Side Hinged Garage Doors Online

Side Hinged Garage Doors

Side hinged garage doors also known as side opening or 'swing' garage doors are becoming popular again across the UK, largely because many garages are no longer used for parking cars. Instead, they are increasingly used as workshops, home gyms, utility spaces, or simple storage areas, where day to day access and climate control matter more than ever. For these active garages, side hinged doors make everyday use simple. You can open just one leaf to step in and out, ideal for grabbing a bike, garden tools, or the lawnmower without exposing the whole garage to the street or the weather.

At Garage Doors Online, our range has evolved far beyond the draughty doors of the past. Most of our modern steel doorsets arrive as a complete unit with the leaves already hung in the steel fixing frame, making fitting straightforward for a competent DIYer or tradesperson.

The Shift to Insulated Steel Doors

While single skin steel doors still suit basic, unheated garages, there has been a clear move towards double skinned insulated side hinged doors for much higher performance. An insulated panel uses two steel skins with a foam core, which helps turn a cold, damp space into a garage you can use comfortably for more of the year. The additional benefits often are more relevant than the insulation, particularly security..

The most noticeable benefits are:

• Temperature Stability: Essential for integral garages or spaces used as extra rooms.
• Insulation levels vary from model to model, but all double skinned models will offer insulation and make a difference inside.
• Improved Panel Rigidity: The double-skin construction offers far greater resistance to attack and damage than a single sheet of steel. Enhanced panel depth and strength means better locking systems can be built in and along with the steel or aluminium outer frame the final result is a very secure door once locked
• Reduced Noise: Significantly cuts noise transfer, which is helpful for workshops or properties on busy roads.

The GDO Range: 5 Levels of Performance

We offer the GDO range of side hinged doors in five distinct levels, allowing you to choose the right balance of price, insulation, and security for your needs:

• GDO Single Skin Steel: A robust, durable option for detached, unheated garages where simple security is the priority. Great prices and standard or made to measure sizes to suit
• GDO Icon Range: This is our enhanced single skin specification. It features the extra door leaf bracing found on premium models, along with upgraded weather seals, enhanced locking, and high quality furniture, bridging the gap between basic steel and fully insulated doors.
• GDO 20mm Insulated: A great entry point for thermal efficiency, adding rigidity and warmth without the bulk of a heavy industrial door.
• GDO 40mm Insulated: The sweet spot for most UK homes. The GDO Streatham and GDO Reigate 40mm models are standout performers here, offering excellent value for money and available with a fast turnaround.
• GDO Pro51: The highest specification in the range, featuring a massive 51mm insulated panel for the best thermal and acoustic performance, plus a reassuringly solid feel in daily use.

Traditional Cedar Timber Doors

While steel dominates the modern market, we know that for some properties, only the natural warmth and character of real wood will do. We continue to offer a range of traditional Cedar timber side hinged doors. These are built with the same attention to detail but offer that authentic, classic look that suits period properties and rural homes perfectly. If you are willing to treat and maintain them, a Cedar door offers a beauty that is hard to replicate.

Practical Benefits for the 21st Century Garage

In the modern home, the garage is often an extension of the living space rather than just a car park. Side hinged doors adapt perfectly to this lifestyle change by offering:

• Effortless Access: Open one leaf for quick entry without engaging a motor or lifting a heavy panel. Perfect for regular pedestrian access.
• Total Clearance: No ceiling tracks, springs, or internal mechanisms, leaving your roof space completely free for storage or lighting.
• Simple Reliability: With fewer moving parts than sectional or roller doors, hinges and locks are proven, reliable, and easy to maintain.
• Strong Weather Sealing: Modern rebated frames and seals help keep draughts and rain out, protecting your belongings.
• Smart Security: Choose improved locking and hardware to suit your usage, from standard latches to high-security Euro cylinders.

Things to Consider

Side hinged doors need clear space in front of the garage so the leaves can swing open. You can also choose different leaf splits—such as a 50/50 split or an asymmetric split—to make pedestrian access even easier. Use the filters on the left to select insulation thickness and style, or call our team on 01926 463 888 if you would like guidance on the best GDO or Cedar option for your home.