A Guide To Picking The Right Garage Door

Your garage is an important part of your home. Not only is it the perfect home for your car, it is a great space to store personal items, or to be used as an additional room in your home such as a gym or working space. With this in mind, you will want to guarantee that your garage is secure and protected from all weathers and more.

At Hӧrmann we are Europe’s leading provider of domestic garage doors, which is why we’re the perfect people to help you choose the right garage door for your needs. In this latest edition of our blog, we have written a guide that will make this process as simple as possible for you.

Factors to bear in mind

Before we delve into the different types of garage doors available, it is important to consider some of the vital factors you should bear in mind before buying a garage door. Your decision will be influenced based on these factors and your requirements. Some of the key factors we recommend considering first are:

• Materials - there are a wide range of materials that can be used to manufacture a garage door. You may have a preference for which you would like to use, some of the most commonly used materials include steel, timber and aluminium.
• Budget - your budget is very important when it comes to choosing your garage door. At Hӧrmann we have a wide range of garage doors available via our registered dealers at great prices.
• Style - whenever you are making a new addition to your home, style is an incredibly personal choice. When purchasing a garage door you will want to make sure this fits seamlessly with the exterior and interior of your home. This is why there are so many styles of garage door available. From panelled doors, ribbed garage doors, to glazed and solid timber doors.
• Security - finally, security is a vital factor you must factor into your buying decision, particularly when housing valuable items inside your garage. Finding a secure garage door is equal, if not more important, than the style. Hörmann UK LPU 42 and LPU 67 automated sectional garage doors are now supplied with Secured by Design as standard, making Hörmann the only manufacturer of sectional doors to be awarded this accreditation.

Different types of garage doors

With these factors to bear in mind, your next step is to choose the type of garage door that suits your requirements best. At Hӧrmann we offer a great selection of garage doors from sectional garage doors to the classic up-&-over garage doors. Here we have highlighted the difference between each of our designs.

1. Sectional garage doors

Sectional garage doors are the popular choice for many domestic customers, as they offer the best insulation available for doors on the domestic market. They are designed to open vertically upwards and are suspended under the ceiling. This way of opening means it does not use up the space inside the garage, helping to maximise the internal space of the garage and the driveway.

Sectional garage doors are some of the most practical since they can be fitted in almost every garage door opening. Hӧrmann sectional garage doors offer flexible and weather-resistant seals on all four sides.

2. Up-and-over garage doors

The up-and-garage door is possibly the most recognisable type of garage door the world over. This is the original garage design that, at Hӧrmann, we have been perfecting for over 50 years.

An up and over garage door operates as one solid, single panel. This is lifted upwards and out and then lays flat above the opening of the garage. By choosing an up and over garage door, you will have the choice of a wide range of styles and materials. These are available as either a canopy or retractable option.

3. Roller garage doors

Roller garage doors are universally applicable, making this the most suitable type of garage door for smaller garage spaces and different shaped garage openings. Roller garage doors work by opening vertically, providing maximum space inside the garage as well as directly in front. The design of a roller door also means the garage ceiling is free to provide additional storage space, which is so often required by large families. The counterbalance system which is integrated into the side helps guide the operator during the opening and closing of the door and prevents damage to the operator mechanism. The multiple spring assemblies and the double lifting cables prevent the door leaf from crashing in every position. In case of emergency, the door can be easily opened by hand. A crank handle is not necessary for this purpose for roller garage doors.

4. Side sliding sectional doors

Our very own side sliding sectional doors have been designed as the ideal solution for those who require special fitting solutions. This door has been designed to open to the side instead of moving upwards. This is useful for those who have limited space and wish to keep the ceiling free for storage of large, bulky items. This is also perfect for those who’s garage roof is of another shape that is not flat, like a slanted or sloped roof.

5. Side hinged garage doors

For home owners with older buildings and dated garage buildings, a side hinged garage door is ideal for renovations to modernise the existing garage entrance. Typically older garages are smaller and therefore require an alternative design to modern up and over or sectional doors. A traditional side hinged door will allow the interior of the garage to be accessed via a door that opens outwards while leaving plenty of space for storage inside the garage.

6. Garage side doors

A garage side door is made to accompany your main garage door. These fit perfectly to the side of your garage and offer an additional access point. At Hӧrmann, we can provide a side door that matches perfectly with your chosen type and design of garage door.

Choose a Hӧrmann

When choosing the right garage door for you and your family, you can trust Hormann for quality, durability and maximum safety. All our products and their components, including our best selling sectional garage doors, are designed and manufactured by us in accordance with the highest safety European standards.

Our modern door designs can provide exceptional thermal insulation and are ideal for families looking to keep the heat in during winter and reduce energy consumption and bills. Plus, our endurance tests have proven the longevity of our doors demonstrating their ability to stand the test of time.

With a wide selection of styles, materials, colours and more, the choice is yours. With the Hörmann Configurator you can even design your own garage door, selecting everything from surface finish, colour, and size with just a few simple clicks! For more information about our garage doors and the benefits they offer, why not request a brochure.