How to choose automatic doors

To choose automatic garage doors, three factors are usually taken into account: safety, insulation, and aesthetics.

For our garage door to be safe, we have to choose a model whose opening adapts to the opening we have, which has the necessary free space to open and close, without there being pedestrians or obstacles that hinder movement. The automatic doors also have an individual encrypted code that does not allow anyone to manipulate them without the corresponding command. However, they are quite susceptible to damage, which is why access to emergency garage door repair services should always be “at hand.”

In terms of insulation, the garage door is one more access to our home, both for vehicles and people, as well as for cold, heat, and humidity. Depending on how insulated we have in the garage, it is something to take into account if we do not want the heating to escape from there.

But aesthetics are also important. The door of our garage is a fairly large element in the facade of the house and must be consistent with the general appearance of the exterior of the house.

Types of garage doors according to their opening

Swing garage doors: the opening mechanism of this type of door is the same as traditional doors and they can have one or two leaves. They usually open inwards and are one of the most used options for accessing farms. They are characterized by great resistance.

Sectional garage doors: consist of doors divided into panels that slide on guides to be parallel to the ceiling when the door is open. The door motor is installed on the ceiling and its power will depend on the weight of the door. There are also side-opening models in which the rails, instead of going to the ceiling, go to the adjoining wall. It is an ideal solution for small spaces and insulates very well from the outside temperature.

Up-and-over garage doors: these types of doors can have one or two leaves, and their opening is based on folding on an axis to be parallel to the ceiling while open, and unfolding when closed and sealed against the wall. This type of door is usually cheaper and requires a free space outside of approximately 1.20m.

Sliding garage doors: the rail that guides this type of door is attached to the wall where the opening is, and can have one or two leaves. The wall must have sufficient free lateral space to house the door leaf while it is open.

Most used materials in automatic doors

The most used materials in the manufacture of garage doors are usually:

Wood: It is a very elegant solution that isolates humidity and temperature very well. It requires more powerful motors because it is a heavy material, and to keep it requires some maintenance.

Steel: it is a very resistant material, although it is necessary to treat it with anticorrosive. It adapts very well to different finishes and there is a wide range of models that fit the aesthetics of the architecture that you may be looking for.

Aluminum: It is light, does not rust, and does not require maintenance. It is advisable to choose models that have interior foam insulation.

PVC: It is light, does not need maintenance, and is cheap, so it is often widely used. It is affected by weather conditions, so if it is exposed to direct sunlight, it may not retain color well.

How much does an automatic garage door cost?

The price of a garage door depends on the type and size of the door. For example, wood is a more expensive and heavier material than PVC, but it also needs a more powerful motor to be able to move.

The power of the motor used is adapted to the weight and size of the door and this can also vary in price. Remember that with your garage door you get comfort and safety. That is why we recommend that instead of being guided by the price, let yourself be advised by a professional who will recommend the best option according to your needs.