Pedestrian access garage door

A separate pedestrian access door within a garage door makes getting into and out of a garage much easier. It saves the need to open or retract the entire door and it is ideal if the garage doubles as a storage area, is used when accessing garden equipment, or if the garage has a connecting wall with an internal door to the house.

Pedestrian access garage doors come in two different forms, but they are only suitable for certain styles of garage door.

1/3 to 2/3 split garage door with pedestrian access

A 1/3 to 2/3 split door sees the smaller section door used as a pedestrian access door that can be opened independently of the larger 2/3 area door. This style of garage door is only suitable for side hinged garage doors, but it is highly practical.

Both the 2/3 and 1/3 doors should open outwards.

In the case of "oversized" doors and double sized garage doors (which are unusual as side openers), the ratio of the pedestrian door will obviously be smaller.

Split doors are available in a range of materials including natural wood and they are amongst the most attractive of door styles.

Wicket garage door (pedestrian access)

The second style of pedestrian access garage door is the wicket door. A wicket door is a separate door that is formed or cut integrally into the main garage door and it opens as an independently hinged door.

Wicket doors are only suitable for certain styles of garage door, i.e. where the main garage door takes the form of either, an up-and-over garage door, or a sliding garage door.

In the case of an up-and-over door, the wicket door will be cut into the main door structure, whilst in the case of a sliding garage door, the wicket door will be formed from one of the vertical panels (sections) of the garage door’s construction. In this context, the addition of door hinges enable the wicket door to open as well as to bend (during transition only).

The position of the wicket door within the overall garage door normally has two options. The wicket door can be located at one side of the garage door, or centrally in the middle of the garage door.

Wicket doors should always open outwards to prevent them catching on an internal obstacle, usually a vehicle within the garage.

Wicket style garage doors can be made from a variety of materials and none wooden wicket doors can be formed using insulated construction.

It is not possible to have a wicket door in a vertical roller or sectional garage door.

The alternative to a wicket or disproportionately split garage door is a conventional Side hinged garage door with doors of an equal width.