Garage doors come in many different shapes and sizes; there are so many different technologies to get your head around that it can become a difficult process, just to understand them in the first place. You then have to begin a process of elimination – how does each kind of door work? How could it work for you? Is the price within your range? With standard up and over doors, there is none of this worry. You get a classic design, a new garage door that looks the part and there is plenty of choice in the garage door market.
What is an up and over garage door?
Think about the types of garage doors you normally see around. Chances are, most of them will be up and over doors. They are the type that are fitted as standard, so they tend to be very popular. An up and over door will swing open outwards, so it is made of one single sheet of metal, timber or fibreglass. However, you can also get retractable doors if you want to save yourself some space and make it easier to open the door (whilst also making use of more of the space in front of the door, on your driveway). A canopy system is the more common type, which will just simply open up.
Are there any special considerations for installation?
You will need to bear in mind the operating mechanism of the door, thinking about how far it will open outwards to check that it is viable to install it in the first place. An installation professional will be able to help you with this, if it is not something you have any experience with. If you prefer to install the door yourself, then this is going to be one of the most simple types of door to install, largely because you won’t have to worry about any of the electrical installations. However, you also need to have good DIY skills, and will need to follow the instructions very carefully as all mechanisms need to line up.
You also need to think about the size of your door opening. As an up and over door is a standard type of garage door, it will generally not come in a wide variety of sizes. If you need an unusual size, you may have to consider a different type of garage door, or think about having a door custom made.
Should you choose an up and over garage door?
All together, there are many more benefits than there are negatives to installing an up and over garage door. The costs are not going to be high, and yet a new door will be much more aesthetically pleasing, and also a lot more secure. A garage door that looks new and fits will is always going to help with security, as it will be easier to break into, and will also help to deter burglars. There are also lots of different appearances for you to consider, including the finish which is very important. Choose from plain colours, glazing, or a timber finish. The choice is entirely yours.