Comparing Sectioned and Solid Garage Doors: The Pros and Cons

There are two main types of garage doors that homeowners have the option to choose from. The most popular type is known as a sectioned garage door. These garage doors are almost always connected to an electronic motor and are popular for homeowners to install for many reasons. The second type is a solid garage door and while they are not as popular, many homeowners still prefer to use them over sectioned garage doors.
Regardless of which type of garage door you choose; it is important to know that each has its own downsides and benefits. If you are interested in learning more about these two garage door types, read on! Finding the right garage door to fits your needs starts with determining whether or not you want a solid garage door or a sectioned one.

Solid Garage Doors

The Benefits:

Design and Style Choices

Solid garage doors come in a single slab of material, unlike sectioned garage doors. Some homeowners prefer to have one, continuous piece of material in order to fit the look and design of their home exterior. Depending on your personal preferences in terms of style, you should consider a solid garage door since you may have more options for how the solid garage door appears, as well as the materials it is made from.

More Affordable

You will find that solid garage doors are more affordable than sectioned garage doors. Depending on your home improvement budget, this may be a factor to consider. Most homeowners are looking to save on their home renovation costs wherever possible. If you are in the process of remodeling your garage and need a new garage door, consider installing a solid garage door to save on both the initial cost of the door, as well as installation.

Less Maintenance Required

Since solid garage doors have fewer parts compared to sectioned garage doors, you can anticipate that less maintenance and upkeep will be required. Sectioned garage doors have many little parts and pieces that must all work together, whereas solid garage doors are built more simply.

The Downsides:

Safety Concerns

Solid garage doors are generally not connected to any kind of motor. This means that you will miss out on the safety and stopping mechanisms that are inherent to sectioned garage door models. If you have smaller children or pets that often play outside near your garage, you may want to skip a solid garage door and go with a sectioned one that has safety features built into it.

They Take Up More Space

Solid garage doors swing out several feet before they are able to tuck up into the ceiling of your garage. This means you will need to leave several feet of space in front of your garage to accommodate the garage door.

Sectioned Garage Doors

The Benefits:

No Space is Wasted

Unlike solid garage doors, sectioned garage doors are able to roll up completely straight and into the ceiling. This means you save a lot of space in front of your garage since you don’t have to account for the door swinging outward first before rolling up.

Added Safety Features

Sectioned garage doors with motors will always come with stopping and safety features that help prevent injury. If one of your children or pets goes under the garage door while it is moving, the door will automatically stop to help prevent accidents of any kind.

Additional Security

Sectioned garage doors are typically electronically controlled, which means their ability to lock is far stronger than a solid garage door that uses a manual lock. Homeowners often prefer sectioned garage doors because they are able to guarantee that their garage doors lock in place electronically.

The Downsides:

Expensive to Install

You will find that sectioned garage doors are more expensive than solid ones. This is because you must consider motor installation, programming, and the costs of labor that will be necessary. These types of garage doors always require professional installation, so you will need to factor in working with a garage door specialist as part of your garage door installation costs if you decide to go with a sectioned garage door. It can be incredibly dangerous to attempt to install a sectioned garage door on your own, so be sure not to skip out on working with a professional installation service.

Maintenance and Upkeep Procedures

Another downside to sectioned garage doors is their maintenance costs. Because these garage doors have more parts and components compared to solid garage doors, there is more that can go wrong. It is important to receive a personalized inspection from a garage door specialist at least once a year in order to stay on top of any potential problems. Any repairs you may need should always be handled by a professional and you will want to keep this in mind throughout the year, setting aside additional funds to be used towards maintenance and upkeep.