Garage doors
Up-and-over garage doors
A UK up-and-over garage door pivots outward and up on a single panel, identified first by its gear: canopy (springs on the head, max ~2438mm wide, poor to automate) or retractable (springs on both sides, up to ~5m, needed for electric and doubles). Manual versions typically cost £995, range £850–£1,900 inc. VAT.
Pros
- Usually the cheapest common UK garage door type
- Simple, well-understood mechanism with widely available parts and engineers
- Retractable-gear versions automate reliably and handle openings up to around 5m
- Wide manufacturer choice at every budget level
Cons
- The open door projects out over the driveway (more so with canopy gear)
- Canopy gear is limited to roughly 2438mm wide and automates poorly
- Typically seals less well at the edges than sectional
- Springs and gear must never be adjusted by anyone other than a trained engineer
Typical installed price, inc. VAT and fitting
£850–£2,500
Gear: retractable
Canopy gear vs retractable gear — the distinction that matters most
UK up-and-over doors are identified first by their gear type, not by spring construction. Canopy gear mounts the springs across the head of the frame, with roughly a third of the door projecting forward over the driveway when open; it tops out at around 2438mm wide and many installers will not recommend electrifying it. Retractable gear mounts springs on tracks down both sides, the door retracts fully inside the garage when open, it handles openings up to around 5m, and it is the gear type required on double doors and specified for reliable automation.
How the mechanism works
A single steel (occasionally timber or GRP) panel is counterbalanced by springs so it can be lifted by hand or by an operator, pivoting on tracks that carry it up and back to sit roughly horizontal inside the garage roofline. Because the panel moves as one rigid piece rather than folding, up-and-over mechanically the simplest common UK door, which is reflected in its lower price.
Manual vs electric
A manual up-and-over door is opened and closed by hand using a lock handle and typically costs £995 inc. VAT installed against the reference opening. The electric version, which needs retractable gear, typically costs £1,500. A manual-to-electric retrofit later, where the existing gear is suitable, typically costs £400–£650.
Springs — safety first
Both canopy and retractable gear hold significant stored energy in their springs to counterbalance the door's weight. Never attempt to adjust, remove, repair or re-tension an up-and-over door's springs yourself — a spring under tension that releases uncontrolled can cause serious injury. A spring pair replacement, done by an engineer with the correct winding bars, typically costs £150–£350 inc. VAT.
| Factor | Typical UK figure |
|---|---|
| Installed price, manual (single, reference opening) | £995 (£850–£1,900) |
| Installed price, electric (single, reference opening) | £1,500 (£1,500–£2,500) |
| Canopy gear max width | Approx. 2438mm |
| Retractable gear max width | Approx. 5m |
Questions people ask
- What is the difference between canopy and retractable up-and-over gear?
- Canopy gear mounts springs across the head of the frame, with part of the door projecting outward when open, and is limited to roughly 2438mm wide. Retractable gear mounts springs down both sides, retracts fully inside the garage, handles openings up to around 5m, and is required for double doors and reliable automation.
- Can a canopy gear door be converted to electric?
- Sometimes, but retractable gear is what UK manufacturers specify for electric operation, and many installers will not recommend or warrant automating a canopy-gear door. Have your existing gear assessed before assuming a straightforward £400–£650 retrofit is possible.
- How much does an up-and-over garage door cost in the UK?
- A manual steel up-and-over garage door typically costs £995 inc. VAT and fitting against the standard 2290mm × 2250mm UK reference opening, range £850–£1,900. The electric version, needing retractable gear, typically costs £1,500, range £1,500–£2,500.
- Is it safe to adjust up-and-over garage door springs myself?
- No. Up-and-over door springs, on both canopy and retractable gear, are under significant tension and can cause serious injury if released uncontrolled. Adjustment or replacement should only be done by a trained engineer with the correct winding bars — a spring pair replacement typically costs £150–£350 inc. VAT.
UK standards and regulations referenced
- BS EN 13241
- BS EN 12453:2017+A1:2021
Related
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