Owning a home is a great privilege and equally an important responsibility. An extension of your home is the garage. Every garage requires a door to keep the contents inside safe from theft, exposure to weather conditions and to complete the look of your home. Whether you are building a brand new home, buying a previously owned home or just looking to upgrade the look of your garage doors, there are various types that you can choose from.

Of these types, there are four basic kinds of garage doors that operate in their respective manners. Of these types, there are many different designs, colors and materials that such doors can be made of. The key, however, is to decide the type of garage doors you want and continue your designing from there.

Retractable Garage Doors – These doors are manufactured in wide sections that retract or roll up by a pulley system that places the door overhead in the garage when fully open. These doors are perfect for garage door opening systems as they are typically heavy duty doors. They work well for a single or double door system as well as a multiple door garage.

Stationary Swing Out Garage Doors – Constructed in aluminum, heavy duty vinyl, wood and other materials, these doors are considered old fashioned by some but very practical for those who want a garage door that can be swung out and opened quickly to access the garage. This type of door is not ideal for a small driveway space as there must be room for the door to open out and extend beyond the garage opening to get inside.

Rolling Garage Doors – Similar to the retractable doors, the difference is often that the panels are not are large and the system provides a more smooth door lifting experience whether by a garage door opener or manually. In new constructions, often these types of doors are fitted with an automatic system that provides access to the garage without getting out of your car and locks behind you automatically.

Lift & Store Garage Doors – These doors are usually one large panel per garage opening. The materials they are made of are often very lightweight, making them very easy to open manually. This is quite valuable if power is lost and you need to get your vehicle out of the garage. Like the stationary swing out garage doors, these doors also require a clearance space in order to open and close them. Anything in front of the doors will prevent them from being opened or risk damage.

Deciding on the type of garage doors you want to have depends on the space of the driveway and the style you wish to use in that space. Style choices beyond the type of door are varied and some of the most beautiful garage doors on the market today include windows and ornate trim to match your doors to the exterior of your home, creating a professional look that will be admired by everyone who sees them.