Up & Over Garage Doors
All up and over garage doors in the U.K. fall into two main categories for their type of operation - canopy or retractable. This is how the panel opens and closes and both mechanisms have their uses in different applications.
The illustrations below show both garage door types with the optional steel fixing subframe. Timber sub frames are quite acceptable and normally used for timber door panels or where unusual sizes or shapes are required due to structural requirements.
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| Canopy door mechanism shown with steel sub frame |
Retractable door mechanism shown with steel sub frame |
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 normally used if the garage door is to be controlled by an electric garage door operator for automatic opening with a handset.
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 opening width that you do not restrict access too much.
The retractable mechanism can take much heavier loads with adjustable 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.
General Sizing Information
When talking about up and over garage door sizes the reference is always to the internal fixing 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 used – so beware of overall size dimensions when ordering!
The actual drive through width and height of any up and over garage door will never be the same as the ordering size. The door panel always hangs down in the opening and reduces the height depending on the thickness of the door 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 but always try for 7 feet as minimum.
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 a garage 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 different 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.
Check out our product catalogue section and choose from material types.
Automatic Garage Doors
All new up and over garage doors can be remote control automated using either a ceiling mounted boom operator, side mounted operator or a door panel mounted Novoferm Vivoport system. The Vivoport system is unique to Novoferm.
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 preferrable if the option is available as a height reducing 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 in ther U.K. unfortunately some garage 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 wireless 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.
For additional sizing, technical and other information on these doors, view our
specialised Up & Over Garage Doors information page.
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