Choosing a new garage door involves more decisions than most people expect. Before you get into colours, finishes, and whether to add windows, there's a more fundamental question: what type of door do you actually need?

The four main types of garage door each work differently, suit different situations, and come at different price points. This guide explains how each one operates, where it works best, and what to watch out for, so you can make an informed choice.

The Four Main Types of Garage Door

Sectional Garage Doors

Sectional doors are made up of horizontal panels (usually four or five) that are hinged together. When you open the door, these panels travel up vertical tracks at the sides of the opening, then curve to run horizontally along the ceiling.

How they work: The door doesn't swing outward at any point. It rises vertically and tucks away overhead, running on tracks with rollers. Most sectional doors are counterbalanced with torsion springs, making them easy to lift manually or with an electric opener.

Best for:

Properties with short driveways where an outward-swinging door would be impractical
Garages where you want to maximise drive-through width and height
Anyone wanting good insulation (most sectional doors are double-skinned with foam cores)
Attached garages where thermal efficiency matters

Things to consider:

You need adequate headroom inside the garage for the horizontal tracks (typically 200-300mm above the opening, though low-headroom versions are available)
Installation is more complex than simpler door types
They're generally more expensive than basic up and over doors

Typical price range: £1,850 to £5,000+ depending on size, style, insulation, and automation.

Roller Garage Doors

Roller doors consist of narrow horizontal slats (laths) that roll up around a drum at the top of the opening. The drum and motor sit in a box that can be mounted inside or outside the garage.

How they work: When opened, the door coils up into a compact roll. There are no tracks running back into the garage ceiling, which means you don't lose any overhead space. Most roller doors are electrically operated as standard.

Best for:

Garages with limited headroom or ceiling obstructions (beams, pipes, storage)
Maximising internal space since nothing protrudes into the garage
Properties where you want automation without complexity
Garages used for storage where you need full ceiling access

Things to consider:

The rolled-up door and box do take up some space at the top of the opening, slightly reducing drive-through height if fitted under the lintel, though this can often be mitigated by fitting the door back behind the returns and lintel, giving full opening height.
Style options are more limited than sectional doors (no windows, simpler panel designs)
Insulation is good but typically not quite as effective as the best sectional doors

Typical price range: £1,750 to £3,000 depending on size and finish.

Up and Over Garage Doors

The traditional choice that most people picture when they think of a garage door. A single panel that lifts up and slides back into the garage on horizontal tracks.

How they work: There are two main mechanisms. Canopy gear doors have the mechanism contained within the frame, with part of the door protruding outside when open (forming a "canopy"). Retractable gear doors slide fully back into the garage on tracks. Up and over doors can be manual or automated.

Best for:

Budget-conscious buyers wanting a straightforward, reliable door
Replacing like-for-like where the existing frame is suitable
Properties where a simple, classic look is appropriate
Situations where cost matters more than advanced features

Things to consider:

The door swings outward as it opens, so you need clearance in front of the garage (around 500mm)
Canopy gear doors can only be partially automated (the external canopy remains)
Most up and over doors are single-skin steel, so insulation is limited unless you upgrade to an insulated version
Retractable versions need more headroom than canopy versions

Typical price range: £950 to £3,000 depending on size, material, and whether insulated.

Side Hinged Garage Doors

Traditional doors that open outward on hinges, like oversized shed doors. They can be single or double leaf (two doors meeting in the middle).

How they work: Simple hinged operation. The doors swing outward and can be secured open against the garage wall. Available in single-skin and insulated versions.

Best for:

Pedestrian access when you use your garage as a workshop or storage rather than parking
Period properties where a traditional appearance matters
Situations where you frequently go in and out on foot
Garages where you don't need full-width opening every time

Things to consider:

Requires significant clearance in front of the garage for the doors to swing open
Wind can catch the open doors if not secured properly
Full automation is more complex than with other door types (though still possible)
Not ideal if maximising drive-through width is a priority

Typical price range: £1,600 to £3,500 depending on whether single-skin or insulated.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Sectional	Roller	Up and Over	Side Hinged
Outward swing when opening	No	No	Yes	Yes
Space needed inside (ceiling)	Yes	Minimal	Yes	No
Typical insulation	Excellent	Good	Basic (unless upgraded)	Good (if insulated)
Automation	Easy	Standard	Possible (limitations with canopy)	Possible
Style variety	Wide	Limited	Moderate	Moderate
Price range	Mid to high	Mid	Low to mid	Mid
Best for short driveways	Yes	Yes	No	No
Pedestrian access	Via wicket door option	No	No	Excellent

Key Questions to Help You Decide

How much space do you have in front of the garage?

If your driveway is short or your garage opens directly onto a pavement or shared area, you need a door that doesn't swing outward. That means sectional or roller. Up and over and side hinged doors both need clearance in front, which rules them out for tight situations.

What's the headroom like inside your garage?

Sectional doors need space above the opening for the horizontal tracks. Standard installation typically requires 200-300mm, though low-headroom kits can reduce this. Roller doors are the best option if headroom is very limited, as the drum takes up minimal space. Up and over doors with retractable gear also need headroom for the tracks.

How will you use the garage?

If your garage is purely for parking cars, any type will work and it comes down to space, budget, and aesthetics. If you use it as a workshop, storage space, or utility area and frequently walk in and out, side hinged doors offer the easiest pedestrian access. Some sectional doors can include a built-in "wicket" door for walk-through access, but this adds to the cost.

How important is insulation?

If your garage is attached to your house, or you use it as a workspace, good insulation makes a real difference to comfort and energy bills. Sectional doors generally offer the best insulation, with double-skinned panels and foam cores. Insulated roller doors are also effective. Standard up and over doors are single-skin and offer minimal insulation, though insulated versions are available at higher cost.

Do you want automation?

All four types can be automated, but some are easier than others. Roller doors typically come with automation as standard. Sectional doors work very well with electric openers. Up and over doors can be automated, but canopy gear versions have limitations (the external canopy section remains). Side hinged doors can be automated with swing arm operators, though this is less common.

What's your budget?

If budget is the primary concern, a basic up and over door offers the lowest entry point for a functional, secure garage door. Roller doors sit in the middle ground. Sectional doors range from mid-price to premium depending on specification. Side hinged doors, particularly insulated versions, tend toward the middle to upper end.

A Note on Installation

Whichever type you choose, proper installation matters enormously. A poorly fitted garage door will be harder to operate, less secure, less weather-tight, and more likely to need repairs. The tracks, springs, seals, and automation all need to be set up correctly.

This is particularly true for sectional doors, where the torsion spring tension, track alignment, and panel adjustment all affect how the door operates. It's also true for automation, where safety features like auto-reverse sensors need to be correctly positioned and tested.

At GDCG, we've been fitting all types of garage doors across Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, and Leicestershire for years. We can advise on which type suits your situation and ensure it's installed properly. We don't just sell doors and leave you to it.

Making Your Decision

There's no single "best" type of garage door. The right choice depends on your specific situation: the space you have, how you use your garage, whether insulation matters, and what you're prepared to spend.

If you're still unsure, visiting a showroom helps. You can see full-size examples of each type, operate them yourself, and get a feel for the differences in a way that photos and descriptions can't fully convey. Our Grantham showroom has working examples of sectional, roller, up and over, and side hinged doors from manufacturers including Garador, Hormann, and GDS.

For personalised advice based on your garage and requirements, get in touch to arrange a free survey. We'll measure up, discuss the options, and help you find the right door at the right price.

GDCG supplies and installs garage doors across Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, and Leicestershire. We're an established local company with a showroom in Grantham where you can see doors in action. Contact us for a free survey and quote.