Different types of garage doors

Below are descriptions of the main types of garage door available.

Up-and-Over Canopy Door

These doors are usually single width (less than 9 feet / 3m).
The door consists of a single rigid piece of metal / timber / fibreglass.
Usually has an overhead spring and cable.
Tracks for rollers are usually vertical.
When the door is open, approximately 1/3 of the door hangs outside, forming a canopy.

Up-and-Over Retractable Door

These doors can be single or double width.
The door consists of a single rigid piece of metal / timber / fibreglass.
Springs are at the side.
Tracks for rollers are usually horizontal and extend inwards into the garage, and are attached about head height on the door frame.
When the door is open, the door retracts fully into the garage.

Sectional Door

The door is usually split into 3 or 4 horizontal sections, which move upwards as the door opens.
The tracks start off vertical and then curve into horizontal tracks near the top of the door.
When the door is open, the sectional door slides into the horizontal tracks.
When the door is open, the door is parallel with the ceiling and is at a higher height than the door opening.

Roller Door

The door is split into many horizontal sections which are usually only a few inches in height.
As the door opens, the sections move upwards and coil tightly around a compact cylinder above the door.

Sliding Garage Door / Accordion Style Door

The door consists of multiple vertical sections.
The door has wheels along the bottom allowing it to slide to open.
There is usually a channel on the ground which the door and wheels fit into.
There is usually a track above the door which holds the door in place.
As the door slides to the side, the track bends so the door ends up parallel to the wall.
If it is an accordion style, the vertical sections fold together and rest at the side beyond the garage opening.

Different types of garage doorsUpdated 9 months ago