There are many different types of garage doors available on the market. In essence they all do the same job, just in slightly different ways. We are happy to guide you through maze of doors to ensure that you chose something that’s just perfect for you and your house.
“South west have been supplying and installing garage doors since 1999 and hold accounts with all of the main manufacturers.”
Hormann are the market leaders and they own Garador although they trade separately. Sws or Seceuroglide are still very strong in thier area. Henderson is now out of business but we can still repair and service your existing door. Cardale has been resurrected and is now going strong, as is Wessex.
Domestic garage doors are split up into four main categories, up and over doors, roller doors, sectional doors and sliding doors.
Up and over doors are mainly now used for single doors (up to 9′ wide). They come in many styles and colours to suit each budget. The materials used are steel, grp (fibreglass) or timber.
Pros
- Attractive styles
- Relatively low cost for standard sizes
- Choice of colours
- Window options in some styles
- Manaul and automated options
Cons
- Purpose made doors can be expensive
- Outswing can prevent cars parking in front of the door
- Not draught proof or insulated
Roller doors are space saving and great for garages where additional storage space is required and because the doors are vertically tracked you can park right up to the door and still use it.
Pros
- Space saving
- Great for exposed locations, doesn’t get caught int he wind
- Insulated options
- Manual and electric options
- Large choice of colours
Cons
- Design, only a horizontal style available
Sectional doors are a hybrid of the up and over and roller doors. The doors are made of 4 sections and lift straight up like a roller door, because the panels are large there are many design options.
Pros
- Massive size and style range
- Standard and bespoke colours available
- Manual and electric options
- Fully insulated and draught proof options
- Parking right outside the door
- Matching side doors
- Very large sizes are possible
- Standard and purpose made
Cons
- Tracks back in the garage
- Some longer lead in times as non standard doors come from Germany
Sliding doors. These are available in a range of materials and styles. There are a couple of manufacturers that we use, vertico and rundum mier.
Pros
- Good for conservation areas, vertical boarding
- Timber and aluminium options
- Manual and automated options
- Good where there is limited head room
- Possible curved options
Cons
- Cost, normally quite high
- You will potentially loose a storage wall in the garage
- Timber doors will require maintenance
