Manual vs Automated Garage Doors: Pros & Cons 

Manual vs Automated Garage Doors: Pros & Cons 

Automated garage doors are making their presence known and are loved across the globe. While there’s a huge hype about automated doors, manual doors haven’t gone extinct. People still purchase manual overhead doors. Not only because they’re free of multiple relative complexities, but also because the garage door mechanism is simple. You won’t have to google ‘garage door failure signs’ for manual doors. Because the signs are quite simple to understand.  

However, simplicity is not everyone’s first filter when looking for new garage doors. Some want automated doors because they find them easier to use. Some want it because it offers added security. On the other hand, some want manual doors because of their budget crunch.  

Each has its’ own set of specifications. You just need to know which suits your demands the best.  

Manual Garage Doors: Features 

Around for decades and seen everywhere— from homes to commercial facilities. Manual garage doors require physical effort to operate. Since they are rudimentary in design, they are much cheaper and available in all markets. Their popularity reflects the ease of use. They provide security to your valuables while not costing a fortune.  

These are best suited for warehouses and other commercial facilities. Or any residential space with less frequent usage.  

Moreover, manual garage door installations are far easier than automated doors. This isn’t only because of the manual door’s convenient mechanism. But also because there are fewer parts in a manual garage door unit.  

Manual Garage Doors: Pros 

• Simple Mechanism: Manual garage doors are rather simple to operate. With the aid of physical force, the door is lifted and brought down. Thus, there are no complexities involved in the operation of a manual garage door.  

• Economical Choice: Because of its limited features and specifications, it’s far cheaper than automated garage doors.  

• Fewer Complications: Fewer parts mean fewer complications. Also, because there is no complex garage door mechanism involved, it’s easier to use.  

• Easier Garage Door Maintenance Routine: Automated doors require perfectly functioning electrical components or sensors to run efficiently. This requires meticulous maintenance at regular and small intervals. That isn’t the case for manual garage doors, as there’s no electrical element involved.  

• Tailored Solutions: Manual garage doors can be designed according to the clients’ demands and needs. While there are customizable automated doors too, they aren’t easy to make and are far more expensive.  

• Easy and Rapid Installation: Manual garage door installation doesn’t take much time, as there are a small number of parts involved. Also, technicians won’t have to install sensors and electrical components when it comes to manual garage doors.  

Manual Garage Doors: Cons 

• Need For Physical Effort: Lifting a garage door may seem hunky-dory to some of you. But is it feasible for the elderly to apply such pressure? It isn’t a convenient option for the sick, elderly, expecting women, and those who are physically unfit. So, its convenience is limited to a specific group of people.  

• Situational Inconveniences: Rushing home amid heavy rain? Lifting and pulling a garage door down physically during such chaos seems quite inconvenient. Physically opening and closing a garage door during any emergency is nothing less than a hassle. 

• Probability of Safety Hazards: When lifting or pulling down the garage door, it can cause injuries because of the sudden pressure the activity demands.  

• Not Recommended for Larger Doors: While it’s fine for average-sized doors, it’s not the same for larger doors. It’ll require a lot more physical effort. Thus, it’ll become a time-consuming shenanigan.  

• Less Security: Garage theft is a quite common issue. Breaking open a manual door isn’t a huge feat. So, security is already compromised.  

Read More:
Things to Keep in Mind Before or While Installing Different Types of Garage Doors

Automated Garage Doors: Features 

Unlike manual garage doors, automated garage doors work on an electrical setup. Wherein you send signals to the sensor using an application or a remote. Then, the door is automatically opened/closed based on the received signal. Recently trending, automated garage doors are efficient, convenient and easy to use.  

They may be priced a little high, but it’s worth the cost. Automated garage doors come with multiple built-in features such as motion detection (for thefts) and automated lighting (better navigation). The second feature is a great tool. Essentially, garages are kept dark. This makes navigation confusing when parking your car at the end of the day. So, in-built lighting options allow better navigation as the lights turn on automatically when the doors open.  

Automated Garage Doors: Pros 

• Convenient Solution: Until the last few years, opening a garage door was a heavy physical activity. But with automated doors, it’s ancient history. These doors use sensors and software to trigger upward/downward movement and not physical pressure. So, automated doors are far more convenient.  

• Heightened Security: Automated doors have built-in features such as motion detection and access codes. Such features enable increased security of your valuables, including your car. Not allowing any foreign intruder to gain access to your garage.  

• No Risks: With automated garage doors, physical injury is not a risk. As all the operations are controlled and managed by the electrical components, no physical intervention is required.  

• In-built Lighting: Automated garage doors come with in-built lighting features. These lights turn on upon detecting activity. Thus, making parking easy and hassle-free.  

• Efficiency: In times of emergencies, be it rushing to the hospital or heavy rain, automated doors are a savior. They don’t require any human intervention and can be accessed via remotes and smartphones. Thus, making the process of operating a garage door efficient.  

Automated Garage Doors: Cons 

• More Expensive: Because of their advanced functions and specifications, automated garage doors are naturally more expensive.  

• Doesn’t Work without Power Supply: If there’s a power cut in the area, your door won’t operate at all. Automated doors rely on electricity. So, without electricity, your garage door is just a piece of decor.  

• Expensive Garage Door Maintenance: Many parts are involved in the making of an automated door. Its maintenance is thus more complicated. And expensive. Furthermore, the electrical components require regular monitoring to ensure the garage door’s functioning. So, maintenance is a tad more expensive. 

• Complicated Installation: Automated garage door installation is layered with many steps. From physically installing the doors to enabling the electrical components and more. A lot goes into installing automated doors.  

Before You Go  

To each, their own— everyone has a different set of demands and prerequisites. While one may be looking for a garage door with aesthetic appeal to enhance their property value, another is looking for a garage door for their mall outlet. The one looking for aesthetic garage doors will do perfectly fine with manual garage doors. On the other hand, the one out to buy a garage door for their store may be best suited to buy automated garage doors.  

Based on your needs and demands, tick off the things that seem unnecessary in the blog above. This way, you’ll have a clearer understanding of what you’re headed to buy— a manual garage door or an automated garage door.  

Once you’re reassured, make the purchase. If garage door installation seems like too much of a task, get in touch with our experts—they’ll make your journey easier!