The variety of garage door types available today can be exciting and overwhelming. To help you navigate them all, we’re giving an overview of the main types of garage doors, each with a unique set of features and advantages.
We will detail each category, highlighting their pros and cons, ideal applications, and design considerations. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to make an informed choice, ensuring your garage door meets your requirements.
Roll-up garage doors, also known as rolling steel doors, offer a practical and space-saving solution. These doors are constructed from horizontal slats that roll up and down, making them an ideal choice for many residential, commercial and industrial applications. This section will investigate roll-up garage door features, pros and cons, and where they are best suited.
The features of a roll-up garage door include the following:
Here are a few of the cons that need to be taken into consideration:
Roll-up garage doors work great for certain buildings and facilities. Here are some of your options:
Sectional garage doors consist of individual horizontal panels hinged together. The design allows them to open vertically, moving up and into the ceiling space. Explore the features, advantages, disadvantages and suitable applications of sectional garage doors.
From energy to divided panels, here are the benefits of sectional garage doors:
When choosing a garage door, one con of sectional doors is that they require ceiling space. Abnormally shaped garages or those with low ceilings may benefit from a different door type. The other consideration is that while sectional doors are generally low-maintenance, the hinges and tracks need occasional lubrication and inspection to ensure smooth operation.
Is sectional garage doors suited for your property? A few garages that work with sectional doors are as follows:
Counterweight garage doors, or counterbalance doors, are a unique and space-efficient alternative to traditional garage doors. They differentiate from the previous doors because counterweight garage doors operate on a balanced system. They do this by using a combination of cables, pulleys and weights to facilitate smooth and efficient opening and closing.
The use of the weights creates unique features for counterweight doors, such as the following:
Counterweight doors generally offer less insulation than sectional doors, which may affect energy efficiency, especially in regions that experience extreme temperatures. The second disadvantage is that installing counterweight garage doors can be more complex than other types, and it’s essential to ensure they are appropriately balanced for safe operation.
Counterweight garage doors are often chosen for historical buildings or compact garages where preserving ceiling space is crucial. Homeowners who prefer manual operation may also prefer a counterweight garage door. Garages used primarily for storage, workshops or other nonvehicular purposes may also benefit from a counterweight garage door.
Sliding garage doors, also known as barn-style or side-sliding doors, offer a distinctive alternative to traditional overhead garage doors. They achieve this by opening and closing horizontally and sliding along tracks installed on the sides of the garage.
The first advantage is that these doors come in various materials, including wood, metal and glass. From a functional standpoint, sliding doors do not require overhead tracks or ceiling clearance, making them an excellent choice for garages with limited headroom or for maximizing space inside and outside the garage.
Many sliding garage doors are operated manually, which can be less convenient than motorized options, especially for larger or heavier doors. The doors also have slightly less effective weather sealing than some other types of garage doors, potentially leading to temperature and moisture issues in the garage.
Residential properties with rustic aesthetics or farmhouse-inspired looks are well suited for sliding doors. If you have a low ceiling, sliding garage doors offer a solution, as they use side space.
Cornwell Door Services has installation services to ensure your chosen door is seamlessly integrated into your property, providing you with years of reliable performance and security.
If you reside in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, or the surrounding areas, we are delighted to be your go-to destination for all your garage door needs. Contact us today, and let us transform your property with the perfect garage door.