Popular Garage Door Styles & Types of Garage Doors

Imagine you’ve gone out to buy a house, and the broker takes you to show two houses built side-by-side. One has a garage door that’s old and rusty, while the other has a brand-new garage door that’s sleek and modern. Which one would you be more interested in?

The new one, of course! Hence, when choosing a garage door, it’s essential to pick one that will complement the overall look of your home while also offering complete protection!

Here, we’ve compiled a list of popular garage door styles to help you choose the right one for your home. Or you can hire professional help for further assistance.

Main Different Types of Garage Doors

The types of garage doors you choose depend on the weather conditions of the place where you live, your budget, and more. Here are all the types that you should know about:

  • Wood

Wood is a versatile material that can be intricately crafted into beautiful, aesthetically pleasing garage doors. In simple words, you can customize the style to your liking! But is that it?

Wood garage doors are expensive yet a popular choice. It doesn’t dent easily, can withstand extreme weather conditions, is durable, and doesn’t rust. Wood is a higher-end material and is often used for carriage house-style doors. These open outward rather than lift upwards. 

Because of its class and aesthetic appeal, wood remains a popular choice among high-end buyers. 

Moreover, this garage door offers high insulation that will help you save on energy bills. With that said, it isn’t suitable for areas with higher humidity as wood absorbs moisture and expands, leading to possible cracking and warping.

  • Steel

Steel is amongst the most popular materials used for garage doors in the USA. Steel doors are strong, durable, and require very little maintenance. They can be insulated to help keep your garage warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, making them an excellent choice for climate-controlled homes.

There are a few things to remember when shopping for steel garage doors.

  • Steel doors come in various thicknesses, so be sure to choose a thick door to meet your needs.
  • These doors can be painted, but they will require repainting every few years to keep them looking their best.
  • Also, they are susceptible to denting and rusting, so choose a door made from high-quality steel.

Steel is a great choice if you are looking for a durable, low-maintenance garage door!

  • Glass/Full Vision

Are you in love with the all-glass panoramic garage doors that are all the rage right now? You’re a fan of modern design and the versatility these doors offer you? You’ve seen them on the patios of bars and restaurants, between the living room and the outside pool, and even between the kitchen and the deck of your neighbor’s homes.

So, if you are confused about which material best suits your needs, contact an expert immediately!

Now that you know the different types of garage doors, you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Material Benefits  Cost 
Wood Looks good, is customizable, and more high-end $5,000 – $30,000
Steel Easy to maintain, durable and affordable $2,000 – $5,000
Aluminum Corrosion resistant, light-weight $3,000 – $15,000
Glass  Show Stopper! $3,000 – $15,000

Other Types of Garage Doors

Here are a few other types of garage doors you should know about. 

  • Insulated Doors

Insulated garage doors are designed to keep your garage warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. They can also help reduce noise levels and provide an extra layer of security. If you live in an area with extreme temperatures, installing an insulated garage door is a great way to do it.

There are two types of insulation used:

  • Polystyrene

This type of insulation is made up of tiny beads of styrofoam that are injected into the door panel. It is a more durable option, but it is also more expensive. However, it’s a good option to get good value for money! 

  • Polyutherene

This is foam insulation that is sprayed into the door panel. It is then held in place with an adhesive. Polyurethane is an effective insulator, but it can deteriorate over time and may need to be replaced periodically.

  • Non-insulated Garage Doors

As the name suggests, these garage doors are not insulated; hence, they are not as effective in regulating temperature as the insulated ones. These doors are made up of steel and are very durable. However, they need to be painted regularly to maintain their look.

And, yes, they are inexpensive to install!

Styles of Garage Doors

Once you have decided on the material, you need to choose a suitable style for your garage door. And this is where the fun begins because you have many options to choose from!

Sectional Garage Doors

As the name suggests, sectional garage doors have several sections or panels. These are hinged together and run on tracks mounted to the garage’s ceiling and walls.

When the door is opened, the sections fold up and back into the garage, meaning there is no protrusion in the driveway or garage itself. Moreover, the tracks the sections run on are mounted at an angle, which helps to ensure that the door opens smoothly and evenly. The sections themselves are also counterbalanced with springs, which helps to make opening and closing the door a breeze.

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Controlled by a remote
  • Takes minimum garage space
  • Offer high protection
  • Good value for money 

Cons:

  • Expensive than other door type

Roller Garage Doors

These are made up of several horizontal slats that are hinged together and are ideal for larger vehicles. When you open the door, the rollers slide up and out of the way, and then the door itself rolls up and over the opening.

Pros:

  • Take less space than sectional garage doors
  • Easy to operate
  • Lightweight
  • Can be operated manually or by a remote control
  • Offers high-security

Cons:

  • May require more maintenance than other types of garage doors

If you’re someone who considers themselves a higher class buyer and are looking for consultation, get in touch with a reliable garage door installation company to help you find the right roller garage door.

Side-Hinged Garage Doors

Over the years, the demand for side-hinged garage doors has grown and is now one of the most popular options. 

A side-hinged garage door is a type of door that is attached to the side of the opening with hinges. This allows the door to swing open to the side rather than up or down like most doors.

Moreover, these can open independently or as a pair and operate with or without a remote control.

Pros:

  • Takes less space
  • Easy-to-use
  • Operates quietly 
  • Lots of materials to choose from 
  • Offers higher protection

Cons:

  • Not suitable for sloping driveways 
  • Relatively Heavier

Up-and-Over Garage Doors

Up-and-over garage doors are a great way to add security and convenience to your home. These are further classified into:

  • Canopy Garage Doors: The door is mounted on hinges and springs at the top of the door opening. It opens by swinging outwards and then up and over the garage roof.
  • Retractable Garage Doors: It is attached to the door with horizontal tracks. It opens vertically and then retracts back into the garage space horizontally.

Pro

  • Convenient and easy to use
  • Take up less space
  • Customizable and secure 

Cons:

It may require more maintenance

Slide-to-side Garage Door

The slide-to-side garage door mechanism consists of a heavy-duty steel track mounted on the garage ceiling. The door is connected to a trolley, which runs along the track. When you want to open the door, you pull on the handle, disengaging the trolley from the track. 

The door then slides open smoothly. To close the door, you simply push it back into place and engage the trolley with the track. The door is then locked into place, ensuring a tight seal.

Pros:

  • Durable
  • Can withstand extreme weather conditions
  • Easy to use
  • Offer protection from intrusion

Cons:

  • Can be a little challenging to install

Slide-to-side garage doors are a great option for those looking for an easy-to-use and reliable garage door. While they can be challenging to install, their durability and simplicity make them an excellent choice for many homeowners.

Carriage House Double Garage Doors

Carriage house double garage doors are a type of door that is designed to open and close vertically. These doors work by suspending the door from the top of the opening. The door is then opened and closed by several pulleys and cables. This design allows for a smooth, quiet operation that is both easy to use and reliable.

Pros:

  • Enhanced insulation makes it energy-efficient
  • Stops intrusion and provides high protection

Cons:

  • Difficult to install

Final Word 

Consumers are now always on the lookout for the best material and style. Therefore, they almost always need some assistance and advice. Higher-class buyers tend to prioritize quality over cost. This is why our goal is always to understand our client’s requirements first and then offer the best solutions. 

With the help of professionals, choosing and installing a garage door can become more manageable, offering you full value for your money!