GDO Classic Standard Horizontal Rib (32 Colour Options) Up and Over garage door Steel GDO

GDO Classic Standard Horizontal Purpose Made Up and Over Garage Door

Made to Measure Close Boarded Horizontal Design

The GDO Classic Standard Horizontal purpose made up and over garage door is the ideal bespoke solution when your garage aperture falls outside standard imperial dimensions, but you still want a clean, well proportioned aesthetic. Simply measure your garage opening, deduct your tolerances, and order to suit to maximise your drive through dimensions and get rid of cladding and infills once and for all. By running narrow, evenly spaced horizontal ribs across the door leaf, this profile visually widens narrower single garages, creating a balanced, contemporary look that coordinates naturally with modern horizontal timber cladding, brick mortar courses, and level window transoms.

Every purpose made door panel is pressed in the UK from high tensile galvanised sheet steel. The continuous horizontal folds act as built in structural ribs across the full span of the panel, creating high torsional stiffness and eliminating unsightly oil-canning or panel flutter. Finished with a tough electrostatic polyester powder coating on both sides, the GDO Classic Horizontal gives you the warm, linear texture of horizontal timber boarding without any of the rotting, flaking paint, or seasonal swelling associated with timber.

Pre Fitted 50mm Steel Sub Frame Included as Standard

Unlike standard un-framed doors that require sourcing and building up a timber frame on site, every GDO Classic purpose made door is delivered pre hung within a heavy duty 50mm steel box section sub frame as standard:

• Factory Assembled Geometry: The side tracks, pivot arms, and counterbalance spring assemblies are pre mounted and balanced to the steel frame at the factory. This turns what used to be a complicated multi part installation into a single rigid unit that is simply offered straight into the opening.
• Zero Timber Maintenance: Eliminates timber goalposts that draw damp from ground level, rot at the base, twist out of square, and demand regular repainting.
• Colour Matched Picture Frame: The steel sub frame is powder coated in the exact same colour as the door leaf, providing a sharp, seamless finish around your entire garage opening.

32 Durable Factory Finished Colour Options

Both the galvanised door leaf and the 50mm steel sub frame are polyester powder coated on both sides for superior corrosion resistance and longevity. Choose from three popular standard colours or select from 29 optional factory shades to match existing composite entrance doors, uPVC windows, or masonry:

Standard Factory Colours (No Extra Surcharge):
Traffic White (RAL 9016)
Jet Black (RAL 9005)
Anthracite Grey (RAL 7016)

Contemporary Architectural Greys:
Light Grey (RAL 7035)
Window Grey (RAL 7040)
Traffic Grey (RAL 7042)
Slate Grey (RAL 7015)
Graphite Grey (RAL 7024)
Iron Grey (RAL 7011)
Basalt Grey (RAL 7012)
Pebble Grey (RAL 7032)
Dusty Grey (RAL 7037)
Signal Grey (RAL 7004)
Agate Grey (RAL 7038)
Black Grey (RAL 7021)

Blues and Greens:
Chartwell Green (BS 14 C 35)
Moss Green (RAL 6005)
Fir Green (RAL 6009)
Steel Blue (RAL 5011)
Signal Blue (RAL 5005)
Gentian Blue (RAL 5010)
Cobalt Blue (RAL 5013)
Light Blue (RAL 5012)
Sky Blue (RAL 5015)

Reds, Yellows, Creams and Earthy Tones:
Ruby Red (RAL 3003)
Traffic Red (RAL 3020)
Traffic Yellow (RAL 1023)
Cream (RAL 9001)
Light Ivory (RAL 1015)
Clay Brown (RAL 8003)
Chocolate Brown (RAL 8017)
Mahogany Brown (RAL 8016)

Custom RAL Colour Option

Looking for a specific shade that is not listed in our standard palette of 32 colours? We can powder coat your door leaf and steel sub frame to match virtually any standard RAL colour to coordinate perfectly with bespoke aluminium glazing, heritage paint charts, or corporate colour schemes.

*Custom RAL finishes carry a small additional charge. Simply email or call our team with your desired RAL code, and we will provide an exact quote and confirm availability before you place your order.

Operating Mechanism: Canopy vs Retractable

• Canopy Operating Gear (Manual Specialist): Ideal for manual hand lifting. An overhead torsion spring and vertical side tracks guide the door, leaving your entire garage ceiling completely clear of horizontal tracks. When open, about one third of the panel forms an external canopy.
• Retractable Operating Gear (Automation Ready): The required mechanism if you plan to automate your door with an electric operator. The panel glides smoothly inside the garage on horizontal ceiling tracks, delivering balanced, effortless operation.

Electric Automation: Sommer Aperto 800 XL Operator

For effortless remote control operation, retractable versions of this door can be ordered complete with the Aperto 800 XL electric garage door operator, engineered and manufactured in Germany by drive specialist Sommer. Please note that electric automation is strictly compatible with retractable operating gear only, and cannot be used on canopy doors in this range.

• Two Remote Handsets Included: Supplied as standard with 2 multi channel handheld remote control transmitters operating on Sommer's secure 868 MHz FM rolling code radio frequency, preventing code grabbing and interference.
• Unique Travelling Motor Technology: Unlike traditional operators that pull a noisy chain or belt along a track, Sommer's patented system uses a motor carriage that glides silently along a stationary, tensioned chain. With only one moving part, it delivers exceptionally quiet, fluid door travel with minimal wear and tear.
• Robust Pull and Push Power: Delivers 600N to 800N peak force, handling single up and over doors with ease.
• Automatic Safety Reverse: Built in obstacle detection automatically stops and reverses the door instantly if it encounters an obstruction, safeguarding vehicles, children, and pets.
• Low Energy Consumption: Highly efficient standby power consumption of less than 1 watt, keeping running costs minimal, paired with integrated LED courtesy lighting in the moving motor carriage.
• Emergency Internal Release: Includes a quick release pull cord so you can disengage the motor and operate the door manually from inside during a power cut.

Fittings, Mechanical Locking & 4 Point Security Upgrade

• Standard Two Point Slam Latching: Manual doors are fitted with an ergonomic black exterior handle and interior turn disc operating solid mechanical slam-action latches that bite into the side frame legs. Supplied with a euro profile cylinder and 2 keys.
• Optional 4 Point Corner Locking Upgrade: For significantly enhanced physical security, you can upgrade your door to Garador/GDO 4 point locking. This extends additional steel rods and latches into all four corners of the door panel simultaneously, locking both top and bottom corners into the steel frame to resist crowbar and lever attacks.
• Automated Locking: When paired with the Sommer Aperto 800 XL, the self locking motor carriage holds the door firmly clamped in the rail, resisting forced upwards jacking. An optional de-latch kit can be added to mechanically link the lower corner frame catches to the motor carriage for dual frame and boom security.

Purpose Made Sizing & Ordering Rules

Important: GDO made to measure doors are ordered by their Overall Door and Frame Width and Height in millimetres. You are specifying the exact outside edge of the steel frame unit that arrives on the lorry, not your brick opening.

• Fitting Between the Brickwork (Reveal Fit): Measure the brick-to-brick opening width and height in several places. Deduct approximately 10mm from the smallest width and 5mm from the smallest height to calculate your ordering size. This ensures proper fitting tolerance for out of square masonry.
• Fitting Behind the Opening (Internal Face Fit): If fixing to the inside face of the piers, ensure you have at least 50mm of return pier space on each side and 50mm headroom at the lintel. Check that your calculated internal daylight opening is smaller than the brick opening so the door panel can swing through without catching.

Available Purpose Made Size Limits

Please note that this ribbed door range is manufactured strictly for single width garage openings (there are no double width doors in this model):

• Canopy Operating Gear: Widths from 1676mm up to a maximum of 2744mm | Heights from 1524mm up to a maximum of 2134mm
• Retractable Operating Gear: Widths from 1524mm up to a maximum of 2750mm | Heights from 1879mm up to a maximum of 2134mm

The GDO Classic Standard Horizontal purpose made up and over garage door is manufactured to your exact millimetre dimensions. The first decision to make is choosing between canopy or retractable operating gear.

Both mechanisms have distinct practical advantages. As a rule of thumb, choose canopy gear if you want a simple, balanced manual door with full ceiling clearance, or choose retractable gear if you plan to add remote control electric automation.

Canopy mechanism with steel frame

Retractable mechanism with steel frame

Operating Mechanism Overview

• Canopy Operating Gear (Manual Specialist): Counterbalanced by an overhead torsion spring mounted above the door panel with high tensile cables running in vertical side tracks. When opened, approximately one third of the door leaf extends outside the opening to form a canopy. It preserves maximum drive through width at vehicle wing mirror height and leaves your entire garage ceiling free of horizontal tracks. *Please note: canopy doors in this range cannot be automated and are strictly for manual operation.
• Retractable Operating Gear (Automation Ready): Uses heavy duty side mounted tension springs and horizontal ceiling level tracks that guide the door leaf completely inside the garage when open. Retractable gear provides smooth, balanced travel and is required if you are adding an electric remote control operator. Single retractable doors are constructed without a rear back brace to maximise internal clearance.

Factory Fitted 50mm Steel Sub Fixing Frame (Included as Standard)

Every GDO Classic purpose made door comes complete with a factory fitted 50mm steel box section sub frame included in the price:

• Factory Pre Assembled: The door panel, springs, tracks, and side arms arrive pre hung and balanced directly to the steel frame, making installation fast and ensuring true square alignment straight out of the packaging.
• Zero Timber Maintenance: Eliminates timber goalposts that absorb moisture, rot at ground level, twist out of square, and require regular repainting.
• Colour Matched Finish: The steel sub frame is powder coated in the exact same finish as your door leaf for a clean, uniform picture frame border.
• Overall Sizing: GDO purpose made doors are ordered by Overall Frame Size (outer frame width x height in mm). The 50mm sub frame adds 100mm to the internal width and 50mm to the internal height.

Colour Finish Options

Both the galvanised door leaf and the 50mm steel sub frame are electrostatic polyester powder coated on both sides for superior weather protection and corrosion resistance:

• Standard Factory Colours (No Extra Surcharge): Traffic White (RAL 9016), Jet Black (RAL 9005), and Anthracite Grey (RAL 7016).
• 29 Extended Factory Colours (Small Surcharge):
  - Greys & Blacks: Light Grey (RAL 7035), Window Grey (RAL 7040), Traffic Grey (RAL 7042), Slate Grey (RAL 7015), Graphite Grey (RAL 7024), Iron Grey (RAL 7011), Basalt Grey (RAL 7012), Pebble Grey (RAL 7032), Dusty Grey (RAL 7037), Signal Grey (RAL 7004), Agate Grey (RAL 7038), Black Grey (RAL 7021).
  - Greens & Blues: Chartwell Green (BS 14 C 35), Moss Green (RAL 6005), Fir Green (RAL 6009), Steel Blue (RAL 5011), Signal Blue (RAL 5005), Gentian Blue (RAL 5010), Cobalt Blue (RAL 5013), Light Blue (RAL 5012), Sky Blue (RAL 5015).
  - Reds, Yellows, Creams & Browns: Ruby Red (RAL 3003), Traffic Red (RAL 3020), Traffic Yellow (RAL 1023), Cream (RAL 9001), Light Ivory (RAL 1015), Clay Brown (RAL 8003), Chocolate Brown (RAL 8017), Mahogany Brown (RAL 8016).
• Custom RAL Colour Option: Need a bespoke colour match? We can powder coat your door leaf and steel sub frame in virtually any standard RAL colour for a small additional charge. Simply email or call our team with your RAL code for a quick price and confirmation before placing your order.

Handle and Locking Options

Handle Options:
We supply an ergonomic black exterior handle paired with an internal turn release and a euro profile cylinder (with 2 keys) as standard. Alternatively, if you are automating the door with an electric operator, you can select the no handle / no hole drilled option. This leaves the front face of the door completely smooth and clean, eliminating handle penetrations for maximum security. (Most competing brands cannot offer an undrilled panel).

4 Point Security Locking Upgrade (For Manual Doors Only):
Standard manual locking uses solid steel cable-operated latches securing 2 points into the side frame legs. You can upgrade to 4 Point Corner Locking, which extends heavy duty latches into all four corners of the door leaf simultaneously. This locks both the top and bottom corners firmly to the steel frame, making the door substantially harder to force open with pry bars.

Sommer Aperto 800 XL Electric Operator (Retractable Doors Only)

For effortless remote control operation, retractable versions of this door can be specified complete with the Sommer Aperto 800 XL electric garage door operator, engineered and manufactured in Germany. Please note that electric automation is strictly compatible with retractable operating gear only, and cannot be fitted to canopy doors.

Two Transmitters Included: Supplied as standard with 2 multi channel handheld remote control transmitters operating on 868 MHz FM rolling code technology. Patented Travelling Motor Technology: The motor carriage glides smoothly along a stationary, tensioned chain. With only one moving part, it ensures whisper quiet operation and minimal mechanical wear. High Push & Pull Power: Delivers 800N peak force and 240N nominal force, operating doors smoothly at speeds up to 180mm per second. Maximum Security: The self locking motor carriage provides active counter pressure to resist forced jacking. A manual pull cord allows quick emergency disengagement at any position. Energy Saving LED Lighting: Standby power consumption is under 1 watt (costing approximately £1.30 per year in electricity), with integrated, long lasting LED courtesy lighting.

Sommer Aperto 800 XL Technical Information

Specification – GDO Classic Standard Horizontal Rib Up and Over Garage Door

Construction and Panel Design

• Panel Construction: Premium-grade hot-dip galvanised sheet steel pressed into a continuous close-boarded horizontal ribbed profile with no visible external rivets.
• Rigid Sub Chassis: The panel is mounted to a fully welded steel perimeter sub-chassis with engineered corner bracing plates to provide high torsional stiffness and eliminate panel flex during operation.
• Horizontal Rib Performance: The narrow, continuous horizontal pressings act as natural stiffening folds across the full span of the panel, eliminating oil-canning and providing an authentic shiplap timber board appearance.
• Rear Bracing:
  - Canopy Doors: Feature welded rear vertical bracing plates to keep the leaf rigid during manual lifting.
  - Retractable Doors: Single retractable doors are constructed without an obstructive rear back brace, maximising clear headroom and interior space inside the garage.

Operating Gear and Mechanisms

Available with your choice of two factory-fitted mechanical lifting systems:

Canopy Operating Gear (Manual Specialist)

• Mechanism: Spring assisted overhead torsion counterbalance spring mounted across the head frame, paired with precision steel cables and rollers running in vertical side tracks.
• Ceiling Clearance: Leaves your garage ceiling completely clear of horizontal tracks, making it ideal where overhead storage, roof trusses, or loft access must remain unobstructed.
• Drive Through Width: Preserves maximum usable drive-through width between the frame legs at vehicle wing-mirror height.
• Operation: Strictly designed for manual hand operation (cannot be automated with an electric operator).

Retractable Operating Gear (Automation Ready)

• Mechanism: Side mounted multi-spring counterbalance packs running on smooth polymer rollers in suspended horizontal ceiling tracks.
• Smooth Operation: Delivers exceptionally light, balanced manual travel and is the required, certified mechanism for electric automation.
• Automation Compatibility: Fully compatible with the Sommer Aperto 800 XL electric operator package (supplied with 2 handheld remote transmitters).

Factory-Fitted 50mm Steel Sub Frame Included as Standard

• Supplied complete with a factory-fitted 50mm steel box-section sub frame as standard, eliminating the need to source, build, or paint a timber frame on site.
• The door panel, counterbalance springs, pivot arms, and tracks arrive pre-hung and balanced directly to the steel frame as a single rigid unit for fast, square installation.
• The steel sub frame is powder-coated in the exact same finish as the door leaf for a clean, matching picture-frame border.

Locking and Security

• Standard 2 Point Locking: Manual doors are fitted with an ergonomic black exterior handle and interior turn disc operating solid steel, cable-activated slam-action latches that engage into the side frame legs. Supplied with a euro profile cylinder and 2 keys.
• Optional 4 Point Corner Locking Upgrade (Manual Doors Only): Significantly increases resistance against forced leverage by extending additional steel locking rods and latches into all four corners of the door leaf simultaneously, anchoring both top and bottom edges firmly to the steel frame.
• Automated Locking: When automated with the Sommer Aperto 800 XL, the self-locking motor carriage holds the door firmly clamped in the rail, resisting forced upward jacking. An optional de-latch kit can be added to retain mechanical lower frame latching alongside the motor boom lock.

Finishes and Colours

Every door leaf and steel sub frame is finished on both sides with a durable, electrostatic polyester powder coating in a classic low-gloss solid finish.

Standard Colours (Included FOC):
Traffic White – RAL 9016
Jet Black – RAL 9005
Anthracite Grey – RAL 7016

Premium Colours (29 Extended Factory Options):
Signal Grey – RAL 7004
Dusty Grey – RAL 7037
Traffic Grey – RAL 7042
Light Grey – RAL 7035
Window Grey – RAL 7040
Basalt Grey – RAL 7012
Pebble Grey – RAL 7032
Iron Grey – RAL 7011
Slate Grey – RAL 7015
Graphite Grey – RAL 7024
Agate Grey – RAL 7038
Black Grey – RAL 7021
Steel Blue – RAL 5011
Cobalt Blue – RAL 5013
Sky Blue – RAL 5015
Gentian Blue – RAL 5010
Signal Blue – RAL 5005
Light Blue – RAL 5012
Moss Green – RAL 6005
Fir Green – RAL 6009
Chartwell Green – BS 14 C 35
Ruby Red – RAL 3003
Traffic Red – RAL 3020
Chocolate Brown – RAL 8017
Clay Brown – RAL 8003
Mahogany Brown – RAL 8016
Light Ivory – RAL 1015
Cream – RAL 9001
Traffic Yellow – RAL 1023

*Custom RAL Finishes: If you require a bespoke colour not listed in our standard palette of 32 colours, we can powder-coat your door and frame in virtually any standard RAL colour for an additional charge. Contact our sales team for pricing.

Purpose-Made Sizing Limitations (Single Width Only)

Important: GDO purpose-made sizes are ordered by Overall Door and Steel Sub Frame dimensions (width x height in mm). This single-skin ribbed door range is manufactured strictly for single-width garage openings:

• Canopy Operating Gear:
  - Minimum Overall Width: 1676mm | Maximum Overall Width: 2744mm
  - Minimum Overall Height: 1524mm | Maximum Overall Height: 2134mm
• Retractable Operating Gear:
  - Minimum Overall Width: 1524mm | Maximum Overall Width: 2750mm*
  - Minimum Overall Height: 1879mm | Maximum Overall Height: 2134mm

*Size Note: The maximum width of 2750mm applies specifically to this standard ribbed door design. All non-standard ribbed models across this range (including panelled and medium-rib designs across 9 models) are limited to a maximum purpose-made width of 2600mm.

Installation Instructions are provided with every door.
Delivery Guidance

1.Warranty Period.

A warranty covering the safe and reliable operation of the garage door for a period of 10 years from the date of purchase is given to the original purchaser.
The purchaser is given a 2 year warranty for all springs; tracks; rollers; and hinges for normal use, whereby normal use constitutes no more than 5 operations (open/close) per day. We recommend that they are inspected annually by a competent engineer. The warranty period for replacement parts is 6 months or for the remainder of the warranty period.

2. Requirements.
Warranty is valid in the country where the garage door was purchased.
The product must have been purchased through one of our authorised partners and a barcode and receipt of purchase provided.
The warranty only covers damage to the garage door.

3. Performance.
During the warranty period we will rectify defects to the Fort product that can be proved to be material or manufacturing faults. At our discretion we will either exchange; repair; or reduce the price. We will not accept any costs for dismantling; installation; or delivery.
The warranty does not cover damage caused by:
Improper transport and fitting.
Repairs by non-qualified or non competent individuals.
External influences such as fire, water, alkaline solutions, acid, bird droppings or abnormal atmospheric pollution.
The use of non Fort Doors parts without the approval of the manufacturer.

Additional Information
It is a fundamental condition of this guarantee that the product has been installed, maintained and serviced correctly and is used solely for the purpose for which it was designed.
Incorrect installation, maintenance and service will invalidate this warranty.
The door must be kept in a clean condition and free from impact damage.

GDO Pull Handles S/S Care and Maintenance
GDO garage doors come with pull handles to the front panel as standard.
The pull handles are made using grade 304 Stainless steel for use externally and internally in heavily sanitised areas such as kitchens and washrooms. 
Like all steel, failure to keep the item clean can cause surface blemishes and what looks like a major product failure and rusting.
You will often find marks appearing in the winter when the roads have been gritted, salt on the surface are all steel products arch enemy.
If your pull bars develop small blemished areas during December, January and February in particular then you should wash them off using cold water and washing up liquid, you can use a cream cleaner like CIF rubbed lightly to remove the blemishes.
If you have them appear it means you have salt on the surface and need to increase the frequency of the door washdown.
Please remember all stainless steel can blemish even knives and forks in a dishwasher because salt is used as a scrubbing agent, wiping blemishes off with a cloth is standard practice and you should treat the door bars the same, clean and wipe regularly. 
If you live close to the sea or estuary you should apply a light oil after washing once a month to keep the item clean and fresh. 

Click here to view this door's product guarantee.

GDO Classic Purpose Made Size Limitations

All GDO purpose made up and over doors are manufactured to your exact millimetre measurements within the operating boundaries shown below. Please note: Dimensions represent the Overall Door & Frame Size (outer frame width x outer frame height in mm), which includes the factory fitted 50mm steel box section sub frame.

*Width Note: The maximum width of 2750mm applies specifically to this standard ribbed door design. Please note that all non standard ribbed models across this range (including panelled, medium rib, and contemporary design styles across 9 models) are limited to a maximum purpose made width of 2600mm.

How to Measure Your Opening

Because GDO doors are ordered by their Overall Frame Size, your ordering figures depend on where the door is being installed:

• Installing Between the Brickwork (In-Between / Reveal Fit):
  1. Measure the brick to brick opening width in three places (top, middle, and bottom).
  2. Measure the floor to lintel height in three places (left, centre, and right).
  3. Take your smallest width measurement and deduct approximately 10mm for fitting tolerance.
  4. Take your smallest height measurement and deduct approximately 5mm for fitting tolerance.
  5. The resulting figures are your Ordering Overall Width and Overall Height.
• Installing Behind the Opening (Internal Face Fit):
  1. Check that you have at least 50mm of flat return face on each side pier and 50mm of flat headroom above the lintel inside.
  2. Ordering to the brickwork width and height plus 50mm per side will allow the 50mm steel frame to fit neatly behind the piers, preserving your maximum clear drive-through opening.
  3. Always verify that your calculated daylight opening between the frame legs is smaller than the brick opening so the door panel can swing through without catching the masonry jambs.

Measuring Diagrams

Canopy Operating Gear Measuring Guide:

Retractable (Tracked) Operating Gear Measuring Guide: