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Timber sectional doors
The sectional timber door is constructed from a series of horizontal door panels bracketed and hinged with rollers at the edge of the panels that run on tracks up the side of the opening and into the garage. The door rises vertically, going straight up with the rollers running up the track (rather like a series of train carriages running around a bend) and obviously not swinging out when rising.
The general benefits of timber sectional doors are substantial:
 Security
Generally they would be considered to be one of the most secure garage doors. Common to all major manufacturers, each sectional panel has rollers located at each corner (where the panels join each other), which are confined within galvanised steel running gear preventing forced entry at the sides, top or bottom. Fitted behind the opening ensures that there are no penetration points whatsoever. Fitted with an electric garage door opener the operator pushes and holds the panels to the ground in the closed position and, or course, a remote controlled operator normally eliminates the need for handles.
 Convenience
The vertical rising action of the sectional garage door and the consequential lack of out-swing enables the full driveway space to be useable, facilitating parking right up to the garage. Particularly beneficial if the driveway length is limited.
Increased drive through width and height
The positioning of the tracks behind the opening renders the width of the garage totally usable. The hang down at the head is minimal compared to up and over doors especially when operated with a remote controlled garage door opener.
Generally they would be considered to be one of the most secure garage doors. Common to all the major manufacturers, each sectional panel has spindle rollers located at each corner (where the panels join each other), which are confined within galvanised steel running gear preventing forced entry at the sides, top or bottom. Fitted behind the opening ensures that there are no penetration points whatsoever. When fitted with an electric garage door opener the operator pushes and holds the panels to the ground when in the closed position and, or course, a remote controlled operator normally eliminates the need for outside handles.The vertical rising action of the sectional garage door and the consequential lack of out-swing enables the full driveway space to be useable, facilitating parking right up to the garage. Particularly beneficial if the driveway length is limited.The positioning of the tracks behind the opening renders the width of the garage totally usable. The hang down at the head is minimal compared to up and over doors especially when operated with a remote controlled garage door opener.
The specific benefit of timber sectional garage doors is essentially the visual element – they are more individual and probably more subjective - certainly aesthetics are a major element. However they can often be the answer to planning restrictions.
Variation of style and design
The sheer volume of designs available is staggering. Compound the design variations with the different types of timber, the quantities of stain colour and you realise how wide the choice become. Of particular interest for many people is the scope for uniqueness as the option of designing your own panel is offered by some manufacturers. It is impossible to over state the affect a timber garage door has on a property – it can turn the ordinary to the extraordinary – quite literally. It doesn’t matter whether the property is period, traditional, contemporary or futuristic – they can all be complemented by a timber sectional garage door.
Planning issues/consent
Sometimes a timber sectional door will be accepted where some others wouldn’t because of the ability to replicate any style of door – for example a timber sectional garage door can really appear as an authentic pair of barn doors, even down to the furniture!!!
Fundamental differences between steel and timber sectional garage doors
The gear, including tracks and rollers and the engineering components are essentially all the same although occasionally, on the larger heavier doors, reinforcements may be added for safety and smooth operation.
Maintenance requirements are obviously higher with the timber door needing treatment to maintain the appearance and durability. Also whenever the door receives a coating of stain it will increase the weight of the door perhaps necessitating adjustments to spring tension, which really should be carried out by an experienced garage door engineer.
Timber sectional garage doors are invariably heavier than steel ones and may require a more powerful operator than a steel door of the same size.
BEWARE…Unfortunately there are times when a timber sectional door is not suitable!
Sectional doors will fit most garages but there are a few things that need checking before proceeding.
> If there is a pedestrian door into the garage there will be a possibility that the door tracks may foul the opening passageway so the positioning of the tracks needs to be established before proceeding.
> Likewise the horizontal tracks could run across stairway entrances coming down into the garage.
> Ensure that loft hatches, consumer units etc are all accessible one the tracks are in place.
> Make sure that rafters or beams set back in the garage are not lower than the lintel creating insufficient headroom, although low headroom gearing may solve this problem.
With regards to timber, do exercise caution if living close to exposed coastal areas as the timber can be affected by air borne salt deposits.
Some examples of special designs available as timber sectional doors:
  
  
Go to Timber Sectional Door Catalogue >
Different types of timber used
Differing manufacturers favour certain types of timber but in the main you can readily order sectional doors manufactured from the following timbers:
Hemlock
Oak
Nordic Pine
Cedar Wood
African Okoume
Norwegian Spruce
Superior Spruce
Larch
Sapele
Please note that most manufacturers would recommend good quality electric automation for any type of oak garage door.
Manufacturers
The major manufacturers in the timber sectional garage door market are:
Hormann
Novoferm
Cedar Doors
Rundum
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