Cheap Roller Garage Doors – How Are They So Cheap?

You may have seen adverts online offering fully fitted electric roller garage doors at unbelievably low prices. At first glance they can look like a bargain, especially when compared to higher quality insulated roller garage doors from established installers.

So how can some companies sell roller garage doors so cheaply?

The answer is simple — they remove important parts of the specification to reduce costs. At Manor Garage Doors, we believe customers should understand exactly what they are buying before making a decision.

"From £XXX Supplied & Fitted" – What Are You Actually Getting?

Some low-cost roller garage door packages reduce the price dramatically by cutting out safety systems, using lower quality motors and fitting thinner curtain laths.

The door may still open and close — using a remote you have to stand and hold throughout the operation — but the long-term reliability, security and safety can be very different.

1. No Proper Safety System

One of the biggest ways cheap suppliers reduce costs is by removing automatic safety systems.

Many budget roller doors work using a "hold to run" system. This means you must keep your finger pressed on the remote control while the door is moving. If you let go, the door stops.

Why do companies do this? Because it avoids the cost of fitting:

• electrical safety edges
• light barrier systems
• safety control equipment

This can save the supplier a substantial amount of money. But ask yourself: do you really want an electric garage door without a proper safety system?

A quality roller garage door should include an electrical safety edge system or a photocell/light barrier safety system, plus a wall control box for easy set-up, safety checking and smart-home adaptation. These systems help stop the door if an obstruction is detected.

2. Cheap Non-Branded Motors

Another common cost-cutting measure is fitting low-quality non-branded motors with lower lifting force specifications.

Unlike some other garage doors, roller doors rely heavily on the motor because the curtain is not spring balanced in the same way as sectional or up and over doors. The motor has to work hard every single time the door operates.

Cheap motors may:

• struggle lifting larger doors
• wear out more quickly
• overheat
• fail prematurely

And who pays for the replacement motor later? Usually the homeowner.

At Manor Garage Doors we recommend trusted systems such as Somfy and Ellard, with the correct force specification suitable for the size and weight of the door.

3. Motors With Everything Built Inside

Another way some suppliers reduce costs is by using motors with built-in control systems and obstacle sensing instead of fitting proper external control equipment. These motors were originally designed for electric window shutters.

This removes the need for:

• separate wall-mounted control boxes
• courtesy lights
• wall control stations
• external up/down controls

Again, this creates a substantial cost saving for the supplier. Yes, the door may still work — but a proper system with separate wall controls, a courtesy light, a dedicated control box and professional safety equipment is generally easier to maintain, more reliable long term and gives a far more professional installation.

What Specification Should You Ask For?

If you are comparing roller garage door quotations, make sure you ask exactly what is included.

A) Ask For A Quality Motor

• Somfy or Ellard motor
• correctly specified lifting force suitable for the door size

B) Ask For A Proper Wall Control Box

• wall-mounted control panel
• courtesy light
• up/down controls

C) Ask What Safety System Is Included

Look for an electrical safety edge or a photocell/light barrier safety system. If it is not clearly written on the quotation, ask why.

Check The Curtain Lath Size

Not all roller door curtains are equal.

55mm Lath

• smaller profile
• thinner
• generally lighter duty
• less secure on larger openings

77mm Lath

• industry standard insulated lath
• stronger
• more secure
• better suited for many domestic garage doors

Where possible, ask whether the door uses a 77mm insulated lath and Secured by Design approved systems. For example, some systems from Alurol are available with Secured by Design certification.

Cheap Can Become Expensive

A low headline price can look attractive at first.

But once you remove proper safety systems, quality motors, control equipment and stronger curtain profiles, you are no longer comparing like for like.

A good quality insulated roller garage door should provide safety, reliability, security and long-term performance — not just the cheapest possible installation price. And don't forget the quality of the installation itself; check our reviews for ours.

Speak To Manor Garage Doors

At Manor Garage Doors we believe customers should know exactly what specification they are paying for.

We supply and install quality insulated roller garage doors across Harlow, Sawbridgeworth, Stansted, Ware, Bishop's Stortford and surrounding areas.

For honest advice and a free detailed survey, contact Manor Garage Doors today on 01279 452628.