Garador Somerset (17 Colour Options) Side hinged garage door Composite GRP Garador

Garador Somerset GRP Side Hinged Garage Door, Standard Sizes

The Somerset features a simple vertical boarded pattern, making it a natural match for cottages, barn conversions, or traditional brick garages. The vertical boards run the full height of each leaf. Paired with a realistic woodgrain texture in finishes such as Light Oak, Golden Brown, or Dark Oak, it delivers the character of authentic timber without the routine chores of sanding and treating.

Underneath the surface, it is constructed from tough glass reinforced polyester rather than timber. The GRP infill panel sits inside a rigid steel box section chassis, and the entire assembly comes pre hung in its own steel fixing frame. That means the leaves are factory aligned from day one, with the hinges, handle, and latches already secured in place.

Because these leaves swing outward, the interior of your garage stays completely open. There are no ceiling tracks, springs, or cables intruding into the room. That layout works particularly well if you use the garage as a workshop or storeroom, where ceiling racking, freezers, or loft hatches sit close to the opening, or when you just need quick pedestrian access without lifting a heavy panel.

Standard UK Dimensions

This listing covers Garador's 17 standard opening sizes, running from 6ft 6in to 8ft wide and 6ft to 7ft high. In metric terms, that equals 2084mm to 2539mm wide by 1891mm to 2196mm high including the outer steel frame. These dimensions line up with the vast majority of standard British single garage openings built to traditional imperial measurements. If your structural opening falls outside these dimensions, the Somerset is also available in purpose made sizes.

Key Features and Hardware

• Pre hung in a steel frame for straightforward site installation
• Concealed internal hinges with no exposed knuckles visible outside
• Two point shoot bolt security latching on the inactive leaf
• Built in gas pistons for smooth opening travel and mechanical door stays
• 13 authentic woodgrain finishes available, along with Green and Blue
• Your choice of a balanced 50/50 split or a practical 1/3 and 2/3 configuration

Why Choose GRP Construction

GRP is a tough composite made from woven glass fibres embedded in polyester resin. It is the exact material used in marine boat building, which gives a clear indication of how well it manages British weather.

Real timber naturally absorbs moisture during wet winters and dries out during hot summers. That constant cycle leads to swollen timber, sticking doors, flaking coatings, and rot along the bottom rail. GRP does not absorb moisture, warp, or swell, so the leaves fit and latch identically in January and July. You get the appearance of timber from the driveway, but without the physical movement.

Every door arrives fully factory finished in your selected colour. You will not need to apply base coats, stains, or top seals after fitting, and there is no recurring maintenance beyond a light wash down with warm soapy water to clear road dust. The panel surface cannot corrode or rust, making it an ideal choice for exposed coastal locations where salt air damages steel, or damp locations where timber deteriorates.

GRP is also impact resilient while remaining significantly lighter than hardwood. That reduced weight puts minimal strain on the hinges and frame over years of daily operation, making the leaves easy to swing open by hand.

* Note: GRP replicates the appearance and texture of real timber with minimal maintenance, but it cannot be stained or altered later. If you require genuine natural timber grain that can be re-stained down the line, Garador's cedar side hinged door range is the direct alternative.

Choosing Your Garador Somerset Options

Every option covered below applies to both standard size and purpose made Somerset doors. Both versions use identical panels, hardware, and finishes, so the only decision between them is whether you are selecting an off the shelf opening size or having the frame manufactured to your own measurements.

Colour Finishes

The Somerset comes in a choice of 13 standard woodgrain finishes. Because the grain detail is moulded directly into the GRP face, every tone carries the natural character of vertical timber boards rather than a flat gloss sheet. That means even solid shades like White and Anthracite Grey maintain the textured timber appearance from the road.

Standard woodgrain colours:

• Light Oak
• Bleached Oak
• Dark Oak
• Irish Oak
• Honey Beech
• Teak
• Red Mahogany
• Dark Mahogany
• Golden Brown
• Ebony
• White
• Magnolia
• Anthracite Grey

Premium colours:

• Dark Green (available at a small surcharge)
• Dark Blue (available at a small surcharge)

Special order colours: If you need to match existing house trim, window profiles, or architectural features, the door can be finished in a broad selection of RAL or British Standard colours for an additional charge. Contact us directly if you have a specific colour reference in mind.

Chassis and outer frame colours: The external steel fixing frame and leaf chassis are finished to complement your selected panel tone. Most woodgrain panels ship with a Terra Brown (RAL 8028) frame. Ebony doors arrive with a Jet Black (RAL 9005) frame, and White panels come with a Traffic White (RAL 9016) frame. If your brickwork suits a contrasting shade, alternative frame colours can be ordered upon request.

* Important colour note: We recommend signing off an official physical colour swatch before manufacture begins. GRP resin processes can cause subtle batch variations, so if your door must line up beside an existing Garador GRP installation, let us know at the point of order so the factory can match the tone as closely as possible.

Door Leaf Configurations

The Somerset can be configured in two distinct leaf arrangements to suit how you plan to use the garage space:

• 50/50 equal split: Both door leaves are identical in width. This provides the most traditional visual appearance from the outside, keeping the vertical boarded lines completely balanced across the opening.
• 1/3 and 2/3 offset split: One narrow fixed leaf sits alongside a wider active leaf. This is especially practical if you use your garage as a utility room, gym, or bicycle store, as you only need to unlock and swing open the larger leaf for routine pedestrian access.

Both layout options are supplied at the exact same price.

Leading Leaf Selection

The leading leaf is the active door you unlock and open first, housing the main key cylinder and external handle. Viewed from outside looking at the garage, the right leaf leads as standard. You can specify a left leaf lead for a small additional cost, which is well worth considering if an adjacent wall, fence post, downpipe, or garden path restricts swing space on the right side.

Handle and Locking Hardware

Garador side hinged doors come with factory fitted hardware designed for straightforward daily use and solid physical security:

• Standard black lever handle: External and internal matching black nylon levers, included with the door as standard.
• External fixed knob with internal lever: Features a fixed black knob on the outside. This prevents anyone opening the door from the driveway without using the key first, meaning the door cannot accidentally be pulled shut and left unlocked.
• Cast aluminium lever sets: Available with an anodised White or Chrome finish for a clean, modern look against darker panels.

On the inside of the garage, the fixed leaf is secured with internal twin shoot bolts extending into the head frame and threshold. These bolts link to a single central turn handle, so you can release both the top and bottom latches in one swift action without having to reach up to the lintel or bend down to floor level.

Electric Automation Preparation

If you prefer push button entry from your car or key fob, the Somerset can be automated using an electric ceiling operator fitted with mechanical side hinged converter arms. When you intend to fit an electric motor, let our team know when placing your order. The factory can supply the leaves without external handle cut outs and locking mechanisms, leaving clean unbroken boards ready for motor attachment.

Garador Somerset GRP Side Hinged Technical Specification

A full breakdown of materials, structural framing dimensions, locking hardware, and fitting requirements for the Garador Somerset GRP side hinged door range.

Door Leaf Construction

Each leaf consists of an external GRP infill panel carrying a moulded vertical boarded pattern, bonded and mechanically secured into a rigid steel box section chassis. The rear face of the panel is treated with a factory applied translucent flow coat resin. This seals the glass fibres, leaves a smooth and tidy internal surface, and prevents harsh outdoor light from showing through the composite panel.

Frame Construction and Concealed Hinges

Every door arrives fully factory pre hung inside its own galvanised steel fixing frame. Hinges are completely internal and concealed within the frame rebate, meaning there are no exposed hinge knuckles visible on the outside of the garage. This leaves the vertical boarding uninterrupted across the front face and eliminates external pry points for crowbars or jemmy tools.

Frame Profile Dimensions and Drive-Through Clearance

The standard box section steel frame profile uses the following external dimensions:

• Side frame uprights: 75mm wide on both sides
• Top frame head: 60mm high
• Frame depth: 75mm front to back

These frame dimensions are already factored into the overall order width and overall order height. To calculate your practical walk through and vehicle clearance between the open frame legs, deduct 150mm from the overall order width (75mm per upright) and deduct 60mm from the overall order height. Remember that open door leaves resting at 90 degrees will reduce the usable drive through width further unless opened fully to 180 degrees.

Locking Mechanism and Security

The door uses a reliable two point shoot bolt locking setup. Heavy steel shoot bolts engage into the top head frame and bottom threshold to hold the fixed leaf firmly in place. The active leading leaf then latches and deadlocks directly into the fixed leaf using a euro profile cylinder and external handle.

Door Stays and Gas Dampers

Both door leaves come fitted with mechanical overhead metal door stays as standard equipment. These hold the open leaves firmly at approximately 90 degrees to stop gusty winds blowing the doors shut against your car bodywork. Releasing the stay is done by pulling the integrated cords. Auxiliary gas pistons are fitted to cushion the door travel and give a smooth, steady closing action.

Weather Seals and Ground Threshold

Flexible rubber compression seals run along the inner perimeter of the steel sub frame, behind the door stop rebate, and across the overlapping leaf rebate to help block draughts and blowing leaves. A low profile 20mm raised aluminium threshold is supplied as standard to create a firm floor seal beneath the bottom door edge.

Handle Equipment

Supplied with a hard wearing black nylon lever handle set on an exterior backplate, mounted on the right leaf as standard when viewed from the driveway. On the inside face, an easy turn central flip handle releases both top and bottom shoot bolts on the fixed leaf in one simple motion. Optional white or chrome cast aluminium handle sets are available upon request.

Size Availability

• Standard sizes: 17 catalogue sizes ranging from 2084mm to 2539mm wide, and from 1891mm to 2196mm high overall.
• Purpose made sizes: Custom manufactured to your specified frame dimensions from 1930mm to 2539mm wide, and from 1890mm to 2196mm high overall.

Factory Surface Finishes

Available in 13 woodgrain colour shades as standard, plus Dark Green and Dark Blue as premium options. The external GRP colour coat is UV stable and requires zero staining, painting, or rust treatment. An occasional wash down with soapy water maintains the finish.

Chassis and Frame Paint Finishes

External steel frames and internal perimeter chassis rails are powder coated in colours selected to match the panel face:

• Terra Brown (RAL 8028) supplied with most timber effect panels
• Jet Black (RAL 9005) supplied with Ebony panels
• Traffic White (RAL 9016) supplied with White panels

Installation Position and Structural Fitting

This door assembly is engineered specifically for fitting between the structural brickwork opening reveals. We do not advise installing it directly to the rear face of the brickwork pier, because face fixed side hinged leaves will catch on the internal corners of the reveals and cannot swing past 90 degrees.

* Practical site advice on weather tightness: These are traditional side hinged panel doors built primarily for clean visual appearance and light pedestrian access. While the frame and threshold incorporate rubber draught seals, small gaps around working rebates can permit wind driven rain penetration during severe weather, especially on high or coastal sites facing the prevailing wind. If you have an exposed garage, ensure sensitive household items or timber floorboards are kept slightly back from the threshold line.

Installing Your Garador Somerset Side Hinged Door

Because the Somerset arrives fully built and factory hung inside its outer steel frame, the installation process is far simpler than assembling a door leaf by leaf. The hinges, lock latches, external handles, top door stays, and gas pistons are already aligned and secured in place. Your main objective on site is getting the outer steel frame plumb, level, and square within your structural brickwork opening.

With an extra pair of hands to help lift and support the assembly, this is a very realistic task for a confident practical DIYer, though many customers hire a local carpenter or garage door fitter to complete the work. Comprehensive manufacturer installation instructions are supplied in the pack with every door.

Critical Site Checks Before Starting

Before unbolting your existing door or taking delivery, check these practical details on your driveway and garage opening:

• Check floor level across the opening: A sound, level floor is crucial. The bottom shoot bolt drops directly into the threshold, and the lower weather strip needs an even surface to compress against. If your concrete floor slopes heavily across the entrance, the inactive leaf will fail to catch properly or drag at one corner.
• Inspect driveway slope and swing clearance: Remember that the door leaves swing outward. Walk the area directly in front of the garage to confirm the ground is clear. If your driveway ramps steeply uphill toward the garage entrance, the bottom edges of the opening leaves will ground out before reaching 90 degrees.
• Confirm fixing position between the reveals: This door must be fitted between your brickwork reveals. Installing it to the rear face of the brick piers inside the garage is not recommended, because the outward opening leaves will bind on the internal brick corners and prevent the door opening past a right angle.
• Ensure the frame is kept plumb and square: When shimming and bolting the frame into the brickwork, use a long spirit level and check corner to corner diagonal measurements. If the side frame uprights twist, bow, or lean out of true, the door leaves will bind along the centre meeting rebate and the draught seals will not seal evenly.
• Examine structural brickwork condition: Make sure the masonry piers and lintel are sound and capable of taking heavy frame fixings, particularly on older outbuildings or single skin garages with weathered mortar joints.

* Supply only notice: Garador doors are supplied on a nationwide delivery only basis. While we do not operate our own national installation service, our team can frequently recommend experienced independent garage door fitters covering your local area.

Looking After Your GRP Door

One of the strongest arguments for choosing GRP is how little routine maintenance it requires compared to real joinery timber:

• Cleaning the surface: Wash the panels down two or three times a year using warm soapy water and a soft microfibre cloth to remove traffic film and dirt. Never use abrasive scouring pads, cream cleaners, bleach, or chemical solvents, as these will scratch or dull the factory finish coat.
• Clearing the threshold channel: Regularly sweep away garden leaves, gravel, and grit from the aluminium floor threshold so the lower shoot bolt can drop fully home without forcing the handle mechanism.
• Lubricating mechanical pivot points: Apply a light spray of PTFE lubricant or light machine oil to the concealed hinges, cylinder lock, and internal shoot bolt guides once or twice a year to keep the opening and locking action effortless. Avoid heavy grease, which tends to collect dust and grit over time.

Garador Manufacturer Warranty and Guarantee Support

When you purchase a Garador Somerset side hinged door through Garage Doors Online, your door is backed by Garador Ltd's official manufacturer guarantee. Garador warrants the safe and dependable mechanical operation of the door leaves and factory fitted steel frame for up to 10 years from the original date of invoice.

Any genuine replacement parts supplied under the guarantee carry a 6 month warranty, or run to the end of the original 10 year door warranty period, whichever is longer.

How the Guarantee Works

If a fault develops during the warranty period that can be verified as a genuine material flaw or factory manufacturing defect, Garador will remedy the issue at their discretion by:

• Supplying replacement components or panels free of charge
• Authorising an approved factory repair
• Offering an agreed price adjustment where appropriate

* Important reseller note on labour and carriage: The manufacturer warranty covers the supply of replacement components or repair of the faulty product itself. It does not cover third party labour costs for removing the faulty door, site refitting fees, or return haulage expenses. Any components replaced under warranty become the legal property of Garador Ltd.

Conditions Required for a Valid Claim

To ensure your warranty cover remains fully valid throughout the 10 year term, keep the following records safe from the day your door arrives:

• Proof of purchase: Keep a copy of your dated Garage Doors Online sales invoice or order confirmation.
• Manufacturer warranty documentation: Retain the warranty card and technical booklet supplied in the door fitting pack.
• Product identity label: Never remove, paint over, or deface the factory serial number plate attached to the door leaf or frame leg. This code is essential for verifying your build batch.
• Territory: The guarantee applies strictly within the United Kingdom where the door was originally supplied and delivered.

Warranty Exclusions and Limitations

As with all engineered building products, Garador's guarantee covers manufacturing quality rather than site damage or poor workmanship. The warranty will not apply to faults or damage caused by:

• Standard cosmetic wear, tear, and mechanical aging through everyday operation
• Incorrect installation, including frames fitted twisted, bowed, or out of square, or leaves rubbing against uneven floor levels
• Inadequate routine care, such as failing to clean the aluminium threshold or leaving moving latches unlubricated
• Physical abuse, accidental vehicle impacts, or operating the door in ways outside normal domestic garage use
• Severe environmental exposure, including direct contact with salt water spray, road deicing salts, run off acids, cement wash, or harsh chemical cleaners
• Damage sustained during offloading, manual handling on site, or during fitting by independent trades
• Attempted modifications or structural repairs carried out by unauthorised fitters using non genuine Garador parts

If you suspect an issue with your door upon delivery or need advice on logging a warranty claim with the factory, contact our customer service desk with your order number and digital photos of the issue, and our team will guide you through the process.

Please allow fitting tolerance when working out ordering size: 10mm off of tight brickwork opening width and 5mm off of tight brickwork opening height.

Measuring for a Standard Size Garador Somerset

The standard size Somerset is produced in 17 catalogue sizes. Each option carries a traditional imperial order name alongside a four digit Garador code. For example, a 7ft wide by 6ft 6in high door uses code 7066. It is vital not to convert those imperial numbers directly into millimetres, because the actual manufacturing dimensions include the steel fixing frame. What matters for your installation is the overall door and frame measurement shown in the chart below.

How to Check Your Brickwork Opening

Because the door is designed to fit between the structural reveals, take your tape measure and check the brick to brick opening carefully:

1. Measure the width across the opening at three points: near the top, across the middle, and near the floor. Note down the smallest figure.
2. Measure the height from the solid, level garage floor up to the underside of the lintel on both the left side, right side, and centre. Note down the smallest figure.
3. Check the corners with a builder square or level. Older brickwork and lintels are rarely completely plumb or level.

Allowing for Fitting Tolerance

Garador factory sizes do not include any fitting clearance. To slide the complete steel frame into the opening without binding against rough brickwork, your structural hole must be slightly larger than the overall frame.

You need a minimum clearance of 10mm across the total width (giving 5mm per side) and 5mm on the height. If your brick piers lean or the lintel has sagged slightly, allow a little more space so you can pack and shim the frame plumb. The chart below lists the overall outer frame dimensions alongside the minimum brickwork opening needed for each size code.

Standard Sizing and Minimum Opening Chart

Worked sizing example: Say your brick to brick opening measures 2250mm wide by 2050mm high. Looking down the table, size code 7066 requires a minimum opening of 2244mm wide by 2046mm high. That leaves you with 16mm of total width tolerance and 9mm of height tolerance, which gives plenty of room to square the frame up and seal the perimeter joints neatly.

Calculating Clear Drive Through Space

Because the steel frame uprights are 75mm wide each and the top head is 60mm high, your walk through and vehicle clearance inside the frame will be 150mm narrower and 60mm lower than the overall frame size.

On size code 7066 (2234mm x 2041mm overall), the clear daylight opening between the frame legs is 2084mm wide by 1981mm high. Always check this figure if you plan to drive a modern car, ride on mower, or trailer into the garage.

* If your brickwork measurements leave gaps wider than 25mm to 30mm around a standard frame, do not pack the space out with bulky timber trims. Head over to our purpose made Somerset listing, where the door can be made to your exact millimetre measurements.