Upgrading your garage door is one of the best things you can do for your home. With a solid return on investment (ROI) of about 102.7%, a new garage door can boost your home’s curb appeal, enhance security, and help save on energy bills.
Most garage doors can be classified into two categories- sectional and single-panel. Each style comes with its own set of features, benefits, and drawbacks. Understanding these can help you make an informed choice that best fits your needs, aesthetic preferences, and budget.
At Thompson Garage Doors, we’ve gathered tons of insights on single-panel and sectional garage doors from our years of providing quality garage door repair in Sparks. We’re eager to pass on this expertise to help you decide between the two.
Ready to dive in? Here we go!
Table Of Content
1. What Are Sectional Garage Doors?
2. What are Single-Panel Garage Doors?
3. Choosing the Right Door for You
4. The Bottom Line
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What Are Sectional Garage Doors?
A sectional garage door consists of multiple horizontal panels connected by hinges. As the door opens and closes, these panels bend at the hinges and roll up into a track system mounted on the garage ceiling.
Advantages
Sectional garage doors offer several standout benefits, such as:
Insulation and Energy-Efficiency
Sectional garage doors often come with insulation options that help keep your garage comfortable year-round. Better insulation translates to improved energy efficiency and lower heating/cooling costs.
Space-Saving Operation
These doors roll up vertically and stay inside the garage, so they don’t swing out or take up any extra space outside. This is especially handy for homes with shorter driveways or those that are right up against the sidewalk.
Safety Features
Many sectional doors are built with auto-reverse functions – meaning if the door senses something in its path, it backs up to avoid a collision. Some also come with a pinch-protection design to keep your fingers safe.
Variety of Designs
You’ve got plenty of choices with sectional doors. No matter your home’s aesthetic, you’re sure to find a material or style that complements it perfectly.
Disadvantages
However, sectional doors aren’t without their downsides.
Higher Cost
Sectional doors tend to be pricier than other types. Since they have a more complex design compared to simpler models, you might end up spending more upfront to get one set up in your garage.
More Complex Mechanics
Due to their intricate parts and sophisticated mechanisms, sectional doors can sometimes be a headache to repair. Because the tracks, rollers, and springs work together to move the door, each piece needs to be in good shape for everything to run smoothly. If one part goes, it might throw off the whole system, potentially leading to a higher maintenance bill.
Requires Headroom for the Track System
Sectional doors need a fair amount of ceiling space inside your garage to accommodate the tracks. If your garage has limited headroom or if there are obstructions like light fixtures or utility access points, fitting in a sectional door might be a challenge.
What are Single-Panel Garage Doors?
Single-panel garage doors were all the rage before sectional doors took over. Essentially, they’re made of one big, solid slab that slides up and over into your garage’s upper space.
Instead of using overhead tracks like sectional doors, most single-panel doors are set up with a heavy-duty hinge system right at the frame. Once fitted with springs, the door can swing up smoothly, even without a garage door opener.
Sometimes, though, single-panel doors are installed with a track system similar to what you’d find with sectional doors, so they can be attached to an opener if that’s what you prefer.
Advantages
Single-panel doors have some great perks that might just make them the right fit for your home.
Lower Cost
Single-panel doors are usually easier on the wallet than the sectional types. Their straightforward design doesn’t need as many materials or labor, which can keep your costs down.
Simpler Design
These doors are often cheaper and easier to maintain. It’s a less complicated system, meaning there’s less that can go wrong and fewer surprise garage door repairs in Reno.
More Headroom
Since these doors don’t require an overhead track system, they leave more space clear at the top of your garage. This is a big plus if you have taller vehicles or are looking to maximize the vertical storage space in your garage.
Classic Aesthetic Appeal
Single-panel doors offer a timeless look that can perfectly match certain house styles, especially traditional or historic homes. If you’re aiming for a classic vibe, these doors are the way to go.
Disadvantages
But single-panel garage doors have a few drawbacks you should consider.
Less Insulation
One of the bigger downsides is that single-panel doors don’t offer as much insulation as sectional doors. Poor temperature control aside, this can nudge your energy bills a bit higher.
Requires Swing-Out Clearance
Unlike sectional doors that roll up and out of the way, single-panel doors swing out as they open. You’ll need enough clear space in front of your garage for the door to open properly. If you have a short driveway or park close to your garage, this could be a deal-breaker.
Limited Design Options and Materials
If you’re looking for a specific style or material, you might find the choices somewhat restricted compared to sectional doors.
May Have Lower Wind Resistance
Because of their design, single-panel doors can sometimes struggle in high-wind conditions. This is something to consider if you live in an area prone to high winds or severe weather.
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Choosing the Right Door for You
Ultimately, you’ll want to weigh a few key factors to decide whether a single-panel or sectional door best suits your home. Here’s how to make the best choice for your home.
Budget
First off, figure out how much you’re willing to spend. Sectional doors tend to cost more initially due to their design and materials. However, they’re more durable and can save you money on repairs in the long run.
On the other hand, single-panel doors are cheaper to install but may require more upkeep over time.
If your budget is tight and you need a garage door right away, a single-panel door could be a good choice. Likewise, if you’re able to spend more now to save on future costs, consider a sectional door.
Climate and Insulation Needs
Think about how important insulation is to you. Sectional doors are great for keeping the garage warm in winter and cool in summer, especially in regions with extreme weather. Single-panel doors do not offer as much insulation, which could be a drawback if energy efficiency is important to you.
Space
Check the space you have both inside and outside your garage. Sectional doors are perfect for smaller or tighter spaces because they open up and stay inside the garage area, without swinging out. If you have plenty of space in front of your garage, you shouldn’t have a problem with the outward swing of single-panel doors.
Desired Aesthetics and Style
Single-panel doors are the go-to for their classic, vintage look. Since there’s just one piece, it’s easy to paint or stain them to match the rest of your house- without any gaps breaking up the design.
Sectional doors can be customized to fit just about any aesthetic you prefer. Plus, they often have a wider range of options, so you have more choices to explore. We’d recommend single-panel doors for cottage-core homes frozen in the past, and sectional doors for just about everything else.
Safety Features
Sectional doors often have cutting-edge safety features, making them safer for busy households with kids or pets.
As for single-panel doors, the extension springs can become a serious safety hazard if they’re not properly maintained or don’t meet current safety standards. You’ll need to have a garage door services provider check them regularly to keep everything in good working order.
The Bottom Line
And that wraps up our lowdown on the differences between single-panel and sectional garage doors. Remember, picking the right garage door is all about balancing what you need with what you want. If you need help, feel free to reach out to the experts at Thompson Garage Doors!
Ready to upgrade your home with a reliable, stylish garage door? Contact Thompson Garage Doors today to explore our wide range of products and find the perfect fit for your needs. Get in touch to learn more!