What happens when there is a power cut. Can these type of doors be opened from the outside in that case? I know that there is a manual override on some of them on the inside of the garage, but that is only of use if there is a separate entrance to the structure other than the main door itself.
I have one of each. The roller type can only be opened from the outside (with a handle inserted into a socket closed by a key cover). The up-and-over can only be opened from the inside by detaching the chain drive and manually lifting it up.
No door at all,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,yet. Reading up on the options. Present one is an up and over type and it is getting a bit heavy and with arthritis in my neck, reaching up to push it up is a bit painful.
I have got panelled electric garage doors and yes you have to get into it by the side door to be able to open the actual garage door. I regard this as additional security as i keep the power turned off when not in use (car is stored outside) so thieves would have a harder job to get in. I have to say if I was buying again, I would buy the shop shutter kind that are on a roller as the fittings that hold the doors when they are open do limit usable height in the garage