Your garage door does more than just serve as an entrance or exit into your home. It’s the buffer that deters burglars, and when automated, it can be an excellent added convenience to your life.
If you are still using a manual garage, it’s easy to stick to it since it has fewer complex parts and is generally simple to operate. But we live in a world where garages have evolved to include hands-free operation.
Today, you can easily download a garage door opener iPhone app and enjoy remote accessibility and control over your garage door. With so many new tech upgrades, by now, you are probably asking, should you upgrade your garage door?
Manual Garage Doors
Most old homes have this type of garage door. It is fixed on large hinges and works when you lift it open or close. There are several reasons why people still use manual garage doors.
The Pros
- One of the main reasons is that it is much cheaper than their counterparts; thus, it is a budget-friendly option for those looking to save money.
- Manual garages are also more straightforward to install as they have no complex components.
- Since they run off neither electricity nor batteries, your garage door will function normally during a power outage. Additionally, you won’t need to bother changing the remote’s batteries.
Cons
- On the flip side, manual garage doors have physical demands that may not be convenient or possible for everyone. You must operate it manually, lifting it open to exit your garage and returning it daily. Most people don’t have this kind of energy all the time.
Electric Garage Doors
These garage doors are not new either; they have been around since the 1920s but only became popular after the Second World War. The sectional door is the most common type of electric garage door. They come in three to eight sections, hinged to one another and attached to rollers on metal tracks.
This garage door links to an opener that pulls up the door along the track into the garage once activated. Electric garage door openers come in five types; jackshaft, direct drive, screw drive, belt drive, and chain drive. The latter is the most popular and resembles the bicycle chain.
Pros
- Convenience has to come first, as opening the garage only requires pushing a button, unlike the manual garage door.
- They come packed with additional features, including lights that turn on whenever the door opens.
- Electric garage doors with remotes allow you to operate your garage door while in the car. Some have electronic keypads that provide quick access and allow entry without a key.
- Safety features are another advantage. Some sensors detect when something is on the door path; if there is, it either stops or reverses to avoid damage or injury.
- During a power outage, you might be at a disadvantage. Nevertheless, most electric garages have a manual release cord to raise or lower your garage door.
Cons
- One of the well-known drawbacks of electric garage doors is installation; they require a lot of time to set up due to the numerous moving parts.
- In addition, they are typically more costly than manual garage doors.
- Electric garage doors are also high maintenance.
What Should You Consider When Choosing Between Manual or Electric Garage Doors?
Budget
If cost is not a concern, electric garage doors are the best choice because they will raise the value of your home if you ever decide to sell it. However, they are significantly more expensive to purchase and maintain than manual garages. Manual doors are typically less costly, making them the ideal option if money is tight.
Safety
Should you have small pets or young children, you might be more focused on safety; we recommend the electric garage to the manual one. The safety features on automatic garages help to ensure that they don’t crush any object in their path. If they feel something obstructing them, they go back up.
Manual garage doors don’t have this, so there is a higher risk of injury if you don’t see anything or anyone under the door or if something suddenly runs in the door’s path. Electric garages also have manual locking and unlocking; you can manually operate the door by hand if the power goes out.
Convenience
If convenience is all you are after, then hands down, technology wins. The particular choice would be electric doors. You can open or close these while you are in your car or even away from your garage.
If the area you live in rains often, then you won’t have to get wet in the rain rushing to open and close your garage door. If you have sustained injuries or are physically unable to operate manual doors, electric garage doors will make life so much easier for you.
In Conclusion
Your home’s garage door is one of the important aspects that shouldn’t be ignored. Upgrading it will always bring better security and convenience. However, if you can’t afford to automate your garage door right now, you can always save up for it. Today there are many affordable options that are also low maintenance. Besides, you will enjoy the benefits that will come with your upgraded door.
Also read: Mastering The Clean: Maintaining Your Front Loader Washing Machine
