The choice of garage door can determine how we feel about using it on a daily basis, and it is worth familiarising yourself with its features and weighing up the pros and cons before buying and installing it, so as not to be disappointed. Let’s compare two types of garage doors that are often chosen. They differ only slightly, but offer different possibilities.
What is a sectional door?
The sectional door is currently the market leader. It is extremely convenient to use, manufacturers offer a huge selection of door colours and designs, and it is available at a relatively low price. It is only installed inside the building and requires a large garage that can accommodate the open gate. However, it works well in rooms with little manoeuvring space at the entrance because it does not extend beyond the building line.
There are two variants – upper and side, with the upper one being by far the more popular.
The sectional door is a thermal insulation variant, making it a great solution for garages connected to the building, especially when the room is heated. The thermal insulation seals included in the set will significantly improve the retention of heat inside.
The standard gate is opened manually, but they can also be installed with an automatic activation system, which improves the comfort of use. Safety is maintained by installing a photocell, overload protection, or protection in case of cable breakage, which is extremely important in case children also deal with the gate.
Roller shutters
Roller shutters (due to the way they open) are a space-saving system. The door curtain is wound onto a drive shaft, also known as a winding tube. The mechanism can be installed inside or outside the building, which again saves space. For this reason, they are often installed in industrial buildings to maximise space.
The frame in this case is very heavy and the door is equipped with an electric opening as standard, which is very convenient for the user. In the event of a power failure, the door can be secured with a manual crank, which is worth retrofitting – just in case.
Additional equipment includes special locks that prevent unauthorised persons from prying open the door. The above-standard anti-burglary system makes the roller door impassable for a burglar. The door can also be insulated, which ensures reduced heat loss in heated garages.
Comparison of roller shutters and sectional doors
The material used to make roller shutters is resistant to sunlight and abrasion from the outside. Manufacturers also offer a variety of textures for this type of door, and they come in different colours, but brown remains the most popular.
Unfortunately, roller shutter doors are expensive due to the mechanism used in them. The choice of design and colour also leaves a lot to be desired, and in this respect sectional doors are the clear winner.
To choose a convenient, comfortable to use, reliable and matching the building gate, it is necessary to carefully analyse how much space we have in the garage, on the driveway and which opening method we prefer. Large garages allow us to be more whimsical, and the number of designs and colours available for sectional doors makes them the number one choice in such cases. If you have a small garage, it is worth considering a roller door, especially since it may not be possible to install a sectional door.
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