A Guide to Garage Door Types

Where can I buy brand new garage doorsMany American homeowners spend a lot of time and money making sure they have the perfect front door with fancy features such as expensive sidelites and decorative glass inserts. While there’s nothing wrong with having a first-rate front door, the reality is that your overhead garage door has a much bigger say when it comes to determining the curb appeal of your property. 

Not only is your garage door the first thing people notice as they pass by or pull into the driveway, getting new garage doors in San Diego can boost the real estate value of your house by as much as 4 percent. It’s safe to say that a quality garage door is never a bad investment

But what types do garage doors come in and what materials are they made of? How important is the aesthetic aspect when choosing a garage door? We’ll be answering some of these questions in the following article. Read on. 

What are the different types of garage doors?

Garage doors come in many different types and sizes. The six most frequently used ones are roll-up, sectional, side hinged, tilt-up retractable, tilt-up canopy, and slide to the side. Once you’ve settled on a particular type, you can further customize it by choosing the material, color, finish, windows, insulation and weatherstripping, and more.

Here’s what you need to know:

Slide to the side garage doors

As their name implies, these doors bend to one side of the garage and “hug” the wall while closed. Since they don’t have to be raised, these doors don’t require springs or a standard ceiling-mounted garage door operator. 

Tilt-up canopy garage doors

This type of door consists of a single solid piece that uses a pivoting hinge mechanism to tilt up into the garage. When open, these doors sit parallel to the ceiling and protrude past the front of the property. 

Tilt-up retractable garage doors

Like their tilt-up canopy counterparts, these doors pull back into the garage. However, since they’re suspended separately from the frame, they do not extend past the front of the house and generally take more space than tilt-up canopy doors. They tend to be more expensive and harder to operate than other garage door types.

Sectional garage doors

This is by far the most popular type of garage door in the US. Sectional garage doors consist of multiple panels that are connected via hinges. They’re usually made of steel, don’t require much maintenance, and can be customized by adding different colors, textures, windows, and more.

Side-hinged garage doors

These doors use the same side-hinged opening and closing mechanism that a barn door does, and as such are a great option for garages with limited headroom. While they’re typically made of wood, they also come in galvanized steel variants (although the latter are generally used in commercial properties). 

Roll-up garage doors

These doors are made using 2-3 inch steel slat sections that, when the door is closed, roll up around a drum located above the door opening. Their extreme durability and high upfront costs make them the ideal choice for commercial applications. 

Where can I buy brand new garage doors in San Diego?

What are the different types of garage doorsAre you looking to update your home with a state-of-the-art garage door? Or perhaps the old garage door at your Point Loma facility is no longer meeting the needs of your business? Here at Dlouhy Doors, we can assist you with all that and more.

As the leading garage door contractor in San Diego, we offer our clients not just unmatched expertise and experience, but also numerous perks such as special discounts, free keypads, and more. Get in touch with us today if you’d like to schedule a consultation or ask additional questions.