Choosing the right garage door track is essential for homeowners seeking convenience, security, and curb appeal. Different doors work better on specific tracks, and certain tracks can work better for your garage’s layout. Steel City Garage Doors is here to give you a brief guide to different garage door track options and explain some of the most common model types out there.

5 Common Types Of Garage Door Tracks

Here are the five common garage door track types that you can install on your property.

Standard Lift Tracks

Standard lift tracks are the most common option for homeowners; you can find them in a range of houses. These tracks work with typical ceiling heights and offer the best balance of performance and cost-effectiveness.

Standard lift tracks operate by allowing the garage door to move vertically for a short distance before transitioning to a horizontal path along the ceiling. These tracks are ideal for residential properties that do not require specialized configurations. They are easy to install and maintain, making them a popular choice for many.

High Lift Tracks

High-lift tracks work better in garages with higher ceilings or when homeowners wish to maximize vertical storage space. These tracks enable the door to rise higher along the wall before moving horizontally, leaving more room below for storage or workspace.

High-lift tracks are particularly beneficial for homeowners who use their garage for more than just parking. For example, high-lift tracks can provide the extra overhead space needed for equipment and activities if you have a home gym or workshop in your garage.

Vertical Lift Tracks

Vertical lift tracks are less common in residential settings but are an excellent choice for garages with exceptionally high ceilings. Unlike standard or high-lift tracks, vertical-lift tracks allow the door to move straight up and down without transitioning to a horizontal path. This design is much more common in commercial or industrial applications where space optimization and security are paramount, such as warehouses or parking garages.

Low Headroom Track

Low headroom tracks are especially designed for garages with the limited space between the top of the door and ceiling.  The door functions with a little 4-6 inch headroom. Older homes and garages are installed in the low ceiling and renovation projects can also be performed with tight and confined installation areas.

Enable the installation in the small and awkward spaces and also work with both manual and automatic doors. Eliminate the requirements for the major structural changes.

Roof Pitch Track

This customized track follows the angle of your garage’s pitched roof rather than running flat into the ceiling. This is typically paired with the high-lift or vertical systems. There are homes with the cathedral and sloped ceiling, the garage needing optimal clearance. The custom-designed luxury garage spaces are customized to your garage roof angle. 

There are homes with cathedrals and sloped ceilings; the garage needs the optimal clearance and custom design for the luxury garage spaces. The customized garage roof angle and aesthetically pleasing and space-efficient system. This is also a great option for specialized architectural needs.

Guide To Choose The Right Track System For Differnt Garage Door

When selecting the garage door track, consider the following factors like ceiling heights, available headroom, uses of the garage, and residential and commercial doors.

Different types of door openers and future upgrades like lifts and storage systems. 

Do not overlook the budget and customizations required before starting the job. A professional garage door installer can access your space and help you select the most practical and cost-effective solutions for your garage door.

Steel City Garage Doors hopes this brief guide to different garage door track options has been helpful and informative. Standard lift tracks are a reliable option for most homeowners, but high lift tracks are helpful for those who want to convert their garage into more of a workshop.

Let Steel City Garage Doors help you out if you’re looking for garage doors in Pittsburgh. We offer reliable and affordable installation, repairs, and other vital services. Contact us today to learn how we can help you with your specific garage needs.

FAQs

Standard lift track is the most common type of garage door track. This garage door is ideal for most residential garage doors with standard ceiling heights, and it is also a reliable and affordable solution.

You can install a low-headroom track system with a low ceiling height. Low-headroom track system designed for garages with limited overhead space. It allows the door to open with 4-6 inches of clearance above the door.

A high-lift track raises the garage door track height. It is ideal for any tall ceiling grunges or car lifts. Vertical lift tracks lift the door straight up without any horizontal movement and are commonly used in industrial settings.

You can customize your garage door track; you just have to follow the process to build up pitch tracks. This option helps you to maximize the spaces and helps you maintain the property’s aesthetic value. These types of tracks are suitable for cathedrals and any type of angled ceilings.

For high-lift and vertical-lift systems, you need a specialized jackshaft opener. This is also necessary to match the openers to the garage track system and ensure the door’s proper function.