Choosing the right garage door starts with a free measure

Garage openings vary more than most people expect, even between houses on the same street. A size chart can't account for how a home has been built and changed over time.

Older homes are a good example. Framing can settle and shift over the years, so an opening that was once square may now be slightly out. A standard-size door may not sit or seal properly in it.

Past renovations change things too. A previous owner may have widened the opening, lowered the ceiling, or turned part of the garage into living space. A good seal between the bottom of the door and the garage floor helps reduce draughts, rainwater ingress and pest entry.

Some garages have wider openings to fit a boat, trailer or extra storage. Many commercial properties are the same, with openings built around vehicles and equipment.

Windsor Doors’ range isn't built around one standard size. We make each door in New Zealand to fit different opening size needs, and that starts with an accurate measure.

You can book your free measure and quote in four ways:

• Online: Fill in the enquiry form on our website, and we'll contact you to arrange a time.
• By phone: Call the team to talk through your project and book a time.
• In person: Visit our Hamilton showroom to see our doors, finishes and features.
• Virtually: Browse the range in our virtual showroom from anywhere in New Zealand.

If you haven't settled on a style yet, try our Garage Door Visualiser. You can explore door styles and colours, then save your design or send it straight to Windsor Doors to arrange a no-obligation free measure and quote. Your consultant will then know the look you want before they arrive.

A Windsor Doors consultant does the measure, so you don't need to measure anything yourself.

During the measure, your consultant checks:

• the opening, the ceiling height and the headroom above the opening
• the side room on either side of the opening
• the fixings and the framing material, whether that's steel, timber, concrete or something else
• anything that might impede the door's rails or tracks, such as attic stairs, manholes, fuse boards and cupboard openings
• The condition of your existing door, if you're replacing one

Each of these affects which doors will fit and how they'll run. A manhole or attic stairs in the ceiling can limit where a door's tracks can go. The framing material decides how the door is fixed in place.

You can also ask questions during the measure. Your consultant can talk you through the options that suit what they've seen in your garage.

Your measurements decide which doors are realistic options. Once your consultant knows how much space you have, they can narrow our range to the doors that will work in your garage.

The first choice is usually between Sectional Garage Doors and Roller Doors. Sectional Garage Doors are made of horizontal panels that lift up and back along tracks into the ceiling. They need enough headroom and a clear path for the tracks, which is why your consultant checks the ceiling. Fingersafe safety design comes standard on our Colorsteel® Sectional Garage Doors.

Roller Doors roll up into a drum above the opening, leaving the ceiling area available for storage or lighting. Your consultant will check that there is enough headroom for the roll and clearance for the door to operate. We make Roller Doors in steel and aluminium.

Then there's the look. Your garage door takes up much of the front of your home, so its profile and colour have a big effect on kerb appeal. Our Colorsteel® doors come in a wide range of colours to match your home. If you like the look of timber, Timbertec Steel Garage Doors give you a timber-look finish on a steel door. They're sectional doors with a woodgrain surface and a steel core, so you get the look of timber with less upkeep.

Insulation is worth considering if your garage is attached to your house, or if you use it as a workshop, home gym or hobby space. Mammoth® Insulation can be fitted to our Sectional Garage Doors. It helps keep the temperature steady and cuts noise coming in and out of the garage. Your consultant can explain the R-value of each insulated option, which measures how well the door resists heat flow.

Automation is worth raising at your measure, because your consultant can check how an opener will fit in your garage. We offer automatic openers across three motor ranges, so you can pick one that suits how often you use your door. And with an automatic door, you can open it without leaving your car, which helps when it's raining or dark.

There's nothing technical to prepare. But a bit of thought about your garage helps your consultant recommend the right door.

Start with how you use the space. Is it just for parking, or is it also a workshop, gym, laundry, or storage area? If you spend time in there, insulation is often worth it. If you store things overhead, you may want to keep the ceiling clear.

Think about the look, too. Your garage door is one of the biggest features on the front of your house, so decide whether you want it to blend in with your colour scheme or stand out. If you're still weighing up styles and materials, our guide to choosing the best garage door for your home walks through the main options. A saved design from the Garage Door Visualiser is an easy way to show your consultant what you like.

It also helps to know which features matter most to you, such as insulation, automation or a particular finish. And tell us about any deadlines, like a new build handover, a renovation schedule or a property sale, so we can plan around them.

Your quote is based on your consultant's measurements, so it covers the door that will be made for your opening, not a guess from a size chart.

It sets out your chosen door, finish, insulation, and automation options, plus installation by the Windsor Doors team. We also offer a fixed price guarantee, which means the price in your contract is locked in and won't change.

The quote is free, and you're under no obligation to go ahead. It shows you exactly what you're getting before you decide.

Lead times depend on the door you choose. We confirm them once your door's specification is set, because your door type, finish, insulation, and automation all affect when it's ready to install.

If you have a deadline, tell us when you book your measure. The earlier we know, the easier it is to plan your order and installation around it.

Every home and every garage opening is different, so choosing the right garage door starts with an accurate measure. Our free on-site measure helps make sure your new door is made to fit your garage, rather than relying on standard sizes.

We understand that upgrading your garage door is a big decision, and you may not be ready to commit just yet. That's why Windsor Doors offers a free, no-obligation measure and quote. You can explore your options, understand what's required, and get a clearer idea of the costs without any upfront expense or pressure to proceed.

Visit our Hamilton showroom to see our doors in person, or explore our virtual showroom from anywhere in New Zealand. When you're ready, book your free measure and quote with Windsor Doors and take the first step towards finding the right garage door for your home.

Is the measure really free and no-obligation?

Yes. The measure and quote are both free, and you don't have to go ahead.

Can I design my door with the visualiser first?

You can. The Garage Door Visualiser lets you try different styles and colours before your measure. Save your design for later, or send it straight to Windsor Doors to book your free measure and quote. Your consultant will use it as a starting point and confirm which options work in your space.

Can Windsor Doors fit a door to an older or unusually shaped opening?

In most cases, yes. Because we make each door to fit its opening, we're not limited to standard sizes. Your consultant measures the opening as it is, including any shifted framing or past changes, and your door is specified to suit.

Can I change my design after the measure?

Yes, up until your door is specified. Your consultant may also suggest changes based on your space.