Overhead doors are the most common choice seen across the US, with a variety of styles of overhead doors to choose from. But what about the other options available to you? Rather than your garage door rolling or swing up overhead, it could swing outward just like a regular hinged door. Let’s look at these swing style doors and some of the pros and cons of choosing them over traditional overhead doors.
Styles and features of swing garage doors
Swing garage doors typically feature heavy-duty hinges on each side of the garage door opening, so a set of double doors open out from the middle of your garage and both swing outward. The hinges are attached to the jambs of your garage opening. Doors can swing inward instead, but this is much less common.
Swing style doors open and close using either a single overhead track with sliding rods attached to each door, or a double unit system with a unit mounted above each door.
Pros of swing style garage doors
Swing garage doors are available in a wide range of styles, so you can design an aesthetically pleasing garage door that could help to boost your home’s curb appeal. Both wood and metal doors are suitable for this style of door opening. Wooden swing doors in particular are good for creating a rustic-looking barn or carriage house style for your garage and home. Decorative hinges and clavos are ideal for adding to this aesthetic.
Swing style garage doors may be the better option if you don’t have much overhead space in your garage for an overhead door to slide into, or if you use your ceiling space for storage and want to allow for more room.
Cons of swing style garage doors
The obvious downside of swing style garage doors is that they have to swing outward from your garage. Not all properties will have enough space in front of their garage to do so, which can make this style of door impractical. This is especially the case if someone in your household regularly parks a car in the driveway. The car will have to be moved out of the way each time someone wants to get into the garage, and there’s the risk of your car getting scratched or dented if you don’t quite move it enough.
Which style of garage door is right for your home? Contact Overhead Garage Door for our advice or to learn more about our garage door design, installation, repair, and maintenance services.