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.
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.
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.
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.