Published 22nd March 2023
One of the most popular designs found on garages across the UK, up and over garage doors are a versatile choice available in a wide variety of designs and colours. A simple design also makes up and over garage doors a budget-friendly choice when updating your property.
What is an Up and Over Garage Door?
Up and over garage doors typically consist of a single panel and are operated by lifting the door up and tilting it over to lay flat in the roofspace of the garage. By retracting fully or partially into the garage when open, an up and over door allows you to make the most of the space inside your garage or on your driveway.
What Types of Up and Over Garage Doors Are Available?
There are two types of up and over garage doors – canopy garage doors and retractable garage doors. When a canopy garage door is open, around a third of the door panel protrudes above the garage opening to form a canopy, while retractable garage doors retract fully into the garage when open.
How Do Up and Over Garage Doors Work?
Up and over garage doors operate on a track mechanism fixed to the ceiling of the garage. The door panel lifts from the bottom and slides back into the garage roof space when open (retractable garage doors), or lifts to form a canopy above the door frame (canopy garage doors).
Canopy garage doors are supported by torsion springs fitted to a sub frame above the door panel. Meanwhile, retractable garage doors have lifting arms which sit either side of the door panel.
Which Up and Over Garage Door Is Best for Parking in the Garage?
Because canopy garage doors don’t have lifting arms at the side of the door panel, the drive-through width of the garage is maximised, allowing even large vehicles to park inside the garage. When choosing a retractable garage door, consider how this will impact the width of your garage opening if you are planning to park inside.
What Materials Are Up and Over Garage Doors Made From?
Up and over garage doors can be made from steel, timber, or GRP, all of which provide great durability and security to protect your garage and its contents.
What Styles of Up and Over Garage Door Can I Choose From?
As one of the most popular types of garage door, up and over doors are available in a wide variety of styles and finishes, including panelled and ribbed designs. Some GRP doors have a wood-effect finish which replicates the natural character of timber in a low-maintenance material. To create a coordinated look, choose a garage door design which matches the other features of your home, like your front door and window frames.
Where Do Up and Over Garage Doors Work Best?
Up and over doors are a good choice if you have a smaller garage, as when the door is open, the usable space inside the garage is maximised. This is useful if the garage is used as a workshop, play room, or additional living space.
However, if you have a short driveway, an up and over door may not be suitable, as there needs to be enough space for the door panel to move forward as it opens. This means it isn’t possible to park a vehicle immediately in front of the door, which can be a problem if your household has multiple cars.
Do I Need Planning Permission For an Up and Over Garage Door?
Planning permission is not usually required when installing a new garage door, regardless of its design. However, you may require planning permission if your property is listed or located in a conservation area. Speak to your local authority to confirm whether planning permission will be required.
Are Up and Over Garage Doors Secure?
Modern up and over garage doors are designed to protect your garage and its contents from would-be intruders by providing a durable and secure barrier to unwanted entry. Many feature quality locking systems for added peace of mind. If your up and over garage door is dated or damaged, investing in a newer design can improve security at your home.
Can Up and Over Garage Doors Be Electric?
Retractable up and over garage doors can be fitted with an electric motor to allow you to access your garage at the touch of a button, which is useful when parking in the garage or if you find it difficult to lift the weight of the door. However, canopy up and over garage doors are not suitable for automation, so if you want an electric garage door, you need to choose a retractable design.
Can An Existing Up and Over Garage Door Be Automated?
If your existing up and over garage door is in good condition, it can usually be retrofitted with an electric motor for automated operation. If an existing door is damaged or showing signs of wear and tear, investing in a new electric door might be a better option.
Can An Up and Over Garage Door Include a Pedestrian Door?
Some manufacturers produce up and over garage doors which include a pedestrian door, also known as a wicket door. This allows you to access your garage without opening the door fully, which is handy if the space is used as an office, gym, or workshop. This also allows you to enter or exit the garage while concealing the contents of the garage from view, which is useful if your garage is used to store a vehicle or valuable equipment that you don’t want to display when accessing your garage.
Can Up and Over Garage Doors Be Repaired?
Up and over garage doors can need repairing if the springs or cables become worn or damaged, or if a problem develops with the automation of the door. Instead of replacing a damaged garage door, speak to a repair specialist about restoring your garage door to full working order. Often, a door can be repaired rather than replaced, saving you money and reducing waste.
Enquire About a New Up and Over Garage Door
For a free, no obligation survey and a free quotation for a new up and over garage door, contact AGD Surrey Ltd on 01483 234123 or use our enquiry form to get in touch. We can also carry out a wide range of repairs to up and over doors, so speak to our team if your door is showing signs of wear and tear.