Garage door policies

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Enhancing your property and adding to its kerb appeal is all about making the right choice for your home’s exterior – the windows, entrance doors, landscaping and, of course, your garage door. Here, David O’Mara of Hörmann UK offers his advice

Often overlooked, the garage can be one of the most prominent features of your home’s facade and choosing the right garage door to complement your property’s exterior is important.  

However, while aesthetics are high on the list of priorities, there are several other considerations to be taken into account, and with such a large selection of door types available and a wide range of price options, it can be confusing. Here is my advice on choosing the right door for your home.

DOOR TYPE

The up-and-over steel garage door is still the most popular in the UK. A practical and cost-effective solution, they are available with two types of mechanism; retractable or canopy. The retractable version opens fully into the garage, while a canopy door will protrude in front of the garage when open.  

A roller garage door opens vertically, literally ‘rolling up’ into the aperture above the door opening, offering maximum space inside and in front of your garage. They are ideal for short or multi-car driveways as you can park a car very close to the door, while the lack of a track mechanism within the garage means that your ceiling is free for lighting and storage. A smooth operating door, which is easy to use and is particularly suited to automation.

Sectional garage doors also open vertically and are suspended under the ceiling, again maximising space within and in front of your garage. Made up of individual panels, sectional doors can be customised to fit irregular sizes and shaped openings. As they provide enhanced security and thermal efficiency, they are becoming increasingly popular as more people use their garages for additional leisure space and storage.

Side-sliding doors offer the option of a door that opens to the side on a track and leaves the ceiling space of your garage completely free. However, they do take up more room to the side and can reduce the overall floor space in the garage.

For a more traditional look, side hinged doors – sometimes referred to as carriage doors – are a good choice. Opening outwards, they are usually supplied in wood and can be easily customised for a visually appealing garage door.

SECURITY 

All modern garage doors should be supplied with the latest in high security mechanisms and quality locking systems to help deter intruders. Sectional doors which are automated can also be supplied with an anti-lift feature which gives additional protection against forced entry. It is also worth researching and selecting a door which has Secured by Design certification for added peace of mind.

THERMAL EFFICIENCY

Conserving energy and saving money is important to us all and it is a significant aspect to consider when selecting a garage door. A well-insulated garage door is ideal if you have an integrated garage, or if you use your garage as additional recreational or storage space. It will help to maintain the temperature balance between your home and garage and keep any items stored within the garage in good condition.

With their modern, double-skinned panel construction and superior sealing, sectional doors tend to be the best choice when looking for a thermally efficient door. When fitted with an additional thermal break, sectional
doors can achieve U-values as low as 1.0 W/M²K.

AUTOMATED DOORS  

The primary benefit of an automated garage door is the ease of operation, typically from the comfort and security of your vehicle, especially beneficial in bad weather and when returning home late at night. Providing quick access into the garage using a secure, easy to use hand transmitter or via a mobile phone, most of the popular garage door types can be automated.  

The latest hand transmitters use secure encryption protocols which provide a stable interference range that ensures no one can hack into the operating system and open the garage door. Bluetooth technology available on some controllers also enables the user to open and close the door from a mobile phone or tablet, which is in addition to the conventional operation by way of remote control using handheld transmitters.  

With the increasing popularity of Smart home devices, some garage door manufacturers are introducing their own Smart hubs which operate via an app and enable you to control your garage door from a central platform together with your heating, security, and other smart appliances. 

STYLES AND FINISHES

With such a vast range of styles, finishes and colours on offer there is a garage door to suit your property no matter what age. 

Ranging from the more traditional raised panel doors to contemporary designs, enhancements such as glazing, design elements and inlays ensure ample opportunity to create your own unique door style.  

Surface finishes and colours add a further chance to produce a personalised, eye-catching door. Some of the latest trends include finishes that replicate the contours of slate; textured, modern finishes such as concrete or rusty steel, through to contemporary metallic colours such as Anthracite Grey. 

With so many options available, some of the leading garage door manufacturers are able to provide online door configurators enabling you to design your ideal garage. Using such technology, by uploading an image of your facade you can view it in place, helping you make the right choice.   

David O’Mara is marketing manager at Hörmann UK