Last Updated on February, 2025
If you are in the process of building a new garage or updating an existing one, selecting the right garage door is essential.
The functionality and appearance of your garage door significantly affect how you use and enjoy the space. That’s why investing in a sectional garage door is a great choice!
Sectional garage doors are among the most favoured options due to their robust construction and reliability. Comprising several panels linked by hinges, these doors are not only sturdy but also versatile.
Moreover, sectional garage doors come in a variety of designs and styles and can be painted in any colour to match your home’s architectural style. This makes them a top choice for many homeowners.
In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about sectional garage doors, from their benefits and drawbacks to how they work and maintenance.
We’ll also discuss single-panel garage doors, their benefits and drawbacks, and how they differ from sectional garage doors.
Let’s get to it.
Quick Summary
- Sectional garage doors are popular for their durability, space-saving design, and versatility. They consist of multiple panels linked by hinges, allowing the door to open vertically and lie flat against the ceiling, making them suitable for tight spaces.
- Sectional garage doors provide insulation and can be customized. They can be fitted with insulation to regulate temperature and reduce noise, and they come in various designs, styles, and colors to match different home architectures.
- Sectional garage doors are more expensive and require regular maintenance. Although they offer security and long-term reliability, they come at a higher cost and need frequent upkeep due to their many moving parts.
What are Sectional Garage Doors?
Sectional garage doors are made up of several horizontal panels linked by a strong hinge system, which allows the door to flex as it opens and closes.
These doors move along tracks on either side of the garage. The tracks guide the door to lie flat against the ceiling when fully open. The hinged design enables the door to navigate the curved sections of the tracks smoothly.
Sectional garage doors use torsion springs and cables to allow them to open and close. These components significantly reduce the effort needed to lift the heavy door, whether manually or with an automatic opener.
Many homeowners choose to install sectional garage doors for their garage, which is a more popular choice than single-panel doors (more on them in a sec).
You can identify a sectional garage door by the small gaps between its panels. As the door moves along the tracks, these panels visibly separate at the hinges when passing through the curved sections.
How Does a Sectional Garage Door Work?
Sectional garage doors typically consist of 4 to 8 horizontal panels connected by hinges. These panels move vertically upward along guide rails positioned just below the ceiling.
Each panel is about 50 mm thick and hinged and attached to the garage door frame’s interior overhead tracks. The hinges allow the door to bend as it moves upwards.
Cable drums are located at both ends of the tracks, facilitating the door’s movement. When opening, the cable winds around the drum, lifting the door. Conversely, the cable unwinds to lower the door when closing.
Torsion springs mounted on a barrel help support the door’s weight, preventing it from falling during operation.
Benefits of Sectional Garage Doors
Here are some benefits of installing a sectional garage door.
Sectional Garage Doors Help Save Space
If space is tight, a sectional garage door is an ideal choice. Unlike a single-panel door, it doesn’t swing outward. Instead, it opens by moving vertically and then horizontally along a guide track in the garage’s overhead space.
Sectional Garage Doors Provide Insulation Against Heat
The garage is often the largest room in your home, so it’s crucial to keep it insulated against the elements.
An insulated garage door can help sustain a stable temperature in both the garage and the house while also reducing noise for a quieter environment.
Double garage doors typically have insulating foam between the panels, creating a solid barrier that traps heat.
Additionally, sectional doors come with rubber seals along the sides, protecting your garage from rain, dust, and dirt.
There are different types of sectional garage doors. For example, single sectional doors usually don’t include insulating foam. If you want insulation, be sure to specify this when purchasing your sectional garage door.
Even without foam insulation, single-sectional doors provide some level of insulation since they are made from heat-resistant materials like iron or steel.
If you frequently deal with high temperatures, a single-sectional garage door could be a suitable option.
Sectional Garage Doors Can Be Customised Easily
Your home is an expression of your personality, and your garage door plays an important role in enhancing its appearance. Your garage door must match the style of your home.
As mentioned earlier, sectional doors offer a wide range of designs, styles, finishes, and colours, allowing you to find the perfect match for any architectural style.
One of the key benefits of sectional doors is their ability to fit seamlessly into any garage opening. This makes them an excellent option if you’re looking to replace your existing garage door.
However, it’s advisable to hire a professional garage door company to ensure proper installation.
Sectional Garage Doors are Highly Durable and Reliable
When you choose a garage door for your home, durability is a key consideration if you want your door to last in the long run.
Sectional garage doors, particularly those constructed from materials like aluminium and steel, are extremely durable. With proper maintenance, they can last up to 30 years.
Sectional Garage Doors are the Best for Security
Given that your garage door is a primary entry point to your home, investing in a high-security system is crucial for protecting your family and home.
The panels of a sectional door are tightly hinged, making it impossible to get a finger in between them. The top panel is secured with a mechanical lock, making it difficult to force open.
For those living in areas prone to break-ins, a sectional door offers peace of mind with its security. Additionally, if an object gets underneath the sectional door, it will retract without causing damage.
Relevant guides:
Drawbacks of Sectional Garage Doors
Now that we’ve looked at the advantages of sectional doors, it’s time we looked into some of their drawbacks as well.
Sectional Garage Doors Can Attract Dust
While the bottom seal of a sectional garage door offers protection against the elements, dust particles can still enter the garage. If you are frequently away, maintaining a clean garage can be difficult.
Sectional Garage Doors are High Cost
The cost of a sectional garage door can be quite high, ranging from £900 to £2,500. It’s important to ensure you have the means to accommodate this cost.
Moreover, sectional doors use more parts than typical garage doors, making them more costly to repair if something goes wrong.
However, a sectional garage door enhances curb appeal and provides a strong return on investment. Many real estate agents favour homes equipped with sectional doors.
Sectional Garage Doors Require Regular Maintenance
A sectional garage door has many moving parts that need regular maintenance to function properly. These components include torsion springs, hinges, rollers, tracks, bolts, and others.
Lubricating these parts regularly and performing routine inspections and preventive maintenance is crucial to ensuring your sectional garage door remains in good condition for years.
Sectional Garage Doors are Complicated to Install
A sectional door is not ideal for a DIY enthusiast as its installation and repair process is complex and best handled by professionals. (Contact GRL for professional repair service.)
If you decide on a sectional door for your garage, it’s advisable to hire a professional to ensure proper installation and functionality.
How to Maintain a Sectional Garage Door?
A sectional door made from high-quality material doesn’t require too much maintenance. However, like any mechanical device, regular cleaning can help maintain optimal performance and extend its lifespan.
It’s also advisable to have a professional service your garage door annually. In the meantime, here are some tips to help you maintain your door.
- Inspect The Door’s Movement: A sectional garage door slides open and shut, so it’s important to check its movement speed to ensure it is functioning well. You can manually operate the door to see if it opens and closes smoothly with minimal effort. If you notice any issues, such as resistance in one of the tracks, contact your garage door provider right away.
- Lubricate The Components: Lubricating the parts of your garage door is straightforward and can be done without professional help. Instead of using grease or oils that attract dirt, use a silicone spray. This should be done every three months or at least twice a year. Clean the guide racks with a damp cloth and methylated spirit to remove any dirt.
- Regularly Clean The Door Seals: The bottom seals of most sectional garage doors are made of rubber. Periodically check them to ensure they are free of debris. Wipe the seals and their contact areas with a damp cloth to keep them clean.
What is a Single-Panel Garage Door?
As the name suggests, a single-panel garage door consists of one large piece of metal or wood, unlike the multiple hinged sections found in other types.
Often called “tilt-up garage doors”, these doors open by tilting upward. They were popular in older, mid-century homes and are now gaining popularity due to their retro charm. Single-panel garage doors are also favoured in the renovation of older houses.
These garage doors are lighter, enabling them to use simpler opening and closing mechanisms. They typically have a strong hinge system that supports the door at the top of the frame.
When opened, single-panel garage doors move in an upward, angled motion, sliding toward the ceiling space above your vehicle.
Pros and Cons of Single-Panel Garage Doors
Here are some advantages of installing a single-panel garage door in your home:
- Variety: Single-panel garage doors are made from a single type of material, but you can choose from a wide range of styles and materials, allowing you to find the perfect match for your home’s design.
- Affordability: Single-panel garage doors are often the most budget-friendly option. If you’re looking for a cost-effective garage door that will save you money, consider a single-panel door for its lower upfront cost.
- Simplicity: These garage doors boast a straightforward design and operation, making them easier to install and maintain since they comprise fewer parts. You’ll spend less time dealing with upkeep and more time enjoying the benefits of your new garage door.
Here are some important considerations about single-panel garage doors to think about before making your decision:
- Safety Concerns: A single-panel garage door is typically thinner and less strong than sectional garage doors. This makes it more susceptible to damage from impacts, weather elements, and potential intruders.
- Repair Challenges: While a single-panel garage door is straightforward to install and operate, repairing it can be more complicated. If the garage door sustains damage, it often requires replacing the entire door, unlike sectional doors, where you can replace individual damaged sections.
- Space Constraints: A single-panel garage door opens by tilting upward towards the ceiling at an angle. This motion can create space limitations inside the garage, requiring you to park your vehicle further away from the door to accommodate its movement. If you have a smaller garage, this may pose a practical challenge, and you might have to consider alternative garage door options.
Should I Get a Sectional Garage Door or a Single-Panel Garage Door?
That is entirely up to you. While both garage doors offer customisable options, it depends entirely on your means and the size of your garage.
If you have the budget and the space, we recommend going for a sectional garage door for its ease of use, high security, and durability.
FAQs
Conclusion
Now that you know everything about sectional garage doors and even single-panel garage doors, you can make an informed decision about which door best suits your home’s needs.
