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The design details of garage doors sometimes go forgotten, as the focus is understandably on practicality and performance. But the type of garage door you choose can make a big impact on your home’s kerb appeal as it’ll contribute to creating a striking first impression.
The style and design of garage door you opt for will be driven by a host of factors, from safety to weatherproofing, insulation and the space you have on offer – but with the modern options available, you’ll find a high-performance solution that suits your property.
From up-and-over designs through to roller configurations that open from the top or side, the choices are aplenty. Materials matter, too, and making sure the door is keeping your garage secure should come as a priority.
When it comes to the style of your garage door, the market has moved forward considerably. The best garage doors can rival a main entrance for style, texture and quality of design. Here we investigate some great garage door examples and the key factors that’ll influence the door design that you opt for.
Choosing the best configuration is vital if you want to make best use of your garage. “Sometimes we notice the practicalities of the door operation gets overlooked in favour of appearance,” says Ian Chubb, managing director of Deuren. “A four-metre side sectional garage door looks great, for instance, but fitting a pair of two-metre doors is more functional and looks just as good.” Or you might simply be looking for a design that matches your home’s front entrance.
Garage doors come in a good range of standard hues, with many manufacturers able to match RAL colours for an additional charge. Likewise, there’s a choice of standard sizes but many products are available in custom dimensions. Here are the pros and cons of the main systems:
An up-and-over door is a rigid panel, typically made from timber, steel or glass reinforced plastic (GRP), that swings outwards and tilts back inside the garage. Canopy versions will add provide added shelter, while a retractable style slides back along ceiling tracks. A basic design starts around £300.
Side-hinged doors come in a pair, typically with a 50/50 or 70/30 split and will open outwards. Prices start at £300 for most timber models.
Designed by Urban Front, this automated bifold model in European oak responds directly to the client’s brief to create an understated garage front that would complement the home’s heritage charm
A roller door is a curtain of steel or aluminium slats that roll smoothly up and around a cylinder or into a box mounted to the wall behind the brickwork. A basic version starts around £400; insulated designs will cost more.
A sectional door comprises a set of large panels. These doors rise up and curve back section-by-section until the door is flat against the garage ceiling. Prices start at £600.
Constructed from thermally-efficient materials, such as insulting CFC-free PU foam, this sectional garage door from Garador provides U-values down to 1.30 W/m²K. Lifting vertically, they offer full opening drive-through width as well as Secured by Design (SBD) status
Most of the leading manufacturers offer upgraded versions of their doors that incorporate insulation to enhance energy efficiency and thermal performance. This is typically achieved with a double-skinned arrangement. For instance, a double-skin steel side-hinged or sectional door would likely have 20-45mm thick panels and a core of foam insulation. Roller doors can also be enhanced in this way, but don’t perform quite as well due to the number of slats (high-quality rubber seals are a must).
Aluminium is a cost-effective and robust option for garage doors, with insulated versions available to keep out the worst of the winter chill. Its resistance to oxidisation and rusting makes it a value-for-money choice for homes in exposed locations, such as on the coast. Aluminium can be finished in a range of styles and requires minimum maintenance – but bear in mind that its lightweight properties can make it prone to denting.
Finished with Duratec scratch-resistant synthetic glazing and sleek aluminium Anthracite grey (RAL 7016) frames, this ART 42 Thermal sectional garage door from Hormann delivers clean architectural lines and outstanding kerb appeal in a secure package
Timber will give a classic feel to a set of garage doors. Timber products are available in a range of styles that will complement both modern and period properties, with each wood species having its own distinct qualities. Modern, factory-finished engineered wood doors are naturally insulating and highly resistant to issues such as warping, but will typically need repainting or resealing every two to three years to maintain their performance.
Galvanised steel makes a durable garage door material. It can be finished in a whole selection of textures and colours to match your home or to create a standout look. A good quality model will be low maintenance and hardwearing, though it can be prone to denting. Pre-insulated versions are available for homeowners who want to use their garages for storage.
Glass reinforced plastic (GRP) doors are lightweight and practically maintenance free, as good quality versions are highly resistant to warping and dents. This material can be moulded to suit your preferred style and is often specified in an authentic-looking woodgrain finish; giving you the charm of timber without the upkeep.
However you use your garage, it’s likely the contents will be valuable to you – if not financially in terms of cars, tools etc, at least emotionally for those using the space to stow away family memorabilia.
Secured by Design accreditation is a great option for garage doors. This means they’ve undergone stringent security and safety tests: examples include SeceuroGlide Excel roller door from The Garage Door Centre, Hörmann’s LPU 42 and LPU 67 sectional garage doors and Garador’s Guardian range. Note that products must also be installed to the Secured by Design fitting criteria.
In terms of modern tech, check any remote control has technology embedded to change the signal code every time it’s used to prevent cloning. Garador’s GaraMatic operators can recognise when there’s an obstruction in front of the door and automatically reverse closing if an obstacle is detected, adding an extra layer of safety.
Elizabeth Assaf is the co-founder of Urban Front, a UK-based door company specialising in the design and manufacture of contemporary, highly-secure interior and exterior doors in hardwoods, bronze, and steel.
I’d say a side hinged garage door would work best for a period property, as you can make the doors look more in keeping that way. That said, there is a broad range of traditional looking models on the market, and choosing the right colours and styles is a big step in delivering the look you are going for. Generally, having little glazing and a subdued colour palette will complement a heritage property. Opting for a different style to your front entrance can also allow the garage door to blend in with the walls when it needs to.
There are various factors that will affect the cost of a door, such as size, materials and opening style. Naturally, bespoke or high-end designs will command a premium. I would recommend budgeting at least £1,500-£2,000 for a high-quality door.
Ensure the door has a good quality lock and isn’t easy to tamper with from the outside. I would suggest adding motion lighting to the driveway and securing the emergency release of the garage door internally. Smart home technology can allow you to control your garage door and, if it’s automated, you can make sure it doesn’t have a visible locking cylinder externally – increasing security. If the door has sensors, you will be able hear it opening, so this is another way to know if it’s being tampered with.
There are certainly garage doors that are likely to give you a higher thermal efficiency. However, the overall performance doesn’t just depend on the door itself – it will also be impacted by how well it’s sealed, especially at the bottom edge where it meets the floor. This is particularly important for attached garages in Passivhaus-standard homes, or if the space is being used as a gym or office, where temperature control matters. It is advisable to check with the manufacturer that the door has been tested to give the right U-values, rather than retrofitting later.
Contemporary self build with a matching garage and front door
This new build home in Buckinghamshire has been upgraded with a contemporary timber garage door from Urban Front. The design features variegated wood panels, laid horizontally for a striking look. The model is an up-and-over automated garage door in their Rondo design, made in Iroko wood to match the front entrance. Prices for a similar design start at £20,000 + VAT.
Charming side-hinged garage doors made with modified timber
Westbury Windows & Joinery chose Accoya for this garage’s exterior woodwork, as its dimensional stability allows the entrance to benefit from a timeless look while minimising the risk of any swelling and shrinkage. The open-out doors, which are part glazed, part panelled, have been coated in Teknos’ Moss Grey to seal in the wood’s strength.
Handmade side-hinged doors
These framed, ledged and braced softwood garage doors from Oak Designs are handmade in the UK and come with a clear Morells Omnia waterborne treatment to preserve the timber’s appeal. The doors are available with monkey tail bolts and locally-sourced handmade T-Hinges for additional character. Prices start at £1,335 + VAT.
Modern home with sleek white sectional garage doors
A large, linear sectional garage door in Traffic White from Garador makes a neat addition to this home. Modern, secure and functional, the 42mm-thick sections have been sealed individually and treated with polyurethane (PU) insulating foam to keep the garage’s interior protected from cold and draughts. The Silkgrain surface texture provides a smart wood-like finish. Prices for a similar model start from £1,705 + VAT.
Bright yellow roller garage doors
Garage doors don’t always have to blend in. These homeowners chose bright yellow SeceuroGlide Original rollers, supplied by Access Garage Doors. The colourful model is bold and sturdy, with insulated 77mm slats held together by a unique webbing that provides added security and keeps operation sounds to a minimum.
Oak frame outbuilding with traditional timber doors
The charming Little Gloucester garage from Oakwrights features oak double ledged and braced garage doors with black metal detailing and handles. The double-height garage is part of Oakwrights’ Room above Garage range; a customisable green oak frame design with the option to include dormer windows, rooflights and your choice of roof covering for additional character.
Photo: Mark Watts
Scandinavian-style home with seamless garage design
As part of this Nordic-inspired self build – designed by Fiddes Architects – a large singular Hormann electronic roller garage door was installed and colour matched to the home’s fenestration to create a cohesive scheme. The high-quality, pre-finished aluminium door provides maximum protection against the harsh Scottish elements.
Photo: David Barbour
Contemporary annexe & garage building with hidden side-hinged doors
As part of an overhaul to a traditional 18th-century home in Cambridgeshire, Studio McW added a new garage that contains a guest suite with bathroom and kitchen. The home is located within a conservation area so the materials needed to be sympathetic to the original dwelling’s character.
The building has therefore been constructed using reclaimed stone and pale timber cladding, with an unbroken design that creates a flush look and helps the functional building remain discrete.
Photo: Lorenzo Zandri
Electrically operated set of three roller garage doors
Installed by Freelance Entry Solutions, these insulated aluminium SeceuroGlide roller garage doors in black were specified to match the exterior joinery of this new build home in rural Hampshire. Each door is electrically operated and can be opened or closed via a keyring or through a control panel inside the garage. The doors add a modern feel to the traditional garage, and will continue to complement the timber cladding exterior as it silvers over time.
Matching garage and front door design
For this project, the homeowners chose Deuren’s Tavole range, matching their front and garage doors for a cohesive look. The doors are crafted in oak with a unique design, featuring deep lines that are carved into the surface for a wow factor look. The Tavole sectional garage door range makes a functional statement and is fully customisable to your specifications, available in a range of wood finishes that can be matched to any RAL colour.
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