Canopy Garage Door
The canopy garage door is the simplest and most common type of garage door mechanism, its name derived from the fully opened garage door panel protruding about a third forward of the sub frame to form a canopy. It gives the maximum drive-through width when open and is the easiest to install. The door is balanced and assisted by torsion springs positioned above the door panel on the head of the fixing frame. The canopy door mechanism is generally only available up to 8 feet (2438mm) wide. It is not generally used if the garage door is to be automated.
Retractable Garage Door
The retractable garage door is fast becoming the more popular type of garage door mechanism, its name derived from the garage door panel retracting fully into the garage when open. It is the mechanism that will convert easily and safely into electric operation with the least equipment. The drive-through width on a retractable mechanism is reduced as the lifting arms sit in between the sub-frame when the door is opened, be careful when limited for width that you do not restrict access too much.
The mechanism can take much heavier loads with tension springs at the sides easily increased in size and strength.
Retractable gear is generally used for garage doors over 8 feet wide and heavier door panels such as hardwood. All double garage doors have retractable gear only.
Double garage door shown with steel sub frame and retractable gear.
General Sizing Information
When talking about up and over garage door sizes the reference is always to the internal sub frame dimensions. This is the frame for fixing the door panel itself to and is either produced in a timber or steel box section. A 7 foot by 7 foot garage door (2134mm x 2134mm) ordering size refers to the daylight opening size of the sub frame and the garage door panel itself is smaller for operating tolerances.
Sub frame sizes themselves vary depending on the gear and manufacturer required – so beware of overall size dimensions! The actual drive through width and height of any one piece up and over garage door will never be the same as the ordering size. The door panel hangs down in the opening and reduces the height depending on the thickness of the panel itself and the width can be reduced as mentioned above when using retractable door gear. The optimum single garage door size is about 8’0” wide (2438mm) to allow easy access of a vehicle, the height depends on other factors such as building restrictions or taller 4 x 4 vehicles.
Click here for Hormann Series 2000 size table.
Many other European metric sizes are available as well as purpose made sizes - call for details.
Installation Positions
Up and over garage doors with sub frames can be installed either inbetween or behind the structural garage opening but not in front! The installation position is usually dependant on sizing restrictions or the finish and depth of the garage piers, although aesthetics quite often is a major factor. A door fitted onto the inside face of an opening can be wider and higher than a door fitted inbetween the same size opening. If you are not sure please call or Email us, it could mean the difference between getting your vehicle into the garage or not.
Materials
The up and over garage door is still the most versatile when it comes to materials and designs. The one piece panel structure means that doors can be made from steel, fibreglass, Upvc and most types of timber.
We have designed and manufactured many wonderful timber doors over the years along with some very large steel and GRP doors. More recently however the maximum available width of a one piece up and over garage door has reduced due to stricter safety legislation and the sectional garage door has stepped into its place. Steel is the most economical choice of door panel.
Finishes
Up and over steel garage doors are generally either primed or powdercoated with Cardale and Henderson offering plastisol coated finishes in white, brown, black and some other newer colours.
The most recent innovation has to be the Decograin or Weathergrain finishes which are attractive foils applied to the outside face of the door panel to simulate wood finishes, these are very effective and come with a 10 year guarantee.
GRP (fibreglass) doors are available in ever changing finished woodgrain colours and are all hand finished so never expect quite the same finish as a sample you may obtain! The 'base' colour of the door is in the gel pigment used to make the door in the first place and the final front finish is hand applied.
Timber garage doors are increasingly available in fully finished colours using microporous wood treatments. The most popular form of supply however is still base coat stained for final finishing on site in order to coordinate with other timber finished on the property.
Automatic Garage Doors
All new up and over garage doors can be remote control automated using either a ceiling mounted boom operator, side mounted Cardale Autoglide or a door panel mounted Novoferm system, both the latter two systems are unique to Cardale and Novoferm doors.
Automating a canopy type up and over garage door will require the use of a bow arm converter if installing with a traditional boom type operator. A retractable up and over door is always preferable if the option is available as a bow arm is then not necessary.
Adding a remote control operator to an existing garage door is possible for about 90% of doors currently in use, unfortunately some door have a very odd geometry and cannot be safely made automatic by any means and therefore would need replacing with a new complete door and mechanism.
The range of controls available today are vast with wall mounted internal and external access controls and a selection of remote control devices to cover all requirements.
Matching Side Doors
A range of matching side doors are available with the majority of the Hormann range of sectional and up and over garage doors. These are manufactured in either single skin or double skinned steel or timber and are generally an exact copy of the garage door itself in a range of very useful standard and purpose made sizes.
Hormann 2104 Marquess steel up and over and side door to match. Powdercoat finish matching in white.
Click here to go to Up and Over Door Catalogue
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