Should you choose a sectional, roller or tilt door for your garage?

Sectional Garage Doors

Sectional garage doors are a type of overhead door commonly used in residential and commercial garages and spaces. They’re made up of several horizontal panels, or sections, that are hinged together and slide up and overhead along tracks when the door is opened.

Sectional garage doors can be made from a variety of materials, including steel, aluminium and wood. They’re highly customisable, with a wide range of colours, finishes, and window styles to choose from. This allows you to create a garage door that fits your specific style and preferences.

One of the main benefits of sectional garage doors is their space-saving design. Because the door panels slide up and overhead, they don’t take up any floor space in the garage or driveway. They can be insulated or non-insulated, depending on the desired level of energy efficiency and soundproofing.

Pros of Sectional Garage Doors

Sectional garage doors are the most common type of garage door installed today and are ideal in the following situations:

• • • The look of the garage door is critical in your choice
    • You require options in terms of the material from which your garage door is made
    • You would like to add windows or other decorative features to your door
    • There is enough clearance along with the ceiling in your garage so the door can open freely
    • There is enough clearance at the head of the garage opening so the garage door can be installed and is not impeded by obstacles when it is operated
    • You have a reasonable budget

Cons of Sectional Garage Doors

Conversely, sectional garage doors are not ideal in the following situations:

• • • You have limited headroom above your garage door opening
    • There’s low ceiling space or other obstacles near the door opening
    • You’re on a tight budget and looking for a more affordable garage door option
    • You prefer a garage door that operates more quietly
    • You have concerns about potential damage to the panels of a sectional door

Roller Garage Doors

Roller garage doors are a type of overhead garage door that’s designed to open and close by rolling vertically. These doors are typically made of horizontal slats or panels that are hinged together and are mounted onto a metal track that allows them to roll up and down smoothly.

Roller doors are a popular choice for both residential and commercial garages as they’re durable, easy to use, and can be customised to fit a wide range of garage sizes and styles. They’re also an excellent option for those who want to save space, as the vertical opening allows for maximum use of the ceiling space. They can be operated with a motor or manually by lifting the door up and down. This can make them a cost-effective option for people who are on a tight budget or prefer a more low-tech approach to garage door operation.

In addition to their space-saving design, roller garage doors are highly durable and low maintenance. They’re typically made of high-quality materials, such as steel or aluminium. This means that they can withstand harsh weather conditions, like forceful wind and hurricane-like conditions, and resist damage from impact.

Pros of Roller Garage Doors

Garage roller doors are common in certain types of situations including:

• • • Ideal for garages or sheds
    • You are not overly concerned with a range of style and design options
    • You do not require windows or decorative features added to your garage door
    • You are happy with a steel garage door
    • Your roller garage door will be installed in a geographical area subject to extremely high winds (e.g. in Darwin or North Queensland)
    • You wish to maximise storage space in your garage or shed
    • There is enough clearance at the head of the garage opening so the garage door can be installed and is not impeded by obstacles when it is operated
    • There is not enough clearance along with the ceiling in your garage for a sectional garage door to open freely
    • Your budget is low

Cons of Roller Garage Doors

Conversely, roller garage doors are not ideal in the following situations:

• • • You have limited side room near the garage door opening and there’s insufficient space for the horizontal tracks
    • There’s limited headroom above the garage opening and you can’t accommodate the rolled-up roller door
    • You have low ceiling space or other obstacles near the garage door opening, such as lighting fixtures or ductwork, that could interfere with installation and operation
    • You have a specific design preference that isn’t available with roller garage doors, such as custom wood

Tilt Garage Doors

Tilt garage doors are a type of garage door that’s typically made up of a single panel that’s hinged at the top of the door frame. When the door is opened, it tilts outwards and upwards along a pivot point until it’s in a horizontal position parallel to the garage ceiling.

Tilt garage doors are generally made of a range of materials, including wood, aluminium, or steel, and come in a variety of colours and styles. They can be customised to suit the specific design preferences of homeowners and are known for their durability and strength.

One of the benefits of tilt garage doors is their simplicity and ease of use and they can be operated with a motor or manually by lifting the door up and down. 

Pros of Tilt Garage Doors

Tilt doors are the least common type of garage door installed today however they are ideal in specific situations including:

• • • Garages that have extremely limited head height at the opening (for example less than 200mm).  This is common in certain older house styles such as the famous Queenslander
    • You require options in terms of the material from which your garage door is made
    • You would like to add windows or other decorative features to your door
    • You prefer not to use a motorised opener

Cons of Tilt Garage Doors

Conversely, tilt garage doors are not ideal in the following situations:

• • • Tilt doors commence opening by swinging outward at the bottom so cars parked on the driveway must be done so back a suitable distance from a tilt door.  If you cannot do so safely, then a tilt door may not suit your situation.
    • The driveway has uneven terrain or is sloped, which can make it challenging to open and operate.
    • You have low ceilings in your garage and don’t have the vertical space to store the open door.
    • You want a more modern style, which the traditional appearance of a tilt garage door may not suit.
    • Can be expensive