Speccing a garage door on a new build? Here’s what actually matters.
Garage doors get left to the end of the programme. We see it constantly. By the time someone calls us, the frame’s up, the ceiling’s been fixed, and there’s no headroom for tracks. What should have been a clean install becomes a workaround.
This is a straightforward guide to speccing the right garage door on a new build. Door types, materials, what needs to be in place before we arrive, and lead times. No filler.
Sectional or tilt: which one belongs on this job?
For most new builds across Auckland and Christchurch, it comes down to two options.
Sectional doors
Panels hinge together and run vertically on tracks into the ceiling. This is the default choice on residential new builds, and for good reason.
- No front swing clearance required. Good for tight sections or boundary-close driveways.
- Strong insulation options, particularly on attached garages.
- Works with most standard automation setups.
- Needs a minimum of 300mm headroom above the door opening for tracks.
Tilt doors
A single panel that pivots outward and up. Less common on new builds, but the right call in specific situations.
- Works where ceiling height rules out sectional tracks.
- Simpler mechanism, fewer moving parts.
- Requires 300–400mm of front swing clearance beyond the opening.
- Not the best fit for wide openings. The panel gets heavy, and automation gets complicated.
Material and finish: what to put in the spec
Steel is the standard on residential new builds. It holds its shape, takes a powder coat well, and handles the New Zealand climate without issue. For coastal builds in places like Whangaparāoa or Lyttelton, Colorsteel is worth including in the spec.
Timber-look composite panels are a solid option on higher-spec jobs where the client wants the look without the upkeep. They photograph well and hold up.
Aluminium slat suits contemporary builds where the garage door is a design feature, not an afterthought. More visible from the street, more presence.
What needs to be right before we arrive on site
Most install delays come back to the rough opening not being ready. Check these off before the frame is locked in:
- Opening width and height confirmed and square.
- Minimum 300mm headroom above the opening for sectional tracks, or a low-headroom alternative confirmed for tilt.
- At least 90mm side room on each side for track brackets (sectional).
- Power point roughed in at top centre of the garage for the motor.
- Lintel installed and signed off before our install date.
We work with builders regularly on new build programmes across both cities. If you’re in the framing stage, call us now and we’ll confirm rough opening dimensions before anything gets locked in. It’s easier to sort at that point than to fix it after.
Lead times: put us in the programme early
Every door we supply is made to custom size. Standard lead time is four to five weeks from order confirmation. That’s not a problem if we’re in the programme early. It is a problem if someone calls us the week before the client wants to move in.
Get in touch at tender stage. We’ll price it up for your quote, lock in the lead time, and make sure the install fits your build schedule. No runaround.
Book a free measure and quote
We supply and install garage doors across Auckland and Christchurch. If you’ve got a new build coming up, let us put a price together for your tender. Measure and quote is free.