There are several factors you must take into consideration before making a decision on what type of garage door you buy.
It's very important that you buy a garage door that will properly fit the opening in your garage. Make sure you read our guide on how to measure for a garage door.
There are a number of different ways a garage door's opening mechanism can work. The one you should choose depends on the amount of space you have available in the area inside and outside your garage.
The up & over garage door mechanism is the most commonly used in garage doors, and is available in a wide range of materials. As the name suggests, up & over garage doors open upwards to allow access to the garage. There are two types of up & over garage door mechanism available:
Canopy
A canopy up & over garage door mechanism is cheap and easy to install. It uses vertical tracks on the
side frame of the garage door, and is normally operated by cable. When fully open, about a third of the
height of the door protrudes from the garage door opening (forming a canopy). It is only suitable for
single-frame doors.
Canopy mechanisms can be automated, but doing so reduces the opening height of the garage door. This is
not ideal for taller vehicles. Also, automated canopy doors tend not to run very smoothly. Although more
expensive, a retractable door mechanism is a much better choice for automation.
Retractable
Retractable up & over door mechanisms are also easy to install. They are suitable for any size of
garage door and are better suited to automation than canopy doors. The retractable garage door is guided
by horizontal tracks inside the garage. The door retracts completely inside the garage when open.
A roller garage door mechanism is ideal for allowing entry to larger vehicles, as it maximises the opening width and height of the garage. Roller doors are fitted on the rear face of the opening. The door rolls up vertically, eliminating the need for springs or arms. This means no clearance space is required in front of the garage as it is with up & over, side-hinged or sectional doors, making it an ideal choice where driveway space is limited.
Side-hinged doors are double doors which open outwards. Side-hinged garage doors can be automated and they don't require any clearance space inside the garage itself.
Sectional garage doors mix elements of up & over and roller door mechanisms. Sectional doors are also a good choice if you have a larger vehicle, as it allows you to use the maximum width and height of your garage door opening. As with the roller door, no clearance room is required in front of the garage, meaning vehicles can be parked right in front of the garage door if necessary. Sectional doors also provide greater security.
Garage doors are made using a number of different materials. Some materials are more cost-effective but may not be as durable and long-lasting as others. If you're not sure which materials the type of garage door you require is available in, please contact us for more information.
Steel is our most popularly requested garage door material. Steel garage doors are built from galvanised steel, which is resistant to corrosion. They are strong and hard-wearing, and will last for many years, making them great value for money.
UPVC doors are made from the same material as many modern white window and door products. UPVC garage doors are durable, lightweight and easy to clean and maintain.
Timber garage doors, most commonly made from solid Cedar or a combination of Cedar and Marine Plywood, are more expensive than steel or UPVC doors but provide a more traditional look and feel. Timber doors require treating on a regular basis, to ensure they can withstand everything the elements can throw at them.
GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic, more widely known as fibreglass) is a tough and flexible material which requires very little maintenance, making it a cost-effective choice for garage doors. Many of the GRP doors we stock come in a woodgrain effect which effectively mirrors the look of timber at a fraction of the price.
Please note these pages are meant for guideline purposes only. If in any doubt, always refer to the manufacturer's instructions.
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