GDO Roll 55 Somfy Remote Control Half Hood (13 Colour Options) Insulated Roller door garage door Aluminium GDO

GDO ROLL 55 Remote Control Somfy Half Hood

We have significantly upgraded the specification for the GDO ROLL 55 Half Hood electric roller garage door. Moving on from the previous basic controls, this door now includes the premium Somfy Rollixo Optimo remote system as standard. This upgrade gives you a serious step up in reliability and technology, making this compact door an even better choice for your garage. Supplied purpose made to the millimetre, this half hood version features a folded aluminium front facia which gives a neat finish and better sealing across the front of the roller barrel. If you are looking for the ultimate protection for the curtain and maximum weather and wind resistance, you might also want to consider our full hood version where the roll is completely enclosed.

The Somfy Control Upgrade

As part of this new and improved specification, the Somfy Rollixo Optimo system provides you with two hand transmitters and an internal wireless wall mounted switch. This makes it easy to operate the door from inside the garage without tracking down a handset. Using Somfy components gives you the peace of mind of a world renowned brand, backed by a standard 5 year warranty. It also keeps your options open to upgrade or add additional door controls later at minimal cost. Because it operates via remote, the door includes leading safety edge detection to prevent closure onto obstacles, ensuring full compliance with UK regulations.

Compact and Insulated Design

The door uses a narrower 55mm slat height which allows it to coil much tighter than standard roller doors. The roll sits neatly behind the 205mm half hood front facia, saving you valuable headroom and helping you maximise your drive through height. This makes it ideal for garages with low ceilings or limited space above the opening. The curtain itself is made from double skinned aluminium slats with a foam filled core, helping to insulate your garage against heat, cold, and noise.

Colours and Finishes

The GDO ROLL 55 is available in 13 high quality factory prefinished standard colours. When ordering, you have the flexibility to choose guides and a half hood cover that exactly match your curtain colour, or you can opt for a contrasting finish to suit the look of your home.

Security and Practicality

• Firm curtain locking: A sturdy locking strap system holds the door firmly in place when closed
• Robust tracking: Strong extruded aluminium guide rails keep the door leaf secure
• Power cut ready: An internal manual override winding handle is included as standard, so you can still open and close the door if the power goes out

Sizing and Manufacturing

Every door is manufactured entirely in the UK by SWS (AlluGuard), ensuring excellent production techniques and optimum delivery times. These doors are made to measure up to a maximum overall width of 3000mm, which includes the guides on either side. The maximum guide height is 2150mm, plus the 205mm needed to accommodate the roll and endplates.

* Always remember to allow for some fitting tolerance when taking your final measurements.

The GDO ROLL 55 is particularly well suited to the typical UK single garage where space is tight and reliability matters most. Many homes built from the 1960s onwards feature garages with limited headroom and narrow openings, and this is exactly where the compact 55mm slat design really comes into its own. The tight coiling curtain means you lose very little overhead space, which is especially useful if you are parking a taller vehicle or using the garage for storage shelving close to the ceiling.

This door works brilliantly in a number of common situations around the home:

• Single garages with restricted headroom where every millimetre of clearance counts
• Detached garages exposed to the elements where weather sealing and insulation are a priority
• Integral garages attached to the house where noise reduction and thermal insulation help keep the home comfortable
• Workshop or hobby spaces where you want quick, easy access without manually lifting a heavy door
• Properties with short driveways where a roller door is ideal because it opens vertically and does not swing outwards
• Rental properties or second homes where the Somfy remote system offers reliable daily use with minimal maintenance

Why UK Homeowners Choose Roller Garage Doors

For many UK homeowners, the garage is far more than just a place to park the car. It doubles as a utility area, a workshop, or extra storage for bikes, tools, and seasonal items. A compact electric roller garage door like the GDO ROLL 55 makes accessing all of that much simpler. There is no need to step outside in the rain to heave open a heavy up and over door. You simply press the remote from your car or use the internal wall switch as you walk through from the house.

The vertical opening action is another major benefit that many homeowners overlook until they experience it. Unlike up and over or sectional doors, a roller door does not swing outward at any point during operation. This means you can park right up to the door without worrying about clearance on the driveway. It is a small detail that makes a real difference on shorter drives or where the garage sits close to a pavement or public footpath.

With the Somfy controls now included as standard, you also get the option to integrate your garage door into a wider home automation setup in the future. For homeowners already using smart home devices, this opens up the possibility of controlling the garage alongside lighting, heating, and security systems without needing to replace the motor or electronics down the line.

How to Configure Your Door Options

Ordering your purpose made GDO ROLL 55 is a straightforward process. Just follow these simple steps to configure the door exactly how you need it for your garage:

• Pricing and Sizes: To get your price, simply select the nearest 'up to' size bracket that covers your measurements. You only need to provide us with your exact dimensions when you are ready to proceed to the checkout
• Installation Position: Tell us exactly where you intend to install the door. You can choose to fit the mechanism either directly in between your structural opening or tucked neatly behind it
• Colour Choices: First choose the colour for your main door curtain. You can then select the finish for your hood, guides and endplates. You can either match everything up perfectly or choose a completely different colour for a contrasting look
• Motor Position: Choose which side you want your motor drive, power cable and emergency manual override to be located. Always make this choice based on looking outwards from the inside of your garage
• External Override Access: If your roller garage door is the only way to get into your garage, you must select the low level emergency manual override. This ensures you have a way to manually open the door from the outside during a power cut

Additional Somfy Controls

Because this roller garage door uses the premium Somfy control system, there are multiple other controls and smart home accessories available. There are simply too many options to list within our standard online door configuration tool. If you have specific requirements for extra controls, smart access or lighting, please email or call our team and we will be happy to help you build the perfect setup.

We have improved the way GDO 55 curtains attach to the axle to ensure a tighter, cleaner coil. By removing the axle collars, we have created extra space inside the box for a neater finish. Additionally, we have introduced felt lining on the attachment straps to help reduce marking on the back of the curtain over time.

The GDO ROLL 55 is constructed from high quality 55mm deep double skinned aluminium slats with a foam filled core. It is a made to measure, 240V, tube motor operated, electric roller garage door, manufactured to the exact millimetre in width and height.

This model is the Half Hood version. It features a folded aluminium front facia fitted to the endplates on either side of the roller barrel. This creates a neat finish when fitted behind or in between your opening and provides a better seal across the front of the curtain when closed. The headroom required for this half hood and the endplates is 205mm.

The door is electrically remote operated as standard and incorporates an internal emergency manual release in case of a power failure. This is a winding process using a winding handle provided attaching via a hook to the eye of the motor drive. This can be specified as either on the left or right as viewed from inside the garage.

The door is now supplied as standard with the premium Somfy Rollixo Optimo control system. You receive 2 remote control handsets and an internal wireless wall mounted control panel. Designed in France and tested for up to 36500 cycles, the Somfy system provides exceptional reliability and is compatible with the Somfy TaHoma smart home system for future upgrades. It also features a dedicated output for remote lighting that automatically triggers when the door operates.
 

The bottom slat is extruded and supplied fitted with a rubber seal system incorporating an optical or resistive wired safety edge. Connected to the Somfy control unit, this ensures any obstacle is instantly detected when the door is operating and the door will stop to prevent damage or injury.

Always allow for a maximum 90mm of curtain hang down when the door is opened if the opening height is critical to you. This is the same on all roller garage doors.

The guide height as used for ordering does not include the endplate size above it and the loss of drive through height with the bottom slat hang down when open.

Door guides either side are 60mm wide and 34mm deep and the door is ordered using the OVERGUIDE width from the curtain and guides combined. These newly updated guides feature brush seals making the door quieter and improve the seal against the weather.

The door can be fitted BEHIND or INBETWEEN the structural opening as required but always check you have ordered the correct dimensions to take into account the guides and the half hood facia.

 

Hand crank	Lined guide	ZF Lock	Barrel	Safety brake

 

 

Ordering size is the Over Guide Width (OGW) x Guide Height (GH).

Doors have 60mm wide guides

Clear opening width = Ordering size minus 120mm

Clear opening height = guide height minus 90mm (to allow for the bottom slat hang down into the guide)

 

Maximum width including guides is 3000mm

Maximum Height for guides is 2150mm (Total of 2355mm with the endplates and half hood)

 

When choosing the curtain colour, the guides, endplates and half hood facia will also come in the same colour as the door curtain

 

Standard Colours:

White (RAL 9016)

Anthracite Grey (RAL 7016)

Black (RAL 9005)

 

Optional Premium Colours:

Brown RAL 8014

Chartwell green

Navy Blue RAL 5011

Burgundy RAL 3004

Light beige BS 08B17

Fir green RAL 6009

Ivory RAL 1015

Agate Grey RAL 7038

Dark brown RAL 8019

Moss Green RAL 6005

 

Installation Instructions are provided with every door.

Basic Installation Guidance for the GDO ROLL 55

Taking accurate measurements and understanding your installation position is crucial for a successful fit. This door is designed to be highly versatile, but because it is made to the exact millimetre, you need to ensure you order the correct dimensions based on how you plan to install it.

Understanding Your Dimensions

When you order your roller door, the primary sizes you provide are the Over Guide Width and the Guide Height. It is important to know exactly what these sizes include:

• Over Guide Width: This is the total width of the door curtain plus the 60mm wide guides on either side. So, if your clear opening width needs to be a specific size, your Over Guide Width will be that measurement plus 120mm to accommodate both guides
• Guide Height: This is the height of the side guide rails. It does not include the 205mm required at the top for the endplates, the motor, and the curtain roll (or the hood box if ordered)
• Clear Opening Height: When the door is fully open, the bottom slat hangs down into the guides by approximately 90mm. Therefore, your actual drive through height will be your Guide Height minus this 90mm
• Total Overall Height: To calculate the total height space required for installation, add the 205mm endplate dimension to your chosen Guide Height

Fitting Behind the Opening

The most popular installation method is to fit the door behind the structural opening. This means the guide rails and the curtain roll are fixed directly to the inside face of your garage wall. The measurements explained above are perfect for a standard behind the opening fit, as it allows the guide rails and the roll box to be completely hidden from the outside, giving you the maximum possible drive through width and height.

Fitting In Between the Opening

If you are planning to fit the door directly in between the structural opening (meaning the guides and the roll box sit within the brickwork rather than behind it), you must take extra care with your measurements. Your Over Guide Width will be the exact width between your brickwork minus a small fitting tolerance. Your Total Overall Height (Guide Height plus the 205mm roll) must fit entirely within your opening height. If you are planning an in between fit, please contact our team before ordering so we can double check your calculations and ensure the perfect fit.

Practical Tip: A perfectly level floor is essential for the best results. If your floor slopes significantly, the bottom rubber seal will not sit flush, which can trigger the safety edge sensors unnecessarily. Please ensure you prepare a level threshold before installation.

Below are some details for the external emergency manual override system which you can order if you don't have another entrance to your garage..
The emergency manual override always is on the same side as the electric motor drive and built into the electric motor..

Comprehensive Warranty Details for the GDO ROLL 55

When you purchase your GDO ROLL 55 through Garage Doors Online, your door is backed by robust manufacturer warranties covering both the physical door components and the automation system. To ensure these warranties remain valid, your door must be correctly installed, operated in accordance with the provided guidelines, and properly maintained.

Physical Door Components (AlluGuard)

The physical structure of your garage door is manufactured by SWS AlluGuard in the UK and comes with a comprehensive parts only guarantee against manufacturing defects. This coverage begins from the date of purchase:

• Curtain finish: Covered for 2 years
• Mechanism and hardware: Covered for 2 years
• Perishable parts: Items such as the rubber weather seal on the bottom slat are covered for 2 years (subject to the garage floor being kept smooth, level, and clear of debris)

Important note on marking: Due to the natural rolling action of the door, some surface marking may occur on the concave back of the curtain over time as it comes into contact with the locking straps and internal mechanisms. This is unavoidable, does not constitute a product fault, and will not affect the performance of your door. Therefore, standard wear and tear marks are excluded from the warranty.

Coastal installations: The standard warranty does not cover rust or corrosion caused by saltwater or salty air if the door is installed within 500 metres of the sea or a large body of saltwater. For properties within 2 miles of the sea, the exterior finish warranty is limited.

Automation System (Somfy)

Because the GDO ROLL 55 is now supplied with a premium automation setup, your motor and control unit benefit from an extended warranty backed directly by Somfy:

• Somfy Tube Motor: Covered for 5 years from the date of manufacture
• Somfy Rollixo Optimo Control Unit: Covered for 5 years from the date of manufacture
• Somfy Remote Handsets and Wireless Wall Switch: Covered for 5 years from the date of manufacture (excluding batteries)

This automation warranty covers the internal electronics and motor mechanism against manufacturing defects. It does not cover malfunctions resulting from electrical interference, poor power network quality, accidental damage, or modifications made using non approved spare parts.

How to Make a Warranty Claim

If you experience an issue with your GDO ROLL 55, your first point of contact should be Garage Doors Online. We will raise the warranty claim on your behalf with the manufacturer. You may be asked to provide proof of purchase and a full service record to show the door has been correctly maintained since installation. For any electrical parts replaced under warranty, the new part will be covered for 12 months or the remainder of the original warranty period, whichever is longest.

Ordering sizes for the ROLL 55 are the Over Guide Width (OGW) x Guide Height (GH). Doors have 60mm wide guides*

Clear opening height = guide height - 90mm (to allow for the bottom slat hand-down into the guide). The 205mm endplates incorporating the motor and barrel are to be added onto the guide height to give your total height required (Overall Height)

How to Measure for Your GDO ROLL 55

Getting your measurements right is the most important step before ordering. Because your roller garage door will be manufactured to the exact millimetre, you need to be precise. Always use a metal tape measure for accuracy and follow these practical steps to determine the correct dimensions for your opening.

Step 1: Measure Your Opening Width

Start by measuring the width of your structural garage opening from brick to brick. Because walls are rarely perfectly straight, you must take three separate width measurements:

• Measure across the opening at the top
• Measure across the opening at the middle
• Measure across the opening at the bottom

Note down the smallest of these three measurements. This is your true opening width.

Step 2: Measure Your Opening Height

Next, measure the height of the opening from the floor to the underside of the lintel. Again, take three measurements:

• Measure the height on the left side
• Measure the height in the centre
• Measure the height on the right side

Note down the smallest of these three measurements. This is your true opening height. Please ensure you take these measurements from the finished floor level. If you are laying a new floor or a raised threshold later, you must account for that thickness now.

Step 3: Check Your Clearances

To ensure the door will fit your space, you need to check that you have enough room for the guides and the roller box.

• Side Clearance: You need a minimum of 60mm on the inside face of the brickwork on both the left and right sides to accommodate the guide rails
• Headroom: You need a minimum of 205mm of clear space above the opening (on the inside face of the lintel) to accommodate the endplates and the curtain roll

Step 4: Calculate Your Final Ordering Sizes

Your ordering sizes depend entirely on how you are fitting the door:

For a Behind the Opening Fit (The most common method):

• Ordering Over Guide Width: Take your smallest opening width and add 120mm (60mm for the left guide and 60mm for the right guide)
• Ordering Guide Height: This is simply your smallest opening height measurement. Remember to ensure you have the extra 205mm of headroom above this height for the roll

For an In Between the Opening Fit:

• Ordering Over Guide Width: Take your smallest opening width and deduct 10mm to give yourself a small fitting tolerance. The guides will sit inside the brickwork
• Ordering Guide Height: Take your smallest opening height and deduct 205mm (to allow space for the roll box). Then deduct a further 10mm for a fitting tolerance

If you are unsure about any of your measurements or have an unusual garage opening, please contact our team before placing your order and we will happily guide you through the process.