MANUAL GARAGE DOORS VS ELECTRIC GARAGE DOORS

Newnan Manual garage doors vs electric garage doorsWhen setting out to choose a garage door type, one of the basic questions you have to answer is if you would prefer a manual garage door or an electric garage door. There are pros and cons to each decision, so depending on your lifestyle and your personal preference, there is a type that will match what you are looking for.

First let’s discuss the difference between the two. The most obvious difference is how the operation of the door is powered. Electric doors are powered through an electric source, and will work at a push of a button. Manual doors are powered through human effort, meaning you would have to open and close the door yourself.

First let’s take a look at manual doors. Here are some pros and cons of owning a manual door.

Pros

  • Cost. Manual doors are cheaper overall, and will require less maintenance than electric doors. 
  • Light Weight. Manual doors generally come with a torsion spring mechanism. The spring bears the brunt of the load, so it is very easy to open and close the door, and will not require a lot of elbow grease to get the door to work.
  • Traditional. If you are a fan of the traditional way of doing things, then a manual garage door is for you. There is a large set of people who are trying to limit the amount of technology in their homes, and a traditional manual garage door fits into this lifestyle.

Cons

  • Depending on the type of manual door you choose, you may find that the door has a wide outward arc when you open it. Meaning, if there is a vehicle in your driveway, it will have to be set back a ways from the door to avoid any potential damage.
  • Lack of convenience. If you come home on a rainy day, you do not have the convenience to pull directly into the garage (if it is closed). You will have to exit the vehicle and manually open the garage yourself.
  • Lack of built in safety features. Many automatic garage door openers have safety mechanisms built in by law. This is not the case with manual doors. There is no safety feature to stop a door that is on the way down. So you will have to be vigilant and pay attention when operating your door. Especially if you have pets or children running underfoot.
  • Issues for elderly, infirm, or physically disabled. If you are sick or elderly, you may find the manual door operation too much to handle on a daily basis. While the door springs do take some of the weight off of a person, you still have to have the strength to get the door started on the track. As well, if you need to suddenly stop the door, you need to have the physical ability to do so. As well, if you are dealing with a physical disability, then a manual garage door may not be an option at all for you.

Next let’s look at electric garage doors. These type of doors have become extremely popular over the last few decades. Let’s explore some pros and cons to choosing an electric garage door for your property.

Pros

  • Convenience. This is one of the main selling points of electric, or automatic, garage door systems. The fact that you can gain entry, or bar entry, into your garage with the push of a button. If you find yourself in a rainstorm on your drive home, you know that you can simply press the button on the remote and pull your car directly into the garage. You can then press the button to close the door behind you.
  • Safety features. There are built in safety features in all garage door openers manufactured after 1993. One such feature is sensors. These sensors will know when an object is in the path of the door, and will stop the door from operating. Perhaps you did not pull your car all the way into the garage, and your trunk is in the path of the door. The door will not operate. Or, if your pet or child tries to run under the door, the door will stop in its path before colliding with any objects.
  • Wide variety of styles. Since electric doors are so popular, there is a wide variety of styles, colors, and materials to choose from. This means that no matter what your aesthetic preference, you can rest assured that there is a configuration of electric door that will suit you.
  • Singular operation. Your door is assigned a remote, and the remote is needed to enter and exit your garage. Unlike manual doors, which can be operated by anyone - including burglars, electric doors add an extra layer of security to your home as the remote will be needed to operate the door.

Cons

  • Cost. These type of doors are more expensive than their manual counterparts. So depending on your current budget, you may find the electric door to be too much to manage. There is also maintenance costs. If something goes awry with your door, you will need to call a professional technician to assist you.
  • Time to set up. Automatic doors should be installed by a professional. You will also need an opener system installed. This does take time, which can be a drawback depending on your circumstances.
  • Regular maintenance. Electric doors require regular maintenance. While a homeowner can handle some of the preventative maintenance themselves, they may need to call in a professional for some issues. This means that the cost of the door does not end upon installation.
  • Power issues. If your area has been experiencing issues, such as power surges, this can affect the electrical components of the garage door. If one component is affected, it could affect the overall operation of the door. Meaning, the door itself will stop working, which can be a hassle.

As you can see, there is a variety of options available to you. If you’d like to discuss your options please call the experts at Newnan Garage Repair. We have been providing Grade A garage door services to the Newnan, GA community, and we are happy to help you.