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A guide to garage doors
When transforming your property the garage door probably isn’t the first thing you consider, but it can make a huge difference to the appearance of your home. David O’Mara of Hörmann UK answers your questions on the options available to self-builders
T
he importance of getting your home’s exterior look right cannot be underestimated. While it’s easy to focus your efforts on the interior, it is important to remember that the exterior of your property is what everyone, from visitors through to potential buyers, will see first.
Whether you choose an up-and-over, sectional or roller door to make a
statement, the choices are endless. However, it is important to select one which is suitable for the space you have available and also lets you use the garage as you desire.
IS A TRADITIONAL UP-AND-OVER
OPENING THE BEST OPTION? If driveway space isn’t an issue, a traditional up-and-over door may be the best option. These types of garage doors open upwards, but swing out so do require the extra driveway space. They can be combined with a mechanical operator to offer maximum convenience. I would suggest using this door if the garage roof space is not a consideration in terms of lighting or storage. It is also worth bearing in mind that the insulation levels for up-and-over doors can be low, so if your garage needs to serve another purpose, such as a workspace, another style might be preferable.
WHAT ABOUT A ROLLER DOOR? If space is limited, an alternative option might be a roller door. Roller garage doors open vertically and are designed to offer maximum space inside. For those who also want to use the garage for storage, a roller door is ideal, as the door curtain compactly winds up behind the lintel of the door opening, so the ceiling remains free.
Offering a further solution to areas with limited space or low headroom, doors such as the Hörmann RollMatic are available as external roller garage
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doors. For narrow areas there are also doors that have a slim design for low ceilings and have a lintel of only 60 mm, allowing for fitting in very tight spaces.
AND HOW ABOUT A SECTIONAL DOOR OPTION?
Like roller doors, sectional doors open vertically and are made up of separate sections rather than a single panel. They can be fitted in any garage opening and offer more passage width than up-an- over doors, making them appropriate for wider vehicles, such as 4x4s. Sectional doors are often the most thermally efficiency and often provide the most security for the home. When the Hörmann sectional door is closed, the anti-lift kit automatically engages and locks immediately, which secures the door against forced opening, even in a power cut. This is also the case for any automated garage door.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER OPENING
OPTIONS I SHOULD CONSIDER? If you like the simplicity of a sectional door but don’t want to loose ceiling space, a side sliding-garage door is the perfect option. In contrast to the other designs mentioned, these doors open sideways instead of upward. These type of doors are particularly advantageous if the garage ceiling has to remain free to store items, or the door leaf cannot be stowed underneath the ceiling due to construction reasons, for example a garage with a sloped roof.
WHAT GARAGE DOOR MATERIAL SHOULD I GO FOR?
Once you have chosen the preferred style of your garage door the next thing to consider is what it is made from. The most common and popular materials for garage doors are timber and steel. While real timber garage doors require more maintenance, and can be more costly, they can be a great feature especially when combined with matching side doors. Solid timber doors are available in a range of timber options and can be stained in various colours to match your home.
Steel garage doors are heavy-duty and durable plus – depending on the type – they tend to be well insulated; an important consideration especially as garage doors cover a large surface area and are often attached to the home. However, a well-insulated garage
march/april 2019
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