The Benefits and Drawbacks of Different Types of Garage Doors

When getting a new home or redesigning your current one, you may want to change your garage door. Installing a new garage door can be frustrating, probably because you are spoilt for choice or lack the finances to do so. When looking for a new door made from different materials, there are different varieties to choose from. Companies that specialize in Pasadena garage doors can pay you a visit and help you choose your ideal garage door.

Sectional Garage Doors

These are the most common garage doors found in the United States. The vast majority have a linear design and are entirely automatic — i.e., they can be opened and closed with a garage door opener. They contain a double layer of galvanized steel and incorporate vertical tracks on both sides of the door to aloe for easy movement when being opened and closed.

Pros

• You have a choice between the insulated and non-insulated models.
• Sectional garage doors do not extend beyond the piers found on the outside; hence there is no encroachment on the drive-through space.
• It makes it possible to cover arched or any shaped openings as it goes behind the piers and eliminates the need for a special door.
• Sectional garage doors do not consume time during operation.

Cons

• Compared to other garage door types, they are pricey, especially the insulated models.
• They require a regular maintenance schedule to work well and serve for longer periods.
• To operate in the right way, they require various parts and multiple tracks, which may be a recipe for problems and breakdowns.
• Compared to their roll-up alternatives, they are less durable and may break down at any time.

Roll-Up Garage Doors

If you need to settle for a compact solution, the best choice would be to get a roll-up garage door. This door type consists of several steel slats or aluminum that roll up on an overhead barrel. The space between the two layers of metal is filled with double-skinned foam, giving the door a secure and upright posture. Burbank garage repair services offer seamless repair for worn-out garage doors and new installations.

Pros

• The roll-up garage door offers a compact solution.
• Some of them are automatic, so they’re easy to operate.
• They require little and non-frequent maintenance services
• Most roll-up garage doors are insulated hence providing warm conditions if need be.
• They do not narrow the drive-through width.
• Their steel frame enables them to withstand harsh weather conditions.

Cons

• These models are not budget-friendly, so they can be expensive to purchase, install and maintain.
• Roll-up garage doors limit appearance and design.

Side-Hinged Garage Door

They are sometimes called carriage house-style garage doors because they are from an era when carriage houses were popular. These garage doors use steel hinges to open outwardly compared to other types of doors and can be locked and unlocked with a key. The side-hinged doors are made using wood, with most high-end models available with polystyrene or polyurethane insulation.

Pros

• They are easy and fast to operate, especially the automatic models.
• They come in custom designs with premium materials and decorative features.
• They are the best choice if you require a visually attractive door that sticks out among the rest.
• They have a classic and old-fashioned style.
• They are easy to operate due to their simple design.

Cons

• They open outwards, taking up a lot of space in front of the garage and the driveway.
• They are made of wood, which is sensitive to snow, salt, and humidity compared to steel, so they may wear out faster if not maintained in the right manner.
• They tend to be noisy when opened or closed with their hinges requiring maintenance every year.

Retractable Garage Doors

It can also be referred to as single panel garage doors, and it runs on horizontal tracks compared to a canopy garage door. The retractable garage doors mostly work with an electric operator, and you can use a remote opener to open or close. You can check out Simi Valley garage doors for the best deals on garage door installations.

Pros

• They are quiet in operation, especially with an automatic opener.
• They are comfortable and easy to operate.
• Retractable garage doors are designed to be automatic.

Cons

• They require you to have more space in the garage to operate well.
• The door mechanism is dependent on various factors when in operation, and this complexity can lead to failure.
• Automatic retractable doors need an overhanging garage door opener that is capable of shrinking the height of your garage.

Canopy Garage Door

This type of garage door comes in one single piece of material, either wood, plastic, or metal. The garage door uses vertical tracks on the side frames, and a bit of it protrudes and offers shelter beyond the garage. They were common 50-60 years ago with only a few installations done in the modern era.

Pros

• They are easy and affordable to maintain.
• These doors require fewer parts, so there are fewer potential failures.
• They are quick to install with no restrictions on the drive-through width.
• They are affordable compared to other garage door types.

Cons

• They can produce a degree of noise, especially when opened and closed.
• Canopy garage doors can only be operated manually.
• In case of failure, canopy models with no anti-drop device are dangerous.

Side-Sliding Garage Doors

They are among the fewest garage doors to be installed because they require little headroom, and their operation was not flawless in the ancient days. However, current models are reliable and come in different sections.

Pros

• They need minimal headroom and are suitable for garages with a low ceiling or little storage space.
• They are easy to operate and install.
• They have no overhead operator.
• They allow you to fully access the garage ceiling and make use of it in terms of storage.
• They require little maintenance.

Cons

• When it comes to the price spectrum, the side-sliding garage door is on the higher end.
• Models that have a floor rail or debris, such as leaves or stones, may cause failure.

It is crucial to know the different types of garage doors and their advantages and disadvantages to ensure you make the right decision during purchase. If you need an impressive and unique garage door, you can never go wrong with a wooden carriage door, or you better settle for a sectional door if you want a more convenient and reliable garage door. If you are spoilt for choice, companies that provide garage door repair in Los Angeles are more than ready to give you the best services at considerable prices.