Cooks Blinds & Shutters Years Service

How to Decide to Keep or Convert Your Double Garage

05/01/2018
Garage Doors

The joy of having a double garage can wear thin if you struggle with that annoying central column as you park your car each day. Traditional up-and-over single garage doors can be a tight squeeze for modern cars, and the brick pillar is often in the blind spot making it hard to reverse in or out. Fortunately, there are options available to solve the problem of scraped paint on the bodywork of your car. 

Removing the Central Pillar

In most cases, it is possible to remove the central pillar and replace the two single doors with one double door. The column is usually load bearing, so to retain the structural integrity a reinforced steel joist (RSJ) will need to be installed. A builder or structural engineer undertakes the fitting of steel beams and any construction work, complying with building regulations. We can then fit your choice of double width garage door, with many styles, models and automation options available. 

Double Width Garage Door

Keeping the Central Pillar

If all you need to make parking a dream is a couple of extra inches on each side, there’s a far simpler option available to you. Rather than rebuilding the front of the garage, we can replace the doors with sectional garage doors which don’t require a front facing frame and give you valuable extra space. Sectional garage doors are more secure and provide more insulation than traditional door types and are available in a range of styles, finishes and can be fully automated.

Two Sectional Garage Doors


We have a huge range of automatic and manual garage doors to suit all styles and homes. Visit our showroom for expert advice from our highly experienced team who can help you make the right choice. 

For more information on our ranges visit our garage doors page or contact us on sales@cooksblinds.co.uk or call 01603 410304.