Let’s face the facts – when people pull in your driveway, the first thing they notice is your garage door.
Although many people may think the front door is most important, it’s really your main garage door that can make or break your curb appeal. So, you should make a careful choice when considering replacing your garage door. After all, curb appeal affects the value of your home.
The good news is, when it comes to choosing garage door styles, you have a variety of excellent options. The most common types of garage doors include roll-up, tilt-up canopy, sectional, swing out, sliding garage doors, and tilt-up retractable.
You’ll also need to determine the colors, finishes, materials, and unique garage door options, such as single vs. double, insulation, windows, and hardware to use.
If you’re already feeling confused or overwhelmed, don’t worry – we’ve created this guide to help you. Keep reading to learn what you need to know about the best garage doors that exist today.
Sectional Garage Doors
The garage door type most commonly used in the United States is a sectional garage door. You or your neighbors probably have this type of garage door.
Sectional garage doors are designed with horizontal panel sections connected with hinges. The hinges bend over a curved surface of the track as the garage door opens and closes, and small wheels at the ends of each panel roll along the sides. Using this feature, the garage door rests parallel to the ceiling when open or in line with the walls when closed.
In the garage door opening, the cables attach to two high-tension springs that operate the door. These springs help to keep the door from sliding downward when partly open.
Most of these doors are low maintenance, made of steel, and you can customize them with textures, colors, window inserts, and hardware. These types of garage doors are available in both insulated and non-insulated models.
Slide to the Side Garage Doors
Slide to the side garage doors work just as their name implies. They bend to one side of the garage and sit parallel to the wall. First used in garages with limited headroom, these were among the earliest operating styles in the garage door industry .
Low trolleys allow them to work on floors or ceilings that have slight slopes. With a retractable motor integrated into the door, side doors don’t need to be balanced with torsion springs and can be operated automatically without a ceiling-mounted operator.
Roll-Up Garage Doors
The roll up garage door is designed primarily for commercial purposes, but you can also use it in your home for a more modern look.
2″-3″ inch steel slats roll around a drum above the door opening in this style. It offers a simple design and is suited to small roof spaces.
These doors are designed for heavy-duty use and are often built without springs attached to prevent rust and corrosion. Compared to sectional models, the roll-up model is more expensive upfront due to its heavy-duty characteristics.
Tilt-Up Garage Doors
Although sectionals are the most popular type of garage door, some homeowners choose to go with tilt-up garage doors because they work better for their lifestyle or because they like the style better. However, before deciding which type is best for your home, you need to know that tilt-up garage doors are traditionally more complex to use and are often higher-priced than sectional garage doors.
Like the side hinge style, tilt-up garage doors have no sections and are made of one solid piece of steel. They tilt up and into your garage as they open. Here are the two most common types of tilt-up garage doors:
Tilt-Up Canopy
The canopy style is the most popular tilt-up garage door style. It has a rotatable hinge mechanism that allows it to be tilted up in the garage. It runs parallel to the garage roof and extends beyond the front of the opening when the garage door is open.
Tilt-Up Retractable
Tilt-Up retractable doors work like a canopy garage door, but no part sticks out of the house when the garage door is open. In addition, retractable garage doors occupy more space than garage doors with canopies because the doors hang independently of the frame.
Swing-Out Garage Doors
With a swing-out garage door (or a side-hinge door), two doors hang from the hinges on either side of the opening. Each door must be appropriately constructed and at least one foot longer than it is wide.
This type of garage door is usually ideal for mild and warmer climates, as snow can make these types of doors difficult to open. However, these doors are excellent at keeping the weather out.
Swing open doors can be controlled manually or as a smart garage door with a remote control.
Single vs. Double Garage Doors
In terms of size, there are two types of garage doors: single garage doors and double garage doors. The single door is big enough for only one car to enter, while the double door is larger and two vehicles can pass through it.
Single garage doors are typically measured at 8 feet wide, and double doors are generally 16 feet wide, but the numbers are not always 100% precise. Before purchasing garage doors, measure the opening of the garage door to get a perfect size.
Find the Perfect Types of Garage Doors for Your Home
Many different types of garage doors are available today. Hopefully, after reading this guide, you have a better idea of which type you need. Figuring out which style you like can be the difference between loving your garage door or making an expensive mistake!
Do you need more tips and tricks to make your home more attractive and boost your curb appeal? Then, check out the rest of our blog!