Garage Door Buyers Guide

To help you choose a door to fit your needs

A buying guide to help you decide which garage door is right for you.


 

Choosing a garage door that meets your personal requirements and situation can be a perplexing task. The wide variety of garage doors on the market can leave your head spinning! Add to this the fact that technology has advanced so much in recent years, that garage door models can now offer a wide variety of convenience, security and aesthetic appeal. Here at Chalfont Garage Doors, we have summarised the main choices to help guide you through the various options on offer, giving you some basic knowledge and understanding to decide which garage door is best for you.

Choosing a type of garage door

There are basically 6 type of door to choose from

  • Roller
  • Sectional
  • Up and Over
  • Side Hinged
  • Steel
  • Wood, Timber
ROLLER GARAGE DOORS
  • A signature style of door.
  • Considering electric garage doors? Roller garage doors are easily automated.
  • Roller doors lift vertically upwards and curl above the opening to make for a compact, space-saving option that’s useful for homes with a short or narrow driveway.
  • They can be fitted with or without an overhead box depending on how much headroom you require.
  • Damaged slats can be easily replaced without the expense of replacing the entire door.

Roller Garage Door Examples
Roller Garage Door Examples

 

Take a look at our Roller Garage Doors page for more information

Or if you are looking for inspiration, check out the roller doors in our extensive Garage Doors Portfolio

SECTIONAL GARAGE DOORS
  • Similar to up & over design; the main difference is they lift up in sections and curve up towards the roof. This gives them a space-saving edge in the sectional vs up & over choice, and is a useful trait for homeowners with limited driveway space.
  • Able to fit any dimension of garage door entrance space.
  • The design lacks penetration points for potential break-ins, making it one of the most secure garage door styles on the market.
  • Sectional garage doors are easily automated.

Different styles of sectional garage doors
Different styles of sectional garage doors

Take a look at our Sectional Garage Doors page for more information

Or if you are looking for inspiration, check out the roller doors in our extensive Garage Doors Portfolio

UP AND OVER GARAGE DOORS
  • A traditional style of garage door, the up & over door operates as you would expect; as one piece sliding up and over the entryway before tucking away against the garage ceiling.
  • A long-established, reliable design that is popular throughout the world.
  • Available in an array of finishes, colours and materials to make it easily personalisable.
  • Simple, straightforward and easy-to-operate.

3 Up and over garage door examples
3 Up and over garage door examples

 

Take a look at our Up and Over Garage Doors page for more information

Or if you are looking for inspiration, check out the roller doors in our extensive garage doors Portfolio

SIDE HINGED GARAGE DOORS
  • Opens in the fashion of a set of double doors, which boasts a quaint, traditional vibe.
  • Unique, attractive look that stands out from the crowd & gives good kerb appeal.
  • The side-hinged design is ideal for garages with high foot traffic.
  • We supply double skinned insulated steel side hinged doors from Carteck, Ryterna and Hormann – the construction of these doors allow robust locking systems to be built, producing a strong and sturdy end result.
  • Easily custom-made, and can, therefore, be crafted to fit many entryway dimensions.
  • Smoother, quieter opening compared to other styles.

Take a look at our Side Hinged Garage Doors page for more information

Or if you are looking for inspiration, check out the roller doors in our extensive garage doors Portfolio

STEEL GARAGE DOORS
  • Durability and Strength: Steel is immensely strong by nature, and built to withstand many types of damage and impact without delamination, warping or cracking. This is especially useful if you live in areas with harsh winter weather.
  • Enhanced Security: Thanks to its sturdy construction and robust nature, steel is also capable of enduring break-in attempts better than most materials.
  • Easily Customisable: A steel door can be customised with a diverse range of coatings and colours, leaving you with a smooth, personalised finish that really enhances the kerb appeal of your home.
  • Low Maintenance: Tough and resistant, steel is a low maintenance option that rarely requires repainting. It also does not rust, regardless of the conditions it’s put through.

Take a look at our Steel Garage Doors page for more information

Or if you are looking for inspiration, check out the roller doors in our extensive garage doors Portfolio

TIMBER GARAGE DOORS
  • Natural Appearance: If you’re drawn to warm, rustic tones then wooden garage doors are unbeatable for nailing the natural look. And thanks to the scope of options available, wooden doors can satisfy any style preferences ranging from contemporary to classic.
  • Plenty of choices. Doors come in a varied range of wood types, including fir, cedar and redwood.
  • Maintenance: When deciding between wood vs steel, consider the additional maintenance that may be required for timber garage doors to keep them looking their absolute best.

4 different styles of timber garage doors.
4 different styles of timber garage doors.

Take a look at our Timber Garage Doors page for more information

Or if you are looking for inspiration, check out the roller doors in our extensive garage doors Portfolio


After that, you need to decide whether you want to have automated or manual opening and closing.

AUTOMATIC, ELECTRIC GARAGE DOORS

Benefits of Automated Electric Garage Doors

  • Convenient – Automation is always more simple. With a simple click of a button, you can raise or lower your automated electric garage door with total ease and minimal effort. This bypasses the hassle of getting out of your car to open and shut the garage each time, which is an especially useful feature for those with disabilities or mobility issues.
  • Safe to Use: Motorised garage doors have the added benefit of in-built sensors and safety features which prevent them closing on objects, people and animals. This is a huge relief to parents or pet-owners who will be reassured of their garage door’s ability to sense moving objects, reverse the path of the door, and therefore prevent injury.
  • Secure: If it’s a question of which garage door is most secure, then motorised versions often rank more highly on the basis of security. With the movement of the door controlled by a single remote or keypad, there are fewer chances for keys to go missing or locks to be forced.
  • Adds Value to Home: If you’re looking to boost the value of your property then technological advancements always look impressive to potential buyers. An automated garage door is no exception. Their installation can help to bump up your selling price, helping you make a return on your investment.
  • Take a look at our Automated Garage Doors page for more information

Benefits of Manual Garage Doors

  • Easier Installation: Due to its simpler design, manual garage doors are more straightforward to install than their motorised counterparts.
  • Lower Cost: The less complex design of a manual garage door reduces the cost of purchase and installation. So, if you are adhering to a tight budget, a high-quality manual garage door will be a more affordable option for you.
  • Simple To Open During Power Outage: Should there be a power outage your ability to open and close your garage door will not be hindered in any way.

If you are looking for inspiration, check out the roller doors in our extensive garage doors Portfolio

There are also various materials that can be used to manufacture your garage door. If you know what type of material you want, that’s great. If you are not sure or want some advice, please do not hesitate to CONTACT US and one of our friendly sales advisors will be happy to give you advice and guide you

Want a free quote or helpful free advice? Get in touch