You may have noticed that there are a couple of different ways a garage door opens. Yes there are a number of different ways. Let’s have a look and then you can decide which one is right for you.
Sectional Garage Doors
Let’s start here because these are the most common. 90% of the garage doors we deal with and that are in Canada are this type of door. There are some simple maintenance things to look out for with these doors. You can look at our blog on maintenance and also this blog on Amarr.
Sectional garage doors are made up of several horizontal panels that are hinged together, allowing the door to open vertically and fold into sections as it moves along a track.
When opening, the panels slide upward and curve along the ceiling of the garage, making them space-efficient and ideal for garages with limited headroom. This design ensures smooth operation, minimal noise, and better insulation than single-panel doors.
Sectional doors are also highly customizable in terms of materials, insulation, and design, making them a popular choice for both residential and commercial use.
Pro: Sectional garage doors are highly space-efficient, as they open vertically and don’t swing outward, allowing you to park closer to the door both inside and outside the garage.
Con: They have more moving parts compared to single-panel doors, which can mean more maintenance is needed to ensure smooth operation over time.
Roll Up Garage Doors
Roll-up garage doors consist of narrow horizontal slats or panels that roll up into a compact coil above the door opening when raised. These doors are ideal for spaces with limited ceiling room, as they don’t require overhead tracks like sectional doors. They are often made from durable materials like steel or aluminum, making them highly resistant to weather and secure against break-ins. Roll-up doors are commonly used in commercial and industrial settings, but they can also be a practical choice for residential garages. Their compact design and durability make them a low-maintenance and long-lasting option.
Pro: Roll-up garage doors are highly durable and space-saving, as they roll neatly into a compact coil, requiring minimal overhead space and making them ideal for tight or low-clearance areas.
Con: They can be more expensive than other types of garage doors, especially when made from heavy-duty materials like steel or insulated models, which might be a consideration for residential use.
The other major con to these types of doors is that they are typically not insulated so they won’t provide much in the way of keeping heat in your garage.
Slide to the Side Garage Door
I have never actually seen one of these, but I think they are the coolest and would love to get one.
Slide-to-the-side garage doors operate by moving horizontally along a track, sliding parallel to the wall of the garage when opened. Unlike traditional doors that lift, these doors free up ceiling space, making them ideal for garages with low or obstructed ceilings.
The door is often constructed from lightweight materials and runs smoothly on rollers, offering easy manual or motorized operation. Slide-to-the-side doors are less common than sectional or roll-up doors but can be a practical and visually unique option for both residential and commercial garages.
They are particularly useful for garages that need to maximize vertical space.
Pro: Slide-to-the-side garage doors free up overhead space, making them ideal for garages with low ceilings or obstructions like beams or storage.
Con: They require more horizontal wall space along one side of the garage for the door to slide open, which could limit storage or accessibility on that side.
Side-Hinged Garage Doors
Side-hinged garage doors, also known as swing-out doors, operate like traditional doors, swinging open from a hinged frame on either side of the garage. These doors offer a classic, timeless look and are typically made from wood, steel, or composite materials.
They are ideal for garages that require easy pedestrian access, as one door can be opened independently for foot traffic without raising the entire door. Side-hinged doors are simple in design, making them low-maintenance and offering long-lasting durability.
They’re perfect for homeowners who want a traditional aesthetic and who have enough driveway space to accommodate the outward swing of the doors.
Pro: Side-hinged garage doors offer easy pedestrian access, allowing you to open just one side for quick entry without needing to raise the entire door.
Con: They require more driveway space in front of the garage for the doors to swing open, which may be an issue for homes with limited space or short driveways.
Tilt-Up/Up and Over Canopy Garage Doors
These are really cool as well, but you have to be careful when you are parked in front of them because they require more room to open.
Tilt-up, or up-and-over canopy garage doors, are made from a single solid panel that tilts outward and upward when opened, forming a canopy that extends over the front of the garage.
These doors operate on a pivoting hinge mechanism and are supported by tracks or arms on the sides, which allow the door to lift and rest partially outside the garage when fully opened.
Tilt-up doors are relatively simple in design, providing a smooth and reliable operation, and they are often made from materials like steel, wood, or fibreglass. Their clean, straightforward look makes them a popular choice for homeowners seeking an affordable and easy-to-use garage door option. However, they do require some clearance in front of the garage to open fully.
Pro: Tilt-up canopy garage doors offer a simple, cost-effective design with smooth operation, making them easy to maintain and use.
Con: They require clearance in front of the garage since the door swings outward when opening, which can be a limitation in short driveways or tight spaces.
Garage Door with a Man Door in it
A garage door with a man door, also known as a pedestrian door or wicket door, integrates a smaller door within the main garage door, allowing easy entry and exit without opening the entire garage.
This feature is especially useful for frequent foot traffic, such as accessing tools or entering the garage without needing to operate the large door.
Man doors are typically built to match the garage door’s material and design, ensuring both convenience and aesthetic cohesion. They help save energy, maintain indoor temperatures, and reduce wear on the main garage door by minimizing full-door openings.
Pro: A garage door with a man door offers convenient pedestrian access without having to open the entire garage door, saving energy and reducing wear on the garage door mechanism.
Con: The integrated man door can weaken the structural integrity of the garage door, making it potentially less secure and more prone to maintenance issues compared to solid garage doors.
We have one of these at the shop that we work at and it’s pretty good because it allows us to have a bigger garage door that spans the whole side of the building to get bigger vehicles in and out. But we also have a man door for access when it is down. Certainly something to consider when looking for a shop door or garage door.