A double garage door is the biggest moving object on most South African houses, and the one that gets opened most often. Getting the size, the door type and the motor right at the start is what separates a door that runs quietly for fifteen years from one that is back on the repair list inside two. This guide covers what to measure, which door types work on a double opening, and how to choose a motor that will cope.
Measure before you choose
Double garage openings in South Africa are commonly around 4.9 m wide and 2.1 m high, but older houses, estates and custom builds vary widely, so never order a door off a standard size. Measure:
- Width of the opening between the finished brick or plaster, at the top, middle and bottom.
- Height from the finished floor to the underside of the lintel.
- Headroom: the space between the lintel and the ceiling or roof. This decides which door types fit.
- Side room on each side of the opening, for the guides and tracks.
- Depth of the garage, if you are considering a sectional or tip-up door that runs back along the ceiling.
A photo of the opening from inside the garage, showing the lintel and ceiling, tells an installer most of what they need to know.
Door types for a double opening
Sectional doors are the most popular double garage door. The panels run up and back along tracks, they seal well against dust and weather, and they are easy to insulate. They need a reasonable amount of headroom and ceiling depth.
Roll-up (roller) garage doors coil into a drum above the opening. They are the answer when headroom is tight or the ceiling is full of beams, pipes or storage, and they suit wide openings well.
Tip-up doors swing out and up as a single panel. On a double opening they are heavy and need space in front of the garage to swing into, so they are usually a replacement choice on older houses rather than a first choice on a new build.
Side-hinged and sliding doors suit garages used as workshops, or openings with almost no headroom at all.
Material: aluminium or steel
On a double door, weight matters more than on a single. An aluminium door is much lighter, which is easier on the springs and the motor and easier to lift by hand during load shedding. Steel is tougher against knocks and usually the lower price on the day. At the coast, aluminium is almost always the better long-term choice because it does not rust. Our guide to aluminium versus steel garage doors goes into the detail.
Choosing a garage door motor for a double door
The motor is where most double garage doors go wrong. A motor that is only just strong enough will work on the day it is fitted and then wear out early. When you choose a motor, check four things:
- Rated door size and weight. The motor must be rated for the full width and weight of your door, with margin to spare. A heavy steel sectional door needs more than a light aluminium roll-up door.
- Drive type. Chain-drive motors are robust and common; belt-drive and screw-drive motors are usually quieter, which matters if the garage sits under a bedroom.
- Battery backup. In South Africa this is not optional. A motor with a battery keeps the door working through load shedding.
- Safety. Look for obstruction detection that reverses the door if something is in its path, and a manual release you can reach easily.
A motor can also be added to an existing manual door, provided the door is well balanced and runs freely by hand first. We check the springs and tracks before we fit one, because a motor on a badly balanced door simply fails sooner. See our garage door motors service for what we supply and fit.
Signs your double garage door needs attention
- The door is noticeably heavier to lift by hand than it used to be.
- It opens unevenly, or one side lifts before the other.
- The motor strains, stops halfway or reverses for no reason.
- You can hear grinding, squealing or a bang from the springs.
Broken springs on a double door are dangerous to handle yourself because of the tension they carry. If you notice any of these signs, book a garage door repair before the door fails completely.
Getting a quote
Send us the width, height and headroom of your opening, or a couple of photos, through our contact page. We will recommend the door type, material and motor that suit your garage, and you can browse every option on our garage doors page first.