Discover the Most Popular Types of Garage Doors for Every Home Style
Choosing the right garage door for your home can feel overwhelming. With so many garage door styles, materials, and opening mechanisms, how do you know which type of garage door actually fits your space, budget, and lifestyle? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the 6 types of garage doors most commonly used in homes today. By understanding the mechanics, materials, and garage door designs available, you’ll be better equipped to choose the right garage door for your needs.
Understanding the Different Types of Garage Doors
Before you dive into picking styles and materials, get familiar with how doors are built and operate. The main types of garage doors work differently when opening and closing, and each has pros and cons depending on your garage setup.
1. Sectional Garage Door
The most popular type of garage door in the United States, the sectional garage door operates using horizontal panels that are connected by hinges. As the door opens, the sections bend and slide up along a set of tracks, ending up parallel to the garage ceiling.
- Great for: Homes with enough overhead space
- Requires: Tracks along the ceiling and rear of the garage
- Advantages: Efficient, space-saving, and works with most garage door openers
A sectional garage door is practical, reliable, and matches well with varying architectural styles. If you’re considering a new garage door and want something widely used and serviceable, this could be the right garage door for you.
2. Roll-Up Garage Doors
Common in commercial or compact residential spaces, roll-up garage doors use slats that coil up above the door opening. These are typically made of steel and are built for durability with minimal maintenance.
- Great for: Tight headroom or smaller garages
- Requires: Vertical clearance above the door
- Advantages: Strong, secure, and less susceptible to impacts
Roll-up doors are not as common in homes but are a solid choice when space is really limited inside the garage.
3. Side-Hinged Garage Doors
These swing open from a hinge on either side, much like traditional barn doors or entry doors. They’re a nod to the past and work well if your garage has minimal ceiling space.
- Great for: Classic architecture or wood garage styles
- Requires: Space in the driveway for the door swing
- Advantages: Easy manual operation, especially for frequent in/out access
Side-hinged garage doors pair beautifully with traditional homes or wood garages and are easy to use even without an opener.
4. Tilt-Up Canopy Garage Door
This canopy garage door comes in a single solid piece that tilts up and rests parallel to the garage ceiling when open. A portion of the door sticks out beyond the garage when open, like a vehicle canopy.
- Great for: Simple design needs
- Requires: Enough clearance at the front of the door
- Advantages: Fewer moving parts compared to sectional versions
Affordable and straightforward, the canopy garage has limited insulation but is low maintenance.
5. Tilt-Up Retractable Garage Door
Similar to the canopy door type, but instead of partially sticking out, this door retracts fully into your garage ceiling. It runs on tracks, much like a sectional door.
- Great for: Homeowners upgrading their garage without height limits
- Requires: More internal space and ceiling clearance
- Advantages: Sleek look, effective with automatic garage door openers
Tilt-up doors are available in various garage door materials including steel, aluminum, and wood.
6. Slide-to-the-Side Garage Door
This lesser-known type of garage door slides straight to the side, running along one of the garage walls.
- Great for: Garages with low overhead clearance
- Requires: Clear wall space parallel to the garage
- Advantages: Vintage appeal and distinctive functionality
Although not widely used today, side-sliding doors are ideal when the garage ceiling is used for storage or lighting.
Comparing Garage Door Styles and Materials
Beyond function, your garage door’s appearance and construction dramatically affect curb appeal and performance. Let’s go over garage door styles and materials to find the right garage door for you.
Popular Garage Door Styles
- Traditional Garage Doors: Classic patterns like raised panels with neutral tones. Pairs well with colonial or ranch architecture.
- Contemporary Garage Doors: Clean lines, glass panels, and modern materials like aluminum or steel.
- Carriage House Garage Doors: Mimic old carriage house swing-out doors with faux hinges and handles. A rustic option that often features wood or wood-look finishes.
- Barn Doors: Often custom, sliding barn doors made of reclaimed or new wood add rustic charm and functional uniqueness.
These garage door styles can be combined with different door materials and openers to customize your garage entrance fully.
Common Garage Door Materials
The materials used to build your garage door will impact insulation, maintenance, longevity, and cost.
| Material | Features | Ideal For
|
|---|---|---|
| Steel Garage Doors | Durable, low maintenance, can be insulated | Most residential garages |
| Wood Garage Doors | Attractive, great curb appeal, requires upkeep | Historic or custom homes |
| Aluminum | Lightweight, resists rust, modern look | Contemporary garage doors |
| Glass and Steel Combo | Stylish, light-inviting, modern | Mid-century modern or sleek builds |
| Vinyl/Fiberglass | Dent-resistant, less common | Coastal or humid environments |
No matter which construction you choose, consider the R-value (insulation), which affects energy efficiency and indoor garage temperature.
Considerations When Choosing the Right Garage Door
Let’s get practical. To choose the right garage door, take into account a few core factors:
- Garage door sizes: Make sure your new door fits your existing garage door opening. Typical doors are 7-8 feet high and 8-16 feet wide.
- Door opening clearance: Some garages limit which door type you can install due to low ceiling height or wall structure.
- Space inside the garage: Consider how far the door extends inside the garage when open.
- Desired insulation: Insulated garage doors improve energy efficiency and temperature control.
- Garage door design: Think about how the look of the door enhances your curb appeal.
- Budget & maintenance: Some doors are easier and cheaper to maintain, especially steel doors.
Still unsure? A professional garage door installation service can help you measure the space and recommend a door type based on your structure and preferences.
Time to Install or Upgrade Your Garage Door?
Upgrading your garage with the right door isn’t just about convenience. It’s a smart home improvement that improves security, comfort, and curb appeal.
Here’s a quick recap of what we’ve covered:
- There are 6 types of garage doors: sectional, roll-up, side-hinged, canopy, retractable, and slide-to-the-side.
- Each garage door type offers different benefits depending on your home’s structure, garage usage, and style.
- Materials like steel, wood, and aluminum impact your door’s performance and appearance.
- Choosing the right garage door affects your home’s energy, security, and visual charm.
Let’s Get Your Garage Door Right
Whether you’re planning to install a new garage door or thinking about how to repair your garage door, getting familiar with the mechanics, materials, and design makes a big difference.
Every garage deserves a door that fits its form and function—and a little guidance from experts never hurts.
Follow us for more tips on doors and how to choose the best features for your space. When you’re ready, we’ll be here to help you find and install the right garage door that ticks all the boxes.
