Have you got big plans for a new wooden workshop? A wooden workshop can be a great addition to the garden, giving you a safe place to store tools, a dry spot to work on your hobbies, or a proper home for your mountain bikes.
Whether you’re thinking about buying a wooden workshop, or making one yourself, you’ve probably wondered about what door you should go for.
At Gillies & Mackay we’ve been making timber Sheds and Workshops since 1989. We still choose a timber door for our Sheds to this day, but for our Workshops we opt for uPVC. We love both options, but what works for your own workshop will depend on your priorities.
In this blog post I look at three types of workshop doors. This includes timber doors, uPVC doors, and roller doors, so that you can decide which one is right for you and your workshop.
Is timber the best door for a wooden workshop?
Timber is the most common choice for a workshop door as it’s cost effective and matches the wooden exterior.
How durable are timber doors?
The durability of timber doors varies depending on what timber the doors are made from and how they’ve been constructed. Redwood timber doors will be more stable and solid compared to whitewood timber doors. These will be more susceptible to movement.
The construction of the timber doors matters too. At G&M our timber doors are made with tongue and groove V’d Scandinavian redwood. The tongue and groove construction means the boards lock together creating a solid structure. The tongue and groove profile of the boards is also very effective at shedding water.
A key consideration with timber doors though, is that they’re not waterproof. Moisture can still get through the pores in the timber, and to the inside of your workshop. This means timber doors rely on frequent repainting with a water-based paint to protect them from moisture. We recommend Sadolin Superdec.
Too much moisture can make timber doors swell, warp and eventually rot. Because timber doors can be prone to movement, they’re more likely to need readjusting over their lifetime.
If you want a timber door to be durable choose one that’s made from a high-quality timber. Make sure to keep the door well-painted in a protective paint like Sadolin Superdec.
How long-lasting are timber doors?
The longevity of timber doors varies depending on the type of timber used and the way the doors have been constructed.
A high-quality redwood timber door can last up to 30 years, but regular maintenance, like repainting, is a must. A timber door that’s been poorly constructed out of lightweight whitewood will suffer from moisture ingress and timber movement. This will shorten its lifespan to around 5 – 10 years.
How insulating are timber doors?
Thickness and the type of timber are going to impact how insulating a timber door is. A good timber thickness for a standard timber door (not including the bracing) is between 16mm – 20mm.
Timber doors aren’t sealed around the edges the way that uPVC doors are. This can let in draughts through small gaps around the door. When a timber door is warped this can also create gaps in the timber, reducing its thermal performance.
If you want a timber door to be insulating, choose one with a decent thickness that’s constructed with minimal gaps around the outside. If thermal performance is a key priority for your workshop, a uPVC door is a better choice than timber.
How secure are timber doors?
The security of a timber door really depends on the type of lock it has. Most timber doors for workshops have a pretty basic locking mechanism. Upgrading the lock to a multi-lever lock or adding a heavy-duty padlock will help increase the security of your workshop.
If a timber door has a single-glazed window in it, this is at risk of being tampered with. Similarly, if the door is flimsy or has weakened over time because of rot or moisture, it could be vulnerable to being forced open.
If you are choosing a timber door for your workshop make sure that it has good-quality hinges and hardware, as well as double-glazing on any windows, to increase security.
A five-lever lock is standard for home-insurance providers to require to insure your building. If security is a priority, upgrading your workshop door to a five-lever lock is a smart idea where possible.
How aesthetic are timber doors?
Timber doors can be painted in your choice of finishes. This gives you plenty of room for personalisation compared to uPVC or roller doors which come in standard colour ways.
Timber doors are also going to be the most cohesive option for a wooden workshop. This makes them feel like an obvious choice. Choosing timber doors for your workshop will give it a traditional, rustic look.
How much do timber doors cost?
Timber doors are probably the most budget-friendly option on this list. The majority of wooden workshops come with timber doors as standard. This means you don’t have to pay any extra for upgrades.
The cost of a timber door will depend on the construction, type of timber, size, and whether they come with any glazing. However, as a rough idea, our single timber doors cost £258, and double doors cost £410. These prices are for timber doors that are fully installed on our Sheds. Supply only doors will be less expensive.
Should I choose a timber door for my workshop?
A timber door is ideal if you want to maintain the traditional timber aesthetic for your workshop. Choosing a timber door is a great affordable option. But, if you’re looking for durability make sure to go for high-quality timber like redwood. If longevity is a priority keep in mind that a timber door needs to be regularly repainted.
Is uPVC the best door for a workshop?
uPVC is a common upgrade for workshop doors. At G&M, our Workshops come with a uPVC door as standard.
How durable is a uPVC door?
Unlike timber, uPVC doors aren’t susceptible to moisture. This means they won’t rot, rust or corrode. uPVC doors also handle rain and UV exposure well — perfect for Scotland!
uPVC doors might need to be readjusted in extreme temperature changes because they can move slightly, becoming out of square, which might mean the door sticks.
If you want a durable workshop door uPVC is a good choice because it won’t break down over time and is very weather resistant.
How long-lasting is a uPVC door?
A high-quality uPVC door can last between 25-35 years and will likely come with a manufacturer’s guarantee for some of the time. At G&M, we choose uPVC for its longevity. Our Workshops come with a 30-year guarantee, so we need a workshop door that lives up to this.
Poorer-quality uPVC doors can lack UV protection, causing them to last only 10-15 years.
A benefit of uPVC doors is that they don’t rely on regular maintenance to meet their expected lifespan. You don’t need to paint or stain a uPVC door, instead the protection is built into the material. This makes uPVC an ideal choice if you’re looking for a door that will last without needing much attention.
How insulating are uPVC doors?
uPVC doors tend to have good thermal performance because they’re sealed around the edges. They need to be installed properly to achieve this though.
uPVC doors are one solid material, rather than timber that’s been crafted together, or roller doors which slot together, meaning they’re less susceptible to gaps and letting in draughts.
If you’re adding a heater to your workshop, a uPVC door will allow you to efficiently heat your space.
How secure are uPVC doors?
uPVC doors tend to come with a sophisticated locking system built-in rather than needing to add one, like timber doors. The uPVC doors that we use at G&M come with a 5-Lever lock which is home insurance-compliant. This type of lock is difficult to damage or tamper with so is a good choice if you’re storing valuables in your workshop.
uPVC doors are also difficult to damage or force open themselves because of their weight and solidity.
How aesthetically pleasing are uPVC doors?
uPVC doors come in a lot of different styles and colour ways, however they give your workshop a more modern and polished look. The uPVC doors that we use at G&M are fully clad in a timber-like finish, designed to be as cohesive as possible with our wooden builds.
uPVC also gives you the option for double-glazing whether you choose a half window or fully glazed door, you can customise your door to fit the function of your workshop.
The factory-finished look of a uPVC door might not suit everyone’s taste or vision for their workshop, in which case a timber door might be more fitting.
How much do uPVC doors cost?
uPVC doors tend to cost more than timber doors, but less than roller doors. Our uPVC doors are £950 for a single door and £1,850 for a double door on their own, however our Workshops come with a single uPVC door incorporated into the price.
uPVC doors for supply only will be cheaper at around £300 – £700, and can cost around £700 – £1000 fully fitted. However, uPVC doors that are fully or half glazed will be more expensive than fully clad options.
Should I choose a uPVC door for my workshop?
A uPVC door is a good choice for your workshop if your priorities are durability, longevity and thermal performance. uPVC gives you longevity without needing much maintenance at all, so it’s a smart idea if you don’t want to give your workshop door too much attention. For the most secure uPVC door choose one that has a 5-Lever lock.
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Is a roller the best door for a workshop?
Adding a roller door to your workshop is a good option if you need the accessibility or want to easily transport vehicles in and out of the space (like a mini Garage).
How durable is a roller door?
The durability of a roller door mainly depends on the material it’s made out of. The roller doors that we use for our Garages are made by SeceuroGlide and are aluminium. Aluminium is ideal because it’s lightweight whilst being protected from rust and corrosion, so works well with a roller design.
Aluminium holds up well in outdoor conditions and the SeceuroGlide roller door in particular features a rubber seal on the bottom slat which blocks rain and draughts. This bottom seal is important for weatherproofing and is something to look for if durability is a priority for you.
Roller doors are generally waterproof, but some designs can develop gaps between the slats over time, where water can get in. The SeceuroGlide roller door has a double-walled design which means the slats have foam in the middle. These slats seal tighter together compared to single-skin slats which are more likely to let water in.
Roller doors are also commonly made out of steel which is a more budget-friendly choice. Steel is strong but also heavy and can be at risk of rusting if its protective coating is compromised so there are trade-offs for the lower price point.
How long-lasting is a roller door?
A high-quality roller door can last up to 30 years, however cheaper roller doors made from plastic will only last around 5-7 years.
Roller doors often come with manufacturer’s guarantees, but be aware that there are sometimes different lengths of guarantee for each component of the door. SeceuroGlide has a 5-year warranty on their standard roller doors.
Roller doors have different maintenance needs, often needing to be lubricated along the tracks, rollers and hinges, however some roller doors like SeceuroGlide are designed to be lubrication-free.
How insulating are roller doors?
Roller doors with a double-walled design tend to be more insulating than those with a single-skin structure. Double-walled roller doors often have foam inside the slats which increases the thermal performance of the door.
A solid roller door made of just aluminium or steel won’t be as insulating. Roller doors are limited in their insulating abilities because of their design. Because roller doors are made of lots of little slats that join together, rather than one solid material, they are vulnerable to draughts, which reduces their thermal performance.
If insulation is a priority for your workshop, choose a double-walled roller door or go for a uPVC door instead which outperforms the roller door in terms of insulation.
How secure are roller doors?
Roller doors lock along the full width of the door rather than at one or two points, making them secure and difficult to tamper with.
If you’re looking for a roller door that offers good security look for the Secured By Design accreditation. This is a police-backed accreditation which is given to products that are manufactured to meet specific security standards.
How much access do roller doors give you?
Lots of people choose a roller door because they give you wide access to your building. Roller doors are rolled up and stored in the roof, giving you plenty of space to easily move things in and out.
Roller doors also don’t need any clearance in front or behind the door, giving you more flexibility for where you put your workshop in your garden, and how much you store inside it.
Access is one of the reasons that you might want to choose a roller door over a timber or uPVC door. Timber and uPVC doors will either open inwards or outwards, taking up space around or inside your workshop. They can also be limited on how wide they open, which is where a roller door wins.
How aesthetic are roller doors?
Roller doors usually come in standard finishes and colours like uPVC. A roller door will likely be chosen for its security and accessibility rather than its look, but choosing a colour that matches your workshop walls or windows and doors of your house can help it blend into the surroundings.
A roller door can look more industrial compared to uPVC or timber, so will be more suited to anyone who wants a professional looking workshop rather than a warm, traditional look.
How much do roller doors cost?
Roller doors are the most expensive option on this list. A roller door that’s double-walled and insulated will be more expensive than one that’s made of one single material.
A basic roller door can cost around £900 – £1,200, but more premium, insulated options will cost around £2,000 – £3,000.
For example: At G&M our Garages have the option for a SeceuroGlide roller door which starts at £2,600 for a 2.4m wide door.
Should I choose a roller door for my workshop?
If you’re choosing a roller door for your workshop opt for one that’s double-walled and insulated for the best performance. A roller door is likely the best choice for your workshop if your priorities are security and accessibility.
If you’re storing things like bikes or large machinery or are going to be opening and closing the door often, a roller door is the most suitable.
What’s the best door for a wooden workshop?
There we go: now you have a good idea of the pros and cons of timber, uPVC, and roller doors. The type of workshop door that you choose should fit your budget, function and priorities.
- A timber door is ideal if you want an affordable option that’s also long-lasting (as long as you don’t mind getting your painting gear on every couple of years).
- A uPVC door is best if you want durability, longevity and thermal performance, but don’t mind paying a bit more.
- A roller door is the one for you if your priorities are accessibility and security, but go for one that’s double-walled and insulated for the best performance.
If a uPVC door sounds like the workshop door for you, check out our Workshop specifications here.
