Welcome to our guide on the benefits of roller doors.
If you’ve been going back and forth about upgrading your garage door, we’ll help you make that decision. We’re The Not Vanilla, and we’ve been manufacturing and installing roller doors for years. We know what to look for in a quality garage door and what to avoid.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- What changes when you upgrade to a quality roller door
- How to spot the difference between cheap and quality doors
- Whether a quality roller door is worth the cost
Read on to find out what a quality roller door can do for your home.
What Changes When You Upgrade to a Quality Roller Door?
A quality roller door changes four things: security, space, noise, and energy bills. Not to mention how it improves the aesthetics of your home and the way it feels from the outside. You’ll notice this difference from day one.
Here’s what improves when you upgrade your roller door:
- Stronger Garage Door Security: Thicker steel and full-length side tracks create a heavy door that’s much harder to pry open or hook the emergency release. It reduces the risk of forced entry. Since garages are one of the most common entry points for break-ins, this one change alone goes a long way.
- More Usable Space: Since roller doors roll up vertically, the ceiling space stays clear. There are no tracks taking up storage room, and no door swinging out into the driveway. That means you can park right up to it without worrying about space.
- Silent Operation: If your current door rattles or grinds and wakes the house, a quality roller door solves this problem. With fewer moving parts, smoother guides, and remote operation, automatic doors open and close far more quietly.
- Better Temperature Control and Energy Efficiency: Properly insulated slats of modern roller doors help reduce heat transfer from roof spaces. This feature keeps the heat out in summer and traps warmth in winter. This way, you get lower energy bills and a more comfortable space year-round (particularly for attached garage doors).
Put simply, a modern roller door adds a cleaner finish and increases kerb appeal. It gives your whole property a more up-to-date appearance, too.
How Do You Spot the Difference Between Cheap and Quality Doors?
You can see the difference between cheap and good-quality doors by inspecting the thickness of the materials, the quality of the seals, and the finishing touches. These details decide how well the door holds up over the years.
We’ll now explain these factors.
Materials and Build Thickness
Lower-cost roller doors are often made with thinner steel, which is more likely to dent, flex, and wear out over time. But higher-quality doors use thicker steel, so they’re more resistant to damage and better able to hold their shape through daily use.
The slat construction is also important here. For instance, basic roller doors are often single-skin, which offers little insulation. However, higher-quality doors use double-walled slats with an insulated core (commonly using loose-fill insulation), and it helps improve thermal efficiency as well as give the door a more solid, robust feel.
And then there’s the material itself. COLORBOND steel is the standard for good garage doors in Australia. It handles moisture, resists rust, and holds up well in coastal or humid areas.
We’ve found that cheaper finishes usually start peeling within a year or two in these areas.
Seals, Tracks, and Finishing Details
Have you ever noticed dust or draughts sneaking under your garage door? That’s usually a seal problem. Cheap doors come with basic rubber strips, or sometimes no seals at all.
By comparison, quality doors use brush seals along the sides and a solid rubber seal at the bottom that sits properly against the ground. It keeps out dust and draughts and stops leaves blowing in when the wind picks up.
You also have to consider your side tracks. Budget doors often use thin steel or plastic guides that flex and wobble for these tracks. But good doors have full-length steel tracks that hold the door firmly in place, which also makes them harder to tamper with from the outside.
Lastly, don’t forget about the finishes. We’ve seen plenty of doors that looked fine on the surface but had gaps you could fit your fingers through.
When a door is properly installed with the right seals and tracks, it creates a tight barrier against weather, dust, and pests. That’s the finishing detail most people overlook until it’s too late.
Here’s a quick comparison table between cheap and quality roller doors:
| Feature | Cheap Roller Door | Quality Roller Door |
| Material thickness | Thin (0.35–0.4mm) | Thicker (0.5mm+) |
| Slat construction | Single skin, hollow | Double-walled, foam-filled |
| Weather seals | Basic or none | Brush seals and rubber bottom rail |
| Sidetracks | Plastic or thin steel | Full-length steel guides |
| Motor/automation | Entry-level, noisy | Quiet motor with safety sensors |
| Warranty | 1-2 years | 5-10 years |
Is a Quality Roller Door Worth the Cost?
A quality roller door is worth the cost for long-term savings and value. You pay more upfront, but you save on repairs, maintenance, and energy bills down the track. Plus, your home looks better from the street.
Let’s get into more detail about these impacts.
Less Maintenance and Fewer Repairs
When you install a good roller door, you spend less time and money on maintenance over the years. Since these doors have fewer moving parts, it means fewer things can break or jam.
In our experience, homeowners who choose cheap doors to save money often end up paying more within a few years. Parts like springs, motors, and tracks fail sooner, and the repair costs quickly add up.
But if you have a well-made door and install it properly, you’ll avoid most of these problems. As it runs smoothly and lasts longer, you are not constantly calling for repairs. It saves money over time.
Pro tip: Select a motor rated above the door weight. An underpowered motor is the most common cause of early failure.
Improved Street Appeal and Home Value
So far, we have focused on how a better-built garage door performs. But it also affects how your home looks, as a premium door can improve its appearance from the street.
Your garage takes up a big chunk of your home’s exterior. A dented or faded door drags the whole front down, while a clean Colorbond roller door sharpens the look instantly.
Property buyers notice these details, too. A well-kept garage door suggests the home has been cared for. While it won’t add a huge amount to the price, it certainly helps create a strong first impression.
Take the Next Step With Your Garage Door
When you choose a well-built roller door, security improves, and space is used more efficiently. At the same time, the door runs more discreetly and helps keep energy costs under control.
And once you know what to check, it becomes easy to spot the difference between a cheap door and a more cost-effective option built to last.
Here at The Not Vanilla, we supply and install quality roller doors across Australia. We’re available 24/7 for repairs, maintenance, and replacements. Get in touch with our team today for a free quote.