Garage Doors

The variety of garage doors may be more versatile than you first thought. With wooden garage doors, GRP garage doors and metal garage doors the most popular materials, there are many different types of these doors making the selection of a garage door full of choice.

Just like your front entrance door, garage doors compliment the look of your property. Most homeowners recognise the importance of making sure their home is presented to the best of its ability, not least to provide curb appeal. And that includes the garage.

Garage doors are available with different opening mechanisms, and range from sectional doors and up and over doors to roller style and doors with side hinges. All have their individual benefits and advantages. Up and over doors are one of the most popular types, and can be both retractable and simple canopies, while roller garage doors remain another very popular option amongst UK homeowners.

Aside from the traditional manually operated garage doors, electrically operated garage doors are becoming increasingly popular, with more and more people realising the advantages these doors have over their manual counterparts.

Garage door styles

To determine which style of garage door would best suit your home, it will depend on a number of factors including what you generally use your garage for (after all not everyone uses it to park their car), budget and preferred construction material.

The most popular styles are:

• Up and over – available in both canopy and retractable, with the latter the most sturdy option. Up and over doors are mounted on tracks which run across the ceiling. An ideal choice for electrical operation, these type of doors are extremely secure and are available in a range of materials.

• Sectional – these doors are very practical and can be installed on practically any size garage and any shape. Sectional doors glide upwards and are stored on horizontal tracks in the garage roof. A distinct advantage of this type of door is that they only need minimal space to open.

• Side-hinged – another popular option, these doors can be designed to offer several different openings –  50/50 split, 1/3 and 2/3 openings.

• Roller – opens and closes vertically, this very neat and tidy type of garage door is one of the most popular options on the market.

Opening mechanisms, manufacturers and materials

Whether manually operated garage doors or electrically operated garage doors they can be constructed in a range of materials; wooden garage doors and metal garage doors being two popular options. Both materials have different advantages and benefits and ultimately choice often comes down to cost and personal taste.

There a various national and regional firms dedicated to garage doors, who offer both supply and installation services. Leading garage door manufacturers include Wessex, Garador, Hormann, Cardale and Carteck. There are also services available for repairs and maintenance, should you have any issues with your garage door.