Commercial vs. Residential Garage Doors
All garage doors generally function similarly and have the same purpose — allowing vehicles, people and other equipment to move in and out of a garage or other large space. But there are a few notable distinctions between commercial and residential garage doors. The main difference lies in the name — residential garage doors are for homes, and commercial garage doors are for business or industrial purposes. Why do we need to have these specific types of garage doors, and what are the commercial and residential garage door differences? Read on to find out more about these types of garage doors, and discover which is better for you.
Sizes of Garage Doors
One of the first differences you may notice between residential and commercial garage doors is their size. Generally, commercial garage doors are much bigger, to accommodate larger vehicles, but that depends on their intended use. Garage doors that need to fit large semitrucks or commercial machinery will need to be much larger than your typical residential garage door.
The standard height is seven feet for residential garage doors, and most are between eight and nine feet wide. Larger and customized sizes are available for homeowners with RVs or other unique situations, but these are usually custom-made residential garage doors. Commercial doors could suit a larger application on a residential property, such as for an RV. However, before installing a larger door like this on your property, check in with your homeowners’ association — if applicable — to find out if there are any restrictions to garage door size for your area.
Another size-related difference between these two types of doors is their weight. While all garage doors are relatively heavy, most residential garage doors weigh around 200 pounds, and commercial doors are much heavier. Garage doors made for commercial use generally consist of sturdier, weightier materials, with a finished commercial garage door often weighing 1,000 pounds or more.
Materials Used for Garage Doors
Another main difference between commercial and residential garage doors is the materials used for the doors themselves. Residential garage doors can consist of a wide range of materials, including different woods and metals, depending on each homeowner’s budget, style and taste. Various materials provide distinctive looks, and can match other exterior elements’ style. Each of these materials may have different pros and cons — wooden doors may provide maximum visual appeal, while steel doors feature long-lasting durability.
On the other hand, commercial garage doors have a much narrower field of commonly used materials. Because these doors usually go through much heavier-duty usage and should be durable, commercial garage doors often consist of industrial-strength metals like steel, aluminum or metal blends. These doors must stand up to the increased wear and tear of opening and closing many times a day, much more than a typical home garage door. These heavy-duty metal doors’ appearance matches the industrial look of many commercial buildings, and may look out of place in a residential setting.
Garage Door Appearance
For residential garage doors, appearance is a much more significant factor than for commercial doors. A garage door is often a substantial part of the home’s curb appeal, especially if it’s part of an attached garage in front of the house. For this reason, many residential garage doors have added visual features such as windows, distinctive hardware, designs and colors. The wide range of color and design choices ensures homeowners can find a garage door that fits in with the home design’s overall aesthetic. Property owners often choose their garage door to match exterior features on the rest of the house for the most cohesive look.
However, with commercial doors, appearance is often far less essential. While many commercial and industrial buildings still want a cohesive look, the right appearance for this type of structure will be a more streamlined, utilitarian door. Commercial garage doors tend to be modest in appearance, without the unique colors, designs and features you’d find on a residential garage door. They are often simple and have a roll-up or flat door style, with neutral colors like white, beige or gray. While the focus is more on commercial doors’ function, they can still be attractive, especially with a sleek, modern style.
Difference in Value
When comparing commercial vs. residential garage doors, one thing you may notice right away is a considerable difference in the costs involved. Commercial garage doors are generally much more expensive to purchase, install and repair. That’s because of the sturdier materials used for commercial garage doors, and the industrial quality that makes them durable and able to stand up to heavier use. Commercial doors must also meet a higher security standard, and are often custom-fit to a particular space and purpose, driving the costs up. They must have specially designed door openers that can hold these larger, sturdier doors’ extra weight and withstand more frequent usage.
The higher price tag associated with commercial doors are a prevalent reason they’re not common in residential areas. These larger doors’ added costs generally make them unnecessary for use on a home garage.
Shop Commercial and Residential Garage Doors
Commercial and residential garage doors have many differences, and familiarizing yourself with all these can help you make the best choice for your needs. Whatever type of garage door you need, you can find it at A Better Door. We are proud to be a Master Authorized Dealer of Clopay garage doors, and feature a wide range of styles for you to choose from. For home garages, shop our selection of residential garage doors and openers to find the best style that matches your home design. And for business use, shop our commercial garage doors for options that provide the extra strength and security your business needs.