Garage Door with Pedestrian Access
Garage doors with separate pedestrian access have existed for decades, featuring a smaller door built into the garage door. Now, there is increased demand as homeowners increasingly use garages for purposes beyond parking the car.
What people use their garages for has expanded to larger items. Items like gym equipment, bicycles, tumble dryers, gardening tools and even outdoor furniture take up a lot of space and won't fit in the house. Many garages have become repurposed to be extra rooms.
If you're in and out several times a day, having to open the entire garage door every time soon becomes inconvenient. A garage door with a built-in pedestrian door gives you quick and easy access on foot without the need to operate the whole door.
What Is a Garage Door with a Pedestrian Door?
A garage door with a pedestrian door gives you the option to enter and exit your garage without having to open the entire garage door. This smaller access door, which is a part of the main garage door, is known as a wicket door, pass door or personnel door.
The concept is rather basic. Instead of lifting a large garage door every time you need to grab something from the garage, you just unlock and open the smaller pedestrian door. This significantly saves time and effort when the garage door is opened daily.
Garages have evolved from simply a place to house vehicles to serve as a workshop, utility room, home gym or secure storage. If your garage is utilised in one of these other ways, a pedestrian access door improves the convenience of the space.
This style of garage door works well in mews-style properties where the garage also serves as the point of entry to the home. The same can be said if the garage is separated from the home because including a pedestrian door minimises the access points to your garage but maximises the ease of everyday use.
Benefits of Garage Doors with Pedestrian Access
The pedestrian door's biggest plus is definitely convenience. Instead of opening the whole garage door just to grab a bicycle or a tool, simply use the pedestrian door.
Opening the smaller door also helps retain heat if your garage is insulated. Less cold air goes in and less warm air comes out, making the garage a more comfortable place to work while helping to reduce heating costs.
Another plus is privacy. Every time the big garage door goes up, everything inside is on display. A pedestrian door helps to keep the contents of your garage out of sight.
Using the smaller door for everyday access lessens the wear and tear of the main garage door, especially if the garage door is automatic.
Using the smaller door for everyday access can also reduce unnecessary wear on the main garage door, particularly if it's electrically operated.
Which Garage Doors Can Include a Pedestrian Door?
Years ago, pedestrian doors were mainly found in traditional timber up-and-over garage doors. Today there are far more options available, including insulated sectional garage doors and specialist designs from leading manufacturers.
The right choice depends on how you use your garage, how often you need pedestrian access and the style of property you have.
Hörmann Garage Doors with Wicket Door
Hörmann currently offers a selection of single and double garage doors with integrated wicket doors, providing convenient pedestrian access without the need to fully open the garage door.
Sectional Garage Doors with Pedestrian Doors
Many modern sectional garage doors can also be fitted with an integrated pedestrian door.
Because sectional garage doors use strong, double-skinned insulated panels, they can often accommodate a pedestrian opening without affecting the strength or day-to-day operation of the door. The result is a garage door that still offers excellent insulation, security and smooth operation while providing easy access on foot.
A sectional garage door with pedestrian access is particularly useful if your garage is attached to the house or used as a workshop, utility room or home gym. Being able to enter through the smaller door means less heat is lost, especially during the colder months.
It's also a practical solution if you regularly need access to bicycles, gardening equipment or tools. Rather than opening the full garage door every time, you simply use the pedestrian door, making everyday use much quicker and easier.
Round-the-Corner Garage Doors
Round-the-corner garage doors can also provide pedestrian access by only partially opening the door.
Instead of opening the whole garage door, you can create an opening large enough to walk through. This gives many of the same benefits as an integrated pedestrian door while retaining the unique operation of a round-the-corner garage door.
Side-Hinged Garage Doors
Another excellent option is a side-hinged garage door.
Rather than using two equal-sized leaves, the door can be manufactured with a one-third and two-thirds split. The smaller leaf becomes your everyday pedestrian door, while the larger section can still be opened whenever wider access is required.
This arrangement looks attractive, is easy to use and requires very little additional installation work. Because there are no tracks running across the ceiling, side-hinged garage doors can also be fitted in smaller garages where internal space is limited or where headroom is at a premium.
For many homeowners who mainly walk into their garage rather than drive into it, a side-hinged garage door is often the simplest and most practical solution.
Choosing the Right Garage Door with Pedestrian Access
The best garage door for you depends on how you use your garage.
If you want the appearance of a traditional garage door while still having convenient everyday access, an up-and-over or sectional garage door with an integrated pedestrian door could be the ideal choice.
If pedestrian access is your main priority and you rarely park a vehicle inside, a side-hinged garage door may be the better option.
Whichever style you choose, a garage door with pedestrian access makes everyday life easier by providing quick access without opening the whole garage door. It's a practical upgrade that's becoming increasingly popular as garages continue to evolve into multi-purpose spaces.
Shop Garage Doors with Pedestrian Access
Explore some of our most popular garage doors with integrated pedestrian access, including up-and-over wicket doors and side-hinged garage doors.
Hörmann LPU42 sectional door with Wicket Door
The Hörmann LPU42 sectional door can be supplied with a wicket door. Prices are available on request by calling us on 01926 463888
Hörmann N80 Style 902 with Wicket Door
Up-and-over garage door with an integrated wicket door for convenient everyday access.
Side-Hinged Garage Doors with Pedestrian Access
Side-hinged garage doors provide easy pedestrian entry and can be ordered with asymmetric door leaves.
Browse our range of garage doors with pedestrian access, including up-and-over doors with wicket doors, sectional garage doors with pedestrian doors and practical side-hinged designs.