Garage Doors Melbourne
Types of Garage Doors
– Roller Garage Doors
– Tilt Garage Doors
– Panel Doors / Sectional Doors
List Of Topics
– Different Types Of Garage Door Material
– Choosing The Right Garage Door
– Common Mistakes People Make When Ordering A Garage Door
– Garage Door Pricing
Roller Garage Doors
Roller doors are garage doors that, well, roll. Like a roll of carpet. The roller door, when compared to the panel door, is a very low maintenance door. On a panel door, there are at least 10 hinges, sometimes up to 25 hinges, plus the panel springs that require regular lubrication. The cables are also vulnerable to fraying, and even slipping off the drum as the tension slowly wanes.
The roller door on the other hand usually only requires 2 things; good tension and clean tracks. Simply clean your roller door tracks with a silicone-based spray every 2-3 months. To check tension, put your roller door into manual operation (if it’s automated) and lift the door up halfway. It should not drop or creep up, also check that it lifts up with ease, and is also easy to pull down.
Best Brand of Roller Garage Doors
Tilt Garage Doors
Tilt doors are single panel garage doors that tilt open via power arms fixed to the sides. These power arms act as a series of pulleys that are connected to extension type springs.
Cosmetically, the tilt door is a highly-customizable door and is available in an extensive range of materials, colours and styles.
There Are 3 Main Types Of Tilt Doors
The jamb type tilt door, the track type tilt door and the counter-weight tilt door. The jamb type fittings consist of a power arm mounted to a jamb, and when fully open half the door protrudes out of the opening. The track type fittings have horizontal tracks on the top corners to give the tilt door a much smoother operation in comparison to jamb type tilt doors, great for automation. It is recommended that jamb type tilt doors and track type tilt doors have restraining cables fitted to the springs to significantly reduce the chance of serious injury in the case that a spring breaks.
Lastly, the counter-weight tilt door is a single panel garage door balanced with a counterweight on the side. This is optimal for very tight spaces, and because there are no springs, the door requires very little maintenance.
Custom Tilt Doors
Panel Doors / Sectional Doors
Panel doors which are also known as Sectional Garage Doors are one of the most common garage doors available in today’s market, they usually consist of anywhere between 3 to 6 rectangular panels that slide up and overhead.
They occupy the same amount of internal garage space as tilt doors, with the exception of jamb type fittings where part of the Garage Door is protruding from the Garage, although they may require more headroom for installation.
Best Brand of Sectional Panel Garage Doors
Panel doors look more “classy” when compared to the roller door, as they are available in numerous styles, tints and can be made from various materials, whereas the roller door has very limited options.
The tilt panel door has 2 distinct advantages over the tilt door;
– First and foremost, the panel door does not need any space outside of the garage to open, allowing vehicles to park up close to the garage door without the worry of entering the doors’ “swing arc”.
– Each and every panel is fixed to the track, allowing for a more smooth, robust and reliable door ideal for automation.
Different Types Of Garage Door Material
The first step to choosing your ideal door is to pick the material you want it made from. Making the right choice, however, can be quite daunting if you’re unsure of the pros and cons of the materials.
Here you can find the pros and cons of the different types of materials such as steel, wood, aluminium, fibreglass, vinyl, glass, copper and stainless steel. Your decision will be influenced by your home, where you live and the climate. Garage Doors are not a “one size fits all” object.
The most common type of door sold today is the steel garage door. The benefits are that it is strong, relatively maintenance free and lightweight, as well as less expensive in comparison to the other materials. There is also a wider range of steel doors available than any other material. These doors are generally the best garage doors for most applications. On the downside though, they can, however, be dented from impact and can rust if the finish is damaged.
Wooden garage doors are the second most common type. Although they require the most maintenance of any door, for some applications no other material will look right. Real stained wood is just one of those looks that you can’t replicate, and with a wide variety of styles and colours, sometimes it’s just too hard to look past this great option. Again, wood does take maintenance, and is heavy and more prone to moisture and insect damage if not properly maintained.
Aluminium garage doors are similar to steel doors in the sense they offer low-maintenance and lightweight appeal with the added bonus of being rust-proof. They are the best garage door for coastal areas due to the salty air often shortening the lifespan of steel. The obvious disadvantage, however, is the fact it is relatively easy to dent.
Fibreglass garage doors are another product that is rust-proof and requires very little effort to maintain. They do not often dent but can become brittle with age and in extreme colds. It is also possible for them to break from a sharp impact. Single layer fibreglass designs will also let some light in, but are also quite flimsy and are easier to break into.
Vinyl garage doors have very similar advantages and disadvantages to the fibreglass doors. They are rust proof, low-maintenance and are the most dent-resistant of all the materials. They can also become brittle with age and extreme colds. The colour choices of vinyl doors are also extremely limited. In most cases, these are the best garage doors in terms of overall longevity.
Glass garage doors are made with a steel, aluminium or wooden frame with many different glass options are available. They are also not nearly as fragile as you may think. They are particularly heavy however as well as expensive compared to the other materials. Glass is often the best garage door design for a contemporary or modern style home.
Copper Doors are an interesting and alternative option that is usually found only in upscale homes due to the greater expense. Copper will eventually tarnish and turn green with age (unless clear coated), but this patina is also what attracts some people.
Stainless steel doors are another unique and expensive options.
Some doors use a combination of materials for the different layers. A door may have a wood-composite exterior shell on top of a steel panel, or a steel outer layer and a vinyl inner layer. There are lots of different combinations available from various manufacturers.
Choosing The Right Garage Door
When choosing you the right garage door, there are some key things you need to take into consideration before making your final choice. These things include:
Clearance height of your roof – The overhead height of the garage will affect the type of garage door you get. If you have a low overhead clearance you will be more inclined to get a panel door as it takes less room.
Material of garage door – See above section
Colour and style – The garage door is one of the largest features of the house. You should be sure that the colour and style are aesthetically pleasing. This can also add value to your house if you are looking to sell.
Common Mistakes People Make When Ordering A Garage Door
Style – Please make sure that you are 100% sure of the style that you want. Garage doors last a long time, so make sure you know which style you want.
Clearance – Depending on how much overhead clearance you have in your garage, you may need to choose between a roller or a panel lift. The panel lift takes less room, so it’s perfect for garages with little overhead clearance.
Colour- As simple as this sounds, the garage door is a large, eye-catching feature of the home, so make sure you are happy with the aesthetics of the door before placing your order.
Type – If unsure what type of garage door you are replacing or purchasing for the first time, feel free to contact us for any help on what type of door to choose.
Size – Make sure your measurements of the dimensions of the opening of your garage are correct or else the garage door you order may be unusable.
Brand – If you want a particular brand, make sure you let us know.
Garage Door Cost
As there is no standard garage door size or width, prices will vary depending on size, brands, colours and styles. If you are interested in purchasing a garage door, contact one of us for a more thorough estimate on 03 8789 3221.