Garage doors
Side-hinged garage doors
A UK side-hinged garage door opens outward on two leaves like a pair of gates, hinged at each side of the frame. Steel versions typically cost £1,795, range £1,350–£4,000, rising to £3,500–£5,000 for luxury insulated timber, inc. VAT against the standard 2290mm × 2250mm opening.
Pros
- Full walk-in access without opening the whole door, useful for a workshop
- No ceiling track needed, so no headroom requirement at all
- Widest material choice of any common UK type — steel, GRP, insulated composite, hardwood
- Suits period and character properties where a swinging-leaf look fits
Cons
- Needs clear space in front of the garage for both leaves to swing open
- Widest price range of any door type — steel starts reasonably but bespoke hardwood runs to £10,000
- Not usually available electric in the way roller, sectional and up-and-over are
- Timber versions need more ongoing maintenance (repainting/staining) than steel or composite
Typical installed price, inc. VAT and fitting
£1,350–£10,000
How side-hinged doors work
Side-hinged doors are the most mechanically simple of the common UK types — two leaves hinged to posts fixed either side of the opening, swinging outward like a pair of gates, secured by bolts or a lock into the ground or a central meeting point. Because there is no track running into the garage ceiling or back walls, side-hinged doors need no headroom allowance at all.
Why the price range is so wide
Side-hinged spans the widest price range of any door type on this site because the material choice varies so much: a basic steel version starts at £1,795 (£1,350–£4,000), a 40mm insulated version runs £2,800 (£2,500–£3,500), a luxury insulated version £3,500 (£3,500–£5,000), and a bespoke hardwood door can run £4,800 up to £10,000. Unlike roller, sectional or up-and-over, which are largely factory-standardised, side-hinged doors are frequently made or finished to order.
When side-hinged makes the most sense
Side-hinged suits garages used regularly as a workshop or store where walking in and out without opening the full door matters, garages with restricted headroom where roller and sectional tracks will not fit, and period or character properties where a swinging timber or composite door suits the building better than a flat panel door.
Space and access considerations
Both leaves need clear space to swing open in front of the garage — this makes side-hinged a poor fit for a short driveway where a car is parked close to the door, or where a boundary or path restricts the swing. Confirm the swing clearance during a survey before choosing side-hinged for a tight driveway.
| Spec | Headline | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Steel | £1,795 | £1,350–£4,000 |
| Insulated 40mm | £2,800 | £2,500–£3,500 |
| Luxury insulated | £3,500 | £3,500–£5,000 |
| Bespoke hardwood | £4,800 | £4,800–£10,000 |
Questions people ask
- Do side-hinged garage doors need headroom?
- No. Side-hinged doors swing outward on hinges rather than travelling up into a track, so unlike roller, sectional or up-and-over doors they need no headroom allowance above the opening at all. They do need clear space for both leaves to swing open in front of the garage.
- Why are side-hinged garage doors so much more expensive at the top end?
- Side-hinged doors range from £1,795 for steel up to £4,800–£10,000 for bespoke hardwood because, unlike factory-standardised roller or up-and-over doors, side-hinged is frequently made or finished to order, and solid hardwood construction costs substantially more than steel or insulated composite.
- Can a side-hinged garage door be electric?
- Side-hinged doors are not typically automated in the same standardised way as up-and-over, roller or sectional doors in the UK — most are operated manually. If automation is a priority, roller, sectional or a retractable-gear up-and-over door are the more established electric options.
- Is side-hinged a good choice for a workshop garage?
- Yes — side-hinged doors let you walk fully in and out through one open leaf without raising or opening the whole door, which suits a garage used regularly as a workshop or store far better than roller, sectional or up-and-over doors, which are designed around vehicle-width opening.
UK standards and regulations referenced
- BS EN 13241
Related
Last reviewed: . Next review due: .