REKA Otomatik Yapı Teknolojileri
A garage door is a far more important choice than many people think when it comes to home security, appearance and everyday comfort. In new homes in North Cyprus, the two most common types of automatic garage door are sectional and roller doors. In this article we explain how the two types work, when each one comes out ahead and what to look out for when choosing.
What is a sectional garage door?
A sectional door is made of horizontal panels joined together by hinges. When opening, the panels slide up along side tracks and settle horizontally under the garage ceiling. The motor is usually mounted on the ceiling.
Advantages:
- Insulated panels provide good thermal and acoustic insulation.
- It needs no opening space in front of or inside the garage; the door moves vertically upwards.
- With different colours, finishes and window options, it blends in with the façade.
- It runs quietly and smoothly.
Points to consider:
- Since it sits under the ceiling when open, a certain amount of headroom and depth is required.
- When planning ceiling lighting, services or storage, the door's tracks must be taken into account.
What is a roller garage door?
A roller door consists of narrow aluminium or steel slats. When opening, the slats roll up around a shaft inside a box at the top of the door.
Advantages:
- It takes up no space under the ceiling, leaving room for storage or other ceiling use inside the garage.
- It can be fitted in garages with low ceilings or limited depth.
- The box can be placed on the façade or on the inside.
Points to consider:
- Because of the slat construction, insulation performance is generally more limited than with insulated sectional panels.
- With frequent use, regular checks of the slats and the box are important.
Comparison table
| Criterion | Sectional door | Roller door |
|---|---|---|
| Opening method | Panels lie under the ceiling | Slats roll up in the box at the top |
| Ceiling requirement | Needs headroom and depth | Takes no ceiling space |
| Thermal and acoustic insulation | Strong with insulated panels | More limited; insulated slat option available |
| Appearance | Wide panels, many designs | Simple, slatted look |
| Best suited to | Home garages, areas needing insulation | Low-ceiling garages, shops and warehouses |
Questions to ask when choosing
- Does the garage have enough headroom and depth? This question often decides the matter on its own.
- Does the garage open into the house? If the garage connects to the living space, insulation becomes more important; less heat gets in during the summer.
- Will you use the garage ceiling for something else? If you are planning storage racks or ceiling lighting, a roller door saves space.
- How important is the look of the façade? Sectional doors offer more design options for the façade.
- Does the garage have another entrance? If not, an emergency release lock or battery backup should be planned for power cuts.
Tip: In a Cyprus summer, a garage door exposed to the sun can noticeably raise the temperature inside. If the garage connects to the house, choosing insulated panels has a positive effect on both comfort and air conditioning use.
Safety and comfort features
Whichever type you choose, look for these features in an automatic garage door:
- Obstacle detection: If the door meets an obstacle while closing, it stops or reverses.
- Photocell: Detects a vehicle or person passing under the door.
- Soft start and stop: Extends the life of mechanical parts and ensures quiet operation.
- Manual release: Allows the door to be opened by hand during a power cut.
- Remote control options: Remote, wall button or, with suitable modules, control from your phone.
Differences in maintenance
On sectional doors, springs, cables, tracks and hinges are checked periodically. Because the springs work under high tension, never try to adjust them yourself; this must only be done by an authorised technician. On roller doors, cleaning and checking the slats, side guides and the mechanism inside the box are the main tasks.
The right garage door with REKA
As REKA Automatic Building Technologies, we measure your garage on site in all regions of North Cyprus and recommend the most suitable automatic garage door based on headroom, how you use it and your façade design. Site surveys are free, our systems come with a 3-year warranty; if periodic maintenance is carried out without interruption, the warranty can be extended to up to 5 years. We provide a 24/7 breakdown service. Fill in the form to get a quote or reach us on +90 539 102 13 13.
