Which garage door will be best? This is an important question, as it concerns the purchase of something that you will be using for many years to come, and is usually quite a significant expense. The choice of garage door should depend on your requirements - only the right size, but also other parameters and specifications. If you find this topic of interest, read on to find out more.
Which garage door will be best? This is an important question, as it concerns the purchase of something that you will be using for many years to come, and is usually quite a significant expense. The choice of garage door should depend on your requirements – only the right size, but also other parameters and specifications. If you find this topic of interest, read on to find out more.
Types of garage doors and their features
Garage doors can have different designs and be made of different materials, including metal and wood. There are also variations concerning the opening method, namely sectional, roller, canopy and retractable doors. Regardless of what garage door you choose, in order for it to work well for a long time you will need to look after it properly.
Sectional garage doors
The most popular type are sectional garage doors, due to their numerous advantages. These include excellent thermal and acoustic insulation, ease of opening, windproof properties, anti-burglary protection, user safety and efficient use of space. Sectional doors are available in two types – opening upwards (the door slides along vertical tracks from the floor to the very ceiling) and side opening (the door slides sideways along tracks on garage wall).
The door itself is made of several sections, usually from three to six, which are connected with special hinges and firmly sealed. The segments are filled with polyurethane foam with a minimum thickness of 40mm, and additional sealing is used all around the door. These features make sectional doors perfect when it comes to retaining heat, acoustic isolation and protection against wind.
The segments are usually made of galvanised steel, making them very robust. Only the finishing is usually made of plywood, powder paint or another material imitating a wooden appearance.
Roller garage doors
Another type are roller garage doors, which work in a similar way to external window blinds. This type of door has a single curtain that rolls up into your garage ceiling. The entire door rises vertically upwards and then rolls up on a spindle in the ceiling space. No door frame is required, which increases the available drive-through width.
There are manual and electronic versions, both of which are easy to use The lack of frame allows for very effective use of space, and the quality of the material guarantees a high level of resistance to corrosion and harmful weather conditions.
Canopy garage doors
The third type of garage doors are relatively cheap and easy to install, as the entire door mounts to the door frame and no tracks are required inside the garage. Canopy doors swing outward as they open (but not so much as retractable doors), and then upwards into the ceiling of your garage, leaving one-third of the door outside the garage and taking up less room inside. This solution does not provide very good insulation against temperature or noise.
Retractable garage doors
The last type of garage doors are called retractable doors, due to the opening method. Some users complain that they are less convenient to use, because of the side hinges which require a lot of space when opening. They can also be less convenient in winter, as you may have to clear snow from in front of the doors in order to open them.
Advantages are their simple design, easy assembly and low price.
Thermal insulation of garage doors – an important aspect to consider
When deciding which garage door to choose, you should take into consideration the location of the garage as well as whether it is heated. The choice of door should depend on this. Doors with sealing and insulation should be taken into account in the case of heated garages, while doors without insulation are generally intended for unheated detached garages.
When choosing a garage door with sealing, i.e. with thermal, sound and wind insulation, you should take into account the value of the heat transfer coefficient – U, information on which should be included in the product documentation. According to current regulations specifying the thermal insulation of garage doors, the heat transfer coefficient should not exceed 1.3 W / (m2*K).
To achieve this level of thermal insulation, polystyrene plates or polyurethane foam are inserted between the door layers. Sections, on the other hand, have warm connections, and seals are used at the contact points between the floor and the frame. As a result, the cost also increases, to around 20-40% more than in the case of doors without insulation.
What influences the price of garage doors?
In addition to the technical specifications, the additional functions and design also influence the price. There are many models on the market with different textures or patterns. Additional accessories include handrails, latches or glass fronts, for example made of transparent polycarbonate or acrylic sheets.
You can also match the colour and style of the garage door to your entrance door or windows, or even to the colour of your house. However, the standard available colours of garage doors are usually white and brown, so you will have to pay about 20% more for any other colour.
Garage door motors and their maintenance
Garage door motors are an accessory worth paying additionally for. They consists of an opener and a remote control system. The garage door motor is usually equipped with an anti-slam system, with sensors and a safety mechanism that stop the door from slamming.
Which garage door motor you choose should depends on the size and weight of the door, as well as how often the door will be used. So when choosing the motor, pay attention to the pull and thrust power, which is typically 400 to 1,200N. For a single garage door a power of 500-600N should be sufficient. For larger doors we would recommend 700N or more.
What else should you pay attention to when choosing a garage door? Important aspects include the daily opening/closing frequency, as well as the opening/closing speed (10 to 22 cm/s).
Another advantage of garage door motors is the possibility of installing remote control. Other opening options include a wall button, a code lock or using a key. However, only a remote control system will let you conveniently open and close the door without getting out of your car.
If you decide to buy a garage door motor, keep in mind that they require an annual technical inspection. This should be carried out by someone with electrical qualifications and specialised in the installation of garage doors. A standard inspection consists of balancing the door, checking the safety devices, spring tension, adjusting the rollers and the locking elements. Such a basic service shouldn’t be very expensive.
Garage doors with anti-burglary protection
Home security is very important. Therefore, in the case of garage doors, various solutions are used to protect against burglars. These could be motors with pressure blockades activated by a remote control, preventing the door from forced entrance from outside. Another option is a rotary lock, and some models also have sensors with anti-burglary locks.
Installation of garage doors
Garage door installation is usually part of a comprehensive service provided by distributors of this type of products. Before installation, the garage where the door is to be installed should be carefully measured and inspected. Then the type, model and possible additional functions, such as the motor, should be selected. The final step is installing the door.
Bear in mind, however, that a sectional door should only be installed in the case of plastered walls and with a finished floor inside the garage. This type of door is always fitted behind the entrance to the garage. In the case of rolling doors, installation should take place only after the floor and walls have dried off. It is also very important that the garage has a lintel at least 30cm high – otherwise the mechanism will have to be installed outside.
Which garage door should you choose – summary
When choosing the best garage door for you, take into account not only the size and price, but also the garage itself, as well as convenience and design. Different types of door are recommended in the case of heated home garages than unheated detached garages. You should also expect to pay extra for doors in non-standard colours or designs. The same applies to installing an automatic motor, which is an investment worthwhile if you are after comfort of use, as well as enhanced security.
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