What’s The Best Type Of Garage Door To Buy?
We’re often asked “What’s the best garage door for my money”, but the answer is always different as it’s dependent on your needs, how you want to use your garage and your budget.
There is no one type of garage door that will suit everyone’s requirements, tastes or budget, which is why rather than asking what is the best garage door to buy, we prefer to find out what is the best garage door to suit you, i.e. how do you want to use your garage? Do you need extra ceiling space? Perhaps you have plans to hang a punch bag in your new ‘gym’ or maybe you want to nip in and out easily for the laundry without having to throw the entire door wide open. We can suggest the perfect type that will tick all the boxes that you need.
A garage door is not just a garage door. These days, when space is at a premium, it is something that needs some consideration; things like the style and colour are important but we also need sizes and dimensions, and whether there are any other things to consider such as meter boxes, uneven floors, gas pipes etc. Just because you like the look of your neighbour’s garage door, it might not be the best solution for your own garage.
Read on to find out more about the most popular types of garage doors in the UK:
Retractable Garage Doors
Retractable garage doors are generally a very common and popular type of garage door in the UK and they are the type of ‘up & over’ doors that retract fully into the garage (hence the name) and you will be used to seeing these doors across your neighbourhood and have a long service life. They will fit both double and single garages and can be automated although, when installed correctly, have a very smooth and reliable operation manually.
Sectional Garage Doors
Sectional garage doors are another popular option with our customers generally throughout the UK. They provide a more contemporary look and have some very good benefits. Namely, better insulation, excellent security and a range of finishes and colours to choose from. Sectional garage doors are made up of a series of panels that stack vertically when opened and as we say above, they offer a seriously good level of security and energy efficiency because of the way they are built with panels tending to be 40mm+ thick, and offer a good seal across the entire garage opening.
Roller Shutter Garage Doors
Roller shutter garage doors are a good option if you’re looking for extra space inside your garage. These are one of the most compact type of garage doors around. They’re made up of a series of interlocking slats that roll up into a housing at the top of the door opening. These garage doors are generally fully automated, and the better-quality roller shutter doors offer several belts which are placed between the door laths of the curtain to reduce scratch marks caused by dust and debris on the door. Why not treat yourself and let the remote do all the work for you!
Canopy Garage Doors
Canopy garage doors are a good option if you’re looking for a stylish and affordable garage door and are a very popular option for our customers. It’s so-called as about a third of the door protrudes in front of the door frame to create a canopy. They are an up and over solution and fit most sizes of garage openings as they can be purpose-made and provide a maximum drive-through width. They are traditional, affordable and reliable, which is why they are so popular. In fact, they are probably the most common type of garage doors currently installed in millions of garages and homes all over the UK. They’re made up of a single panel that slides up and over the opening when opened.
Side Hinged Garage Doors
Side hinged garage doors are a good option if you’re looking for an easy-to-use style garage door that allows you to maximise the space in your garage; just like a normal door in your home, they generally open outwards but can be ordered to open inwards if you have the space and would rather maximise the space on your driveway. Side Hinged doors are extremely simple to operate, and ideal if you use your garage as a laundry room or gym as it makes nipping in and out of the garage quick and easy. You can even add windows for extra light too. They offer a very good rate of insulation so if you are spending time in your garage, insulated doors are certainly worth considering for the Winter months!
When it comes to choosing the right garage door speak to an experienced garage door company, as they can advise what is the best option for you and your needs as well as check the finer details. Of course, no matter what type of garage door you choose, it’s important to have it installed by a qualified professional as this will ensure that the door is installed correctly and is covered by a decent warranty so that you can enjoy extremely good value for money with an investment that wil last for many years to come!
