5 Types of Shed Doors: Pros, Cons & Uses in Australia
Choosing the right door for your shed affects everything from security and weather protection to how easily you can get your equipment in and out. Get it wrong and you might struggle with daily access, deal with weather damage, or find yourself spending more than you needed to. Whether you're building a new farm shed, upgrading a backyard workshop, or setting up machinery storage, the door type makes a real difference to how well your shed performs.
This guide breaks down five main types of shed doors used across Australia. You'll learn how roller doors, sliding doors, hinged doors, tilt panels, and barn style doors actually work. We cover the pros and cons of each type, what they cost, which sheds they suit best, and what you need to know before installation. By the end, you'll know exactly which door matches your shed, your budget, and your access needs.
1. Roller and sectional shed doors
Roller doors and sectional doors are among the most popular types of shed doors for Australian commercial and farm sheds. Both save space and provide secure, weathertight access to large openings. Roller doors roll up into a compact coil above the opening, while sectional doors lift in horizontal panels that slide back along tracks into the ceiling space.
How roller and sectional doors work
A roller door uses a continuous sheet of profiled steel that wraps around a barrel mounted above your opening. You operate it manually with a crank or strap, or fit an electric opener for remote control. Sectional doors consist of hinged horizontal panels that lift vertically then travel back horizontally on ceiling-mounted tracks. Both systems require minimal swing space compared to hinged doors, making them ideal when you need full access without external clearance.
Pros of roller and sectional shed doors
These doors deliver excellent weather sealing and security for valuable equipment. You can open multiple roller doors simultaneously across adjacent bays without needing extra clearance space. Remote operation makes daily access faster, especially in commercial settings where staff move vehicles and machinery frequently. Both types resist wind loading better than sliding doors when properly engineered.
Cons of roller and sectional shed doors
Cost sits higher than simpler door types, with sectional doors typically 30% more expensive than equivalent roller doors. Both require regular maintenance of springs, tracks, and seals. Roller doors need more vertical clearance above the opening for the barrel assembly. Sectional doors need ceiling space for the track system, which can interfere with internal storage or lighting.
Roller and sectional doors offer the best security and weather protection but cost more upfront and need ongoing maintenance to perform reliably.
Best uses and shed types
Industrial warehouses, machinery storage sheds, and aircraft hangars suit these doors best. You'll find them on commercial buildings where security matters and on farm sheds storing expensive tractors or harvesters. Any shed requiring frequent vehicle access benefits from their wide clear opening and remote operation.
Space, structure and hardware needs
Your shed needs adequate height above the opening for roller door barrel installation or sectional track clearance. The door frame requires proper engineering to handle wind loads, particularly for spans wider than four metres. Both systems need solid fixing points into your shed's structural posts or beams.
Costs, maintenance and DIY difficulty
Basic roller doors start around $3,000 for standard residential sizes, climbing to $50,000 for wide industrial spans. Sectional doors begin near $4,000. Annual maintenance includes lubricating tracks, checking springs, and adjusting tension. DIY installation suits experienced builders only due to spring tension dangers and precise alignment requirements.
Doorsupply options for roller and sectional doors
Doorsupply manufactures Australian-made roller doors and sectional garage doors in Melbourne using Bluescope Colorbond and Zincalume steel. You can order doors to exact measurements for your shed, select from multiple colours, and add electric openers during purchase. Free delivery covers most Australian cities.
2. Sliding shed doors
Sliding shed doors move horizontally along a track system mounted to your shed wall. These doors represent one of the most practical types of shed doors for farm machinery and aircraft storage, offering wide clear openings without needing swing space or overhead clearance.
How sliding shed doors work
Your sliding door panels run on metal rollers fixed to a top track or bottom rail system. Most Australian installations use a top-hung design where the door weight hangs from overhead tracks. You can install single, double, or triple track systems to open multiple bays simultaneously using outrigger extensions that slide the panels past adjacent bays.
Pros of sliding shed doors
These doors excel at spanning large distances and providing full-width access for machinery. You'll find them easy to repair if something strikes the panels during use. Installation can happen after your shed construction completes, unlike roller doors that need precise frame preparation. Manual operation requires no electricity, making them reliable for remote farm locations.
Cons of sliding shed doors
Weather sealing sits below roller door standards due to track gaps and panel overlaps. You cannot motorise these doors easily or affordably. The panels need adequate wall length for sliding space, which may limit your shed design or reduce usable width on multi-bay buildings.
Best uses and shed types
Farm machinery sheds and aircraft hangars benefit most from sliding doors. Your tractor storage or hay shed suits this door type when you need wide access and security matters less than in commercial premises.
Space, track and sealing requirements
You need wall space equal to your door width for single-track systems, or proportionally less for multi-track designs. The track system requires solid mounting points into your shed's structural frame. Weather seals at panel edges help but never match roller door performance.
Sliding doors work best when you prioritise access width and manual operation over maximum security or weather sealing.
Costs, maintenance and DIY difficulty
Basic sliding doors start around $3,000 and reach $20,000 depending on span, track configuration, and bay count. Maintenance involves cleaning tracks and lubricating rollers annually. DIY installation suits competent builders familiar with level mounting and structural fixing methods.
3. Hinged shed doors and PA doors
Hinged doors and Personal Access (PA) doors serve as the simplest and most cost-effective types of shed doors for Australian properties. These traditional doors swing open on hinges mounted to a frame, providing straightforward pedestrian access or equipment entry points depending on size. PA doors specifically refer to the smaller pedestrian doors that let workers enter without opening large vehicle doors.
How hinged and PA shed doors work
Your hinged door attaches to a frame using metal or stainless steel hinges that allow 180-degree swing opening. PA doors come pre-hung in a four-sided frame ready for installation into your shed wall. Standard hinged doors mount directly to your shed posts or manufactured frame systems.
Pros of hinged and PA shed doors
These doors cost less than any motorised alternative and require minimal ongoing maintenance. PA doors provide quick worker access while keeping main roller or sliding doors secured. Installation takes hours rather than days, and you can easily change locks or add security hardware later.
Cons of hinged and PA shed doors
Your door needs adequate clearance space to swing fully open. Wind can catch the door during operation, creating safety risks and potential damage. Larger hinged doors struggle with wind loading compared to roller or sliding alternatives.
Hinged and PA doors work best as secondary access points rather than primary vehicle entry on exposed sites.
Best uses and shed types
Garden sheds, workshops, and secondary access points on farm or commercial buildings suit these doors perfectly. You'll find PA doors essential on any shed where workers need frequent entry without compromising main door security.
Materials, security and weather sealing
Manufacturers produce these doors in Colorbond steel, Zincalume, or timber frames with solid core options for enhanced security. Double-skinned steel PA doors include weather seals around all edges to prevent water and dust entry.
Costs, sizing and DIY difficulty
PA doors start around $400 for basic 2040mm x 830mm sizes, with wider 920mm and 1100mm versions costing more. Larger double hinged doors range from $800 to $2,000 depending on span. DIY installation suits most competent home builders with basic carpentry skills.
4. Tilt panel shed doors
Tilt panel doors represent the least common among types of shed doors in Australia, typically found only on aircraft hangars requiring exceptionally wide clear spans. These doors tilt out from the bottom and lift up on a spring-balance hinge system, creating a canopy effect when open. The engineering complexity and substantial costs make them impractical for most farm or commercial shed applications.
How tilt panel shed doors work
Your tilt door panel mounts on heavy-duty hinges at the top of your shed opening. The door swings outward at the bottom then lifts upward using a spring-balance mechanism or hydraulic system. Large panels often include hydraulic assists to manage the considerable weight during operation, particularly for doors opened and closed multiple times daily.
Pros of tilt panel shed doors
These doors span enormous distances that sliding or roller systems cannot match economically. You gain a completely unobstructed opening across your shed's gable end. Aircraft hangars benefit from the clear access width needed for large wingspan clearance during aircraft movement.
Cons and common issues with tilt doors
Cost exceeds all other door types by significant margins. Engineering requirements escalate rapidly as span increases, with total costs ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 depending on width. Wind loading creates substantial stress on the hinge system and supporting structure.
Tilt doors suit only specialised applications where their extreme cost justifies the unobstructed wide span they provide.
Best uses and shed types
Aircraft hangars remain the primary application for tilt panel doors. Your shed needs this door type only when you require clear spans beyond practical limits of sliding or sectional systems and budget permits the substantial investment.
Space, structure and engineering needs
Your shed structure requires extensive reinforcement around the door opening to handle the panel weight and wind forces. The door needs adequate clearance above the shed when fully raised, typically adding significant height to your building specification.
Costs, maintenance and when to avoid them
Budget between $10,000 and $100,000 depending entirely on span width and engineering complexity. Annual maintenance includes inspecting hydraulic systems, lubricating hinges, and checking structural mounting points. Avoid tilt doors for farm machinery storage, workshops, or any application where sliding or roller alternatives provide adequate access at fraction of the cost.
5. Barn style shed doors
Barn style doors slide horizontally along a track mounted above your opening, combining traditional aesthetics with practical functionality. These doors hang from two or more rollers on an overhead track, sliding flat along your shed wall without requiring swing clearance. You'll find them most commonly on equestrian buildings and lifestyle properties where appearance matters alongside function.
How barn style shed doors work
Your barn door panels suspend from heavy-duty rollers fixed to a track above the opening. The panels glide sideways along your shed wall, either individually or in pairs depending on your opening width. Unlike hinged doors, these require no floor track or ground clearance, making them suitable for uneven surfaces.
Pros of barn style shed doors
These doors deliver strong aesthetic appeal for properties where traditional rural style matters. Horse stables and equestrian facilities benefit from their smooth operation that avoids spooking animals. You can customise timber or steel finishes to match your property's existing structures.
Cons of barn style shed doors
Finding specialised suppliers limits your options compared to mainstream types of shed doors. Security falls below commercial standards, making them unsuitable for machinery or tool storage where theft risk exists. Weather sealing around edges remains challenging with sliding panel designs.
Best uses and shed types
Equestrian buildings, horse stables, and lifestyle property storage suit barn doors perfectly. Your garden shed or hobby workshop benefits from their visual appeal when located near your home. Avoid using them for commercial security applications or exposed farm machinery storage.
Barn doors prioritise aesthetics and animal-friendly operation over maximum security or weather protection.
Materials, hardware and weather performance
Manufacturers produce barn doors in timber, steel, or composite materials depending on your budget and maintenance preferences. Hardware quality determines longevity, with stainless steel rollers and tracks outperforming painted alternatives in coastal or high-humidity locations.
Costs, custom builds and DIY considerations
Expect to pay $1,500 to $5,000 for quality barn style doors depending on materials and span. Custom timber designs increase costs significantly. DIY installation suits experienced builders familiar with level track mounting and structural load calculations.
Making your shed door choice
Your shed door decision depends on balancing access requirements, security needs, and budget constraints. Roller and sectional doors provide the best weather protection and security but cost more upfront. Sliding doors suit farm machinery storage where wide access matters more than maximum security. Hinged and PA doors serve as affordable secondary access points for worker entry. Tilt panels suit only specialised hangar applications due to extreme costs.
Consider your space limitations, frequency of use, and what you'll store inside when evaluating the different types of shed doors available. Roller or sectional doors deliver the best long-term value if you need wide vehicle access with remote operation. Sliding doors provide practical width at lower cost for machinery sheds with manual access. Most Australian sheds benefit from adding PA doors alongside main vehicle doors for daily worker access.
Browse custom roller and sectional doors manufactured in Melbourne with free delivery across Australia. Order your doors to exact measurements in Colorbond or Zincalume steel.