There has never been more choice when it comes to garage doors. With so many styles, materials and opening mechanisms to choose from, it can be hard to decide what’s right for your home and lifestyle.

One key decision when purchasing a new door is whether to opt for a manual garage door or an automatic garage door. The most ideal choice will depend on your priorities.

To help you choose, we’ve put together this handy guide to the pros and cons of both types.

Convenience

The main motivator behind getting an automatic garage door is the great convenience and accessibility it provides.

With the push of a button, you can control the garage door without leaving the car. This is ideal in bad weather, if you’re in the midst of a busy day and most importantly if you have mobility issues that make lifting and closing a manual door difficult.

If smart technology is incorporated into the door, you can even control it when you aren’t physically on site. This is very handy for allowing family members in and out, giving access to tradespeople or providing a safe place for a delivery to be dropped off, all without having to be there yourself.

Reliability

But what happens if the power fails? This is a question that many homeowners have about the reliability of automatic garage doors. After all, nobody wants to be locked in or out of their garage in the event of a power cut or malfunction.

Fortunately, many automatic garage doors have a manual override function for these eventualities. If this is a worry for you, simply discuss your concerns with your chosen garage door company who can help you find a model with this function.

Maintenance

Because manual garage doors have fewer moving parts to operate, their maintenance demands should be much lower than automatic garage doors. Their simpler mechanism ultimately means that less can go wrong. However, other factors such as the quality of the door and frequency of use will also come into play.

Security

Both automatic and manual doors should be secure and robust, providing they are of good quality. Many manual doors come with advanced locking systems, thick doors and durable build.

Automatic garage doors also come with the above but with the added protective layer of additional security features, such as alarms, code systems and automatic closing if you forget to do it yourself. Also, electric garage doors may not always have visible locks or handles which are usual points of access for would-be thieves.

Affordability

If sticking to a budget is at the top of your list, then a manual door is the better and cheaper option. Because automatic doors have incorporated technology to operate, they usually cost more. Those who benefit from the convenience, security and safety of automatic doors usually find the extra cost is worth it but ultimately it depends on your individual situation.

If you change your mind further down the line, be assured that almost any manual door can be converted into an automatic version.

Home value

A high-quality and well-maintained garage door will always be a desirable feature to a potential home buyer. However, because of the extra advantages that an automatic door provides, you may find that electric garage doors have the potential to boost your home value even more than manual ones.

Health and safety

Garage doors can be dangerous in certain situations. With a heavy door and complex moving parts, both animals and children should be kept well away.

Automatic garage doors allow you more control over opening and closing, helping keep everyone safe. Additionally, automatic garage doors often come with safety features such as obstruction sensors, which means the door will stop closing and reverse if it senses something below it.

Another benefit that automatic doors have is for those with health conditions, reduced mobility or limited dexterity. Conditions such as arthritis can make opening manual doors difficult, and reduced body strength that comes with many health problems can also make lifting doors cumbersome. Automatic choices are therefore superb for those who prioritise health and safety.

Enjoy free home surveys and quotations and a quick two-week turnaround with Classic Garage Doors today. We’re a leading garage door supplier and installer for Kent, including Dover, Ashford and Folkestone. With trusted global brands available, and both manual and automatic options to choose from, contact us to discuss your options or visit our showroom.