4 Common Styles of Garage Doors

If you don't take care of your garage door, it can quickly become a huge security risk. If your garage door is old or does not work properly, you should replace it to better protect your family. Garage doors come in many styles, however, so choosing the right one may seem difficult. If you want to learn more about the types of garage doors from which you can choose, read on.

1. Sectional Garage Doors

Sectional garage doors are made from several pieces of wood, steel, or another material. The sections allow the garage door to roll up instead of tilting. When the garage door is open, it rests hanging from the ceiling of the garage. This model is a great way to save space if you have a small garage or driveway. Sectional garage doors are one of the more affordable options, and they are durable, but only if you maintain them.

Without good maintenance, the rollers on sectional garage doors can get damaged or dirty. With damaged rollers, the door cannot open or close. These types of doors are also often automatic, and if the automatic garage door opener breaks, you may not be able to open the door until the opener has been fixed or replaced.

Depending on the type of material, chips and dents may be possible, but you only have to replace the damaged section.

2. Carriage House Garage Doors

Carriage house garage doors open like traditional doors. They have hinges to allow the door to swing open. Plus, they come in many styles and design options. These garage doors can be incredibly unique and beautiful, which adds curb appeal to your home.

Carriage house garage doors don't require any overhead tracks, which makes them a great choice for garages with low ceilings, or for garages that have been converted into a game room or other functional areas.

On the downside, if your driveway or yard is small, carriage house garage doors may be a bad idea. You may not be able to fully open the doors when your car is parked in the driveway. Therefore, if you wanted to park in your garage, you'd have to go open the door before you pull into your driveway. Carriage house garage doors are also one of the more expensive choices.

3. Tilt-Up Garage Doors

Tilt-up garage doors are another affordable option. These types of doors are made from one piece of wood or steel. When the door opens, the door swings upward. You can find incredibly cheap tilt-up garage doors, but they are likely made of plywood and offer little to no insulation and protection.

If you do choose a high-quality tilt-up garage door, however, you may actually boost the curb appeal of your home. Because the door has no sections, tilt-up garage doors can more easily accommodate windows or a smaller door to access the garage.

4. Slide-to-the-Side Garage Doors

A slide-to-the-side or horizontal garage door is similar to a sectional garage door. In fact, they are also usually made of several sections to allow the door to bend at the hinges as it opens and closes. Instead of rolling up, however, a slid-to-the-side garage door rolls to the side of the garage. These doors are not quite as common as other types, but if your garage door has little headroom, it may be a good choice.

Slide-to-the-side doors are a little safer than sectional garage doors and tilt-up garage doors. This is because the heavy door doesn't hang from the ceiling. Plus, because it opens to the side instead of upward, there is no need for dangerous springs.



When your garage door is old, it's best to replace it as soon as possible. While sectional and tilt-up garage doors are some of the more common, less expensive options, carriage-style doors or a slide-to-the-side door may be more beneficial. For more information, contact us at Overhead Doors Unlimited Inc today.