Pros and cons of sectional garage doors
The sectional door is characterised by hinged horizontal panels, each connected to a door track, and operates as an overhead garage door by rolling vertically and resting against the ceiling soffit in open position. If you are thinking about installing these doors for your garage, weigh the pros and cons to help you decide.
Pros
Compact operation
As with other overhead door solutions, the sectional garage door moves in the vertical plane unlike hinged doors which need a clearance in plan to accommodate the door swing. This allows the maximisation of the door width and cars can enter without any restrictions.
The doors move along tracks vertically and do not kick out like tilt-up doors. This allows the car to be driven up to the shutter face without obstructing the door operation. This is most appreciated where the driveway lengths are short and the cars need to park very close to the garage face. Even if other objects are placed close to the shutter face, door operation is unhindered.
Security and control
Sectional garage doors offer high level of security and the rubber seals on the door perimeter check wind drafts and dirt from blowing into the garage. It is also possible to open the garage incrementally in various positions to allow ventilation while cutting out glare from the sun.
Automation
These doors can be automated both during installation and later as an afterthought. Electric garage door openers can be used for automation.
Available choices
The common materials are steel, fibreglass and timber with wide variety in colours and finishes. Selection can also be made between insulated and non-insulated panels.
Cons
Installation
The various parts of the mechanism can make installation quite tricky and professional expertise is always recommended to ensure safe and smooth operation.
Durability and maintenance
Sectional doors have lesser durability as compared to lift-up options. Since they have multiple parts, they are more likely to undergo damages and call for frequent replacement. Regular maintenance regimes involving cleaning and lubrication are needed for their upkeep.
The flat aspect of panels does not resist impact loads as favourably as rolling shutters and wood garage doors may need frequent repainting and conditioning.
Expense
The operational mechanism combined with the high maintenance costs makes sectional doors an expensive alternative.
Information on these performance characteristics of sectional garage doors can help you in the selection.
