Whether you are interested in a garage door replacement or in knowing which electric garage door motor to choose, you have definitely found the right place. 

Our home is our castle, where we like to feel safe and where comfort is essential. And while we sometimes even forget about its existence, the garage is an integral part of our habitat. In addition to protecting vehicles, it is a gateway to your home, making it a very busy passageway. Its access must be practical and secure. With a direct connection to the outside, the insulation of your garage is also an important consideration. 

How to choose the best garage door?

Here are some steps to follow to achieve the perfect choice:

  • Step 1: choose the type of garage door depending on your needs
  • Step 2: select the materials and finishes
  • Step 3: take the correct measurements for your new garage door
  • Step 4: evaluate the benefits of an electric garage door motor
  • Step 5: choose a control format that suits your daily life
  • Step 6: choose the mandatory and optional safety accessories
  • Step 7: install your garage door

Step 1: choose the type of garage door depending on your needs

The configuration of your home, the space available inside and outside the garage, the practicality... All these elements will be decisive in the choice of your model of garage door.

Sectional garage door

The popular sectional garage door consists of large horizontal panels. When opened, the door slides panel by panel to ceiling level. This option avoids any encroachment on the interior. It offers a wide choice in terms of finishes and good thermal performance.

Up-and-over garage door

This type of garage door is made up of a single panel which lifts and lies under the ceiling. The up-and-over garage door can be overhanging or on the outside. This model has the advantage of being easily adaptable to possess a garage door motor.

Roll-up garage door

The roll-up door is made up of slats that roll up like a roller shutter. The housing containing the electric roller shutter garage motor is installed behind the lintel. This allows a minimum footprint and thus saves space. This option is ideal for small garages or those that open on to the roadway. 

Swing garage door

The swing garage door has a specific design with 2 or 4 leaves, depending on the width of the opening. Wall mounted hinges hold the panels in place which can be independently opened to the outside. It requires space in front but has the advantage of completely freeing the interior surface.

Slide garage door

Also called a side sectional garage door, it consists of several vertical panels that slide along the wall. It is ideal for garages with wide openings and if the ceiling is low or obstructed. This installation occupies a section of wall but completely frees the ceiling. The first panel serves as a pedestrian access door to the garage.

Step 2: select the materials and finishes

Choose your material

The types of garage doors will influence the choice of material since certain materials are specific to certain models of doors. Indeed, the material depends on the model chosen, but also on your wishes in terms of insulation and aesthetics. 
Check the advantages of the different garage door materials for your new home or garage door replacement : 

Wood

Wooden garage doors are suitable for side openings. They are long-lasting but require regular maintenance. This material offers a real thermal barrier to your garage, wood being a very good insulator.

Steel

Steel garage doors require much less maintenance than wood, they are resistant and particularly suitable for vertical openings. On the thermal side, the insulation is less efficient than with wood, especially for sectional garage doors, due to the space between the panels. To overcome this, for this material it is possible to include an insulation of 20 mm to 60 mm. 

Aluminium

This material is light, easy to handle and durable. The weak point of an aluminium garage doors is also the insulation, as it is a strong thermal conductor. However, as with steel garage doors, insulation solutions exist to get around this inconvenience.

PVC

PVC garage doors are light and particularly economical, and adaptable to all configurations. PVC offers better thermal performance than steel or aluminium garage doors. However, it is not very resistant in the event of an attempted break-in.

Finishes

You have the choice between panels with grooves or cassettes. In terms of finishes, these panels can be smooth, rough, veined or paintable. A wide range of colours are available, modern or classic, to provide a harmonious aesthetic!

Step 3: take the correct measurements for your new garage door

Take meticulous measurements of the size needed.

Before taking measurements, be aware that it is recommended to seek professional help. Previously to the different steps that follow, make sure to provide a space specifically for the electric garage door motor. Allow at least 20 cm above the opening to secure the rails and the motor.

  1.  First, measure the door frame (the opening) by measuring both the height and the width.
  2. Then note the height of the lintel.
  3. Now measure the distance between the opening where the door will go and the side walls.
  4. In the case of a sliding door, the length available to push it back along the sidewall is essential. For a sectional door or overhead door, measure the space available in the ceiling area.
    Any obstacle that could prevent the door from functioning must be taken into account, such as pipes, storage, slanted walls, etc.

Once these measurements have been taken, you can order your garage door. If the measurements are not standard, choose a tailor-made manufacture.

Step 4: evaluate the benefits of an electric garage door motor

Convenience

No need to get out of your car to open the garage door. It opens automatically and remotely with your smartphone via the TaHoma® mobile app. Best of all, your electric garage door motor is compatible with voice assistants for voice control.

Safety

Comings and goings are made safe with obstacle detection. The electric garage door motor will stop automatically. And with the app you have peace of mind, you can check that your Somfy garage door motor is properly closed. 

Protection

The Somfy garage door motor allows smooth movements. Do you wonder how long do a garage motor last? Somfy smart solutions will definitely reassure you by offering extends of life to your garage door.

Somfy's available technologies

RTS

RTS (Radio Technology Somfy) is a one-way operation technology, it allows a directive to be sent to your motor from a remote control. If you are looking to motorise just a garage door and do not have a long-term automation project, this technology is probably what you are searching for. This technology allows you to open and close your electric garage door motor from a wireless remote control.

io-homecontrol

The io-homecontrol technology, unlike the RTS, allows you to go further in your home automation project. This technology is a two-way system, it allows you to connect and manage your smart home devices from anywhere. Thanks to this system, you are able to manage your electric garage door motor, your lights and your roller shutters motors included.  The io-homecontrol technology is able to give you real-time feedback on what is occurring, if an obstacle was detected during the run or if the run was completed successfully.

ALT
DEXXO OPTIMO RTS
  • Intuitive easy and safe programmation thanks to the LCD screen

Reliable and robust motorization for every installation configuration

ALT
DEXXO PRO 1000 RTS
  • Intuitive easy and safe programmation thanks to the LCD screen

Reliable and robust motorization for every installation configuration

Step 5 : choose a control mode that suits your daily life

Thanks to TaHoma® app

Open or close your single or double garage door and manage your other Somfy equipment from your smartphone using the TaHoma® app.
Find out more
T

Combine all your smart devices

With the TaHoma® switch intelligent centralisation you take convenience to another level. It allows you to control not only your electric garage door motor from a smartphone, but also your gate, alarm, lock, roller shutters and other connected objects. You can manage all of your equipment individually or jointly through scenarios.
Find out more

Rather fancy a remote control?

One option is the Keypop or Keygo wireless remote controls, usable with RTS technology. Practical and easy to use, you can leave one in your car.
Find out more

A 3-in-1 wall control

It is advisable to install a wall control point inside your garage in addition to a remote control. With the Smoove command, you control the opening and closing of the garage door, while with the Wall Switch io control you can connect up to three devices. For example, you can control your garage door, your gate and the driveway light at the same time!
Find out more

Resquest it

You can also control your equipment by voice! The TaHoma® switch box is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit. The voice assistant available on your smartphone makes it a piece of cake... Merely tell it to "open the garage door" just before you arrive at your house!
Find out more

Step 6 : choose the mandatory and optional safety accessories

ORANGE LIGHT ECOPRO 24V 15W
  • Mandatory

It warns motorists that your vehicle is entering or exiting. It is positioned outside on one of the pillars or near your garage door. It is compulsory if your access is directly onto the public road. 

alt
Photocell Master Pro Bitech
  • Mandatory

Any garage door fitted with automatic or remote control must be fitted with photoelectric cells. They make it possible to instantly stop the motor in the event an obstacle is detected.

 

KEYGO RTS
  • Optional

One central button easy to locate without taking the eyes off the road

Step 7: install your garage door

Installing a garage door cannot be improvised. Calling a professional is strongly recommended to ensure a problem-free installation without nasty surprises. Your garage door will be installed safely and ready to use! 

However, if you are a manual person, it is definitely possible to install an electric garage door motor by yourself, thanks to various kits available in the shop. 

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