What Is a Sectional Garage Door? Differences From Single Panel

Your garage door is an integral part of your home. It acts as the main entry and exit point into your house and gives you a safe place to park your car. If you have an attached garage, your garage door even serves as a line of defense against intruders and inclement weather. Garage doors can also increase the value of your home by boosting curb appeal.

Two of the most popular garage door options include sectional and single panel garage doors. Both options have pros and cons, so you should determine which is right for you based on your needs and desires. Learn more about these two types of garage doors so you can make a confident decision. 

Table of Contents

• What is a Sectional Garage Door
• What is a Single Panel Garage Door
• Differences Between Sectional and Single Panel Doors
• Are Sectional Doors More Expensive
• Pros and Cons of Sectional Doors
• Pros and Cons of Single Panel Doors
• Should You Install a Sectional or One-Piece Garage Door

What Is a Sectional Garage Door?

Sectional garage doors consist of horizontal panels connected by hinges. This construction allows a garage’s sectional door to bend as it opens and closes by traveling along the roller tracks on both sides of the garage door. These tracks guide the door to rest parallel to the garage’s ceiling when in the open position. Thanks to the hinged panels, a sectional garage door can make it past the curve in the tracks that allow it to open and close. 

Sectional garage doors use torsion springs and cables during the opening and closing process. These components make the garage door easier to open and close by hand or with an automatic opener. Sectional garage doors are heavy, and these springs and cables reduce the force needed to operate them. 

Many of today’s homeowners choose sectional garage doors for their houses. This popularity makes sectional garage doors a bit more common than single panel garage doors. You can tell a sectional garage door apart from other styles by the slight gaps between the panels. As the door moves past the curve in the tracks, you can see the sections separate by use of the hinges. 

What Is a Single Panel Garage Door?

As the name implies, a single panel garage door uses one panel made of metal or wood instead of several hinged sections. People also refer to this style of garage doors as “tilt-up garage doors” due to the way they move when opening them. These garage doors were common in older, midcentury homes, but they are making a comeback in today’s homes thanks to their vintage appeal. Single panel garage doors are also a popular option for old home renovations. 

Single panel garage doors have a lower weight which allows them to use simplified opening and closing mechanisms. These mechanisms include a strong hinge system that holds the door by the top of the frame. When in the open position, single panel garage doors slide in an angled, upward motion toward your garage’s ceiling in the space above your vehicle. 

Single Panel vs. Sectional Garage Doors: How Do They Differ?

Single panel and sectional garage doors vary in their construction in that sectional garage doors use several panels while single panel garage doors use one. This difference may seem small, but the differences between the two garage door styles only increase from there. The following list reveals many of the other ways these two garage door styles differ:

• Operation: Single panel garage doors remain straight and slide toward the roof of the garage at an upward angle. Sectional garage doors use hinged panels to bend along a track that leads the garage door to rest parallel to the garage’s roof. Thanks to the extension springs of single panel doors and the torsion springs of sectional doors, both styles are easy to open and close by hand. You can also connect both garage door types to an automatic garage door opener for even easier operation. 
• Appearance: To the untrained eye, one garage door looks the same as the next. But when it comes to single panel versus sectional garage doors, the visual differences are evident. Single panel garage doors have a unified look capable of showing off elaborate designs, patterns and textures. Sectional garage doors contain small gaps between the panels, and each section has its own design that often matches the other panels. 
• Materials: Both styles of garage doors use various types of wood or metal in their construction. These can differ depending on your personal style and your desire to complement the surrounding materials of your home. Generally, sectional doors have thicker and heavier materials, while some tilt-up styles may use lighter options, like aluminum or exterior-grade plywood.
• Security: Security is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a garage door for your home. Your garage door protects your valuable possessions as well as your loved ones. Sectional garage doors are often the winners when it comes to security, but high-quality single panel garage doors can also offer security benefits.
• Insulation: Most sectional garage doors are well-insulated, while single panel garage doors lack good insulation abilities. A well-insulated sectional garage door can help protect the valuable possessions in your garage while keeping your energy bills lower. If you converted your garage into a climate-controlled living space, you may need a garage door with the best insulating qualities possible. A garage door with lower insulating qualities may suffice for a minimally used detached garage. It all depends on your needs. 
• Safety: Consider some safety issues when installing single panel and sectional garage doors. We always recommend hiring a professional to install either type of garage door since high-tension cables and springs require experience to handle safely. Once installed, both garage door types are safe to use and operate, although single panel garage doors use less durable construction.
• Durability: Your garage door should last for years, giving you several benefits to enjoy the whole time. From an increased home value to new conveniences, the durability of your garage door is key. Sectional garage doors use thick, heavy panels, making them the more durable option. Some modern single panel garage doors can also be quite durable, but sectional garage doors are the common winner when it comes to durability. 

Are Sectional Garage Doors More Expensive?

You may suspect that sectional garage doors are more expensive than single panel ones. You might think that thicker materials, better insulating qualities, better security and increased durability would all point to a higher price tag. And for the most part, you would be right. Common industry price tags have sectional garage doors at a higher price point than single panel garage doors. Yet the variations in prices differ quite a bit. 

Sectional garage doors, while being more expensive, have a wide price range. Prices for sectional garage doors can fall anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars. On the other hand, the price of a single panel garage may only run you from a couple hundred to several hundreds of dollars. Your budget may have a lot to do with your decision, so be sure to see how much you can afford before you start your search for a new sectional or single panel garage door. 

Pros and Cons of Sectional Garage Doors

Every garage door style has its own list of pros and cons. Here are the pros of sectional garage doors:

• Security: One of the best characteristics of sectional garage doors is their high level of security. The equal distribution of panels makes finding a weak spot difficult for criminals. When a sectional garage door is in the closed position, the panels create a tight seal that is difficult to breach. 
• Durability: Another appealing aspect of sectional garage doors is their superior durability. Sectional garage doors consist of thick wood or metal and high-quality hinges to create a durable final product. A sectional garage door can withstand a few accidental bumps with your car. 
• Compact operation: The hinged panels of sectional garage doors result in a compact design when opening and closing. The garage door tucks neatly against the ceiling, leaving plenty of room in your garage for your car or stored items. This convenience is especially useful in urban areas or situations with limited space. 

With those benefits of sectional garage doors, you should consider the following before making your decision:

• Frequent maintenance: Sectional garage doors contain many moving parts that require frequent maintenance to stay operational. These parts include torsion springs, hinges, rollers, tracks, bolts and other components. Proper lubrication of moving parts is essential, and consistent inspections and preventative maintenance are key to enjoying your sectional garage door for years to come. 
• High cost: The high price point of some sectional garage doors is something you should consider. To enjoy the benefits of these garage doors, you’ll have to make sure you have room in your budget. Note that a higher upfront cost could lead to durability and longevity over time.
• Complicated installation and mechanics: DIY homeowners may choose another type of garage door, as sectional garage doors take a professional to install and repair. If you’re considering a sectional garage door for your home, your best bet is to hire a professional for a successful installation. 

Pros and Cons of Single Panel Garage Doors

You could enjoy the following benefits of a single panel garage door for your home:

• Variety: Since single panel garage doors consist of one piece of material, you can choose from a wide array of options to complement any house and style. 
• Cost: When it comes down to the cost of a garage door, a single panel door wins almost every time. For a more cost-effective option upfront, you may want to look at single panel garage door options for your home. 
• Simplicity: Single panel garage doors are simple in their design, construction and operation. You can focus more time on enjoying your new garage door and less on installation, maintenance and repairs. 

Here are some factors about single panel garage doors you should consider before making your decision:

• Safety: Single panel garage doors are often thinner and less durable than sectional garage doors. This fact makes them less resistant to brute force and damage from vehicles, the weather and criminals. 
• Extensive repairs: Single panel garage doors may be simple to install and operate, but if the door breaks, it can require a complete replacement. You can replace a single damaged panel of a sectional garage door, but if you damage your tilt-up garage door, you may have to replace the whole thing. 
• Space limitations: Since single panel garage doors rise toward your garage ceiling at an angle, you could face space limitations. You may need to park your car further from the garage door to make room for this angle. Or you may have to choose a different garage door option if you have a smaller garage. 

Should You Install a Sectional or One Piece Garage Door?

You want to make sure you’re making the right decision for your home when choosing a garage door. Consider the following factors to help you analyze your situation and know which option is the best for your needs:

• Space: The amount of space you have in your garage can dictate which style of garage door you choose. If you’re lacking space, you may need to install a sectional garage door. If you have room to spare, you have more options. 
• Maintenance: Garage doors get a lot of wear and tear, and they need proper maintenance to keep them working for years to come. Sectional garage doors can be more complex to maintain than single panel garage doors. Factor in your ability to self-maintain your garage door when making your decision. Remember that a professional garage door technician is always available to help you with preventative maintenance. 
• Ease of installation: If you like to do your home improvements yourself, you may decide you want a single panel garage door for easier installation. We recommend a professional install any garage door you choose. Keep in mind that your professional installer will need to put in a bit more time for a sectional garage door project. 
• Budget: Your budget will be another strong determining factor for which type of garage door you choose. Large budgets can make room for a more expensive sectional garage door. If you need to keep the price of your garage door project to a minimum, you may want to choose a single panel garage door. Keep in mind your long-term budget, as well, when it comes to replacements, repairs and maintenance.

Explore Residential Garage Doors From Continental Door, Co.

Whether you choose a sectional or single panel garage door for your home, you can trust the experts at Continental Door to get the job done. From a new garage door to professional repair services, our offerings make us the company for you in the greater Spokane area. We even offer 24/7 emergency services so your garage door can work when you need it most.