Not sure whether to pick an up-and-over or a roller? Here's how to buy garage doors

Whether you're renovating or planning a self build, if your plans feature a garage, you'll potentially be looking at how to buy garage doors. Often an integral part of your home security, picking a robust design is key. But, with a number of different types of garage doors available, how do you decide which one is right for you?

Choosing and buying the right product will usually come down to several factors, including style, size, function and, of course, budget. "The garage can be one of the most prominent features of a home’s façade and choosing a garage door to complement the property’s exterior is important – there’s no longer a 'one size fits all' option," says David O’Mara, marketing manager at Hörmann.

"Garages are no longer being used just for cars, and the space is increasingly being used for additional storage, as a workspace or utility area and even for home gyms. When buying a garage door, it is therefore important to consider what is most suitable for the space available and how the garage is going to be used," he adds.

Factors to consider when buying a garage door

When looking at how to buy a garage door for an existing garage then choosing the right design will be dependent on the current specifications of your garage.

"The location of the garage door on the building will factor in your choice, as well as how much space is available internally and externally to be able to get a car in comfortably," explains Elizabeth Assaf, co-founder at Urban Front.

Regardless of whether you are buying garage doors for a new garage design or refurbishment, aesthetics will of course be a personal choice and you’ll want something that’s in keeping with your home’s style, whether that be contemporary or classic.

A comprehensive selection of finishes is available, including sleek matt surfaces, textured finishes and designs that replicate modern materials, such as concrete, metal and wood. And, when it comes to colour, the options are virtually endless with most manufacturers offering a large choice of standard colours, plus the ability to match any RAL colour offered.

"Colour options are almost endless, whether you’re looking for real timber, timber-effect laminate on steel panels or a specific RAL colour," confirms Nathan Dove, owner of The Garage Door Centre.

"The most popular coloured door is still Anthracite Grey," he says, "however, silver greys and soft cream tones are becoming increasingly popular."

Further considerations are your garage insulation requirements. If you’re planning on your garage being more than just a storage area, it’s important to keep it at a comfortable temperature and thermally efficient.

"For good thermal efficiency, a double-skinned sectional garage door is worth the investment, with its modern, double-skinned insulated panel and enhanced sealing,’ says David O'Mara. "It will help to maintain the temperature within the garage, reduce heat loss and keep any items stored in good condition."

Understanding your size requirements

"The best size for any garage door is quite simply one that allows you to drive in and out with ease," says Nathan Dove. "Or if using the garage for other purposes, a door that provides enough height for you to walk in and out.

"For single-width garages, used for a vehicle, the best size of garage door is around 228 to 240cm wide in order to be able to drive in with ease," he says.

"For the height, especially considering how many 4x4 vehicles are now on the roads, then go for a minimum height of 200cm, but ideally 213.4cm, and even higher if the door hangs down when open, reducing the drive through height," advises Nathan.

Best garage doors based on price, size and space

As mentioned, the type of door you opt for will typically depend on the space you have available, how you want to use your garage and the overall aesthetics of the design.

However, each type will be more suited to certain needs than others and the most popular choices for garage doors come with their own sets of pros and cons.

Best for budgets

Up-and-over garage doors: This one-piece design is the classic garage door. As the name suggests, it lifts up from the bottom, either sliding out of the way below the garage ceiling when open, or creating a canopy at the front.

"If space on the driveway and headroom in the garage are not an issue, then a traditional up-and-over steel door may be the best option," says David O' Mara. "A cost-effective choice, the up-and-over garage door is still one of the most popular in the UK and is widely used in the new build market."

Best for dual entry

Side-hinged garage doors: Also known as side-opening or swing variants, a side-hinged garage door comprises a two-leaf set up where the panels are hinged at the sides to open in much the same way as your front door would. All side-hinged garage doors are fixed to a sub-frame, either made from steel or timber. As well as the conventional half-and-half split (where both door panels are equal in width and open at the middle of the aperture), you can get a one-third to two-thirds split across the opening panels.

A split option can be ideal if you don't have rear or side access to the garage and use your garage to store items such as tools or bikes. Having a smaller door will mean you don't have to open the large one every time you go in and out.

Best for low ceilings

Round-the-corner garage doors: One of the earliest available types on the market, these "operate by sliding to one side of the garage opening and along the inside wall," says Alastair Mayne, chief operating officer at Garolla.

"The door is hung from a track along the ceiling and guided by a channel on the floor. There are also bi-parting models that let you open and close one side at a time. These are well suited to garages with little headroom," he explains.

Bifold garage doors: Bifold garage doors are also an option when the garage height is an issue, as they don’t need wall space for a mechanism. Whether outward or inward opening, they require sufficient room to fold back. The panels allow the garage to be accessed without opening the door fully. A bifold door can also be automated.

Best space-saving choices

Sectional garage doors: "A sectional door is a space-saving choice," says David O'Mara. "It opens vertically upwards and is suspended under the ceiling, making full use of the space inside and in front of the garage. Manufactured to be durable and secure, sectional garage doors are convenient to use and are suitable for most domestic garages and can offer increased passage width in comparison to a standard up-and-over door," he explains.

"Their double-skinned construction means that they also offer excellent thermal performance."

Roller garage doors: ‘"Roller garage doors open vertically providing an optimum amount of space within the garage, making them the perfect choice for homeowners with limited space both within the garage and on the driveway," says David. "Their compact construction, without tracks going into the garage, will help maximise the space available."

Choosing your garage door materials

Garage doors can be made from various materials depending on your specific requirements. ABS is the material used for many garage doors, rather than uPVC, as it is impact resistant, rot proof and stable. Plus it won’t fade or yellow.

However, other options are available as follows:

• Timber garage doors are well suited to period properties, but contemporary-style timber designs are also available. Treatment before installation can reduce maintenance, but do check with the manufacturer about any specific requirements
• Steel garage doors are strong and come with a wide choice of surface finishes and colours. They are generally easy to maintain depending on the finishing or coating
• Aluminium garage doors are mostly insulated double-skin roller doors. Both coloured and timber lookalike effects are available. The surface will need to be kept clean of grit and debris. Strong and stable, but light, they only need a regular wash down to keep them clean
• Glass reinforced plastic (GRP) has a better strength-to-weight ratio than steel, according to Garage Doors Online, and is a naturally insulating material, won’t warp, shrink or rust and is virtually maintenance free

The importance of security when choosing your garage doors

Garage security must be one of the key areas of focus when homeowners buy a garage door, say the experts.

Any garage door chosen should be fitted with the latest, high-security locking systems and for added peace of mind, it is worthwhile installing a garage door that has Secured by Design accreditation.

The most secure types of door also tend to be the ones that have a good level of inherent strength in the door panel construction, as Nathan explains. "Many electric garage doors have a garage door panel with no external handle or lock to attack, so potential burglars have nothing to force and would have to resort to the door itself, which will be noisy and difficult.

"Insulated steel, double-skinned sectional doors and steel side-hinged doors offer some of the best security with their greater levels of overall strength and build design," say Nathan. "Higher-end insulated roller garage doors and some steel up-and-over doors offer excellent security when they have been tested to a “Secure by Design” standard or even higher standards with other certified testing processes."

However, it's important not to cut corners and assume adding another lock yourself will make your garage door more secure he warns.

"Putting a bigger or better lock and even multi-point locking system onto a generic garage door is a waste of time if the lock itself is easy to break, which with cheap handles and lock cylinders is far too common," says Nathan. "Check the security rating of the garage door with the supplier and don’t just rely on a brand adding the word “security” to the model name."

There are several additional measures you can take to secure your garage door, as Thomas Goodman, property expert at MyJobQuote outlines below:

• Choose strong materials such as steel or aluminium and have a double-skin rather than a single-skin door
• Fewer leverage points on the door make it more secure
• Pick an electric door with the lock embedded in the motor
• Use a smart garage door opener with no manual lock
• Consider a track lock to prevent your garage door from being forced open
• Install a security camera above your garage door
• Use a security light with a motion-activated sensor
• Cover garage windows to hide possessions from view

Thomas Goodman

Thomas Goodman has worked as a property and construction expert for MyJobQuote for six years and has worked in the construction industry for more than 20 years. Thomas continues to work on building projects, while also providing expert construction and property advice to industry professionals and DIY enthusiasts.

Additional features

When buying a garage door, you may also want to consider some additional features.

"Glazing panels set within the door will provide natural light in the garage if you want to create a more multipurpose space, such as a gym or work studio," suggests David O'Mara.

However, if you are considering ways of future proofing your home, you may also want to look at including smart features in your garage doors.

"Having a smart garage door is incredibly useful for convenience, security and integration with modern technology," says John Foster, exterior installations manager at Hillarys.

"Customers can opt for a photocell sensor for enhanced safety technology and products such as the Wireless Somfy keypad offer easy access control. Remote controls such as the Keygo remote are available for smart rollers only, while the Keytis remote is designed for sectional doors," he explains.

"Products like the TaHoma smart hub (which requires a photocell) and the Somfy wall switch are additional smart features that complement the smart range of doors and enable the garage doors to be controlled remotely."

If incorporated into the design and installation of your garage door, there can be many benefits to opting for a hi-tech design, as John explains:

• Enhanced security: Smart garage doors allow you to monitor your garage door from virtually anywhere using an app. You can receive notifications if the door is left open, adding an extra layer to your home security
• Convenience and remote access: With smart garage doors, you can open and close your garage from anywhere using your smartphone or a connected device. This is particularly useful if you need to let someone into your home while you’re away or if you forget to close the door when leaving
• Integration with smart home devices: Smart garage doors can be integrated with other smart devices, allowing for seamless control through voice commands with systems like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This integration enhances the overall functionality of your smart home setup
• Scheduled operations: You can program your garage door to open or close at specific times, which can be convenient for daily routines or ensuring the door is closed at night

Installation and cost considerations

The type of garage door you ultimately choose will also be influenced by garage door costs.

"An up-and-over steel garage door is one of the most popular doors in the UK,’ says David. ‘It is priced at the lower end of the market, but it does offer homeowners a very practical solution and is excellent value for money.

"In contrast," he adds, "a 42mm double-skinned sectional garage door will be towards the top end of the price range. This reflects its numerous advantages, such as good thermal insulation and enhanced security, together with modern styling and a wide range of finishes and colour options."

There are a few other elements that can increase costs, too, as David explains. "Other factors including the size of the door, whether any design elements and glazing panels are included, plus the colours and finishes, can all have an impact. The decision whether to automate the door is a further cost consideration."

According to Thomas Goodman, the average cost for a garage door is around £300-£5,000. If you want to add electronic controls, this can cost an additional £150-£1,000. You can also expect to pay around £150-£250 per person per day in labour charges when you get your new garage door installed by a professional.

Once you've outlaid for your garage door, you'll likely want to avoid incurring extra costs which is why it's also important to weigh up maintenance and warranties when picking your door.

"Garage doors purchased from a reputable manufacturer should have a warranty of 10 years," advises David. "It’s also important for consumers to ensure that if the garage door is fitted with an automatic controller, it is supplied by the same manufacturing company as the garage door. Warranties can be deemed invalid if this is not the case.

"Like anything else, garage doors should be cleaned on a regular basis to remove dirt and grit to protect the surface finish, and to ensure reliable and safe operation," adds David. "Some garage door installers will also service garage doors, which helps ensure they are kept in good working condition."

FAQs

What does the installation process involve?

"The installation process typically begins with a free survey, followed by choosing a garage door, and booking an installation date," says Alastair Mayne. "As part of the installation, the old garage door will be removed (and typically disposed of for you, depending on the material). The new door will then be installed, and tested."

David O'Mara advises that whatever type of garage door is chosen, it is vital that it is fitted correctly, from an operational, safety and warranty point of view. "As with any major home improvement, it is always advisable to call in the experts, who will provide advice, survey the garage, provide a quote and install the door.

"Reputable garage door manufacturers often have a Dealer Finder function on their websites," he notes, "which will list the local garage door fitters by area who have been trained by the manufacturer and will install their products." In order to ensure a good installation, it's often wise to choose a recommended supplier.

Where to buy garage doors?

While all of the companies referenced above offer a wide range of quality garage doors and associated products, you can also find a selection available at some well known retailers including:

• Wickes – offers a range of canopy and retractable doors in both framed and unframed finishes
• B&Q - a full range of styles, finishes and materials, plus a range of side or rear entrance doors
• Screwfix - plenty of options including electric, roller and up and over garage doors

Updating your driveway as part of your exterior overhaul? Take a look at the best driveway materials to ensure you pick a finish that will also suit the garage door you ultimately choose to buy.

And, if you already have a garage door in place that needs some care and attention, find out how to insulate a garage door to make sure your space is warm and your belongings protected.