Side-Hinged Garage Door Buying Guide: Benefits, Cost, and Maintenance

Side-hinged doors complement the modern farmhouse aesthetic, featuring a side-swing opening that resembles barn doors. They offer a classic style, reliable functionality, and practical durability for residential garages, workshops, or storage areas.

Average Cost: $1200-$2500

*This cost may vary depending on the material, insulation, size, and customization.

Benefits of Side-Hinged Garage Doors

Style

Side-hinged garage doors are often favored for their timeless, traditional aesthetic and for the ways they can complement older homes or bring classic touches to modern homes. These doors are available in a variety of materials, including wood, steel, aluminum, or composite wood, and can be customized to match your home. Some customization options include selecting the finish and color options through paint, stain, or other color treatments, incorporating panel styles or decorative elements like barn-door hardware or crossbeams, adding decorative windows, and choosing the configuration of your door, whether single, double, or asymmetrical panels.

Functionality

Unlike overhead garage doors, such as sectional or roll-up styles that coil and rest underneath the ceiling, side-hinged doors swing open horizontally. In this way, these doors are easy to operate and might be ideal for spaces that primarily function as a workshop or storage space instead of as a parking garage. They also are an excellent option for garages with low ceilings or threshold obstacles that prevent the installation of an overhead track. For even more convenience, side-hinged doors can be divided into sections that allow only one part of the door to open if desired. 

Durability

Side-hinged doors typically have longer lifespans than their overhead counterparts because of their side-hinged mechanism which means fewer moving parts and less wear and tear. These doors are built from materials like steel, wood, aluminum, and composite wood to withstand the elements, including harsh winds and temperature fluctuations. For areas with extreme weather conditions, these doors can be reinforced to provide extra protection and security.

Safety Features

Similarly, since the opening mechanism is simpler than that of overhead models, there’s inherently less risk of mechanical failure or broken springs or cables that could compromise safety. Additionally, side-hinged garage doors often have built-in locks or even a multi-point locking system for enhanced security.

Home Value

The unique, charming appearance of side-hinged doors can make your property stand out especially in areas where classic or traditional home styles are popular. Moreover, their durability and ease of use are appealing because they offer a combination of aesthetics and practicality that adds to the overall value of your home. 

How to Choose the Right Side-Hinged Garage Door

Material

Side-hinged garage doors are available in a variety of materials, each with its own pros and cons depending on your needs. 

• Wood gives the most traditional appearance and can be easily customized to match your home and style preferences; however, wood requires regular maintenance and upkeep to prevent warping and rot.
• Steel doors are durable, low-maintenance, and offer a sleek, modern look, but can dent or rust over time.
• Composite wood is a mix of materials that combines the appearance of wood with the durability of steel. These doors are also often resistant to warping, cracking, and rotting.
• Aluminum is lightweight and naturally resistant to rust but might not be as durable as steel or composite wood. 

Insulation

Insulated side-hinged doors can help reduce both energy bills and noise by regulating the temperature inside the garage. Insulation can be a great option if the garage is attached to your home and/or used for purposes other than simply parking your car like exercising or storing valuables.

Opening Mechanism

While most side-hinged doors open manually like regular doors, some models can be customized with automatic openers for extra convenience. If this is your preference, be sure to consider automatic door systems that are compatible with side-mounted motors which automatically swing the doors open and closed.

Maintenance Tips for Side-Hinged Garage Doors

Properly maintaining your side-hinged garage door ensures the longevity and continued smooth operation of your door. 

• Regularly inspect for signs of wear or damage, such as warping, dents, or rot, on the door and the weatherstripping around the edges. 
• Clean your doors to remove dirt, dust, and debris, especially if you have wooden doors. 
• Lubricate mechanical features like hinges and any other moving parts to prevent rust and a friction-free operation.
• Repaint or refinish to maintain the appearance of your door and protect from weather damage like moisture or sun exposure.

Check locks and other safety features that may loosen or become misaligned over time to ensure proper functioning and maintain security.