Garage doors have come a long way from generic-looking side-hinged barn doors.
Now, they come in a whole lot of different materials, designs, and opening mechanisms. This variety makes it easy to select a system that would fit into any architectural design.
It’s important to take material and mechanism into consideration when choosing which type of door to install because it will affect the maintenance and repair procedures later.
Retractable System
With retractable systems, a large portion of the garage door swings outwards and slides into your garage’s ceiling.
The pivot points are located on the top of the door, so a swinging-clearance outside is needed.
Many television comedies have used this style of entry as a prop to make a character suddenly ‘disappear.’
Because the doors swing outward, space must be taken into account. You will not be able to park too close, or you won’t be able to open the doors.
Installing retractable doors is not an easy task. You can hire a trusted garage door repair in Kansas City MO. Side assemblies are required to serve as support for the door as the track to the top.
Canopy
Canopy garage doors are similar to retractable doors.
The main difference is that when it slides upward into the ceiling, a third of the door is left protruding outside, hence the name.
They are easier to install, and no tracks are required inside the garage. However, they aren’t easy to automate.
They’re available in fiberglass, steel, timber, and ABS. However, garages with this type of doors are not insulated well.
Retractable gates are usually available in steel, timber, and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or Fiberglass.
Side-Hinge
These are traditional doors that also open outwards, much like accordion style closet doors. They are your usual double doors.
This means that repair isn’t as tricky as the other door types, as you do not need to deal with tracks, springs, and pulley systems.
The hinges need to be frequently examined, though.
Note: Just like canopy and retractable doors, the insulation properties are not good at all. They are commonly available in wood or timber.
Roller
This style has a curtain-like appearance, which, as the name implies, rolls up into the ceiling. No frame is required, and they are available in units that can provide excellent insulation for the garage.
However, the presence of moving parts requires regular lubrication and cleaning. They are available in steel and aluminum
Sectional
These garage doors are made up of panels (sections).
The door rises and goes backward when it reaches the ceiling.
Like roller doors, no door frame is required, but the moving parts also require maintenance and lubrication.
They also provide excellent security and can be made to be draft-proof.
For sectional doors, though, you may need to take a look at the different connectors among the panels when you are engaging in the repair process.