Want to purchase a top of the line overhead garage door? Investing a hefty amount on a home improvement product can be scary at times. Especially when you have little to no information. But fret not! We are here to let you know why you are making the right choice.
There are three main categories of garage doors in the market right now. This categorization is based mainly on how they open and how they are designed to function. The different options available on the market include:
- Side Hinged Door
- Slide to the Side Garage Door
- Roll Up Garage Doors
- Garage door with Pedestrian Access
- Overhead Garage Door
Let me take this opportunity to explain how the other types of garage doors function briefly.
Side Hinged Doors: This type of garage door is pretty standard, mostly in traditional homes. Side-hinged doors, just as the name suggests, are doors with hinges on the side of the doors. Mostly they are two doors, one door hinged to the left side of the doorway and the other door to the right.
Slide-to-the-Side Garage Door: As you may have guessed, these doors slide to the side of the garage on to the sides of the room. This type of door is gradually becoming obsolete. Not a lot of people are interested in them.
Roll-Up Garage Doors: This type of garage door slides up when opening and rolls up on top of the doorway around a barrel. The door panel built of slats, which makes it possible to bend around the barrel as it moves up. These doors are seen mostly in storage units. They are very standard.
Garage Door with Pedestrian Access: These are specially made doors for homeowners who want a normal human-sized door inside their garage doors. They could be any form of garage door mentioned in this article, with a design that makes it possible to have a normal door which can be opened without opening the entire door. Read more on Garage Door with Pedestrian Access
Overhead Garage Doors
These are some of the better options available on the open market and offers several advantages. We’ll spend more time talking about this, and the different options available for you in the market. For property owners looking to take the next step with their garage door, this is an investment with the ability to deliver real change.
Before spending your hard-earned money on this type of garage door, let’s take a look at what it is, how it works, and why it’s such an excellent option. At the end of this post, you should know which type is best suited. Now let’s get into it.
What is an Overhead Garage Door?
Let’s begin by defining this type of garage door.
In general, this garage door is designed to have a track-based design, which allows everything to interlock together and slide up as one unit. When installed correctly, the garage door can quickly move up or down without sliding out of place or getting stuck, all with the help of a garage door spring. It’s similar to a train moving forward on a railroad track. To install this, the professional will take time to set up door side guides and assemble everything to line up with the overhead design.
The Two Types of Overhead Doors
1. Sectional Garage Doors
Sectional garage doors are the most popular of all overhead garage doors. Its design found on many residential and commercial properties due to its usefulness and overall durability. The panel of this garage door is divided into frames (sections) and then connected with the help of hinges.
Think of the operation of this door as a train on a railroad. When the door opens, it slides up and curves as it heads towards the ceiling until it’s finally parallel with the roof. Since the panel divides into sections, the frames bend along the rails of the door as it moves up.
AutoDoorsAndGates explained nicely how sectional garage doors work. Watch the video below to see how this door functions.
2. Up and Over Garage Doors (Canopy)
Canopy garage doors, popularly known as Up and Over is the second type of Overhead Door. Unlike the sectional doors, the panel of canopy garage doors is made of one big frame, and not divided into sections. That means its operation is a little different from the sectional door.
When a canopy door opens, it tilts a bit diagonally. And with the help of lifting gear, it is lifted upwards while gradually bending horizontally to align perfectly with the ceiling.
Watch the video below to grasp how it works.
Why Choose an Overhead Garage Door?
It’s no news that people love overhead doors. These type of garage doors has a more seasoned look to it and works well due to how seamlessly it moves up or down. Most new-age properties are starting to look towards solutions that are efficient, easy to use, and safe, which is why the overhead version has become popular. It works better and lasts longer than any other alternative on the open market.
Pros
1) Aesthetically Pleasing
The design is aesthetically pleasing and in line with modern trends. Property owners can customize the look and feel for their door, which is never a bad thing.
2) Durable
These garage doors are incredibly durable, which means they can withstand consistent use. They are very robust, so you are getting a product that can last you a lifetime.
3) Maximizes Space
Do you want to maximize space inside the garage? If so, you are going to want to take a look at this option. It saves a considerable amount of space. They slide out of the way and unto the ceiling, giving you enough room in the garage.
Cons
1) Detail-Oriented Installation Process
Just like anything else, there are cons, and one of them has to do with the installation process. Installing this door can be a daunting task. Especially to someone who is not handy with tools, this will be a tough task to accomplish. It’s not an easy DIY project and will require professional assistance to get right.
2) Heavy
If you are considering to buy this type of door, bear in mind that it is heavy. Its heaviness makes it doubly important to install correctly. You don’t want it falling or sliding improperly. If a heavy garage door is something you are not interested in, then it is worth considering other options like the Dock Door Lightweight American Garage Door. It is a very simple and inexpensive overhead garage door and suitable for simple homes
3) Disadvantage if you have ceiling storage rack installed
Maybe you are planning to buy a garage ceiling storage rack, or you have one installed in your garage already. Going for this type of garage door might not be a good idea. Especially if the frame gets in the way of the door when it opens.
Cost of an Overhead Garage Door
The cost will vary depending on the property, materials, and how much time it will take to set up the new garage door.
The average cost is approximately $1,300-$2,200. A detailed estimate can be provided to you by a specialist during the initial consultation. It’s always a good idea to contact a garage door installation expert to run the numbers for you.
Installation
The installation can take time, and it’s critical to have a professional do it for you. An expert makes sure the final design is practical and as safe as it needs to be.
The installation process will begin with a detailed measurement of the opening and the inside of your garage. That is where the tracks will go, so the measures have to be spot-on. Most professionals will do this multiple times to make sure the measurements are accurate. Once the measurements are set up, it’s time to find rubber weather stripping. That will help in setting up the door panel and make sure everything is sliding into place as soon as the garage door is put up.
The specialist will also take time to position the panel into the middle of the doorway as a way to level everything. That allows further adjustments if necessary. The rollers come with metal rods, which slide into the holes and then secured with hinges.
After everything is in place, the garage door is secured into place and tested to ensure it’s in good working condition. That can take a few hours to set up, but it’s well worth the investment.
Repairs
Repairs are common when it comes to any garage door, but with this variation, it’s proven to be long-lasting. The only repairs that are needed can involve the exterior of the door. Depending on weather conditions, its paint might fade or wear off. It may be time to repaint the door after a few years to make sure it looks aesthetically pleasing all the time.
Other than the exterior, there are times when the track may start to give issues and could use a bit of a tweak. We have a detailed guide on how to repair any garage door. And this includes the overhead doors. If you already own an overhead garage door but facing problems, we suggest you read our garage door repair guide.
Conclusion
This type of garage is a beautiful addition to any property and goes a long way in modernizing its appearance. With the refined, elegant touch of contemporary garage door designs, this is an opportunity to take the next step with a property’s aesthetics. The change can be a great way to ensure everything looks as desired and has a personalized touch to it.
