Which Roller Garage Door Should You Choose?
The right roller garage door depends on how you use the space and which features are most important to you.
Choose an insulated aluminium roller garage door if you want:
- A 44mm double-skinned aluminium curtain
- A polyurethane foam insulating core
- Additional insulation and external noise reduction
- Corrosion-resistant aluminium slats
- White, black or anthracite grey finishes
- Manual or motorised operation
Consider the steel roller garage door if you want:
- 22SWG galvanised steel construction
- A robust domestic garage shutter
- Electric operation by key switch, rocker switch, remote control or up/down button
- An internal manual override built into the motor as standard
- A galvanised finish or a choice of paid colour finishes
- Optional security accessories, including a ground-bolt kit and armoured padlock
Britannia describes its steel model as providing a higher level of physical protection than standard domestic aluminium shutters. The supplied specifications do not state an independently tested security rating, so the door should not be treated as having a recognised security certification unless supporting evidence is available.
Insulated Aluminium Roller Garage Doors
The aluminium roller garage door uses 44mm double-skinned aluminium slats containing a polyurethane foam insulating core. This construction provides additional insulation and can help reduce heat transfer and outside noise through the garage opening.
The curtain has a 47mm heavy-duty aluminium bottom rail with a rubber seal and runs within 53mm powder-coated guides containing brush strips. Available colours are white, black and anthracite grey.
Operation options include:
- Motorised key-switch control
- Motorised rocker-switch control
- Remote operation with two fobs
- Manual spring operation
Optional extras include a manual-override motor, crank handle, key-switch security box, fitting kit and battery backup. The manual-override motor must be selected if a crank handle is required.
The insulated aluminium model is made to order and can be produced for single or double garages and car ports, subject to the available size options and installation requirements.
Electric Steel Roller Garage Doors
The steel roller garage door is manufactured from 22SWG galvanised steel and is intended for domestic garages. A galvanised metal finish is supplied as the basic option, while black, white, anthracite grey, royal blue, British racing green, Vandyke brown and signal red finishes are available at an additional cost.
Available electric controls include:
- Key switch
- Rocker switch
- Remote control with two handsets
- Up/down button switch
An internal manual override is built into the motor as standard, allowing the shutter to be wound open manually from inside the building during a power failure. A suitable crank handle is available separately.
Other available options include a protective hood, key-switch security box, ground-bolt kit with armoured padlock, fitting kit, battery backup and wireless safety edge.
If you require a thicker steel lath and heavier-duty motor, consider an industrial roller shutter rather than the domestic steel garage model.
Plant-On or Fix-Between Installation
Both roller garage doors are available with two fitting styles.
Plant-On Fitting
With a plant-on installation, the guides and rolling mechanism are fitted directly onto the wall surrounding the garage opening. This arrangement may help preserve more of the usable opening width and height, although it requires sufficient suitable space around the entrance.
Fix-Between Fitting
With a fix-between installation, the roller door is fitted within the garage opening. This may be appropriate when there is not enough suitable wall space around the entrance, but the guides and upper rolling mechanism will occupy part of the opening.
Your measurements must reflect the selected fitting style. Check the measuring and fitting instructions before ordering, as an incorrectly measured made-to-order door may not fit the intended opening.
Space-Saving Vertical Operation
A roller garage door opens vertically rather than swinging outwards. This can help preserve the space immediately in front of the garage, making it a practical option where driveway space is limited.
The curtain rolls above the opening, so sufficient headroom must be available for the rolling mechanism. On the steel model, a protective hood covering this mechanism can be selected when ordering.
Check the product specifications carefully to establish how much room is required for the guides, curtain and upper mechanism. The dimensions needed will depend on the door size and whether it is being fitted within or around the opening.
Electric Operation and Control Options
The aluminium and steel roller garage doors can both be electrically operated, but the available controls and included features differ between models.
A key switch provides controlled operation from a fixed position. A rocker or up/down button offers straightforward wall-mounted control, while a remote-control unit allows the door to be operated using the supplied handsets or fobs.
The aluminium model can also be ordered with manual spring operation. If you choose an electric aluminium roller door and need emergency manual operation during a power cut, select the manual-override motor and compatible crank handle.
The steel roller door includes an internal manual override as part of its motor. However, access to the override is from inside the building, so you should consider how the garage would be entered during a power failure if it has no separate access door.
Power-Cut Access and Battery Backup
Electric roller garage doors depend on a working power supply. A manual override allows the shutter to be opened manually if the electricity supply or motorised control is unavailable.
Battery backup is offered as an optional extra for both models. Whether you need battery backup, manual override or both will depend on the property and whether the garage has another entrance.
If the roller garage door will be the only way into the garage, make sure you select an appropriate power-cut access option before ordering.
Security and Locking Options
A correctly specified roller garage door creates a robust physical barrier across the opening. However, overall security depends on more than the curtain material alone. The quality of the guides, controls, locking arrangements, supporting structure, fixings and installation can all affect the finished door.
The aluminium model combines corrosion-resistant slats with a reinforced bottom rail and powder-coated guides. The steel model uses a 22SWG galvanised steel curtain and offers optional ground bolts with an armoured padlock.
A security box can also be selected to protect the key switch. Choose the security and control options that are appropriate for the garage, its location and the items stored inside it.
Safety Requirements for Roller Garage Doors
The safety measures required for a roller garage door depend on its design, operating system, weight and how the opening will be used.
Vertically moving powered doors must incorporate suitable protection against uncontrolled movement or failure of the suspension system. Depending on the individual door and installation, this may involve a safety brake, a protected drive system or another appropriate safety measure.
Where people or vehicles will pass beneath the shutter, the installation should be assessed carefully before the door is ordered. A safety brake is available for both models, while a wireless safety edge is also available for the steel shutter.
If you are unsure which safety features are required, obtain advice from a competent roller-door installer rather than selecting “No Safety” without an appropriate assessment.
Measuring Your Garage Opening
Every roller garage door is manufactured according to the dimensions selected when ordering, so accurate measurements are essential.
Before placing your order, check:
- The opening width at the top, middle and bottom
- The opening height at several points
- The available headroom above the opening
- The space available for guides on both sides
- Whether the door will be fitted onto the wall or within the opening
- Whether the supporting brickwork, steelwork or timber is suitable
- The planned location of the motor, power supply and controls
- Whether the steel model requires a protective hood
- Whether people or vehicles will regularly pass underneath
- Whether manual override or battery backup is required
Do not assume the walls or floor are completely straight or level. Follow the relevant measuring guide and obtain professional advice if you are unsure which dimensions to submit.
Roller Garage Door Turnaround Times
The steel roller garage door has a standard stated turnaround time of approximately 10–15 working days from sign-off. A quicker turnaround of approximately 3–5 working days after sign-off is offered as a paid option.
Lead times may vary, so check the current product information before ordering. Allow additional time if professional installation is being arranged separately.
