The 4 Types of Garage Doors

How to Choose the Right Garage Door For You

Garage Door Types | Danmarque Garages

Buying a new garage door is supposed to be an exciting process.

But, with all the options to choose from, it can soon become very overwhelming.

To find the right garage door, you need to choose the right colour, material, style, AND method of opening.

In this short guide, we cut out all the unnecessary jargon and help decide which garage door type is right for you, including:

  • The 4 types of garage doors
  • Garage door materials
  • Which garage door is best value for money?
  • Which garage door should you choose?

What are the Different Types of Garage Doors?

There are four types of garage doors that you will find in the UK:

  • Up and Over
  • Side-Hinged
  • Roller Garage Doors
  • Sectionals

Each garage door type differs because of its method of opening.

Let’s run through each type individually:

1. Up & Over Garage Doors

Up-and-over garage doors are the staple of British garage door designs.

Up and overs are reliable, high quality, and come in a massive range of designs & styles.

As the name suggests, to open them up, you turn the handle and pull the door up-and-over towards the garage ceiling.

Up-and-over doors come as a canopy gearing or retractable. A canopy door runs vertically on its track within the frame whilst a retractable door opens on horizontal tracks which go back into the garage.

Double Garage Door replacement with Black Canopy Garage Doors | Danmarque Garages

Double Up & Over Garage Door in ‘Black’

Up Over Garage Door Canopy Gearing | Danmarque Garages

Up & Over Garage Door with Canopy Gearing

2. Side Hinged Garage Doors

Side-hinged garage doors, instead of lifting up and above your head, operate on a hinge, opening outwards onto the driveway.

This provides clear and unrestricted space inside of the garage, making access into and out of the garage quick & easy.

Side hinged doors are perfect for those who are always in and out of the garage.

For example, if you use the garage to hold household appliances, a side hinged door means you can get in and out all day without the hassle of a heavy garage door.

Side hinged garage doors are a traditional garage door design.

They are available as a 50/50 or 70/30 split opening.

Side Hinged Garage Door in White | Danmarque Garages
Vertical Side Hinged Garage Door in ‘White’
Garage Door Types Side Hinged Garage Door | Danmarque Garages
Bedford Side Hinged Garage Door in ‘Red’
3. Roller Garage Doors

We all strive for convenience, something to make our day-to-day lives that bit easier – and it’s no different with a new garage door.

People are now looking to a garage door replacement that automates the opening for them, and the rise in popularity over recent years has been astronomical.

Made of aluminium, roller garage doors lift vertically and roll into a box above the head of the garage opening.

They come available with a manual or automatic operator – with an automatic, you will receive a set of remotes that open the door at the push of a button.

As well as automation, roller garage doors provided added security. This makes them ideal for homeowners who use their garage to protect valuables like cars or motorbikes.

You can also install extra products to warn you of unauthorised entry.

If you are looking for security, go for a roller.

4. Sectional Garage Doors

Another option for an automated garage door is a sectional garage door.

Sectionals feature the automation of a roller with the appearance of an up-and-over door.

Sectional garage doors rise within the opening and hinges itself along the ceiling. This allows the full width and height of the opening to remain clear.

Ideal for homeowners who use their garage to park their cars.

Much like a roller garage door, sectionals come packed with a range of options. These include security features, automation, insulation and more.

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What are the Different Types of Garage Doors?

The right garage door material must be three things: secure, durable and an efficient weight.

In today’s industry, there are 5 garage door materials that feature these properties:

  • Steel
  • Timber
  • GRP
  • Aluminium
  • ABS
1. Steel

Steel is the perfect material for a garage door as it is high strength yet low cost.

Manufacturers prefer steel because it is an easy material to press a range of designs & styles onto.

The vast range of designs, styles and colours is the reason steel garage doors are the most popular garage door material in the UK.

Up and overs, side-hinged, sectional and rollers are all available in steel.

2. Timber

Timber doors are a one of a kind. When re-produced, each door has its own personal graining, knots and shading.

Modern timber garage doors offer also surprisingly long-lasting periods of protection. So long as you wipe down door panels often, timber does not need as much maintenance as people think.

You can even repair timber if the panels become damaged too.

You can buy up & over, side-hinged & sectional doors in timber.

3. GRP

Glass-reinforced polyester (GRP) has the best strength-weight ratio of all garage door materials and is great at keeping the inside of your garage warm in the winter.

GRP is also a great choice for protecting your garage door from rot or rust.

Of course, all these benefits come at a cost – literally.

Although the price of GRP has come down in recent years, it is still one of the most expensive garage door materials.

Up-and-over, side-hinged and sectional garage doors are avaiable with GRP.

4. Aluminium

Most roller garage doors on the market are made with aluminium.

This is because the aluminium-based foam filled laths provide a powerful level of insulation that other materials cannot.

These laths are easily replaced or removed in the event of damage and are almost silent during operation.

5. ABS

ABS doors are made from a tough yet flexible material often used to make car bumpers. The selling point of ABS is to be impact and dent resistant with a ‘bounce-back’ property.

When knocked, the door panels flexes to asborb the blow and then bounces back into its original state.

Ideal for withstanding everyday family life (or the kids kicking a football off your new garage door).

Both Up & Over doors and Side Hinged doors can be made in ABS.

Which Garage Door is Right for You?

Choosing the right garage door all comes down to your personal circumstances.

For example – how do you use your garage? What do you want your garage to look like? What is your budget?

For many of us, our garage is nothing more than a storage place for gardening equipment, DIY tools and other items.

For others, it may be a utility room for appliances like your fridge or washing machine.

You may store your car in the garage or use it as a workshop – the use cases are endless.

After thinking about how you use your garage, you’ll have a better idea of what you’ll need from the garage door.

For example, if you use it to store your car you’ll need to prioritise security and automation (rollers).

If you love your gardening, a side hinged door means you can get in and out with ease.

If you don’t use the garage that much, a steel up & over will help keep your budget low.

For more info and advice, Danmarque Garages supply & install garage doors across the entire UK. Do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.

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