Choosing the right material for your garage door

 

Choosing the right material for your garage door extends well beyond aesthetic considerations of simply how it will look. Garador offer a variety of materials for their garage doors, including steel, timber, GRP and aluminium, each of which have merits and can add value to your property.

In this post we will look at some of the benefits and drawbacks of the different materials on offer, and which one is likely to suit your particular circumstances. It’s not just the usage of the garage that is important to consider, but the location and other characteristics such as whether the garage is attached to the main house. So let’s dive in and find out more about the different materials on offer.

 

Aluminium

Aluminium is a light and corrosion-resistant material that can withstand impact, scratches and dents without losing its shape or quality. Aluminium is very suitable as a material for garage doors and is used in Garador's GaraRoll roller doors as part of the curtain as it is durable and lightweight, which makes it easier to install and operate. Garador's aluminium laths are foam filled, giving them structural rigidity. Aluminium is also resistant to rust and corrosion, which prolongs its lifespan especially in coastal regions. Furthermore, it is secure and can withstand impact and intrusion attempts. Finally, an aluminium GaraRoll roller door can enhance the kerb appeal of any modern home with its sleek and modern design.

 

Steel

Steel is a popular material for garage doors, due to its affordability, meaning it is cheaper than other materials and lasts well, reducing the need for repairs or replacements. It is typically used on Garador’s up & over and sectional garage doors. The steel is galvanised so it is more durable and therefore resistant to rusting and because it’s supplied with a thick powder-coated paint it will stand the test of time. In addition, it is relatively low maintenance and doesn’t require an excessive amount of time to spend on cleaning and painting to maintain the material. Furthermore, it can be formed into various shapes, with swage or panel pressed styles which can add value to your home’s appearance and potentially enhance it’s resale value.

 

Timber

Garador’s timber up & over, side-hinged and personnel garage door models are constructed from natural solid red cedar, which is a durable and stable soft wood which can withstand moisture, insects, weather and general wear and tear better than most other types of wood, thus making it very suitable for an external building product like a garage door. Cedar wood is rot resistant, so it will last longer than other softwoods.Furthermore, it is relatively lightweight and will therefore put less stress on the lifting gear than some other heavier, denser types of wood.

 

GRP (Glass-Reinforced-Polyester)

GRP is a composite material that combines fiberglass strands and resin, for a lightweight, yet strong and durable garage door material. They can resist harsh weather conditions and salty sea air, making them ideal for coastal locations or areas with extreme climates. GRP garage doors do not rust, warp or rot, and require very little maintenance. Furthermore, they can also imitate the appearance of wood with realistic woodgrain textures and a variety of colourful options which look like natural timber stains. In addition, to the timber effect versions Garador also offer a silky, smooth gloss white GRP product in the form of the Arden.

 

Find out more about Garador’s comprehensive range of garage doors, in a variety of materials, by visiting www.garador.co.uk

What sort of garage door should you consider for a garage with obstructions in ceiling space?

If you have a garage with obstructions in the ceiling space, such as pipes, beams, or ducts, you might be wondering what sort of garage door you should consider. After all, you don't want to end up with a door that doesn't fit or that damages your ceiling. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the options available for garages with limited ceiling space and help you choose the best one for your needs.

One of the most common types of garage doors for garages with obstructions in the ceiling space is the side-hinged door. This is a door that opens outwards from the sides, rather than upwards from the bottom. Side-hinged garage doors are easy to install and operate, and they don't require any overhead tracks or springs. They also offer a more traditional and rustic look that can complement your home's style.

Another option for garages with limited ceiling space is the roller door. This is a door that rolls up into a compact cylinder above the opening, rather than sliding along the ceiling. Roller doors are ideal for saving space and maximizing clearance, as they only need a few inches of headroom. They also offer a sleek and modern look that can enhance your home's exterior appearance.

As you can see, there are two main types of garage doors that you can consider for a garage with obstructions in the ceiling space. The best one for you will depend on your personal preference, budget, and available space. 

Check out www.garador.co.uk  to view the full range of Garador garage doors.

Have you seen our side-hinged garage door range?

Developing a new product has its challenges and so our engineers have been exceptionally busy over the last 36 months or so working on the refinement of our new design of side-hinged garage door. The new design is a significant improvement on its predecessor, with features that enhance the security, user-experience and longevity of the product. There are 19 different door models to choose from, along with a selection of colours and options.

The main principle of the side-hinged garage door has been retained, with a simple, straight-forward design that’s easy to use and two outward-opening door leafs. The door leafs come in either a 50/50 or 70/30 setup, with the latter configuration sometimes preferred for garages where large items like bikes or gardening tools are stored.

Two new door models have been added to the range, the Windsor and the Ascot, which give homeowners the possibility of a more contemporary side-hinged garage door design. Both models come in a variety of standard sizes and a selection of 19 powder-coat paint finishes.

The new and improved design incorporates a lengthy list of features which make for an overall better door. These include:

Enhanced 2-point locking for security.
An upgraded 2-point locking system means that the door is securely closed with two shoot-bolt latches which engage at the top and bottom of the fixed leaf. The shoot-bolt latches are operated by a flip handle, positioned centrally on the outer edge of the fixed door leaf, providing a straightforward way for it to be opened and closed without problems.

Door stays to prevent the door blowing shut during heavy winds.
There are door stays positioned at the top of the garage door frame next to each door leaf, helping to keep the door open and prevent it from blowing closed in blustery conditions.

Gas pistons for a gentle closing motion.
Gas pistons are employed as dampeners, ensuring a smooth, cushioned movement as the door is pulled or pushed to a close. Overall these make for a better user experience and a more controlled, gentle closing motion when operating the door.

Improved rubber seals on the inside of the frame to prevent drafts.
Weatherproof rubber seals are built into the door frame and run along the door stop on both the fixed and leading door leaf to prevent drafts. This feature is further enhanced by the 3-way adjustable hinges, which can be fine-tuned for a smoother door action and tighter close against the rubber seal. An aluminium threshold at the foot of the door also blocks the flow of air that can pass underneath the door.

Wider 75mm frame and concealed hinges for security.
The door is supplied pre-framed for a quick installation process and can be fitted between or behind a brickwork opening. A 75mm wide galvanised steel door frame means the door is strong and stable in its construction and having the hinges concealed inside the frame, means that they are less exposed and susceptible to burglars. From an aesthetic stand point, having hidden hinges is also better as there are no hinge knuckles protruding above the surface of the door; giving a seamless appearance across the door panel and frame.

Increased drive-through width of 64mm
Whilst the side-hinged design of garage door is an excellent solution for accessing stored equipment inside the garage, it is also often used by homeowners for garages where cars are parked inside. So the new range has been engineered with this in mind, providing an increased drive-through width of 64mm to cater for larger vehicles.

The Garador side-hinged garage door continues to be supplied with a black plastic lever handle, which has the often overlooked benefit of being easy to open even when you have your hands full; perfect for garages that are being used to store more cumbersome tools or gardening equipment.

Find out more about Garador’s new side hinged garage doors by calling 01935 443722 or visiting www.garador.co.uk

We've updated our side-hinged installation details

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We've updated the fitting instructions for side hinged doors. Concealed hinges are a new feature of our side hinged garage door, instead of the door leaf sitting in-between the opening it now increases the drive through opening by sending the leaf in front of the side frame. The door can be fitted between and behind the opening.

Whilst fitting behind the opening is not recommended, if unavoidable, please see technical information above detailing the minimum tolerance required. Those fitted behind must show 50mm of frame leg so the door can fully open. 

View the price list for further details.

A slice of cake for charity

We do like a nice slice of cake at Garador and a spot of coffee too! So we couldn't wait for this year's annual Macmillan Coffee Morning, which we ran last Thursday at Garador head office in Yeovil and all for a really worthwhile cause, Macmillan Cancer Support.

All the cake baking enthusiasts were busy in their kitchens  on Wednesday evening, baking a wide range of tasty cakes and savouries for a special coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer support. The turnout was impressive, with a huge range of both traditional and personally created recipes, from meat and veggie samosas to coffee cake and even Dorset apple cakes! Yum!!!

It's fair to say that the morning was a fabulous success and all of our staff were very generous, donating their time and effort to bake cakes as well as donations for the cake sale.

We also ran a raffle with lots of prizes to help raise further funds for the charity, and so far well over £500 has been raised for the charity. Find out more about Macmillan Cancer Support and the incredible work they do by visiting www.macmillan.org.uk

We had a funtastic time at Yeovil Hospital's Fun 5K

We had a funtastic time over the weekend, when a few of us went along to take part in Yeovil Hospital's Charity's Fun 5K event!

Garador sponsored the powder paint section of the Fun 5K obstacle race, which is a 5 km race including a number of obstacles competitors had to get through to finish. The organisers had come up with all sorts of brilliant ideas, such as a dark maze, a foam pit, an inflatable tunnel and a slippery slide so it was a real joy to take part. The obstacles were such great fun and overall made it a fantastic experience for our team of runners. The power paint section Garador sponsored involved the competitors being sprayed with various paints as they ran by.

Everyone successfully completing the course receives a medal which was awesome and a great memento for what turned out to be a truly memorable experience. It was great to see such team spirit in what turned out to be a really fun and exciting event.

You can donate to Yeovil Hospital by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/yeovilhospital

A revolution in roller door design

The new and improved GaraRoll roller door has been redesigned with a new DuraBelt anti-scratch system and a new smartphone compatible bisecur radio system.

Dust and dirt builds up on the surface of the roller door curtain over time and this can cause abrasion on the paintwork which can lead to scratches and markings. To overcome this issue, we have created DuraBelt, a unique anti-scratch system, designed to reduce scratches and prolong the life of the door curtain. 

The belt itself is made from a microcellular polyurethane elastomer, which was developed for us in the automotive industry because of its high abrasion resistance and its ability to withstand temperature related stress. The material also does not easily degrade when exposed to moisture, oil or grease. It provides a protective layer between each lath as it rolls up when the door is opened. 

The actual DuraBelt unit is hidden under the fascia panel and because the material is soft, there is less noise when running and no visible marking on the door curtain. The whole system has been developed exclusively for Garador’s GaraRoll roller doors and will provide continual long-lasting protection.  

The new GaraRoll also features a stylish new control panel design and its got a built in Bluetooth receiver as standard, enabling homeowners to control their GaraRoll roller door using their smarphone via the BlueSecur app. The door also comes with two bisecur (868 MHz) hand transmitters as standard, for homeowners who prefer a more traditional remote control.

 View the full range of GaraRoll roller doors online at www.garador.co.uk