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Garage Doors Types

Garage Doors Types guide by Ottawa Garage Door Repair

Let’s face it – your car is one of the most cherished things you own and naturally, you want to make sure it’s safe and protected. So, apart from anti-theft systems and burglar alarms, good garage doors are what you need to ensure that your car is protected.

But, there are multiple options when it comes to garage doors and choosing a particular type can be difficult. To make your job a little easier, we’ve provided a list of the major types of garage doors along with brief descriptions.

Do take a look.

Folding Garage Doors

These doors are actually a blend of two other types, namely, carriage garage doors and sectional garage doors. The main advantage with folding garage doors is that they fold neatly. However, they fold horizontally, unlike sectional doors and more like carriage doors.

This allows you to park your vehicle in with ease. You also have the option of having the doors open outward or inward. It all depends on your convenience.

Another benefit is that you end up enjoying more space, which is not the case with carriage doors. However, repairs can turn out to be an issue.

Sectional Doors

These are the most common types of garage doors. Every second home in America has them. In fact, most people would think of sectional garage doors the moment they hear the words “garage door”.

The “sectional” name is given to these doors because they are installed as multiple sections. It’s only when each section is installed that you get an entire unit.

There is a certain process to this, which can be complicated.

Carriage Doors

These are quite different from sectional doors. Sectional doors open up towards the roof. Carriage doors, on the other hand, open towards the sides. The unit is made up of two individual doors that function like French doors.

In fact, they are called carriage doors because these doors were first used in carriage houses. They are actually an old design and can be considered as being predecessors to modern garage doors. In fact, carriage houses are predecessors to modern garages.

So, in a way, it all makes sense.

Sliding Garage Doors

As the name indicates, these doors open by sliding sideways. They are often used for stables and barns, but, serve as garage doors too. The installation process is similar to what one would follow with sliding glass doors.

A key benefit with sliding garage doors is that they offer plenty of space inside. This can be very useful if you’re planning to have other items stored in the garage. For example, this could include extra vehicle parts, automotive accessories, and pretty much everything else.

Settling for the Right Option

When choosing the right option, one of the things you need to focus on is the design of your house. Do the doors match the overall aesthetics of your home? That’s an important question you need to ask. Other than that, you need to consider material as well.

You have options such as wood, steel, aluminum, fiberglass, and vinyl.

Each material offers its own set of benefits. For example, steel doors might corrode, while fiberglass doors may offer better water or moisture resistance. On the other hand, steel doors are stronger, while fiberglass doors tend to break more easily.