If you are in the market for a garage door, then you have probably noticed that there are a lot of different materials and styles out there. This can make it pretty hard to make a decision, since it isn't always clear what advantages are offered by each option. To help you work your way through the rather diverse world of garage doors, here are some of the most important points about the most popular types:

Rolling Garage Doors

For many homes, the most common choice is to get a garage door that rolls up in sections. These doors are fairly easy to install, take up very little space when in motion and stationary, and can come in a wide variety of colors and materials. If you are looking for a garage door that is perfect for the typical suburban residence, then a rolling garage door is a great choice that is chosen by many.

Sliding Garage Doors

However, if you are looking something for a little more unique, then a sliding garage door might be more compelling. These doors can either slide to the side or up into the ceiling, which gives you some control over how you want to setup the door. That being said, doors that slide to the side are much more common and easier to install than doors that slide upwards. It's also important to note that you will need to carefully plan out the installation of such a door, since you will need to have quite a bit of space available for the door to actually slide into.

Swinging Garage Doors

Finally, swinging doors can offer you some very interesting utility. With swinging doors, your garage doors can either swing horizontally or vertically. If you choose to go the horizontal route, then your garage doors will feel very classy and rustic, much like the doors of an old barn. If you elect to go vertical instead, then your garage door will operate a lot like a regular rolling door.

The biggest drawback of swinging doors is that you need to make sure that you have enough room available and clear. While the doors may not take up too much space when resting, they do require large arcs of free space to actually move from open to closed and vice versa. This contrasts with rolling sectional doors, which take up a minimal amount of space when in motion due to their segmented nature.

Talk to a garage door installation company for more information on your options.