Garage Doors - Give your properly some elegance
Door Gear Types and Operation OptionsA garage door is normally the biggest single moving object in your house. It is vital when specifying a new garage door that you are assured of the safety of the product you are installing, and that the mechanism chosen can operate well and safely in your home.
 Canopy |
 Retracting |
 Roller |
 Sectional |
 Side Hung |
Canopy Doors
The door swings outwards as it opens (but not so much as a retractable door) it then slides and tilts 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 the easiest to install as the entire door mounts to the frame and no tracks are required inside the garage. The down side is that automating a canopy door is not recommended.
Canopy doors are generally 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.
Retractable Doors
A large proportion of 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 fairly easy to install 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 generally 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.
Roller Doors
Roller doors are a single curtain that 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 205mm and 425mm 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 a seal 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.
Sectional Doors
Sectional doors are by far the best (made up of several separate horizontally hinged panels) and 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 a seal all around the door, doors with or without insulation are available. Sectional doors are generally manufactured in steel although some specialist timber and GRP versions are available.
Easy to automate as any motor is suitable - a soft start/soft stop opener gives a real touch of class.
Side Hinge Doors
A very traditional looking style of door that is manufactured in timber, GRP, ABS 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.
Manufacturing Material Options
An economical solution, Steel garage doors are galvanised for protection against the elements and come in a range of finishes.
Are supplied in primer for you to finish in your choice of colour. A £40/50 saving can be made when purchasing a primed door but remember that you will have to purchase paint and will probably have to re-coat every few years. Only worth considering if you are on a tight budget or want your garage door in a special colour shade.
A maintenance-free vinyl (Plastisol HP200) protective coating for the outside of the door (usually primer finish on the inside of the door). Available in a range of colours and smooth/textured finished depending on the manufacturer. Plastisol coatings generally have a 10-year guarantee.
A polyester powder coating of dry paint particles is applied and then baked in an oven. This causes the powder to melt and harden into a tough, colorful smooth finish. This covers both the outside and inside faces of the door. Available in a range of colours. These doors can be re-painted should the need arise in future.
The traditional beauty of natural wood gives a real touch of class to your garage door. 'Up and over' type doors are usually mounted on a steel chassis for strength, whereas side hinge doors are normally solid timber throughout. Woods used by the manufacturers are solid Cedar and Marine Ply which are usually environmentally sourced. You will of course need to maintain your timber door through the years as per manufacturers instructions.
Available pre-stained at the factory or unstained to allow you to match other timber on your property.
Glass Reinforced Polyester (GRP) may be the ideal answer if you would like a timber door but can't be bothered with the maintenance and care that timber needs. Strong and durable these maintenance-free doors are available in smooth or timber effect in a variety of shades.
State-of-the-art impact resistant doors are built using modern, lightweight, yet highly durable materials. Characterised by deep crisp panel detailing and medium gloss, maintenance-free, UV stable, white finish they are an ideal match if you have UPVC windows and doors. ABS doors generally carry a long manufacturer's guarantee.
Electric Automation
Our prefered tried and tested operator, With a 5 year manufactuer's Guarantee.
- German Built
- Super quiet
- 24v Belt drive
- Soft Start, Soft Stop
- Two Rolling Dual Code Remote Controls
- Courtesy Light
- Emergancy Manual Overide
- Automatic Obstruction Reverse
- 5 Year Manufactuer's Guarantee
Other features and options include
- Adjustable light timing
- Ability to control other lighting upto 500w
- Adjsutable soft start /stop distance
- Remote pin code entry pad
- Stand alone module to operate another door or gates
- Upto four channel remote controls
- Infrared light sensors
