Why The Door Style Will Enhance Or Limit A Garage’s Functionality

Is a garage somewhere to park the car or something more? Many detached and semi-detached UK homes built since the mid-twentieth century feature garages, but the way we use them varies hugely. In recent years we have seen a trend in converting garage spaces into additional living accommodation, such as to create an extra bedroom, especially in properties where the garage is integrated. But the appeal of having a space for vehicles, a workshop, separate home office or for accommodating a hobby or sporting activity remains strong for many homeowners.

In this era of the multipurpose garage, one of the ways its functionality can be maximised is to make sure the garage door style and design is right. So, before you embark on a new garage design or refurbishment project, take a step back and clearly define what you want the garage and the door to do.

Firstly, if it is in the traditional sense a covered, secure parking space, how many vehicles will it need to accommodate? If the garage is for multiple vehicles, will a vehicle lift or car stacker be installed? If this is the case, it is worth reading our separate article on this topic to familiarise yourself with why a bespoke garage door can be particularly beneficial in such applications.

If the garage is for parking vehicles, a side sliding ‘round the corner’ door or side sectional garage door could help to maximise access as these can span very wide openings – as wide as 12m. The corner of the garage can even be opened up where a cantilever design is possible to transform the access potential, and this could allow the positioning and orientation of the garage to be completely reimagined.

In situations where the garage is intended to be used – either partially or in-full – as a space such as a home office or workshop, it may benefit from being a warm space. However, if you are thinking of insulating the garage and heating it, you will need to consider how you deal with moisture – ventilation will be required, otherwise mould and damp will build-up inside the garage with costly consequences. Garages of this type will also have very specific requirements in respect of the garage door.

In terms of materials, with a bespoke side sliding, side sectional or overhead sectional garage door from Rundum Meir, it is possible to have timber, aluminium and – in some circumstances – steel, which can also be clad with different materials for interesting aesthetic results. These can be insulated if required where the garage needs to be a warm space.

Choosing a bespoke one-piece up and over garage door opens up even more potential for materials, including glass, and these can also be clad consistently with the rest of the building facade. To discuss how a bespoke garage door can be specified to meet the requirements of your project, call 0151 280 6626 or email info@rundum.co.uk. www.rundumgaragedoors.co.uk

Innovative Curved Side Sliding Garage Doors for Manchester Townhouses

Rundum Meir was selected by Snook Architects to supply a highly tailored garage door solution for a new-build development of eight townhouses in central Manchester. The brief required a product that offered not only space efficiency but also enhanced the architectural vision — delivering both form and function in a tight urban setting.

Situated on a narrow residential street, the development needed garage doors that would not obstruct the limited street frontage or compromise internal garage space. Traditional door types such as sectional or up-and-over models were not viable due to space constraints and the curved architectural lines of the buildings.

Snook Architects required a solution that could:

• Integrate seamlessly with the curved façade

• Maximise internal garage usability

• Enable angled vehicle access

• Match their design-led vision with a high-end finish

Rundum Meir worked closely with the architectural team to specify and deliver eight automated side sliding garage doors, each custom manufactured to follow the unique curvature of the building design.

Key features of the Rundum Meir solution include:

• Side Sliding Mechanism: Doors open along one internal wall, occupying just 80mm of space.

• Space Efficiency: More room is freed up on the opposite side, aiding vehicle access and reversing.

• Curved Customisation: Doors are precision-engineered to match the building’s curve.

• Durability & Finish: Made from heavy-duty extruded aluminium, finished in a bespoke powder-coated analok colour selected by the architect.

• Automation: Seamless and secure operation at the touch of a button.

The finished installation exceeded expectations, both functionally and aesthetically. Homeowners benefit from improved ease of use and maximise garage space, while the architecture remains clean and cohesive. Rundum Meir’s ability to deliver a completely bespoke, curved, and automated solution played a central role in achieving the architect’s design ambitions.

Why Rundum Meir

• Industry-leading expertise in bespoke curved and sliding garage doors

• Precision engineering and attention to architectural detail

• Collaborative approach with architects and developers

• Proven performance in challenging urban environments

  
  

Interested in specifying a custom curved garage door? Get in touch with our technical team today to discuss your next project.

Side Sliding Garage Door Benefits Stack Up For Parking Lifts

With high demand and expense associated with public on-street parking spaces in busy urban areas, plus high land values and concerns about vehicle security risks when parked externally, car stackers or parking lifts offer an attractive potential solution. And not just for residential buildings. These parking systems are well-suited to commercial buildings too, such as city centre offices, giving users the convenience and peace of mind of being able to park on site and adding value to the property.

When considering the feasibility of installing either a double decker vehicle stacker or an angled stacker, the available height of the garage and shape of the roof are, of course, key factors. But it is also important to consider that the height will be reduced where an ‘up and over’ or overhead sectional garage door is fitted, so careful consideration needs to be given to this element.

This is a common scenario in conversion projects where garages or repurposed ground floor space are often unsuitable for housing multiple vehicles. While some garage lift suppliers may be able to provide integrated roller doors in front of the car lift, these may not fit with the project’s aesthetic goals, client taste or meet local planning restrictions. The solution in situations like these lies with a Rundum Original slide sliding ‘round the corner’ garage door. These bespoke, handcrafted doors have demonstrated their value in developments across the UK, Europe and the US, including for blocks of flats and in one case to provide access to a large indoor garage accommodating up to 200 spaces.

One of the key advantages that a Rundum Original has is its ability to curve tightly around corners where clearance from the installed lift is very limited. And because the door slides on tracks around the corner and along the inner side wall of the garage, there is nothing to limit overhead space as there would be with an overhead opening door.

Another way that a side sliding door can help maximise access to any garage comes with its ability to span large uninterrupted openings. One door can span as much as 10m, so double them up to meet in the middle and that can offer a clear opening of 20m wide. These factors can make a car stacker or vehicle lift feasible in garages that may initially appear too small. But beyond these practical benefits, Rundum Original garage doors really stand out thanks to their visual appeal.

Rundum Original doors – whether used in conjunction with car stackers and vehicle lifts or not – are manufactured using high quality timbers in numerous different species or high strength extruded aluminium. Each door is made up of narrow vertical slats 80mm wide, which can be finished in colours to suit the overall design. Fully automated, these garage doors represent high quality and good design, unlocking new creative potential for buildings and overcoming the spatial challenges that smaller garages can present when considering car lifts. www.rundumgaragedoors.co.uk