Design and Construction of Sectional Garage Doors
Panel Materials and Finishes
Types of Panel Materials
When choosing a sectional garage door style for your home, there’s a wide range of styles, including different material, colour and design options. A steel sectional door is durable and low maintenance, while a custom cedar, plywood, or modern woodgrain texture door with windows may better match your home. Beyond looking at the variety of window options, colours and styles, consider the cost and construction type when choosing your door.
Finishes and Surface Treatments
A modern sectional garage door can be made with a range of finishes to match your style, design and colour preferences. Choose a sectional door with a smooth finish, woodgrain texture with fine horizontal lines, powder coated finish, cedar stain, or consider custom styles and colours to suit the weatherboard claddings or bricks on your new house or existing property.
Insulation and Energy Efficiency
Insulation Materials and R-Values
Beyond panel construction and design, another consideration when choosing your sectional garage door is insulation materials. An insulated garage door will make your home more energy efficient. Modern garage doors are usually insulated with polyurethane or polystyrene.
Thermal Breaks and Weather Sealing
An additional way to keep the elements out of your garage is by using weather sealing and thermal breaks in your sectional door. These are a cost effective way to increase your sectional garage door’s performance and keep moisture and heat from travelling through your new door.
Operation and Convenience of Sectional Garage Doors
Track Systems and Door Movements
Track Configurations
Before installing your new garage door, consider which track configuration will be the best solution for your garage so your door operates smoothly. Common door track styles include vertical lift, high lift, and standard lift.
Opening and Closing Mechanisms
There are a wide range of sectional garage door opening and closing mechanisms to choose from. Consider the features, convenience, cost, and noise impact of each option before choosing an opener option for your garage doors.
Security and Safety Features
Locking Systems and Security Enhancements
Once you’ve chosen the mechanism for your garage door opener, think about how you’ll secure your door. The range of security options include a smartphone-controlled opener, keypad entry, or a manual lock on your sectional doors.
Safety Sensors and Auto-Reverse Mechanisms
There are a range of safety features which are designed to ensure your sectional doors stop before closing on a person or equipment. These include garage door auto-reverse mechanisms and safety sensors.
Installation and Maintenance of Sectional Garage Doors
Professional Installation Process
Site Assessment and Preparation
Before having your sectional door fitted and installed, it’s helpful to find a professional to do a site assessment so you can be sure your sectional garage door will fit width-wise and to ensure your garage doors are safe.
Track Alignment and Spring Tensioning
How accurately your new door’s track is fitted will influence how safe the garage door is. Be sure to find a professional to set up your garage door and opener so it operates as designed.
Routine Maintenance and Servicing
Regular Inspection and Lubrication
Ensure your sectional garage doors are safe, smooth, and operate at peak performance by doing routine service on all garage door panels, windows, springs, and moving parts so they don’t break unexpectedly.
Weather Stripping and Seal Replacement
Prevent moisture from penetrating your garage door sections and enhance its performance by replacing your sectional door’s seals and powder coat colour or panel finish when they show signs of wear. For advice about maintaining your particular garage door type for smooth operation, we recommend you find a garage doors expert to give you advice.