Garage Door Panel Types: A Comprehensive Guide
There’s little doubt that when most homeowner’s today think about garage doors one image comes to mind. And that is of the sectional garage door slowly rising, bending neatly every vertical foot or so before coming to rest above the car. This type of door has become the standard from coast to coast. But it’s not your only choice when it comes time to replace the garage door. First you much choose between a single panel or sectional, then you need to pick whether you would like short or long panels. In this article we will cover all options. So which is actually better?
Single Panel Garage Doors
The single panel garage door actually predates the sectional door by quite a few years and was considered the standard way back in the day. In the years after World War II however the sectional door shoved the single panel door to the side largely because it was marketed as a superior product both from a practical perspective and an aesthetic perspective. But is that actually the case? Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of the single panel door.
The single panel door is attractive, reliable, easy to open by hand if necessary and quite affordable. The downside tends to revolve around the additional space required for it to open and close. Now let’s look at the sectional garage door.
The Sectional Garage Door
The sectional garage door is everywhere these days but what is it about them that makes them so appealing to homeowners? And is there a downside to this type of door? Let’s look at some of the pros and cons:
If you want to provide your home with a distinctive look it’s hard to beat the single panel garage door. If however, you want something very dependable that takes up minimal space the sectional garage door may be a better choice. Talk to the garage door professionals at A Better Garage Door about these and other replacement garage doors.
| Feature | Single Panel Garage Doors | Sectional Garage Doors |
|---|---|---|
| Affordability | Less expensive due to simpler construction with fewer parts. | More expensive due to multiple panels, tracks, springs, and rollers. |
| Space Efficiency | Requires clearance in front of the garage for the door to swing outward. | Uses very little space; moves vertically without swinging out. |
| Dependability | Simple design with fewer moving parts makes it reliable. | More durable due to multiple anchor points and high-quality materials. |
| Automation | Can be automated but requires a more complex mechanism. | Easily integrates with smart home systems for remote access. |
| Aesthetics | Classic, throwback charm with simple, elegant designs. | More modern appearance, but common and harder to make unique. |
| Space Requirements | Swings outward, requiring clearance in front of the garage. | No extra space needed as it moves up along tracks. |
| Durability | Held by a single attachment point, making it more vulnerable to weather damage. | Secured by multiple rollers and tracks, increasing durability. |
| Maintenance | Fewer moving parts mean less maintenance. | Requires more maintenance due to multiple moving components. |
| Safety | Swings outward, posing a potential hazard for unaware pedestrians. | Moves straight up and down, reducing the risk of accidents. |
At A Better Garage Door, we take our name to heart and strive to provide our customers with a better brand of garage door than what is typically seen on most homes. To that end the doors we use are manufactured by C.H.I. Overhead Doors. We chose C.H.I. after a long search for a company that reflected our values and beliefs regarding craftsmanship and value. Having installed hundreds of these doors we are more certain than ever today that our doors remain a cut above what you’ll get from other garage door companies.
Short Panel vs. Long Panel Doors: How Do They Compare?
Short and long panel steel garage doors both offer durability, insulation options, and aesthetic flexibility. Short panel doors provide a contemporary look that complements various home designs, while long panel doors offer adaptability to different exterior styles and garage sizes. Both types are available in high-density steel with insulation choices to enhance energy efficiency. The table below highlights key differences and similarities between these two styles.
| Feature | Short Panel Steel Garage Doors | Long Panel Steel Garage Doors |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Contemporary, versatile design that fits most home styles. | Flexible design that adapts to various home exteriors. |
| Insulation Options | Polyurethane and polystyrene insulated options available. | Polyurethane and polystyrene insulated options available. |
| Polyurethane Insulation Models | Models 2206 and 2216 | Models 4206 and 4216 |
| Polystyrene Insulation Models | Models 2241, 2251, 2255, and 2283 | Models 4241, 4251, 4255, and 4283 |
| Non-Insulated Models | Models 2240 and 2250 | Models 4240 and 4250 |
| R-Values (Insulated Models) | Ranging from 3.56 (2255) to 17.19 (2216) | Ranging from 3.56 (4255) to 17.19 (4216) |
| Door Thickness | 1.5" (2206) or 2" (2216, polystyrene models) | 1.5" (4206) or 2" (4216, polystyrene models) |
| Steel Gauge | 24-gauge (heavier models) or 25-gauge | 24-gauge (heavier models) or 25-gauge |
| Weather Sealing | Tongue-and-groove joints for improved weather resistance | Tongue-and-groove joints for improved weather resistance |
| Window Insert Options | Various styles including Cascade, Waterton, Sherwood, and more | Various styles including Cathedral, Mission, Cascade, Waterton, Sherwood, and more |
| Glass Options | Plain, frosted, tinted, obscure, glue chip | Plain, frosted, tinted, obscure, glue chip |
| Color Options | White, almond, sandstone, brown, evergreen, desert tan, bronze | White, almond, sandstone, brown, evergreen, desert tan, bronze, gray |
| Additional Features | Endurance and Appearance Package available for 2216 | Endurance and Appearance Package available for 4216 |
Steel garage doors are virtually maintenance free and will withstand whatever the Colorado winter has in store for them. Versatile, durable, attractive and affordable they’re the garage door choice that makes sense from just about any angle you choose to consider them.
A Better Garage Door has been helping the people of Broomfield and Brighton make their homes more comfortable, convenient and energy efficient for years by installing the best steel garage doors on the market. You’ll rest easy knowing you’ve made the right choice once you install short or long panel steel garage doors from A Better Garage Door in your home. Call us today on (303) 920-2267 to find out more or to discuss annual garage door maintenance or any other related issue.