The Pros and Cons of Single-Panel and Sectional Garage

When choosing a garage door for your home, you're faced with various options, including single-panel and sectional garage doors. Each type has its own unique characteristics and benefits, but they also come with their respective drawbacks. Understanding the pros and cons of single-panel and sectional garage doors is crucial in making an informed decision that suits your needs and preferences. In this article, we will delve into the advantages and disadvantages of both types of garage doors, helping you weigh your options and ultimately choose the one that best fits your requirements.

First, we must identify the differences between a single-panel garage door and a sectional garage door. We will overview this below.

A single-panel garage door contains one large piece of wood or metal that slides up at an angle above a car once it is opened. They are usually hung on a durable hinge system attached to the jamb instead of on overhead tracks. Single-panel garage doors are generally older and much more common in older homes. However, new ones are still being made and are usually spotted in custom homes that are going for a vintage look. 

A sectional garage door contains several horizontal panels attached by hinges that enable the door to flex and curve as it goes up and down. Sectional garage doors are a more modern design and are much more common than single-panel doors. Since they can bend, they often allow you more space in your garage and don't kick out when you open them. They lift straight up and down. 

More Variety

Single-panel garage doors offer more of a selection when it comes to design. Since single-panel garage doors are essentially one giant piece of metal or wood, you can add many different design elements to the front of the door without being limited by panels. 

Cheaper

Because of fewer working parts, single-panel garage doors typically cost less than sectional garage doors. This also often means they require less maintenance, potentially saving you money in the long run. Single-panel garage doors usually do not require a lifting cable or torsion spring and instead use less expensive extension springs. 

Simplicity

With less complexity, a single-panel garage door will likely be cheaper and easier to install than a sectional door. Also, inspecting a single-panel door is a lot simpler than a sectional door because there are only a few main hinges that need to be checked instead of numerous hinges that connect each horizontal panel. 

Safety

The biggest reason why single-panel garage doors are not as popular these days is that they are not as safe as sectional garage doors. As mentioned above, single-panel garage doors use extension springs, which can break or fail if improperly maintained. If that happens, the door will usually violently shut, and if someone is in its path, they can get badly hurt. Also, when extension springs break or fly off rusted connectors, they can turn into projectiles that can hurt you if they hit you. They can also damage the walls, your car, or anything else stored in your garage.

Higher Likelihood For Replacement

Even though you will likely save time and money on repairs and maintenance, single-panel doors have more of a potential for a total replacement if something breaks or is damaged. For instance, if you back into a single-panel garage door and a trailer hitch pierces a hole in it, you'll have to replace the whole door. If a trailer hitch pierces a hole in a sectional door, you'll likely only have to replace the damaged section, not the entire door.

Space Limitations

Single-panel garage doors come with more space restrictions than sectional garage doors. Since they go up and down at a tilted angle, they require a little extra space inside and outside your garage to operate. This usually means that cars in the garage need to be parked further inside the garage so the tilted door doesn't hit the car when it is halfway open. It also means that cars outside the garage can't be parked too close to the door since it kicks outward when it opens. 

Insulation, Ventilation, And Cleanliness

Sectional garage doors offer a layer of protection because of the rubber seals around their perimeter. These seals keep your garage warmer by blocking out wind drafts. They also keep your garage cleaner by preventing dirt and dust from blowing into the garage. The rubber seals also work to stop bugs and small reptiles from creeping into your garage through small openings often exposed in single-panel garage doors.

Sectional garage doors also give you more control over how much the door is opened. Sectional doors can be partially opened, allowing you to ventilate your garage without the door being wide open. Most single-panel doors don't open incrementally and can only stay in a fully opened or closed position. 

Durability

A sectional garage door typically works more efficiently in harsh weather conditions compared to a single-panel garage door. They are generally made from metal which usually lasts longer than wood doors that are often single-panel. Sectional garage doors also often come with a factory coating in your desired color. These coatings usually last longer than when you paint a wooden single-panel door. 

Space Efficiency

Single-panel garage doors need clearance space to operate properly. Still, sectional garage doors can move within a compact vertical plane. A sectional garage door's narrow range of motion means you get more room for vehicles to park. Since sectional garage doors do not kick outward when they open like single-panel doors do, you can drive right up to the face of a sectional garage door before opening it. This feature is handy for those with a short driveway or whenever a car needs to be parked close to the garage.

Continual Maintenance

A sectional garage door needs more upkeep than a single-panel garage door. Since a sectional garage door has more components and parts, you'll likely need those parts to be repaired or replaced occasionally. It is recommended for people who have sectional garage doors to inspect and perform routine maintenance on their doors twice per year. A regular maintenance routine should always include lubrication and cleaning. The easiest way to get this done is to call Door Gators now to start a routine maintenance schedule. 

Cost

Since a sectional garage door requires an opener motor that uses a torsion spring and other more advanced components, they will be more expensive than a single-panel door and cost more to operate. With more parts to repair or replace over time, the maintenance costs of owning a sectional garage door will cost you quite a bit more.

Complex Installation Process

Another thing to consider about the cost of a sectional garage door is that they have a more complicated installation process compared to a single-panel garage door. Since a sectional garage door is a more complex mechanism, it is always recommended to have a professional install the door. 

Looking for a new garage door installation for your South Florida home? Contact Door Gators for fast, professional service.