- Discover the six main types of garage doors
- Learn the pros and cons of each type.
- Understand how to choose the best type of door for your garage.
It may come as a surprise to find there are different kinds of garage doors, let alone six main types. If your house had an attached or detached garage, you may not have had a choice, but if you're looking to upgrade or build a garage, it helps to understand the various types of garage doors.
While you may already be familiar with sectional garage doors, there are also roll up, canopy, tilt up, hinged, and side sliding garage doors. We'll explain all garage door options, including the advantages and disadvantages, so you can select the best garage door for your home.
Sectional Garage Doors Are Standard
Most residential garages in the US have sectional garage doors because they are cost-effective and customizable. The name, "sectional," refers to the horizontal panels of the garage door which are connected to each other with hinges to bend around the curved track. This allows the door to slide down and flush with the garage door frame. When open the door rests parallel to the garage ceiling, typically less than 8 feet from the floor.
Sectional Garage Door Pros
- Economic
- Provide fair security
- Can add windows or insulation
- Might only need to repair or replace a single panel rather than the entire door
Sectional Garage Door Cons
- Sectional doors are heavy, making an automatic opener necessary
- The sectioned panels, tracks, and rollers, all need regular maintenance
- High tension springs can become a hazard
Roll Up Garage
Not one of the most common types of garage doors in residential areas, the roll up is instead more often found on commercial buildings. This is likely because roll up garage doors are constructed with steel sections that curl up around a drum above the garage door opening. This gives them a sturdy, industrial look that homeowners don't always find appealing.
Roll Up Garage Door Pros
- Durable and long-lasting
- Simple operation
- Good for low ceilings
Roll Up Garage Door Cons
- Higher upfront costs
- Limited customizations
Canopy Garage Doors
The canopy style is one of the more vintage garage door options available today. Rather than being divided into sectioned panels, a canopy door is one piece and pivots around a hinge point towards the upper third of the door. This means a portion of the door will extend beyond the doorway and into the driveway.
Canopy Garage Door Pros
- Vintage look
- Simple operation
Canopy Garage Door Cons
- Easy repair, but entire door must be replaced if damaged
- Needs lots of space around entry and interior
Retractable Garage Doors
The simple functionality and look of the canopy style makes it one of top garage door choices, but not everyone has the clearance out front for the canopy style. If that's the case for you, consider a retractable garage door. It operates just like the canopy style, except that it also has a feature to retract the entire door back up and into the garage.
Retractable Garage Door Pros
- Retracts into the garage for smaller spaces
- Simple functionality like the canopy style
- Some customization options
Retractable Garage Door Cons
- Higher upfront costs
- Need a high garage ceiling to store door when open
Hinged Garage Doors
Although the sectional garage door is the standard across the US, it wasn't always that way. The hinged garage doors, sometimes called barn doors or carriage doors, were once the predominant garage door type. These are typically two large doors that meet in the center and open manually around side hinges. Automatic openers are available but rare for this style.
Hinged Garage Door Pros
- Great for smaller garages
- Simple functioning and repair
- Multiple styles, colors, and materials available
Hinged Garage Door Cons
- Open into driveway
- Automatic openers are expensive
- Must be manually opened otherwise
Side Sliding Garage Doors
One of the less common types of garage doors, the side sliding garage door is essentially the same as the sectional garage door, except that, as the name implies, the door slides into the side of the garage rather than up top. Instead of horizontal panels, the side sliding door has vertical panels connected with hinges that move around the curved track. Like the sectional garage door, these can be customized with windows and different colors. One advantage over the sectional garage door is the ability to open a single panel if a person rather than a vehicle needs to access the garage.
Side Sliding Garage Door Pros
- Can use the ceiling for hanging storage
- No dangerous springs
- Secure
Side Sliding Garage Door Cons
- Lose wall storage space
- Multiple moving parts like the sectional door
- Complex installation and repair
We Install & Repair All Types of Garage Doors
With so many garage door options to choose from it can become stressful trying to make the right choice. Considering your budget, your space, and your style helps make the decision a bit clearer.
One thing that makes the decision easier is knowing that when you need installation or garage door maintenance, Balanced Garage Doors is here. With an expert team and responsive service, we can get the perfect garage door for you installed in no time. Contact our team today for a free quote to get you started.
