Shopping for Garage Doors can be pretty confusing, so Nask Door has created this guide to help you better understand the basics of residential garage doors. As a garage door dealer based in West Chester, Pennsylvania, we’ve helped hundreds of families select and install the right garage door for their home. If you’ve never had to purchase a garage door or need a quick refresher, this easy tutorial should help you better understand the things you need to know when selecting a garage door for your home.

Although seemingly simple in function, garage doors possess a variety of features and functionalities that can challenge even the most educated homeowner. Often one of the most visible components on many homes, a garage door can transform a house from average to extraordinary. Therefore a good place to start is a review of the common styles and types of garages doors, as well as their basic components.

Garage Door Styles

Over the years, garage door styles have evolved in many different ways. From performing the basic function of granting access to the garage, to acting as an entryway into the home, garage doors have increased in importance and the various styles have expanded to keep pace. Although there are an almost limitless number of choices, there are really four basic garage door styles. They include:

Traditional Garage Doors

With an emphasis on functionality, traditional garage doors are relatively uncomplicated and emphasize functionality with a neat, clean appearance. Available in a variety of configurations that include raised panels and windows, traditional garage doors are available from a variety of manufacturers like Clopay, Amarr, Martin and others. Nask Door is an authorized Wayne-Dalton, but there are many quality manufacturers.

Contemporary Garage Doors

Complimenting a home’s appearance has become increasingly more important and contemporary garage doors integrate a variety of design elements that can be very attractive. Today a variety of high-tech materials and treatments can be used to create dramatic looks that can really improve curb appeal.

Carriage Garage Doors

Carriage-style garage doors have recently become very popular among homeowners in our region. Intended to replicate the doors from old carriage houses, these doors deliver an old-fashioned charm that give every house an interesting style.

Raised Panel Garage Doors

A favorite among many homeowners, the raised panel garage door style has become a standard. As a result, this garage door style is found in a wide range of materials and with a full range of options.

Garage Door Types

Today there are several different types of garage doors available and each of which has its own set of benefits. While Nask Door has expertise in installing a wide range of garage doors, there are several types that are among the most common in our area:

Sectional Garage Doors

– The most popular type of garage door, the sectional consists of horizontal panels that are hinged together and fitted with wheels. Mounted within a track, the entire assembly is operated using a torsion bar to counterbalance the weight of the door. Some benefits of the traditional sectional garage door are that it takes up the least amount of space and that it can be automated at a nominal cost. Drawbacks include poor energy efficiency.

Carriage Garage Doors

– Also known as swing-style garage doors, Carriage garage doors are another style that has become increasingly popular. Operating like a big pair of French doors, Carriage garage doors are most often fabricated from wood and hang from jambs on hinges. Offering a strong visual appearance, these swinging doors tend to be much more energy efficient because they are much easier to seal and prevent the intrusion. One downside to swing-style garage doors is that they require more room to accommodate the opening of the garage doors. So if a vehicle is parked too close to the garage doors, they cannot be easily opened. Furthermore, this type of garage door is much more expensive to automate than the traditional sectional garage door.

Single Panel Garage Doors

– Created from one large panel, Single Panel garage doors are perhaps the most simple to understand. These doors swing upwards using a spring mechanism. Unfortunately, the biggest weakness is the amount of space required to allow the door to easily open. As with Carriage garage doors, single panel doors require greater clearance to allow easy opening.

Garage Door Construction

In addition to the many styles, garage doors are constructed from a variety of materials. Varying in cost and functionality, it’s wise to have a basic understanding of the various materials since they can dramatically affect the durability, functionality and aesthetics of your garage door:

Steel Garage Doors

– The most popular choice as a replacement garage door, steel garage doors are a functional and cost effective option for most homeowners. Favored for their all-around durability and energy efficiency, this type of door can be primed and painted to match almost any home. While benefits include price and ease of maintenance, steel garage doors can be dented and can be subject to corrosion if not properly prepared.

Wood Garage Doors

– Wood is another popular material for garage doors and has a number of strengths and weaknesses. Strengths include easy customization, resilience to damage and appearance. However, some weaknesses including a low insulation value, increased maintenance and the possibility of warning. Among the many different types of wood used for garage doors include cedar, redwood, and fir and meant (loan). Wood doors may be factory-stained or painted, or finished on-site.

Wood Composite Garage Doors

– Composite garage doors are a cost-effective, eco-friendly option. Often created using a wooden frame and fiberboard, better models are very attractive and offer realistic details including a true-to-life realistic wood simulation.

Aluminum Frame Garage Doors

– Aluminum panel garage doors are effective in minimizing corrosion, however they are particularly susceptible to dents. Available in a wide range of finishes, aluminum garage doors can be a cost effective option for many homeowners.

Fiberglass Garage Doors

– Less subject to denting and cracking, fiberglass garage doors do not rust and can be a good option for many garages. Often fabricated with the use of a steel frame for added rigidity, fiberglass doors can be filled with insulation to minimize heat loss. Unfortunately, fiberglass surfaces can break when suffering an impact.

Vinyl Garage Doors

– Durable and affordable, vinyl garage doors are popular with homeowners in our area for several reasons. Vinyl tends to be highly resistant to dents and scratches. Offering a flexible surface, vinyl garage doors often flex when struck and is much less likely to show damage, since the material has a consistent color throughout. Some downsides of vinyl garage doors include generally poor insulation and appearance.

Overall, there’s simply not one garage door construction that is better than the rest. Frequently it’s a combination of factors that suit a homeowner’s needs to best identify which types of doors are right for you. When searching for the right type of garage door, make sure that the company you choose takes the time to adequately assess your needs.

The Basic Parts of a Garage Door

Simple in concept, garage doors can have a variety of different components and parts that make them operate safely and smoothly. Needless to say, something that seems so simple can get confusing pretty quickly. Therefore it’s a good idea to have an understanding of how a garage door works and the components that enable it to operate.

How a Garage Door Works

Garage doors function simply in that they can be opened either manually or using an automatic garage door opener. Typically automated overhead doors are the most popular in our region because they are relatively affordable, require minimal maintenance and don’t need much space. A good choice for those that regularly place their vehicle in the garage, automated operated garage door openers can’t be beaten for convenience, but the manually operated door can be a better choice for those that don’t regularly use the garage. Ultimately, the additional cost and convenience must be considered and most find that the modest additional cost for an automatic garage door opener well worth the investment.

Components of a Garage Door

Whether you’re selecting a garage door for the first time, or simply trying to understand how they work, a basic understanding of the different parts is helpful when selecting a garage door for your home. Some of the most basic components include:

Section Joints

– The joints in between the panels of a sectional garage door.

Corner Brackets

– The two brackets are attached to the lower corners of the garage door. These typically include rollers and are connected to the cables that lift the door.

Extension Springs

– One method used to lift garage doors that is mounted just above the horizontal garage door track and is perpendicular to the closed garage door. These are typically a good option of there is limited space above the door.

Torsion Springs

– Another method used to lift garage doors, torsion springs are usually mounted above a closed door and most often situated parallel to the opening and above the door.

Garage Door Openers

– Separate from the garage door itself, the garage door opener is a convenient option to easily enter and exit the garage. Nask Door’s expertise is in a wide range of brands, but we typically recommend LiftMaster garage door openers.

Garage Lift Handles and Pull Ropes

– Used for the manual operation of a garage door, lift handles and pull ropes are necessary for every type of door. Furthermore, sound locking mechanisms are frequently part of this equipment to ensure that your garage is secure when the door is closed.

Photoelectric Eyes and Sensing Edges

– Used in tandem with automatic garage door openers, this equipment detects the presence of people or items that could be hurt or damaged when entering the path of a closing garage door.

Remote Controls

– The ultimate in convenience, automatic garage door remote controls allow you to easily open your garage door from your vehicle.

At Nask Door, Inc. we can help you make sense of everything from the basics of garage door operation to the details of garage door selection and installation. If you are considering the purchase of a new or replacement garage door, we can help. Simply contact us today and we’ll help guide you through the process of finding the best option for your home and family.