Garage doors are available in a variety of materials, styles, and price points. When choosing a garage door, consider your climate, maintenance preferences, and energy efficiency needs.
Insulated garage doors help stabilize the temperature of rooms above or adjacent to the garage, reducing heating and cooling costs. They also reduce outside noise and vibrations. Contact JCTZ Garage Doors now!
An overhead garage door encloses and protects the entrance to your home or business. The door can open and close using a motorized operating system mounted on the ceiling. Overhead doors are available in insulated and non-insulated varieties, as well as wood, aluminum, and steel products. Some also offer fabric enclosures that add privacy and weather resistance while letting in light and ventilation or screens that admit fresh air while preventing the entrance of insects and ultraviolet (UV) rays.
An insulated overhead door is constructed with polystyrene or polyurethane foam. Both materials are effective at insulating, but polyurethane foam provides a higher R-value per inch of thickness than polystyrene. Many models are also framed with aluminum, making them lightweight and long-lasting. Some are also available with a choice of decorative hardware, including strap hinges, latches and handles, ring pulls and clavos.
A residential overhead door can be a simple roller model that lifts straight up and stores parallel to the ceiling, or it can be a tilt-up up-and-over style. A commercial overhead door is typically a sectional or tilt-up model designed for car dealerships, showrooms and warehouses.
In addition to standard and low headroom overhead doors, commercial and industrial overhead doors are available with pinch-resistant, tamper-resistant and fireproof features. Some can also be specified to withstand high-cycle use. These features can be useful for high-traffic pedestrian areas where safety is a priority. In the spirit of this heightened need for security, Overhead Door Brand is proud to provide rugged service doors and rolling steel grilles to military veterans, who are returning home with disabilities or injuries, as part of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation mortgage-free smart home program.
Sectional Doors
Sectional doors are a popular option for homeowners. They’re highly customizable and can be upgraded with windows, insulation, or additional hardware. They also offer excellent security, as the hinged panels are extremely difficult to break into or jimmy open. However, the tracks that guide the door can be a weak point for burglars, so homeowners should regularly inspect them for signs of wear and tear. If the tracks aren’t in good condition, a strong padlock can help deter forced entry.
They’re also more energy-efficient than single-panel garage doors. This is because insulated versions can keep heat inside the garage for longer, reducing the amount of energy that’s wasted heating up the room. However, insulated sectional doors can be costly to install initially, but they tend to pay for themselves over time through reduced energy bills.
Since they don’t swing outwards or sideways, sectional garage doors can be more easily installed in places with limited headroom. This is particularly important if you have an oddly shaped or small garage or a space with obstructed windows and fixtures. Additionally, they’re easy to maintain, as all you need to do is lubricate them once a year to keep them working smoothly.
Side-Hinged Doors
Side-hinged doors are a great option for those who desire a more traditional look to their garage door. Hanging in two parts on each side of the sub frame, these doors open left and right and come in a range of styles, colours and finishes. Many are also insulated and can be automated to work with remote control, making it easy to access your car or the items in the garage without even having to leave your vehicle!
They offer superb privacy as they can be opened partially, meaning you don’t have to go out in the rain to fetch things like lawnmowers. They are perfect if you have limited headroom space, as they require far less clearance than an up and over or sectional design.
These doors are incredibly versatile, as there is a huge choice of front surface finishes and glazing options to choose from. They are available in a wide variety of sizes, from a half – half split to a one third – two thirds ratio across the opening panels. They are available in a range of materials, from traditional hardwood timber to robust insulating double skin steel.
Stylish coloured and stainless steel elements can be used to customise these doors, creating a truly designer look. Glass and polymer inserts can be added, which are great for natural light and provide a contemporary finish. They’re lightweight, low-maintenance and highly resistant to corrosion.
These doors are extremely energy efficient, as they can be opened fully or partially to let in sunlight and fresh air. Unlike up and over or sectional designs, they are not as good at keeping the heat in though.
Tilt-Up Canopy Doors
Tilt-up canopy doors consist of a single panel that swings open or lifts up, creating a ‘canopy’ over the garage door opening. These doors are affordable, easy to install and simple to maintain. They also work well in tight spaces because they don’t eat into the space above the garage opening like traditional overhead doors do. This allows for better headroom optimization, so you can park larger vehicles and store taller items without bumping into your garage door mechanism.
While they offer an attractive, clean design and have minimal upkeep requirements, tilt-up doors do come with some drawbacks. They are limited to manual operation, which can be challenging for people with physical limitations or injuries. In addition, they require regular lubrication to minimize friction and prolong their lifespan.
Aside from the aforementioned issues, they can be less durable than side-hinged and sectional doors. They also provide only moderate insulation, which can be a problem for harsh climates.
When you’re shopping for a new garage door, it’s important to weigh the initial costs and long-term value against your own unique needs. It’s also critical to understand the different types available, including their durability, longevity and energy efficiency. By weighing these factors against your budget, you can choose the best option for your property. With the right advice from an experienced professional, you can enjoy your garage door for years to come.
Glass and Aluminum Doors
A glass garage door is an excellent addition to any home that wants to add a sleek modern look. These doors feature aluminum frames that hold frosted or tinted glass panels in place, giving them a very different look from traditional doors. They are perfect for modern homes, but they can work with many other architectural styles too. Some models of these doors also have matte finishes that soften the look of the panels and create a more subtle appearance.
While these doors add style and elegance to your home, they also allow natural light into your garage or workspace. Natural light is important for working in the garage, and it helps reduce energy costs. The customizable glass options for these doors let you choose how much natural light you want in your space.
Another benefit of these doors is that they are durable. The aluminum frame locks the glass panels in place, making them unlikely to break under pressure or stress. They are also weather resistant, meaning they won’t rust or fade over time. However, the glass is more vulnerable to dents from bouncing balls or other impacts than other commercial door materials.
Some people hear “aluminum” and assume the only option available is a standard aluminum look. However, powder coating is available on most of these frames, allowing you to match or coordinate colors while creating a durable finish. Other unique customizations are possible as well. For example, you can choose how opaque your panels are, determining how much natural light you want in your garage. Panels can also be placed horizontally or vertically, further transforming your garage door into an interesting piece of design art.