Garage Door Repair Pros and Cons of Automated Garage Doors vs. Non-Automated Garage Doors
As you consider which garage door style you most prefer, it's helpful to have a sheet of paper and a pencil so you can jot down the pros and cons of each style. While some may find the decision so easy they won't need to list pros and cons, it's worth taking the time to think about the advantages and drawbacks of each garage door's style.
Manual Garage Door Pros Here, you have several garage door styles from which to choose. As you look at the qualities of each door style, remember your needs, as you will be using this garage door for many years to come.
º Retractable manual garage doors are made to be easy to open. Because they are hung on horizontal tracks that run along the ceiling of your garage, they are also well-balanced, which means they won't need to be adjusted.
º Canopy doors won't require horizontal tracks. This means they don't take up room at the top of your garage. Like the retractable doors, this style is also well-balanced and easy to open. It is also one of the least expensive to buy and install.
º Roller doors have no swing-out from the garage opening. The "door" is actually a curtain that vertically rolls within guide tracks. It won't take up too much room vertically and it can be installed as either a manual or an automated garage door.
º Sectional doors are well-insulated, keeping your garage comfortable year-round. You won't have to worry about swing out because this door style rises vertically on overhead tracks. This door can also be installed as either a manual or automated door.
Maintenance, if kept up, is easy. You'll have to inspect the tracks and make sure they are free of dirt and debris so the garage door rolls up smoothly. Detergent and water are all you'll need to remove accumulated grime.
Manual Garage Door Cons
º You'll lose a few inches of space at the top of your garage for retractable doors. These must be installed with horizontal tracks. This door has several inches of swing-out, meaning you have to park at a distance before opening the door to get in. The width can be reduced because of the arm mechanism that has to be installed.
º The canopy door can only be installed as a manual. It has a significant swing out as well.
º Roller doors are constructed in many colors and wood finishes, but because of the door's construction, its curtain is always horizontal with no patterns for you to choose.
º Sectional garage doors require horizontal tracks.
Automated Garage Door Pros You won't have to worry about bending over and lifting a heavy garage door. The remote control does all the heavy lifting for you. Once the door has closed, it will lock automatically to increase your family's safety. You'll be able to choose from several designs and materials for your garage door. Match the shade of your front door if you choose.
Automated Garage Door Repair and Cons Garage door repair will be more expensive because a professional has to work on automated doors. If you try to make repairs on your own, this may void your warranty. When you think about it, while the cost to have an installer work on your door can be higher, it's still less expensive than if you had tried to make the repairs yourself.
Manual Garage Door Pros Here, you have several garage door styles from which to choose. As you look at the qualities of each door style, remember your needs, as you will be using this garage door for many years to come.
º Retractable manual garage doors are made to be easy to open. Because they are hung on horizontal tracks that run along the ceiling of your garage, they are also well-balanced, which means they won't need to be adjusted.
º Canopy doors won't require horizontal tracks. This means they don't take up room at the top of your garage. Like the retractable doors, this style is also well-balanced and easy to open. It is also one of the least expensive to buy and install.
º Roller doors have no swing-out from the garage opening. The "door" is actually a curtain that vertically rolls within guide tracks. It won't take up too much room vertically and it can be installed as either a manual or an automated garage door.
º Sectional doors are well-insulated, keeping your garage comfortable year-round. You won't have to worry about swing out because this door style rises vertically on overhead tracks. This door can also be installed as either a manual or automated door.
Maintenance, if kept up, is easy. You'll have to inspect the tracks and make sure they are free of dirt and debris so the garage door rolls up smoothly. Detergent and water are all you'll need to remove accumulated grime.
Manual Garage Door Cons
º You'll lose a few inches of space at the top of your garage for retractable doors. These must be installed with horizontal tracks. This door has several inches of swing-out, meaning you have to park at a distance before opening the door to get in. The width can be reduced because of the arm mechanism that has to be installed.
º The canopy door can only be installed as a manual. It has a significant swing out as well.
º Roller doors are constructed in many colors and wood finishes, but because of the door's construction, its curtain is always horizontal with no patterns for you to choose.
º Sectional garage doors require horizontal tracks.
Automated Garage Door Pros You won't have to worry about bending over and lifting a heavy garage door. The remote control does all the heavy lifting for you. Once the door has closed, it will lock automatically to increase your family's safety. You'll be able to choose from several designs and materials for your garage door. Match the shade of your front door if you choose.
Automated Garage Door Repair and Cons Garage door repair will be more expensive because a professional has to work on automated doors. If you try to make repairs on your own, this may void your warranty. When you think about it, while the cost to have an installer work on your door can be higher, it's still less expensive than if you had tried to make the repairs yourself.
