Garage doors: which to choose?

When building a garage, one of the key decisions we have to make is the type of door we opt for. Up-and-over, sectional, roller, or perhaps a traditional side-hinged door. The choice depends on the depth of our pockets, the size of the driveway and personal preferences.

Types of garage doors

Today two types of doors dominate the market: up-and-over and sectional doors. The former are cheaper but need more space on the driveway when opening, whereas sectional doors have decidedly better insulation properties. What also distinguishes the latter is that they open vertically, which is particularly important for garages opening directly onto the road. A less popular option is roller doors, which require a housing box for the door to roll up into, and they are the most expensive solution. The least popular are traditional side-hinged doors, which are increasingly hard to find in the ranges of the largest manufacturers.

READ ALSO – BUILDING A DETACHED GARAGE

What dimensions should a garage and its door have for convenient use

Whichever type of garage door we choose, we should always pay attention to certain issues that will help avoid additional costs and, above all, complications during installation. The headroom (lintel height), that is, the space from the top edge of the entrance opening to the garage ceiling, is very important: it should be at least 210 mm so that the door can be used freely, both manually and with a drive. The side room is just as important, that is, the width of the inner spaces on either side between the edge of the entrance opening and the garage walls. A width of no less than 100 mm will allow any drive to be fitted. If you want an automatic door, the garage also cannot be shorter than 3.3 m. It is also worth remembering that at the height of the guide rails there should be nothing that prevents the installation of the door's guide system.

For the garage to be convenient to use, the door must be 2.4-2.5 metres wide. However, if we have a large off-road vehicle or family car, even this width may turn out to be insufficient. It is also worth taking the driveway leading to the garage into account. If driving in requires manoeuvring, it is worth choosing wider models. The functionality of the door is one thing; aesthetics are just as important. The panels that make up the door are available in many colours and textures. It is important that the door matches the architecture of the house, the colour of the facade and the roof tiles.

READ ALSO – IS IT WORTH BUYING A GARAGE TO LET?

Door automation and mechanisms

The vast majority of people buying garage doors also buy automation and mechanisms that let them open the door with a remote control. Such solutions are gradually becoming standard, especially in garages built into the house itself. Most manufacturers offer automatic opening mechanisms designed for specific door types together with the door. An interesting extra is the option of using one remote for the garage door, the entrance gate and for switching the garage light on and off. It is also worth getting a backup battery that will operate our door in the event of a power cut. A photocell, in turn, will ensure that the door does not hit the car. Drives are available in various price ranges. The simplest cost around 500 PLN, while the most technologically advanced can cost more than 2,000 PLN. One thing is certain – thanks to them, everyday use of the garage door is truly comfortable, quiet and smooth.