Published 9th September 2025
Are you sick of struggling with a heavy garage door? Fed up with having to get out of the car in all manner of British weather to park safely at your home? An electric garage door might just be the answer you are looking for. Electric garage doors provide a safe and convenient way to enter and exit a garage at the touch of a button. Read on to find out everything you need to know about electric garage doors.
What Is an Electric Garage Door?
An electric garage door is connected to an electric motor that allows the door to be opened and closed automatically. Also known as automated garage doors, these doors are available in a wide variety of designs, including up and over, roller, sectional, and side-hinged.
How Do Electric Garage Doors Work?
Electric garage doors work by using an electric motor and drive system that opens or closes the door with a remote control, keypad, or button inside the garage. The remote control allows the garage to be opened and closed without leaving your vehicle if you park inside the garage, or to easily access the garage when your hands are full.
Are Electric Garage Doors Worth It?
Electric garage doors are often a great investment for your home and come with many benefits, such as:
- Open and close your garage without leaving the car
- Easier access if you struggle with heavy manual doors
- Useful when carrying items in or out of your garage
- Adds modern convenience and security to your home
How Much Does an Electric Garage Door Cost?
Remote controlled or electric garage door costs can vary depending on a number of factors including whether you’re automating your current system or whether you are having a completely new set up. Costs can also depend on the type of garage door you are choosing and whether any additional work will need to be completed in order to fit your new garage door. For the most accurate price, give AGD a call and we will provide you with a free, no-obligation quotation, and also we able to match or better many major providers.
Which Type of Electric Garage Door is Best for Cars?
If you park your car inside the garage, it’s important to choose an electric garage door which maximises the drive-through width of the doorway to make access easier. An automated sectional garage door will make the most of the dimensions of the entrance, allowing you to safely park inside the garage, while the remote operation will allow you to enter and exit without leaving the car.
Are Electric Garage Doors Secure?
Many electric garage doors come with automatic door locking for additional security, ensuring that your garage and its contents are safe and protected. This prevents the door being forced open. Some doors also have built-in alarm systems to alert you if a break in is attempted.
Are Electric Garage Doors Safe?
Most electric garage doors will feature an automatic safety cut out which will stop the door moving if there is an obstruction beneath the door. This makes electric garage doors safe for use around young children and pets.
Can An Existing Garage Door Be Automated?
Manual garage doors can often be automated as long as the door is in good working order. An electric motor and control system can be retrofitted to enable you to access your garage more easily, whether it is used for storage, parking, or as an additional living space like a workshop or office. Check out our guide to learn more about the types of garage doors that can be automated.
What Power Is Needed for an Electric Garage Door?
Electric garage doors typically run off the mains and need a three pin, 13 amp socket. If you have an integral garage that is connected to your house, it should have a power supply that can be used for an electric garage door. In a detached garage, you may have to link the garage to the power supply.
Can You Manually Open an Electric Garage Door?
Electric garage doors come with a release or bypass which allows the door to be opened manually in the event of a power outage. This ensures you can always access your garage, even if the motor fails or power supply is interrupted.
Are Electric Garage Doors Insulated?
The level of insulation offered by an electric garage door depends on its design. Many modern garage doors are manufactured with insulated panels to keep the garage warm and dry, which is particularly useful if the garage is regularly used, for example as a workshop, home office, or gym. Choosing an insulated garage door will also reduce heat loss from inside the garage and also from inside the house if you have an integral garage.
Can Electric Garage Doors Feature Glass Panels?
Some garage door designs feature glass panels to increase natural light inside the garage. Many manufacturers offer garage doors with a variety of window options, the majority of which can be automated.
What Materials Are Electric Garage Doors Made From?
Like manual garage doors, electric garage doors are made from a variety of materials including steel, GRP, and timber. The material will affect the weight and price of the door but garage doors made of any material can be automated.
How Long Does It Take To Install an Electric Garage Door?
Electric garage doors can take a little longer to be installed because of the electric motor and control system, however the job should generally take around half a day. The time it takes to automate an existing garage door will vary depending on the type of door.
Can an Electric Garage Door Be Repaired?
The design of electric garage doors means that there are more parts that can potentially break or fail, however these components can typically be repaired quite easily. If your electric garage door has broken, the electric motor has failed, or the door won’t open or close, contact us in regards to assessing the repairs needed for the electric garage door.
Enquire About a New Electric Garage Door
For a free, no obligation survey and quote for a new electric garage door, or to learn more about automating an existing door, contact AGD Surrey Ltd on 01483 234123. Alternatively, complete our enquiry form to get in touch.