In the vast and often complex world of garage doors, up and over garage doors are one of the simplest, most versatile choices you can make for your garage and property. They are the type of door most commonly associated with a garage and they can last many, many years when a quality model is selected. As a garage door, they are the best of both worlds, straddling the divide between a modern door and a classic door that will stay in fashion and will offer kerb appeal for a long time into the future.
If you have already arrived at the decision to buy a new up and over garage door, you will know the benefits they bring. If you are in two minds about whether to or not to get an up and over garage door for your garage or outbuilding, it is important you know all the facts first and can make the best decision for you. After all, these doors can easily last in the region of 20 years or more. Making the right decision is important.
Some Key Benefits of an Up and Over Garage Door
Choosing an up and over garage door can have many benefits for you and can make this the right kind of door. Here are some of the key considerations:
- An up and over door is one of the simplest and most traditional kinds of door you can buy. If you are looking for the traditional look and want a simple door that is easy to open, yet also reliable and secure, this could be the best option for you.
- They are usually the right choice when budget is important. An up and over door is good value for money and is cheaper than other kinds of garage door.
- There are many kinds of materials that they can be made from. These include steel, timber, uPVC and GRP, amongst many others as well.
There are two kinds of doors depending on the type of opening you want. The canopy type of up and over door is the simplest. When the door is fully opened, about one third of it will protrude forward, forming a ‘canopy’. Some of the key benefits here include the fact that the door is very easy to install (you should be able to install it yourself with some basic knowledge and by following a good guide), and you will also get maximum width from this type of door. The other kind is the retractable mechanism. It retracts into the garage on tracks and does not stick out to give the same kind of canopy effect. A retractable door will usually be the natural choice for bigger opening sizes because the adjustable tension springs can take more weight and can be stronger. Usually a retractable door type will be recommended for garages doors of 8 feet or more wide.
Can an Up and Over Garage Door Be Electrically Operated?
It is possible to have an electrically operate up and over garage door. Usually though they are not bought this way because if you want an electric garage door, you might choose a roller shutter or a sectional garage door instead. These tend to be the more natural choice for people who want a convenient and simple garage door design. It can be more expensive though and sometimes it is nice to have a more traditional type of door, especially on a more traditional property. Or it might be the case that you have an up and over door already, it is in very good condition, and you want to improve it but do not want to buy a new door altogether. When this is the case an electric door operator might be the best choice instead of replacing your door. This is an attachment that fits onto the existing up and over door, it is quite small and will not get in the way of anything. It will allow the up and over door to become electrically operated so it can be controlled and opened more easily. It also lets you keep your door so makes it cheaper to make a major home improvement: the best of both worlds.
Bear in mind that if you are going to have an up and over garage door that might be automated in future it will need to be a retractable door. This is the kind that can be easily retro fitted with an opener due to the way in which it opens.