Making it easier to access a garage and its contents, electric garage doors provide a safe and convenient way to enter and exit a garage at the touch of a button. This is particularly handy if you park inside the garage or have trouble lifting the weight of the door.
What Is an Electric Garage Door?
An electric garage door looks the same as a standard garage door but is connected to an electric motor that allows the door to be opened and closed automatically. Also known as automated garage doors, these doors are available in a wide variety of designs, including up and over, roller, sectional, and side-hinged.
How Do Electric Garage Doors Work?
Electric garage doors are powered by an electric motor and drive system, which can typically be operated by both remote control and a keypad or button inside the garage. The remote control allows the garage to be opened and closed without leaving your vehicle if you park inside the garage, or to easily access the garage when your hands are full.
Are Electric Garage Doors Worth It?
An electric garage door is a great investment for your home, especially if you use your garage to store your car. Instead of leaving the vehicle to open the door manually when arriving home or heading out, you can easily open the door at the press of a button.
Electric garage doors are also popular with homeowners who might struggle with the weight of a manual garage door, as there is no need to lift or pull the door to gain access to the garage. Automated opening is also useful if your hands are full when carrying items to or from the garage.
Which Type of Electric Garage Door is Best for Cars?
If you park your car inside the garage, it’s important to choose an electric garage door which maximises the drive-through width of the doorway to make access easier. An automated sectional garage door will make the most of the dimensions of the entrance, allowing you to safely park inside the garage, while the remote operation will allow you to enter and exit without leaving the car.
Are Electric Garage Doors Secure?
Many electric garage doors come with automatic door locking for additional security, ensuring that your garage and its contents are safe and protected. This prevents the door being forced open. Some doors also have built-in alarm systems to alert you if a break in is attempted.
Are Electric Garage Doors Safe?
Most electric garage doors will feature an automatic safety cut out which will stop the door moving if there is an obstruction beneath the door. This makes electric garage doors safe for use around young children and pets.
Can An Existing Garage Door Be Automated?
Manual garage doors can often be automated as long as the door is in good working order. An electric motor and control system can be retrofitted to enable you to access your garage more easily, whether it is used for storage, parking, or as an additional living space like a workshop or office. Check out our guide to learn more about the types of garage doors that can be automated.
What Power Is Needed for an Electric Garage Door?
Electric garage doors typically run off the mains and need a three pin, 13 amp socket. If you have an integral garage that is connected to your house, it should have a power supply that can be used for an electric garage door. In a detached garage, you may have to link the garage to the power supply.
Can You Manually Open an Electric Garage Door?
Electric garage doors come with a release or bypass which allows the door to be opened manually in the event of a power outage. This ensures you can always access your garage, even if the motor fails or power supply is interrupted.
Are Electric Garage Doors Insulated?
The level of insulation offered by an electric garage door depends on its design. Many modern garage doors are manufactured with insulated panels to keep the garage warm and dry, which is particularly useful if the garage is regularly used, for example as a workshop, home office, or gym. Choosing an insulated garage door will also reduce heat loss from inside the garage and also from inside the house if you have an integral garage.
Can Electric Garage Doors Feature Glass Panels?
Some garage door designs feature glass panels to increase natural light inside the garage. Many manufacturers offer garage doors with a variety of window options, the majority of which can be automated.
What Materials Are Electric Garage Doors Made From?
Like manual garage doors, electric garage doors are made from a variety of materials including steel, GRP, and timber. The material will affect the weight and price of the door but garage doors made of any material can be automated.
How Long Does It Take To Install an Electric Garage Door?
Electric garage doors can take a little longer to be installed because of the electric motor and control system, however the job should generally take around half a day. The time it takes to automate an existing garage door will vary depending on the type of door.
Can an Electric Garage Door Be Repaired?
The design of electric garage doors means that there are more parts that can potentially break or fail, however these components can typically be repaired quite easily. If your electric garage door has broken, the electric motor has failed, or the door won’t open or close, contact us in regards to assessing the repairs needed for the electric garage door.
Enquire About a New Electric Garage Door
For a free, no obligation survey and quote for a new electric garage door, or to learn more about automating an existing door, contact AGD Surrey Ltd on 01483 234123. Alternatively, complete our enquiry form to get in touch.
