Picking a new garage door shouldn’t just be about looks – you also need to consider what is practical and convenient for your home and lifestyle. Garage doors come in a few different styles. In this post, we’ll focus on four of the most popular types: tilt-up doors, roller doors, sectional doors and barn doors.
Tilt-up doors
Also known as up-and-over doors, tilt-up doors consist of a single panel that pivots outwards and then slides up along the ceiling. They’ve been heavily used for many decades and are found in many older homes.
Tilt-up doors have the benefit of being relatively cheap to install and they have few moving parts compared to other more complex door mechanisms. Because they consist of a single large panel, they can also provide a clean look to the exterior of your garage.
They do however need to be balanced right to keep them safe and can be heavy to lift. You also need space in front of the garage for the door to swing out – which may not be practical for garages with short driveways, especially if you want to park another vehicle in front.
Roller doors
Roller doors consist of narrow slats that roll up into a compact drum above the opening. They’re commonly used in commercial garages, but also in many modern homes.
They’re a good choice for tight spaces, because they raise and lower vertically with no swing-out space required. They also free up headroom inside for taller vehicles. Many roller doors are also very secure.
They do cost more to install however, and if something goes wrong, repairs are likely to be more pricey. Some roller doors can also rattle in the wind and may let in draughts, however high-quality modern options typically don’t.
Sectional doors
Sectional doors consist of slats like a roller door, but instead of rolling up around a drum, they slide up along two tracks on the ceiling.
The slats can often be bigger than on roller doors, allowing for more unique designs. At the same time, they lift vertically and don’t require swing-out space. Many provide good insulation.
Like roller doors, their complexity does mean more potential parts to break. They can also be more expensive than roller doors, while taking up additional ceiling space in the garage.
Barn doors
The most traditional type of garage door: this solution consists of a pair of hinged doors that swing out.
They have a rustic look that makes them great for farmhouses and heritage homes, and they’re very easy to operate, containing few parts that can break.
Exposed hardware and gaps does however, make these doors less weathertight, plus they require more clearance space to swing out than other doors. These doors are also harder to automate than other doors.
Making your choice
When choosing the right type of garage doors, consider these factors:
- Space: Short-driveway or garage facing onto the pavement? Avoid swing-out styles.
- Insulation: For garages attached to the home where insulation is important, consider sectional or quality roller doors.
- Style: Match doors to your home’s architecture. Barn doors often suit traditional homes better, while sliding and sectional doors complement modern homes.
- Budget: Barn doors and tilt-up doors are best suited for tight budgets. Roller doors are a mid-range option, while sectional doors often cost the most.
Featured Image from Pexels. CCO Licensed.
