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Types of Garage Doors in Calgary

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Complete Selection Guide — Find the Right Door for Your Home

Not sure which type of garage door is right for your Calgary home? You’re not alone. Most homeowners don’t realize there are five distinct garage door types, each designed for different situations, garage configurations, and lifestyle needs. This guide will help you understand your options so you can make an informed decision before requesting quotes.

At Calgary Garage Door Fix, we install all five door types—from standard overhead doors to specialized side-sliding systems. As Canada’s only authorized Ryterna dealer, we offer options you simply can’t find elsewhere. Use this guide to narrow down your choice, then visit our detailed product pages for specifications and pricing.

How to Choose: Quick Decision Guide

Your Situation Best Door Type
Standard garage, typical ceiling height
Overhead Sectional Door
Need frequent pedestrian access, no side entry
Walk-Through Door
Low headroom, ceiling obstructions
Side-Hinged or Side-Sliding
Car lift or ceiling-mounted equipment
Side-Sliding Door
Want traditional carriage-house look
Side-Hinged Door
Upgrading front door + garage together
Matching Door Set

1. Overhead Sectional Doors

What they are: The standard garage door type found in 95%+ of Calgary homes. Panels roll up along ceiling-mounted tracks and an overhead opener, providing reliable operation and the widest range of styles and price points.

When to Choose Overhead Doors

  • Your garage has standard headroom (at least 12″ above the door opening)
  • You want the widest selection of styles, colors, and materials
  • You need options at multiple price points (budget to premium)
  • You prefer automated operation with standard garage door openers

Key Consideration for Calgary

With temperatures ranging from -30°C to +30°C, insulation matters. Look for doors with polyurethane foam cores rated R-12 or higher for attached garages.

→ View brands, pricing & specifications

2. Walk-Through Doors (Wicket Doors)

What they are: A pedestrian door built directly into the garage door panel. Allows you to enter the garage without opening the full door—ideal for quick access, workshop use, or homes without a side entrance.

When to Choose Walk-Through Doors

  • Your garage is your primary entry point (no side door)
  • You use your garage as a workshop, gym, or hobby space
  • You want to conserve energy by not opening the full door in winter
  • You need emergency egress if your opener fails or the power goes out

Important Trade-offs

Walk-through doors add a step threshold (trip hazard for some users) and have a slightly lower insulation value where the door integrates. They’re not recommended for garages used primarily for vehicle parking, where you’d rarely use pedestrian access.

→ See walk-through door options

walk-through garage door Calgary

3. Side-Hinged Doors

What they are: Traditional swing-out doors mounted on hinges at the sides of the opening. They operate like large double doors, swinging outward into your driveway.

When to Choose Side-Hinged Doors

  • Your garage has very low headroom (can’t accommodate overhead tracks)
  • You have ceiling-mounted obstacles (pipes, beams, HVAC ducts)
  • You want a distinctive, traditional or carriage-house aesthetic
  • You prefer manual operation or want to avoid spring-based systems

Important Trade-offs

Side-hinged doors require clear driveway space in front of your garage to swing open. Snow and ice accumulation can block operation in winter. They’re best suited for garages set back from the street with adequate clearance.

→ Explore side-hinged styles

Ryterna Side Hinged Garage Doors-14

4. Side-Sliding Doors

What they are: Doors that travel horizontally along a wall-mounted track, sliding to the side rather than lifting vertically. They require wall space inside the garage but no ceiling clearance.

When to Choose Side-Sliding Doors

  • You have a car lift or ceiling-mounted equipment
  • Your ceiling has severe obstructions that prevent any overhead track system
  • You want to eliminate spring and cable maintenance entirely
  • You need a partial opening for pedestrian access (the door can stop at any point)

Key Advantage

Side-sliding doors don’t use torsion springs or cables—the components that fail most often on traditional doors. This can significantly reduce long-term maintenance costs.

Side Sliding Garage Doors Calgary

Important Trade-offs

You need sufficient interior wall space for the door to slide into. These doors are typically premium-priced and available through specialized manufacturers like Ryterna.

→ Explore side-sliding styles

5. Entry Doors

What they are: Premium front entry doors from the same European manufacturer (Ryterna) that produces our garage doors. Available with matching aesthetics for a coordinated exterior.

When to Consider Entry Doors

  • You’re replacing or upgrading your front entry door
  • You want to match your garage door and front door in style/color
  • You want premium security features (RC2/RC3 rated, multi-point locking)
  • You want smart access options (fingerprint, keypad, smartphone)
  •  

→ Explore entry door options

RD 100 Front Entry Door

6. Matching Garage & Entry Door Sets

What they are: Coordinated garage door and front entry door packages with matching colors, panel designs, hardware finishes, and decorative elements for a unified home exterior.

When to Choose Matching Sets

  • You’re building a new home or doing a major renovation
  • Curb appeal and resale value are top priorities
  • You want a distinctive, architecturally cohesive look
  • You prefer working with a single company for both doors

 

→ See matching set designs

matching front and garage door design

Door Type Comparison at a Glance

Door Type Low Headroom OK? Car Lift OK? Pedestrian Access Automation Availability
Overhead
Depends
No
Add-on
Standard
Wide
Walk-Through
Depends
No
Built-in
Standard
Ryterna
Side-Hinged
Yes
Yes
Optional
Optional
Ryterna
Side-Sliding
Yes
Yes
Partial open
Optional
Optional

Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing a Garage Door Type

What type of garage door is most common in Calgary?

Overhead sectional doors account for over 95% of residential garage doors in Calgary. They're the default choice because they work with standard garage configurations, are compatible with most openers, and offer the widest range of styles and price points. Unless you have a specific reason to choose another type (low headroom, car lift, frequent pedestrian access), an overhead door is likely your best option.

Can I change my garage door type, or do I have to replace with the same style?

You can change door types, but it may require modifications. Switching from overhead to side-hinged requires removing ceiling tracks and potentially adding hinges/framing. Switching from any type to side-sliding requires interior wall space for the door to slide into. We assess your garage during the free consultation and advise on feasibility and costs.

How do I know if I have enough headroom for an overhead door?

Standard overhead doors need about 12 inches of clearance above the door opening. Low-headroom track systems can reduce this to 6-8 inches. If you have less than 6 inches, or if pipes, beams, or HVAC equipment obstruct the ceiling, you may need a side-hinged or side-sliding door instead.

Which garage door type is best for a workshop or home gym?

For spaces you access frequently on foot, a walk-through door is ideal—you can enter without opening the full door, conserving heat in winter and avoiding unnecessary opener cycles. If you also need full overhead clearance (for a car lift or ceiling storage), a side-sliding door provides both pedestrian access (can stop at any point) and full ceiling access.

What's the difference between side-hinged and side-sliding doors?

Side-hinged doors swing outward into your driveway, requiring clear space in front and potentially blocked by snow. Side-sliding doors move horizontally along an interior wall track, requiring wall space inside but never blocked by weather. Side-sliding doors also eliminate springs and cables entirely.

Are specialty door types (side-hinged, side-sliding, walk-through) more expensive?

Yes, specialty doors typically cost more than standard overhead doors. Walk-through doors add a premium to any door type. Side-hinged and side-sliding doors are available exclusively through premium manufacturers like Ryterna. However, the right door type for your situation can save money long-term through reduced maintenance, energy savings, or avoiding costly garage modifications.

Can any garage door type be automated?

Overhead and walk-through doors work with standard ceiling-mounted openers. Side-hinged and side-sliding doors can be automated with specialty arm operators or side-wall mounted motors, but automation is optional and adds cost. If automation is a priority, overhead doors offer the simplest and most affordable setup.

Which garage door type requires the least maintenance?

Side-sliding doors have the lowest maintenance requirements because they don't use torsion springs or cables—the components that fail most often on garage doors. Overhead and walk-through doors require periodic spring adjustment and eventual spring replacement. Side-hinged doors need hinge lubrication and weather seal maintenance.

How do I schedule a consultation to discuss which door type is right for me?

Call us at (403) 990-9536 or request a quote online. Our technicians will assess your garage configuration, discuss your needs and preferences, and recommend the best door type for your situation—all at no charge. We're Canada's best-rated garage door company with 2,500+ five-star reviews because we help customers make informed decisions, not just push products.

Ready to Find Your Perfect Door?

Still unsure which type is right for your situation? Our team specializes in helping Calgary homeowners navigate these choices. We’ll assess your garage, discuss your needs, and recommend the best option—whether that’s a budget-friendly Northland overhead door or a specialized Ryterna side-sliding system.


Call us at (403) 990-9536 for a free consultation. We serve Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, Okotoks, Chestermere, and surrounding areas.

Picture of Stan Klugman

Stan Klugman

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stan Klugman | Founder, Calgary Garage Door Fix
Stan has over 15 years of experience in the garage door industry and has personally overseen more than 32,000 residential and commercial repairs across Calgary. Calgary Garage Door Fix is a BBB-accredited business and holds registered trademarks in both Canada (TMA1352082) and the United States (98141232).

Last Updated 2025-12-23