Sliding Garage Doors
Sliding garage doors offer an elegant and space-saving alternative to traditional designs. This guide covers types, materials, installation, and maintenance, helping you decide if this sleek option fits your needs. Maximize garage space and add modern style with a side-sliding entrance.
By: Jared Macarin | Published: May 8, 2025
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When someone mentions a garage door, we usually think of the traditional sectional door that lifts up and rests parallel to the ceiling of our garage. Or maybe we think a little fancier and a carriage house style that opens out in front of the door. There is, however, another style that is gaining traction in the world of garage doors: the sliding garage door.
A sliding garage door does what it says – slides – to the side of the garage opening instead of above it. They are a unique garage door system that has numerous considerations, which we’ll discuss in this guide.
If you’re considering a sliding garage door, contact Garage.com to be connected with a top-rated company willing to help with your install.
What Are Sliding Garage Doors?
Defining a sliding garage door might seem redundant. They slide. But how, you ask? Instead of a traditional garage door, which has tracks on either side of the opening and then runs parallel to your ceiling, a sliding garage door has tracks above and on the ground of your opening and the door slides toward the left or right side and rests against the wall.
They are made with panels, but instead of being horizontal like a traditional door, the panels are vertical. While many sliding doors operate manually there are plenty of options available with openers and remotes for modern convenience. They can be made from numerous materials and still allow homeowners the option to customize them to match their home’s aesthetics.
Types of Sliding Garage Doors
Sliding garage doors aren’t all the same. There are variations, just as with a traditional overhead door. What type you choose will depend on numerous factors, including price, weather and space considerations.
Side Sliding Garage Doors
This is the most common example of a sliding garage door. The tracks are situated on the top and bottom of the door and run toward the outside wall of your garage opening. They are highly customizable, but it’s important to note that if you live in a colder climate, you should add a heating strip on the bottom track to avoid freezing in winter.
Barn Style Sliding Doors
This is where you can get real fancy, if you have the space to pull it off. Homeowners can have a bi-parting slider that splits in the middle and each side retracts to its own outside wall, or you can have bi-parting sliders where the doors are on different tracks and can overlap.
Or, go for the option of a bi-fold system that opens and folds against the outside wall in front of your garage opening.
Benefits of Sliding Garage Doors
Even though sliding garage doors are rarer than their traditional counterparts, they do come with some nice benefits in the right situation.
- Storage overhead: No more losing half of your garage ceiling space to a garage door with a slider. Hang some bins up there instead.
- Can you hear that?: Sliding glass doors are typically less noisy than a traditional garage door.
- Energy saver: Sliding garage doors do not require as much energy as a traditional garage door that must lift the panels, so your system doesn’t have to work as hard to accomplish the same goal.
Limitations and Considerations for Sliding Garage Doors
Before you grab your phone and connect with an installer, there are some drawbacks with a sliding garage door that should be considered:
- Space considerations: Just remember that while you gain overhead space in your garage, you lose that space on the side where the door slides along its tracks.
- Install cost: Sliding garage doors cost more than a traditional garage door because they are not mass-produced.
- Beware chilly weather: With the lower track more exposed to the elements than with a traditional garage door, you must be wary if you live in a colder climate that the component could freeze. To avoid the issue you’d have to install a heating strip, which of course costs extra.
Maintaining Your Sliding Garage Door
Just as you would with any garage door, regular maintenance for your sliding garage door is key to aiding its longevity and getting the most out of your investment. Visually inspect the tracks often and keep them clear of debris so the garage door runs smoothly along it. We also recommend yearly or bi-annual tune-ups so a professional can inspect and correct any issues and ensure everything is in top shape.
Common Sliding Garage Door Problems and Solutions
Wear and tear is always going to be at the top of the list here. It’s just nature. With sliding garage doors, however, the bottom track is something to be even more cognizant of as your vehicle rolls over it each day and it is exposed to the ground and could be more impacted by weather.
Because a sliding garage door is more rare and thus can be trickier than a traditional system, we recommend you call a professional to get the work done so you can be sure it’s done correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sliding Garage Doors
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