Garage Door Types Explained: A Buyer’s Guide for Australia
You need a new garage door but the options are confusing. Roller doors, sectional doors, tilt doors, side hinged models. Every supplier seems to use different names for the same thing. You want to make the right choice for your home without overspending or picking something that won't last in Australian conditions.
This guide breaks down the five main garage door types available in Australia. You'll learn how each one operates, when it makes sense for your home, what the real advantages and limitations are, and what to expect on costs and installation. Whether you're building new, renovating, or replacing an old door, you'll know exactly which type fits your space and budget.
1. DoorSupply DIY roller and sectional doors
Before diving into all garage door types explained in detail, you should know that DoorSupply specialises in two main options: roller doors and sectional doors. Both are Australian made in Melbourne using Colorbond and Zincalume steel, and you can order them custom-sized online for DIY installation. Understanding these two types first will help you decide if a direct-to-consumer approach suits your project.
How this option works
DoorSupply lets you order doors to your exact measurements through their website. You select your door width, colour, and whether you want manual or electric operation. The doors ship free to most major Australian cities, and you install them yourself using the provided PDF guides. Their roller doors coil up around a drum above the opening, while sectional doors lift in panels that slide along tracks into your garage ceiling.
When this option suits Australian homes
This option works best if you're comfortable with DIY installation and want to save on tradesperson costs. You'll need basic tools and a helper for larger doors. The approach suits standard single or double garages, sheds, and semi-commercial buildings. If you live in a high-wind region, DoorSupply offers wind-locked and wind-strong roller door variants designed for Australian coastal and cyclone-prone areas.
Key advantages of this option
You get competitive pricing because you're buying direct from the manufacturer without retail markups. The doors are fully customisable to your opening size, which eliminates the common problem of off-the-shelf doors not fitting properly. Free delivery across Australia removes a major cost variable, and the Australian-made construction means parts and support remain accessible locally.
Buying direct from the manufacturer cuts out middleman costs while giving you full control over specifications and installation timing.
Drawbacks and things to check
You're responsible for accurate measurements and installation, which means mistakes cost you time and potentially money. DoorSupply provides guides, but you won't have a tradesperson to spot errors before they become problems. Professional installation typically includes warranty on the install work itself, which you forfeit when going DIY. You'll also need to arrange your own electrical connections if you choose an automatic opener.
Typical costs, sizes and installation
DoorSupply offers doors from standard residential widths up to custom dimensions. Roller doors generally cost less than sectional models, and adding an electric opener increases the total by several hundred dollars. Installation time varies from half a day for a standard roller door to a full day for a large sectional door, depending on your experience level. The company ships to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and other major centres.
2. Roller garage doors explained
Roller doors represent Australia's most popular garage door type, recognised by the steel curtain that coils around a barrel above your opening. When you compare garage door types explained across supplier websites, roller doors consistently appear as the default option for residential homes. The design dates back decades, but modern versions use Colorbond or Zincalume steel with improved wind ratings and smoother operation than older models.
How this option works
The door consists of interlocking steel slats that form a flexible curtain. When you raise the door, the curtain slides up guide tracks on either side and wraps around a horizontal barrel positioned above the opening. Manual versions use a spring-assist mechanism that makes lifting easier, while automatic models include an electric motor that does the work for you. The entire system sits inside your garage when open, taking up minimal ceiling space.
When this option suits Australian homes
Roller doors work well when you have limited space inside your garage for tracks or panels. They handle standard single and double garage openings without issue, and DoorSupply's wind-rated versions suit coastal properties and cyclone zones. You'll find them on homes across suburban Australia because they're straightforward to operate and maintain. Properties with shallow garages benefit most, as the rolled-up curtain requires less depth than sectional panel systems.
Key advantages of this option
Compact installation means you keep more usable garage space for storage or parking. The doors cost less than sectional alternatives while providing solid security through their steel construction. Roller doors operate smoothly even in dusty or humid conditions common across Australia, and you can easily replace individual slats if one gets damaged rather than replacing entire panels.
Roller doors give you reliable security and weather protection without eating into your garage's storage capacity or requiring complex maintenance.
Drawbacks and things to check
Insulation remains minimal with standard roller doors, which matters if you use your garage as a workshop or live in areas with temperature extremes. The visible slat lines don't suit every architectural style, particularly on heritage or high-end contemporary homes. Strong winds can rattle older models, though modern wind-locked designs address this issue. You need adequate headroom above your opening for the rolled-up curtain.
Typical costs, sizes and installation
Standard domestic roller doors range from 2.4m to 5.5m wide, with custom sizes available for unusual openings. Expect installation to take three to five hours for a DIY job, including mounting brackets, running tracks, and connecting the spring system. Electric openers add convenience but require a power point near the door. DoorSupply delivers ready to install with all mounting hardware included.
3. Sectional garage doors explained
Sectional doors consist of hinged horizontal panels that slide up along tracks and sit flat against your garage ceiling when open. Among all garage door types explained in this guide, sectional models offer the widest range of design options and the best insulation performance. You'll pay more upfront compared to roller doors, but the clean appearance and thermal efficiency make sectional doors popular for renovations and new builds across Australian suburbs.
How this option works
Each sectional door divides into four to five individual panels connected by hinges. When you raise the door, these panels fold slightly as they track along vertical rails mounted to your garage frame, then transition horizontally across the ceiling. The movement stays smooth through a counterbalance spring system that supports the door's weight. Electric openers work particularly well with sectional doors because the panel design distributes motor strain evenly.
When this option suits Australian homes
Sectional doors suit properties where appearance matters as much as function. The flat panel design complements contemporary architecture better than ribbed roller curtains, and you can choose from woodgrain finishes, plain colours, or custom cladding. Thermal insulation makes these doors ideal if you've converted your garage into a workshop or storage area where temperature control matters. Properties in bushfire-prone zones often specify sectional doors because steel panels achieve higher fire ratings.
Key advantages of this option
You get superior insulation through foam-filled panels that keep heat out in summer and retain warmth in winter. Sectional doors operate quietly compared to roller alternatives, which matters if your garage sits under bedrooms. Design flexibility lets you add windows, ventilation grilles, or match your door to your home's exterior cladding. The panel system handles larger openings more reliably than roller curtains in high-wind conditions.
Sectional doors give you the best combination of style, insulation, and quiet operation for residential garages where appearance and comfort matter.
Drawbacks and things to check
Higher initial costs make sectional doors the premium option among standard residential types. You need adequate ceiling space for the panels to stack horizontally, typically 300mm to 400mm of clearance. Panel replacement costs more than fixing individual roller slats, though damage occurs less frequently. Professional installation becomes more important because track alignment affects long-term operation.
Typical costs, sizes and installation
DoorSupply sectional doors handle standard single to double garage widths with custom sizing available. Installation takes six to eight hours for DIY builders due to track mounting and panel alignment requirements. Electric openers integrate cleanly above the door opening, and you can retrofit insulation or windows later. Panel designs suit both modern and traditional Australian home styles.
4. Tilt and counterweight doors
Tilt doors operate as a single solid panel that swings out then up into your garage ceiling. Among garage door types explained here, tilt doors offer maximum design flexibility because you can clad them with virtually any material.
How this option works
The panel pivots outward from the bottom then lifts vertically to sit under your ceiling. Counterweights inside your garage balance the door's weight during operation.
When this option suits Australian homes
These doors suit custom architectural projects where standard profiles don't match your style. Heritage properties and high-end contemporary builds use them most, provided you have driveway clearance.
Key advantages of this option
Complete design freedom lets you clad your door with timber, aluminium, or copper. You control the exact appearance rather than accepting off-the-shelf designs.
Tilt doors create a custom look that matches your home's architecture exactly.
Drawbacks and things to check
You need swing clearance in your driveway and the mechanism requires more maintenance than modern systems. Custom engineering increases installation costs significantly.
Typical costs, sizes and installation
Each door is custom-built to your opening. Professional installation takes one to two days with costs varying based on materials and counterweight complexity.
5. Side hinged and custom doors
Side hinged doors swing open like traditional barn doors, while custom doors let you specify unique materials and mechanisms. These options represent the final category in garage door types explained here, suited to specific architectural needs rather than standard residential applications.
How this option works
Side hinged doors feature two panels mounted on hinges at either side of your opening, swinging outward like gates. Custom doors combine any mechanism with your choice of cladding material and frame design.
When this option suits Australian homes
You'll find side hinged doors on period homes and rural properties where the traditional look matters. Custom solutions suit heritage restorations or architectural projects requiring exact material matches.
Key advantages of this option
Complete access flexibility lets you open one or both panels as needed. You control every design element to match your home's style precisely.
Side hinged and custom doors deliver authentic period styling or architectural precision that standard profiles cannot achieve.
Drawbacks and things to check
You need adequate driveway width for panels to swing open, and custom engineering multiplies costs. Weather sealing requires careful installation to prevent drafts.
Typical costs, sizes and installation
Custom doors start at premium pricing with builds taking weeks. Installation requires professional tradespeople familiar with your specific mechanism and materials.
Making your choice
You've seen all the main garage door types explained in this guide, from roller and sectional doors through to tilt and side hinged models. Your decision comes down to three factors: the space you have available, your budget, and how much the door's appearance matters to your home's street appeal. Roller doors give you the most affordable and compact option, sectional doors offer better insulation and design flexibility, while tilt and hinged doors suit custom architectural projects.
Check your measurements carefully before ordering any door type. Measure your opening width, height, and the available ceiling space for tracks or rolled curtains. Consider your driveway clearance if you're looking at tilt or side hinged options. Most Australian homes work perfectly with either roller or sectional doors, and both types handle our climate well when properly installed.
Ready to order? Browse DoorSupply's custom-made roller and sectional doors for exact pricing on your measurements and free delivery across Australia. You'll get Australian-made quality with the convenience of online ordering.