They may be so ubiquitous to homes that you don’t even consider how many different garage door types and styles there are. Yup, that’s right, and there are probably a lot more garage door types and styles than you think. One big, clunky door is not the same as another. And in any case, many are beautiful and elegant; indeed, true works of art. Whether you want big, elegant, carriage-style garage doors practically dripping in the trappings of aristocracy or a simple 9×7 steel door for storage – there is a place for all garage door types and styles.
But let’s also be honest with ourselves. Everyone loves something that looks good. And no matter what you use your garage for, you want your garage door to look good, from the inside or outside. Yet, looking good isn’t as easy as picking a door and hoping for the best. It is important to consider your home’s style, landscaping, color, trim, and even location.
If you live in the country, barn-style garage doors might be just what you need to add that extra ambiance as the sun sets over wide-open fields. But what material should you consider? There may be many garage door types, so it can be easy to get overwhelmed. Fortunately,
we are here to help.
The Most Common Garage Door Types
The most common garage door types are usually found on the most common home types, such as front-facing homes with a single or multi-car garage. From there, however, the types and styles vary widely. Just some examples include:
- Sectional
- Roll-up
- Slide-to-side
- Side-hinged
- Tilt-up canopy
- Tilt-up retractable
Sectional garage doors are the most common type of garage door. They are made up of panel sections connected with hinges, and may or may not be insulated depending on the homeowner. Still, we bet all you Cuyahoga Falls and NE Ohio residents typing in “Garage Door Repair Near Me” on a cold winter night definitely have
insulated doors. At least we hope so! And that’s where sectionals come in.
Roll-up garage doors are used more in commercial applications where space is at a premium. Composed of two- to three-foot steel slat sections, roll-up garages are also quick-in and quick-out. They are very utilitarian and not overly expensive or time-consuming to set up.
The next two categories are hinged and tilted. Slide-to-side garage doors are as they sound. They bend to one side when they are opened and roll parallel with the garage wall. Interesting trivia: Slide-to-side garages were the first style of invented garages! They work particularly well in spaces with little headroom. They are actually quite cool to watch in motion for those who have never seen one operate before.
Side-hinged garage doors operate like normal doors! They generally resemble large barn doors. These types are perfect for those with large driveways or room for large doors to swing out and in when they open and close.
The final type is tilt! The most popular tilt garage varieties are those that have a tilt-up canopy function. Like side-hinged garage door styles (and unlike sectionals), tilt-up canopy garage doors are composed of one solid piece. Tilt-up canopy doors operate using a large pivoting hinge mechanism. When open, the door sits parallel with the garage ceiling and floor and extends past the front of the house.
The Most Common Garage Door Styles
Okay, so this is where you ask yourself, “What’s the difference between a garage door
type and a garage door
style?” Well, there is a big difference, actually! As defined, a type of a thing is:
a category of people or things having common characteristics. On the other hand, style is defined by a distinctive experience. One’s style may be completely unique in the world.
And just as there are a great many different house styles, there are a great many different garage styles. The most common is probably the raised-panel variety. They used to be floating panels that fit inside the frame of the door, but today they are solid fiberglass molded to resemble the classic raised-panel. Because this style is so popular, you can find raised panels composed of just about any material.
Oneof the most striking garage door styles can be found in many modern, high-class neighborhoods:
Contemporary slabs. Why? Because many of today’s modern housing styles require similar flexibility and aesthetics in the garage doors. Take your pick of ritzy, upscale homes in one of Akron’s more well-heeled neighborhoods and you will likely find plenty of contemporary slab garage doors complementing the home. These retro-modern door designs include a folding door into a single panel or four separate horizontal panels that bend at the hinges. They are the epitome of style in what could otherwise be a style-less entryway.
Your Heart’s Desire of Type and Style
The fun doesn’t stop at slide-to-side and slab style, however. As residential and commercial architects continue to push the boundaries of
style and material, what is avant-garde becomes contemporary or modern. Garage doors have come to be more than just a utilitarian afterthought to the house itself.
As an example, carriage doors are making a big comeback in some development communities. Carriage-style garage doors give a traditional swing-open look to the garage. Even better, they are designed in beautiful ways, with elegant patterns and whorls cut into deep, varnished woods of various color and cut.
In the end, the type of garage doors you decide upon will rely heavily upon your home. What is your aesthetic? Are you using your garage for anything other than parking your car in it? These are just a few questions to help you get started. Take proper care and consider your due diligence when making decisions regarding one of the most important portals in your home, your garage door.
And don’t forget, if you decide you want to install that amazing, elegant new carriage garage door set up in your home, we’ve got you covered. And if not your door, whether it be your garage door opener, tracks, rollers, or even remote control: for all things garage door repair- and installation-related, simply
contact your friends at Prestige Door!
