece and has a pivotal hinge mechanism; it tilts up and moves into the garage. While this door style sits aligned to the garage ceiling, a minor part stretches out to the house exterior as the door opens.
Garage Doors Materials
The material for garage door construction can significantly impact its performance and longevity. While some materials are best suited for keeping away the harsh outdoor conditions, you would find others emerging as a practical alternative.
With that in mind, the following are prominent types of garage door materials.
Wood Composite
This material is among the cheapest option that you can find. Wood composite garage doors are constructed from fiberboards and have wood frames. Although it may not come with intricate details of other options, it works well for a tight budget.
Again, it is energy efficient, with cores stuffed with polystyrene insulation that aids in trapping heated or cool air, ensuring they don’t escape through the door.
Wood
The beauty of wooden garage doors is impeccable, as this traditional yet inviting piece is eye-catching. Wooden doors are energy-efficient and can keep your cars and other stored items safe. Nevertheless, the maintenance cost is pretty high, as you might need to paint it every few years to maintain its façade.
Again, this material struggles to keep up with environmental factors like snow, hail, and rain and would often rot, wrap, and expand upon exposure to moisture.
Steel
Steel is the prominent material that constitutes numerous “types of garage doors” in the UK and US. With numerous customization options, different styles, and types of garage doors with window inserts, panels, and colors, those steel garage doors can be really outstanding.
Furthermore, there is less maintenance associated with this piece, as it won’t expand or rot on exposure to moisture.
Aluminum
Aluminum garage doors are durable and can handle nasty weather conditions appropriately. While aluminum can absorb heat quickly, you can learn how to cool the garage or seek an alternative material for the door.
Another downside of this garage door material is that it dents easier than other options. Thus, extreme wind, hail, and other external factors can quickly damage it.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is a lightweight material that comes in handy for making garage doors. One benefit of this piece is its smooth and quiet operation when opening and closing, and it does not require high maintenance.
However, fiberglass garage doors do not seem like good insulators. As such, you may find the extreme temperatures penetrating the garage and your home (if attached) with such a door installed. If you live in a very low-temperature area, you may want to choose another alternative as this door gets brittle upon exposure to cold.
Glass
Thick and strong glass materials are employed for a few grand garage entrances. However, this material can easily crack and break if exposed to extreme conditions for long, and it is not exactly safe since passersby can see through the “enclosed” space.
FAQs
Q: What are the different styles of garage doors?
Garage doors are of varying types and come in extended sizes, shapes, and attractive designs. However, the following are some of the popular types of garage doors in Canada, the US, and other areas.
- Roll-up garage doors
- Sectional garage doors
- Side sliding garage doors
- Side-hinged garage doors
- Canopy tilt-up garage doors
- Retractable tilt-up garage doors
Q: What are the two types of garage doors most commonly used?
Two basic styles of garage doors are the sectional and carriage types. These door types work well for different homes and keep vehicles away from the harsh elements with functionality and appearance.
The sectional doors have horizontal panels attached by hinges and come in arched, square, and various contemporary styles. On the other hand, Carriage doors are swing-styled, hanging on vertical hinges.
Q: Which garage door type is best?
While there exist different types of garage doors, the best option is one that takes care of your needs. Thus, it is best to look out for the many choices available and consider the material needed for constructing the door.
In terms of materials, most homeowners prefer steel garage doors, thanks to their flexibility and durability. It involves less maintenance, and you can choose the insulated versions for a boosted value.
Q: What type of garage door is most popular?
The most popular choice of garage door is the steel type since it is durable and almost maintenance-free. What is better is that this door is quite affordable and holds extensive customizations.
From window panels to colors, you can choose the exact design you feel would match the exterior of your home. You can control the garage’s temperature and ensure the outdoor temperature does not enter your home through an attached garage, with excellent insulation options.
Q: How do I know what type of garage door I have?
Whether or not you want to know if your garage door is made of aluminum or steel, it is great to know the type of garage door in your home. First, take a look at the opening styles, and you should be able to know whether it is the roll-up, sectional, side-hinged, side-sliding, or tilt-up doors.
The door finishing and other specific features pertinent to various materials can also help you tell if your garage door is made of steel, aluminum, wood, or glass. If you are also interested in determining the weight, width, thickness, and height, you can do that easily using the model, PID, and serial numbers as seen on Clopay garage doors.
Q: What is a panel garage door?
Panel garage doors often have about 4 or 5 horizontal panels conjoined with hinges, and when the door moves (opens and closes), it bends and takes a curved path. Kindly note that this door does not appear constructed from single pieces of wood, steel, or aluminum. These options are quite popular and found in many homes.
Q: What are standard garage door sizes?
For most properties, the standard garage size for housing a single car measures around eight to nine feet in width and seven to eight feet in height. It seems to be the same irrespective of being attached or detached. But, a double garage door measures around 16 feet wide and seven feet high.
Final Words
Garage doors are a common feature with various properties as you drive down the streets. It is a crucial part of the parking and storage space, keeping cars and other items away from harsh elements.
Are you scanning through the market for a new garage door?
Then, it is imperative to first learn about garage door types and prices. While it can be tough to know which one is right for you, this article covering the five most common types of garage doors will give you exposure to the varieties. Hence, you can read through and decide which option is best for your home.
