For nearly 25 years many houses in Perth were built with a simple open carport, supported on each side by brick pillars, steel posts, wooden posts or a combination of structures. Some of these properties have had Tilt Doors, Roller Doors or Colorbond Sectional Doors retrofitted to these carports after the properties were built.

When considering what type of sectional garage door will look best on your carport, there are a number of considerations you must take into account.

As a rule, most carports require additional structure to support the installation of a sectional garage door. Customers will hear the terms ‘Door Jambs’ and ‘Pelmets’ a lot when receiving advice about the installation of a sectional door on a carport. These structural items are necessary in almost every carport configuration.

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A ‘Door Jamb’ is the description given to the side post/structure used to line the sides of the door opening. This structure is used to support the vertical track system of the sectional door. It can be made out of a number of materials including steel or wood. Most sectional doors require between 125mm and 150mm of side room on each side. Door jambs are most used when there is inadequate side room to mount the vertical tracks and track assembly.

A Pelmet or Headboard refers to the formwork which is retrospectively placed above the door opening. This structure is used to conceal the gap between the top of the sectional door and the bottom of the opening (lintel or roof). Most sectional garage doors require a minimum 250mm of headroom to operate effectively.

Understanding the additional structural requirements of the standard carport design is important when deciding what type of sectional garage door design will best suit the carport. Not only will the door need to fit aesthetically with the house, but it will also need to be complemented by the colour and style of any door jambs and pelmets which surround it. A common enquiry we receive, are from strata complexes and retirement village living. If you live in a rear strata house behind house style home or a communal retirement village it is always best to check if there is a management statement. This is a set of rules that govern what you can or cannot do to your home. Your management statement should be attached to your property purchase documents.