What is an insulated side hinged garage door?
A side hinged door has two leaves that swing open like a pair of barn doors. Most open outwards, and some models can be set up to open inwards instead. You can open one leaf to walk in and out, or both when you need to get the car or something bulky through.
On an insulated door, each leaf is made from steel panels with a foam core sandwiched between them. The doors on this page use panels between 40mm and 45mm thick. Add seals round the frame and between the leaves, and you get a door that keeps heat in, keeps draughts out and cuts down outside noise.
There are no springs, tracks or overhead gear on a side hinged door, so it doesn’t need any headroom inside the garage. That’s useful if you’ve got a low ceiling, storage up in the roof space, or you just want the full height clear.
Which insulated side hinged door is right for you?
All four doors we fit are well built and properly insulated. The choice usually comes down to how you use the garage and what the opening’s like.
If you already have a Hörmann sectional door, or you’re planning one, the Hörmann NT60-2 is the obvious choice. It uses the same 42mm sections and rib patterns, so the two doors match.
If the doors would swing out over a pavement or a tight drive, look at the Novoferm DuoPort®. It can be made to open inwards. At 45mm it also has the thickest insulated core of the four.
If you want plenty of light in the garage, the Ryterna gives you the widest choice of windows and full view panels. It’s made to measure and can be split equally or one third to two thirds.
If security is top of your list, the Teckentrup CarTeck has a Grade 2 anti drill, anti pick cylinder, and three point locking is available on the active leaf.
We’ll go through the options with you on the survey and recommend what suits your opening.
Timber looks, colours and windows
People often search for wooden, uPVC or composite side hinged garage doors. The insulated doors we fit are all steel with a foam core, because that construction is what gives them their strength and insulation. You don’t have to compromise on looks, though.
Woodgrain and wood effect finishes give you the appearance of timber without the sanding, staining or swelling. Near the coast that’s a real advantage, as salt air is hard on wood. If you’d rather have a modern look, there are smooth and textured finishes in a wide range of RAL colours.
Most models can have windows, from small inserts to full view panels. They’re worth considering if you use the garage as a workshop or gym and want some daylight in there.
Is an insulated side hinged door right for your garage?
It’s a good fit if you use the garage as a room rather than just somewhere to park. Workshops, home gyms, utility rooms and integral garages all benefit from better insulation and easy walk-in access.
Outward opening leaves need clear space in front of the garage to swing into. On wider openings an unequal split can make sense, so the leaf you use every day isn’t too wide or heavy. We’ll check all of this when we survey.
How is this different from other insulated garage doors?
Our insulated garage doors page also covers sectional doors and roller shutters. They’re a different type of door. A sectional or roller lifts vertically, and you open the whole thing every time. A side hinged door swings, so you can nip in through one leaf without opening up the whole front of the garage.
If you’re in and out on foot all day, an insulated side hinged door is usually the better choice. If the garage is mainly for the car and your drive is short, a sectional might suit you better. We’ll talk you through both when we survey.
