Guide to overhead garage doors

Overhead garage doors operate by moving up and above the garage door opening. There are several types of overhead garage doors classified based on the operating mechanism. Here is a guide about these features and how they compare with hinged doors.

Types of overhead garage doors

Types
There are 3 types of overhead garage doors – tilt-up, sectional and roller doors.
Tilt-up or up-and-over doors have a single panel door shutter which opens by rotating out and up. They may have a canopy mechanism which allows them to swing up creating a canopy or a retractable mechanism in which the shutter is raised and guided horizontally under the ceiling. Swing-up doors are less expensive and allow ease in installation, but require clearances due to the swing up arc of the door.
Their operation can be obstructed if objects are placed too close to the door. Another disadvantage is that they allow some rain in to the garage when they are being operated. Sectional doors have six to eight hinged horizontal panels, each connected to a door track over which they roll vertically and lie against the ceiling.
Garage sectional doors are available in steel, fibreglass and even timber. In roller garage doors the shutter is in corrugated steel or fibreglass and rolls vertically up. The rolling mechanism may have a preloaded garage door spring as in single car garage doors or require a pulley. Headroom clearances need to be checked to accommodate the mechanism of roll up garage doors. Both sectional and roller garage doors do not require clearances in plan, making them a good choice for situations with short driveways. They are available in insulated and non-insulated panels.

Comparison with hinged doors

Comparisons
Overhead doors compare favourably with the hinged doors or sliding doors in various aspects.
Since they move in a vertical plan, they do not occupy any space in plan for their operation and permit maximum drive-through width. Automation is also a feature that can be installed later in most overhead doors.
However this is not possible in hinged doors. Final word
However, due to their mechanism, overhead doors are more expensive, have a higher maintenance requirement and need professional help in their installation.
Regular lubrication is required to ensure smooth operation.