As roller shutter garage doors gain popularity and become more available from a wide range of manufacturers, it can be difficult to make an informed decision on which door is best. Helpfully, manufacturer Hörmann have created a guide on the main features to look out for when choosing a roller door.
Below, they have listed the top 5 things to know when buying a roller garage door:
Door Quality
All roller doors are made from laths (the horizontal strips that roll up into the roof of the garage). However, not all laths are created equal! Check what materials the laths are made from; typically higher quality laths are made of several materials, with a foam core for strength and insulation. Thinner laths, or ones without insulation at all, are more prone to rattle in adverse weather.
Safety is a paramount part of the quality of the door. Check through the safety features offered with the door. Many automated doors come with a safety edge that will detect obstructions and stop the door closing if there is something underneath it. Safety breaks prevent the door from dropping if a motor fails. Another feature to note is internal hoods to stop anything getting trapped in the door curtain; these are mandatory on doors up to 2.5m in height.
Look out for quality marks such as CE, Secured By Design, and Quality Assurance when buying a garage door, and ask for any warranties on door parts.
Door Security
Most roller doors will come with automation in the form of remote controls to operate the opening & closing of the door. Some manufacturers have started using BiSecur technology which means it is almost impossible for thieves to copy the remote control signal. This is a level of security similar to that used in online banking.
When pricing your garage door, take into consideration the contents of your garage. Having a more secure garage door with accreditations could also save you money on your home and contents insurance.
Quality of Installation
Once you’ve chosen the right garage door, who installs it is just as important. Ask others who have had a garage door fitted if they recommend their garage door fitter, and look around for fitters in your area.
At Emsworth Garage Doors, we pride ourselves on being a member of Checkatrade for over 15 years, and have used their verified and impartial review service to collect over 1,000 reviews. We encourage all our customers to leave a review, and you can view them all on our Checkatrade page.
Most garage doors are made to measure, and installed by trained fitters for that specific manufacturer. You can always check out the manufacturer’s website or contact them to find a list of approved fitters nearby.
As most doors are made to measure, this means they can take a while to arrive before installation. Be aware of door fitters that are ‘too fast’ or try to sell you a refurbished door as it might not be made for your garage space.
Warranty
What happens if something goes wrong after the door installation? Check the warranties on your garage door. Most manufacturers provide a limited warranty of between 2-10 years. Whilst a garage door might be cheaper without a warranty, it’s not normally worth it.
At Emsworth Garage Doors, we only promote manufacturers who provide good warranties and aftercare.
If you are looking for a no-hassle solution for replacing your garage door, it might not always be the cheapest option.
