Is your garage door sagging and cracking, almost impossible to lift, or just generally falling apart? If it is, maybe now is the time to replace it with a new one that's easy to operate and maintain. Not only can a new garage door provide safe, secure, easy access to your garage, but --as one of your house's most visible elements-- it can renew and refresh your home's appearance. Not only is the garage door one of the most visible elements of the typical house—it’s also the largest moving part. As such, it pays to keep it looking good and working properly.
The two main types of garage doors are sectional roll-ups—by far the most popular—and swing-ups. A swing-up door is made from a single panel that pivots out and upward. A sectional roll-up door is made of four or more horizontal sections that are hinged together and mounted with rollers to tracks at each side. With this type, the door can roll straight up and back. Though these tend to be slightly more expensive, they’re worth the extra cost in most cases because they’re easier to use and more weather-tight.
Though most tilt-up doors cost from 25% to 35% less than their sectional counterparts, a sectional door is generally favored because it's safer and easier to operate, can be opened even when a car is parked directly in front of it, and allows substantially more headroom in the garage. Because sectional doors fit behind rather than within the opening, they are more weather tight, and they are more secure because they can't be pried open from the sides.
Both types of garage doors are manufactured from wood, steel, and fiberglass-composites in flush, raised-panel, and recessed-panel designs. They can be purchased with a variety of options such as windows and electric operators.
