If you are shopping for new garage doors, you might have noted that side-hinged doors are less popular than roller or sectional doors. That is unfortunate, because for many applications, particularly for doors made out of steel construction, side-hinged doors are hard to beat.
The basic appeal with side-hinged garage doors is straightforward. Side-hinged garage doors operate just like regular doors – they have hinges, and they swing open. This means no tracks, no complicated mechanical lifting systems, and no motors to operate (unless you want to). This reliability and simplicity is important especially since most people will open and close a garage door twice a day for the next twenty years.
The hinges and steel frame construction bring several other advantages as well. Steel doors are tough and made well can withstand a lot of punishment. While they do dent, they do not become structurally unsound like other materials. When you compare this with timber that can warp, split, or rot if it gets persistently damp, it becomes easy to see why a lot of people prefer steel.
Steel side-hinged doors do well when it comes to security, although there are factors/upgrades to consider. The metal isn’t easy to breach as you can’t just kick it in or force it apart. Doors do vary, but modern locking systems do help. Look for at least a multipoint lock, as this means that several points along the door engage at once when you turn the key. Doors with three or more locking points are better, and if you add some anti-lift brackets to the mix, then you are safe from being able to easily lift the doors off their hinges.
Up and over or roller doors have vulnerabilities side-hinged doors do not. No matter how well sealed, the gap between the two side-hinged doors is a weakness that is not a deal-breaker for side-hinged doors, and in comparison it may not be as fortress-sealed as a sectional door, but a good lock and side-hinged door construction should help.
Steel side hinged garage doors are designed for specific types of buildings. For example, side hinged doors compliment the aesthetics of period properties, unlike modern roller doors. If you have a Victorian or Georgian building, side hinged doors will fit better than modern alternatives. Planning officials also consider this, which is beneficial when you are located in a conservation area.
Moreover, side hinged doors are excellent when you need constant access for pedestrians. One person can walk through one of the doors, leaving the car in place, and they can even drive through the door. This proves to be useful a lot in garages and workshops that also serve as storage areas. Unlike roller doors that make you open the entire door and drive through, side hinged doors provide you with more flexibility.
When it comes to side hinged doors, the size of the opening is more important than with roller doors. For side hinged doors to work properly, the opening does not need to be very wide. For example, a coach house with a small opening will work better with side hinged doors than a large modern double garage.
Because there are fewer mechanisms, and therefore fewer things that could fail, maintenance and repair does tend to be simpler and cheaper.
A quality hinged steel door is set apart by several factors. The gauge in steel is substantial here, and it’s important to strike a balance; the heavier the steel, the more it puts stress on the hinges and, conversely, the more difficult it becomes to open the door. The sweet spot is typically around 1.2mm to 2mm. Uncoated galvanized steel will corrode, but Zinc-coated steel will resist it.
The frame construction is important too. The frame must be sturdy enough to support the entire door without sagging. It should also have a proper weather seal; cheap frames will allow drafts to enter, and water too, which defeats the purpose of the door in the first place. The hinges should be heavy duty too; adjustable ones are best, as they allow the installer to make finer adjustments to the door if necessary.
The insulation you choose will matter on how you use you garage. If you work in your garage or the garage is attached to the house, the insulated steel doors will work great in terms of insulation. Of course, there will be a greater cost, but in terms of insulation efficiency, the materials used in insulated doors will work a lot better than steel doors with no insulation and offer virtually no thermal insulation.
Finding a good supplier involves the usual due diligence. Look for companies that offer proper warranties – five years minimum on the steel itself, ideally longer. Installation should come with its own guarantee. References from previous customers tell you more than marketing blurb ever will. And honestly? Local companies who’ve been trading for years generally provide better ongoing support than distant suppliers, simply because their reputation matters more when everyone knows where to find them.