Advice on choosing your garage door
When you're choosing a new garage door your first concern is often what the door looks like. At Express Garage Doors you'll find a range of styles and finishes beyond compare. We recognise that it is only when your door is installed and in everyday use that important points such as ease of operation, upkeep, security and durability become apparent. At Express Garage Doors, not only do we promise an outstanding choice but we also promise a door which will serve you well for many years to come.
To assist you in your quest for the most suitable door type for you,
we have provided info outlining advantages and disadvantages of types of Garage Door
Retractable Doors - The door swings outwards as it opens and then slides away into the ceiling of your garage, pivot points are located at the top of the door, consequently you are unable to park too close to the garage door.These doors are installed with spring assemblies being fitted to the side frames and tracks to the top which support the top of the door, the latter being secured a couple of meters into your garage. They are however the easiest type of door to automate with any electric opener being suitable. Security is generally pretty good with manufacturers often fitting four latches, but when automated these latches are disabled and the door could possibly be forced open at the base depending on set-up, however, an automatic de-latching system is available to counter this problem. Retractable doors are available in all materials: Steel, Timber, GRP and ABS. Pre-framed versions are available.With this door type fitted you will have a fairly drafty garage and drive-though width will be reduced because of the side spring assemblies, although some manufacturers have an optional mechanism which avoids this.
Canopy Doors - The door swings outwards as it opens andt then slides upwards into the ceiling of your garage leaving one-third of the door protruding outside the garage and taking up less room inside. You are unable to park too close to the garage door. Pivot points are located two-thirds of the way down the door, which helps improve the security of the door. Pre-framed versions are available.Canopy doors are installed by mounting the door to the frame and no tracks are required inside the garage. The down side is that automating a canopy door is not recommended - with the exception of Cardale canopy doors which can be automated very well with a specially designed Autoglide opener but it is more expensive than normal electric openers. Canopy doors are available in all materials: Steel, Timber, GRP and ABS. With this door type fitted you will have a fairly drafty garage although the drive though width will not be reduced beyond the door frame.
Sectional Doors - Sectional doors (made up of several separate horizontally hinged panels) fit to the rear surface of the front brickwork of your garage, and as such need a small amount of clear brickwork to the sides and top of your opening. The entire door rises vertically upwards and then backwards into the ceiling space. No door frame is required which increases the available drive-through width. Good security and good protection against the weather with sealing all around the door, doors with or without insulation are available. Sectional doors are generally manufactured in steel although some specialist timber versions are available.Easy to automate as any motor is suitable - a soft start/soft stop opener gives a real touch of class.
Roller Doors - Roller doors are a single curtain or seperate laths that fit together, it rolls up into your garage ceiling. They fit to the rear surface of the front brickwork of your garage, and as such need a small amount of clear brickwork to the sides and between 400mm (16 Inches) and 205mm (8 Inches) ceiling clearance above the underside of the lintel. 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. Good security and good protection against the weather with sealing all around the door, doors with or without insulation are available. Roller doors are either manufactured in Steel or Aluminium and are either single sheet or hinged slat. Manual and electric versions are available.
Side Hinge Doors - A very traditional looking style of door that is manufactured in timber, GRP or steel. Side hinge doors open outwards and therefore need good clearance when being opened so not great if you have a short driveway or open directly onto a public area. A good choice if there is no clearance inside your garage to allow for an up and over door. Security is good if you have overlapping leaves and use bolts at the top and bottom of the door. Automating this door is possible with the use of a Side Hinge Converter that attaches each wing to the electric operator.
For further assistance please telephone - 01383 852753. Thanks
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Points to consider -
What is the purpose of your garage?
What size do you need?
What type of door is suitable for your garage?
What type of security do I need?
What type of finish do I need?
e.g hobbyroom, workshop - consider insulation
Doors are ordered by opening size, in most cases this will be the internal frame dimensions.
It depends on physical characteristics of your garage and our staff will be able to assess suitable type after a few questions.
We have a range of high security features as standard supplied on most of our new garage doors
Consider style & finish of existing doors & windows of house and try and complement these in line with garage door
Don't worry about sizes our technician will survey the site and double check door sizes or if the garage requires any modifications.