[Last Updated:] December 20, 2024

If you love classic style but want modern features and convenience, there are few better ways to achieve it than with swing-out garage doors.

These side-hinged garage doors are a great fit for farmhouses, chalets, ranches, Craftsman homes, and many other traditional dwellings. Custom options look right at home on more contemporary homes, too.

Let’s take a look at what makes these garage doors aesthetically pleasing and functional, learn about the materials used to make them, and which kind of door looks best in different architectural styles.

A swing-out garage door, also known as a hinged or French garage door, swings open or closed on hinges, much like a standard exterior door does. Unlike traditional overhead garage doors that roll up and down along tracks, swing-out doors pivot outward or inward from the center or sides.

These doors require a great deal of clearance in front of your garage, so consider the available space in your driveway or parking area before selecting them.

Swing-out garage doors do not use an overhead system like traditional or high-lift garage doors do. This key difference influences the features of both door types. The chart below shows the most important aspects of traditional and swing-out doors.

	Traditional Garage Doors	Swing-Out Garage Doors
Space Requirements	Requires in-garage overhead space	Requires driveway space
Operations	Slides along an overhead track	Swings outward using side hinges
Mode of Operation	Typically automatic	Typically manual
Aesthetic	Versatile	Often classic but versatile

Both garage door types can be customized. For instance, traditional doors can be manual — though this isn't common — and swing-out doors can be automated. To automate swing-out doors, you’ll need to choose from one of two systems: the single overhead track or the double-unit system.

• A double-unit system attaches above each door and uses an articulated arm to open and close the leaves.
• A single overhead track system uses a sliding mechanism connected to rods to push and pull the doors open and shut.

The most important factor to remember when choosing any garage door is that appearance and functionality are often based on preference and garage door material types.

It’s easy to assume that swing-out doors are less complicated than the more traditional models, but they can be surprisingly complex — especially if they are automated or custom-designed.

Understanding these features can help you choose the kind you want and make it easier to maintain them after the installation.

1. Astragal: This slender strip, usually made of wood, attaches to the active side of a swinging door. Its purpose is to seal and conceal the gap between the two door leaves when closed.
2. Casing: This is the decorative finishing trim that frames the garage door opening, the edges of the jamb, any shim gaps, and the unfinished edges of the wall.
3. Framing: Framing (consisting of the casing and the jamb) covers gaps left around the garage opening. It also helps the door open and close without rubbing or damaging leaves.
4. Hinges: Serving as the pivot points for door leaves, these pieces of hardware connect the door to the jamb, allowing it to open and close smoothly. Hinges also help support the weight of the leaves.
5. Jamb: This decorative wood trim covers studs, headers, and wall materials around the garage door opening. The jamb should be flush with the wall, with one side typically routed to accommodate door hinges.
6. Leaves: As the main sections of a swing-out garage door, these panels swing open and closed to provide access to the garage while playing a big part in the door's look.
7. Panels: Panels make up the surface of the door. They add structural strength and are available in various styles and materials.
8. Shim space: This gap between the rough framing and the final jamb allows for adjustments during installation. It helps to level any uneven framing and ensures the door opens and closes without problems.
9. Sill: The sill is the horizontal part of the door that acts as its threshold. Exterior sills are usually elevated and constructed from aluminum to prevent water from seeping in.
10. Stop: This hardware protects what’s inside the garage by preventing the doors from swinging past the closed position. Stops are built into the jamb to create a tight weather seal.
11. Sweep: Usually made of aluminum, a sweep covers the gap between the bottom of the door and the sill. Sweeps are necessary for all exterior doors to prevent water and air from entering.

If you install automatic openers on your doors, there may be extra components like cables, trolleys, springs, and drums.

Trust the service professionals at your local Precision Garage Door Service to help you choose a garage door you’ll love. Whether you want to upgrade your existing door or make your garage conversion into something really special, we can design and install a garage door that matches your style and meets your needs.

To take advantage of our design and installation services, call or schedule an appointment online with your local Precision Garage Door Service today.

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This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your property. Precision Garage Door Service is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact the Precision Garage Door Service location nearest you for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.

As a garage door service, repair, and installation leader renowned for integrity and dependability, all independently owned and operated Precision Garage Door Service locations are committed to safety, quality workmanship, and your satisfaction. This commitment includes using our expertise and years of experience to answer your garage door-related questions.

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about swing-out garage doors.