The Great debate - Sectional or Roller

Hey there! As you may already know, Melton and its surrounding suburbs are currently in a massive growth corridor. There are many new houses being built within the township and its neighbouring suburbs and with that comes many design choices for the new homeowners.

One major one is the style & colour of their new garage door.

So with that in mind, let’s chat about the great debate: Roller Door vs. Sectional Door—and which one might be the perfect fit for your residential or domestic garage door needs.

example of a recently installed roller door with motor

Roller Doors: The Space-Saving Champs

Imagine a tough, durable steel or aluminium curtain that smoothly rolls up into a drum—that’s a roller door for you!

These doors are known for their resilience and space-saving design. Since they roll up tight, they’re perfect for garages where space is at a premium. Plus, they tend to be easier on the wallet compared to sectional doors initially, the downfall to this is that your colour and profile looks are much more limited.

Insider tip

A little insider tip: if a spring on your roller door ever breaks, the whole door usually needs replacing, but don’t worry—it’s not a common issue, Just make sure to have a garage door specialist service and maintain your garage door regularly to ensure it remains in tip top condition!

Also to keep in mind when weighing up your options between doors is the fact that roller doors need about 250mm of headroom for installation, so make sure you have enough clearance.

Sectional doors are highly customisable

Sectional Doors: Style and Versatility

Now, if you’re after a domestic garage door that adds a splash of style and customisation, sectional garage doors are where it’s at!

Made from materials like Colorbond, these hinged panel doors slide back along the ceiling, giving your garage a sleek, modern look. They’re highly customisable—think windows, different profiles, extra wind bracing, wood grain look—and can really boost your home’s street appeal.

They do need a bit more headroom, usually between 150mm and 300mm, but newer designs are making it easier to fit them in even with less space. The motor is typically placed in the middle, but options are available for side-mounted motors too.

Longevity

The average lifespan of a residential garage door in Australia is typically between 15 and 30 years. Factors like the material, usage frequency, maintenance, weather conditions, and the door's installation and construction can influence its lifespan. For example, steel doors are generally more durable than aluminium or fiberglass doors.

Merlin Silent Drive Elite Motors, come with a great warranty

Motorisation

The other factor to consider is that a garage door motor typically lasts 8-10 years, so do yourself a favour, don’t skimp on this very important piece of automation! This unit will be used multiple times daily, so make sure you get one with a decent warranty that is fit for purpose.

Cost and Maintenance

While sectional doors tend to be pricier upfront, they’re easier to repair the moving parts, so if a spring breaks—just contact a garage door specialist, such as the team at garage and roller door services and have them swap out the parts, and you’re good to go.

Roller doors might be cheaper initially, but if a spring snaps, the entire door’s got to be replaced.

Both doors don’t take up much space, but their mounting positions matter. Roller doors can be mounted on the wall or ceiling, whereas sectional doors are usually ceiling-mounted or on the roof, making them ideal for larger garages.

Maintenance Tips

And here’s a friendly reminder: like any moving machinery, your garage door needs regular TLC.

Conduct your own visual assessments frequently to make sure it all appears in order, and we recommend getting your garage door checked and maintained every 12 months.

If it’s been a bit longer than that, and your door’s been looking a little tired, give the team at @garagerollerdoorservices a shout—we’ll keep your door in tip-top shape!

Choices

So, which door is best for you? Well, it depends on your space, style preferences, and budget. Want a space-efficient, budget-friendly roller door with limited colour & profile choices? Or maybe a stylish, customisable sectional door with more moving parts? Either way, we’ve got your back in the western suburbs of Melbourne.

work trailer loaded up with a sectional door ready to go

Got questions or ready for a service?

Contact garage and roller door services today, for all your residential garage door needs, and let’s make your garage the envy of the street!