Side Hinged Garage Doors for Your Modern and Traditional Home

Garage doors are typically a home feature that people only think about when it’s time to replace one. Side hinged garage doors are an option that deserves more attention. This option is particularly ideal for older properties or for people who want garage doors that differ from those of their neighbours.

These doors operate on a simple principle. Instead of rolling up onto tracks or tilting backward ,they swing open from a vertical hinge that is mounted to the frame of the door. They are like oversized versions of your garden gate. Usually, each door can operate independently of the other, but, when closed, you can secure them together.

The mechanism itself hasn’t changed much over the years. This is because it didn’t need to. It is simple and effective, and requires very little hardware to function properly.

One factor that makes side hinged garage doors especially appropriate for period properties is their authenticity. Victorian and Edwardian houses originally had these types of doors assuming they had garages at all. If you’re restoring an older home, or live in a conservation area where planning restrictions may be strict, side hinged doors often fit the bill without much fuss to local authorities. They don’t disrupt the visual lines of traditional architecture in the way that modern roller doors sometimes do. 

But they also work extremely well on contemporary homes. Modern designs have stripped away the fussy details, leaving behind clean lines that suit current architectural trends of minimal hardware. With so much to choose from, including timber, steel, and virtually maintenance free composites, the continued range of designs on the market give you the option of horizontal or vertical ribs, and everything in between. The flexible offerings mean they can adapt to whatever aesthetic you’re working with.

There is the practical side to be considered as well. If you’re parking right up to the garage door, you need to space in front of the garage for the doors to be able to swing open. That said, they have some advantages that other door types don’t. They have a partial opening feature which means you can access your garage without having to fully open both doors. This is great when you need access to a windy and secure garage. They can be designed so that the multi point locking systems which are pretty difficult to breach.

Installation depends heavily on your existing opening and frame. If you’re retrofitting them to a garage that has a different door type, be ready for some structural modification. The frame has to be structurally solid to support the hinges that will be used daily, and you will need good sealing so that the weather doesn’t bother you. Many installers will recommend steel frames even when you are having timber doors made just for the longevity.

Hinged doors can be uninsulated. Doors with no insulation can be less than ideal, though changing, makes weather stripping pointless. Manufacturers are beginning to offer optional insulated cores that provide added thermal performance, but none will compare to a sectional insulated door, but it’s better than nothing.

When it comes to maintenance, every type of material is going to vary. Timber can be high maintenance every few years unless it is a naturally weathering hardwood. Composite and steel versions can be lower maintenance, although, hinges and locks need regular lubrication no matter the material of the door. More than with other styles, the swinging motion and weight of the door take a toll on hinges.

Cost is present somewhere on the spectrum of garage doors. Basic, cheap up and over doors are more cost effective but compared to smart sectional doors these are more expensive. Timber doors, especially bespoke and fancy, can be more expensive.

Addressing the question of automation is worth it. Yes, it is possible to fully automate side hinged garage doors, but it increases the complexity and cost of the system. Some feel it is unnecessary to automate because it is easy to open these doors manually. However, if accessibility is an issue, you can certainly automate the doors. Just know that the mechanics will be more complicated than roll or tilt doors.

They suit certain situations particularly well – rural properties, barn conversions, listed buildings, or simply homes where the aesthetic matters as much as the function. They’re not the most practical choice for everyone, but they offer something different in an area where sameness has become the default.