Roller Garage Doors Vs Side Hinged Garage Doors

When it comes to selecting a new set of garage doors it can be a bit of a minefield. With so many options to choose from it can be difficult to know where to begin.

After all, you probably want something that can keep your home secure, is easy to operate and still fits in with the look and style of your property.

Bearing all that in mind, the main decision you’re going to need to make is whether to opt for a roller garage door or a side-hinged garage door. Both types combine practicality with great aesthetics, but you should still weigh up all of the different factors before making a decision.             

In this article, we’ll give you the lowdown on both varieties, outlining the benefits both can offer your domestic, commercial or industrial property.      

Why you should consider roller garage doors

There are a number of reasons why roller garage doors are popular among consumers, with the primary advantage being the amount of space they can help to save. This is particularly pertinent for businesses that see a lot of traffic or unloading coming in and out of the property. 

Roller garage doors operate with a box on the ceiling that the door retracts into when opening, allowing more space in the garage. It also means you don’t need to worry about vehicles, or large objects, blocking the doors as they open since a roller door will rise in a straight, vertical line. 

Usually, these garage doors also operate electronically, meaning they seamlessly open and close at the click of a button. 

As well as this, roller garage doors don’t have many weak points due to being made from incredibly robust materials such as aluminium or steel. This means a property that has them installed is incredibly secure as they’re extremely difficult for thieves to penetrate. 

They also come with far superior insulation over other alternatives, with rubber sealants attached to the bottom and the sides to keep out draughts and cold air.     

Another advantage of roller garage doors is that their colour range can be incredibly versatile, there is a large array of colours that could suit your property. Check out our colour picker tool if you want to find out more about the different colours you can choose from. 

The Pros and Cons of side-hinged garage doors

Side-hinged garage doors are perhaps among the most traditional designs you can get. As you’d expect, they open outwards onto your driveway in a swinging action. 

Many people, particularly in domestic properties, will go for a side-hinged door because of the versatility of design and materials available. These doors can be made from wood, uPVC  or metal and come in a whole host of finishes and designs that can match your home’s unique style.

Another plus is that these types of doors act just like a normal front door, meaning they’re incredibly easy to pop in and out of on foot. However, this accessibility can be compromised if you have a vehicle or other objects on your driveway. 

Unlike roller garage doors, side hinged doors take up a lot more space due to the way they open outwards – which sometimes makes it difficult to move things in and out of the garage. If you do want to park a car in front of these doors, be sure to leave plenty of room so you can walk in and out easily. 

Another disadvantage of this kind of door is that they’re much more difficult to operate electronically. If you do want it to be automatic, then a side hinge converter will be required and while this is possible, it will add extra expense to your installation. 

In summary, there are pros and cons to both kinds of garage doors. However, we’d always recommend having roller garage doors installed. This is because of the great advantages you can get from them, including maximising space, extra security and fantastic aesthetics. Our team can provide high-quality craftsmanship, professional fitting and a minimum two-year warranty on every door we sell. Interested? To find out more, get in touch with our team today.