The humble garage door can have a huge impact on your home, from the way it looks to the way it functions. That is why there are different garage door styles. For instance, there are single-panel garage doors and sectional garage doors. Yet, when we are talking sectional vs single Panel garage door, what’s the difference? Why choose one over the other?
The Aesthetics.
Most homeowners are actually familiar with the sectional garage door. It comes in multiple pieces and is held together with hinges. A single-panel garage door is what it says it is, one single piece. This design is found in older homes, but also, is used in some newer home builds because it does give a vintage look. Other homeowners may be just dead-set against the sectional look of sectional garage doors, and a single panel garage door does give a seamless look.
How They operate.
As one would suspect, these two garage doors operate very differently. A single panel garage door comes in one large piece that slides up into the space above the car once opened. Typically, single panel garage doors are hung on a strong hinge system attached to the jamb instead of on overhead tracks.
Sectional garage doors include several horizontal panels joined together by hinges that enable the door to bend and curve as it goes up and down. This allows them to have a smaller open clearance than the single-panel garage door.
Considerations for Using a Single Panel Garage Door.
Because a sectional garage door is the one most known, we are going to focus first on the single panel garage door. The single panel does give a seamless look. Because it is one solid piece, it can be made from virtually any material. A single panel garage door is much simpler to properly install than a sectional garage door. A single panel door has fewer parts to potentially wear down and break over time. This can make single panels cost less than a sectional garage door.
Yet, before you rush out and buy a single panel garage door, there are some reasons the sectional is more popular. Single panel garage doors do have their drawbacks. The first is lack of safety. Single panel garage doors use extension springs, which when not properly maintained, can break, and cause serious damage to property and more. Now, while it is true that single panels generally cost less, and have fewer points to fail, when it does fail it can cost more because it is one solid piece, unlike a sectional door that, if you have a dented panel, you can just repair or replace the garage door panel.
One last real drawback to single-panel garage doors is space. Because they tilt up instead of bend and curve up like sectionals, you need plenty of opening clearance for the garage door. Also, because of the tilt to open, the door will swing out more than a sectional, meaning you’ll need to be parked farther back as the door begins to open.
Considerations for Using a Sectional Garage Door.
The sectional garage door is what most homeowners are familiar with. They do not need the same space clearance to operate, offer more control over your garage door operation, and generally seal to the ground and home better than single panel garage door. That means in the harsh Houston weather, they last longer and are more durable.
However, there are some drawbacks to the sectional garage door as well. First and foremost, there are a lot more moving parts, which means there is more potential for something to go wrong and break. That also means generally there are more maintenance costs involved with a sectional garage door. Also, because there are more moving parts, installing the garage door can be more complicated than a single panel garage door.
Regardless of which garage door you choose, if you live in the Houston area, Spectrum Overhead Door has been installing garage doors in Houston since 2006. We offer award-winning services and treat customers with respect. Contact us at 281-748-9542 or if you are on the East side of Houston at 713-557-3407 to schedule your free quote and appointment today!