Up-and-over garage doors are an absolute suburban classic at this point, being a mainstay across the UK’s millions of garages. While one of the simplest forms in the medium, the up-and-over garage door has a timeless charm, while also having a range of functional benefits.
This piece explores why up-and-over garage doors are such a great choice for new installations and refurbishments alike.
The up-and-over garage door mechanism is arguably the simplest in the realm of mechanical garage entryways, Unlike sectional or roller garage doors, the doors stay in one flat piece. A set of springs put a garage door up and over, which extends forwards before retracting into the garage roof on tracks. There are also canopy up-and-over garage doors that don’t retract, staying extended outwardly.
Up-and-over garage doors are generally the most affordable option on the market, making them a great choice for homeowners on a budget. Garage conversions can cost anywhere between £13,000-£54,000, which is no small amount whichever way you slice things. Choosing to send a garage door up and over is a great way to allow for more budget to be spent on the interior. Choosing a manual canopy door is a great way to further keep costs down.
Up-and-over garage doors have a very classic look and feel, really tapping into the kind of comfort that people love from their suburban settings. However, it’s also worth noting that the doors can be made in a variety of styles, colours and materials, with the simpler construction making customisation even easier.
Up-and-over garage doors can be made in styles and materials such as:
These sorts of design choices are a testament to just how flexible up-and-over garage doors are for home aesthetics.
The simplicity of the mechanism – a single panel lifting and tilting – means that it opens with minimal effort. Whether you choose a manual or electric up-and-over garage door, it’s bound to operate smoothly for long periods. They’re also a lot easier to install than some of the more high-tech doors on the market, meaning that the installation can be complete in no time, better for speedier renovations.
The fact that these doors are made with so few moving parts contributes to their longevity. Being one robust panel with a simple spring-based mechanism means you can expect that they’ll require less maintenance over the years. Similarly, they’re also less susceptible to damage, whether from wear and tear or dangerous weather conditions.
The up-and-over design of the manual doors requires little clearance on either side, making them a great space-saving option. While not as advanced as sectional doors or necessarily as seamless as side-hinged doors, up-and-over doors are a simple and effective choice for space-conscious homeowners. Retractable up-and-over doors generally require about the same amount of ceiling space as sectional alternatives.
If you’re going to update your garage, up-and-over garage doors are a great choice for almost any household aesthetic. Just make sure that you choose a well-regarded supplier with a solid reputation for quality products and installations.