January 16, 2023
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The garage doors you choose for your home or commercial building can make or break your curb appeal. Think about it: Especially if the garage doors are facing the street, they will be the focal point of your space, whether positive or not.
If you are looking to buy a new garage door, it’s important to first know what your options are.
Here’s a look at six types of garage doors and their differences to help you decide which door is best for you.
1. Sectional Garage Doors
Sectional garage doors are often the most popular type and are defined by their sections of panels. These panels move up and down to open and close the door with the help of attached wheels that slide along a track. As the garage door opens, the panels curve up and inside the garage until they’re parallel to the garage ceiling.
This type of garage door is extremely customizable, letting you add windows, insulation, hardware, etc.
2. Slide to the Side Garage Doors
Slide-to-the-side garage doors are very similar to sectional garage doors, but instead of the doors moving up and down, they move from left to right. When the door is completely open, it’s parallel to the side wall.
Slide to the side doors are ideal if your garage doesn’t have a lot of overhead space.
3. Roll-Up Garage Doors
These doors are more geared toward commercial use. If you’ve ever pulled up the metal door to a storage unit, you have a good idea of what a roll-up garage door looks like.
The steel used for these doors is more heavy-duty than other types of doors, making them easily able to handle significant use. Their design is geared towards practicality instead of aesthetics.
4. Side-Hinged Garage Doors
Picture large barn doors swinging open and closed–this is how side-hinged garage doors function. The doors operate thanks to hinged frames and are most often made of sturdy wood (though metal is another popular option), giving them an antique look.
Just because they’re old-fashioned doesn’t mean they don’t have modern technology mixed in. Side-hinged garage doors can be automated so that the doors open and close with just the touch of a button.
5. Tilt-Up Garage Doors
Like side-hinged doors, tilt-up garage doors stay completely flat when they’re being opened and closed. These garage doors lift up from the bottom in one solid piece, slowly tilting up at an angle until they’re parallel with the ceiling.
The one thing to keep in mind about this type of door is that when the door is open, it will reach out past the edge of the garage.
6. Retractable Garage Doors
Retractable garage doors have many similarities to the tilt-up design. These doors are also made of one solid piece. The main difference is that when the door is open, it fits inside the garage instead of sticking out past the edge.
Types of Garage Doors: A Guide
While this article discussed six types of garage doors, there are endless ways to customize them to meet the needs of your climate and space.
Whether you require garage door repair services or need a garage door replacement, Overhead Door Company is here to help. Our team of professionals provides Southern Ontario garage doors that are made to last.
Take a look at our products to see all that we offer.