This type of sliding doors has two separate doors that are attached to the same garage door track, and that split in the middle and open outwards. They slide to opposite sides to open, and then close by meeting in the middle. You can generally control each door separately with a remote control opener.

Single Sliding Doors

In this format, your two door leaves are joined together as one, so they move together and in the same direction. The one unit then slides in one direction to open. An automatic remote is also possible for this type.

Bypassing Doors

If you instead want to install two separate tracks, you can achieve by passing doors. The tracks can be attached to door jamb or to the outside of the building, and each of the two leaves will slide on a different track towards each other.

Therefore when you slide open one side, it will be overlapping the other. The innermost door can usually be operated by a remote control.

Bi-folding Doors

Although this option would not be convenient for most people according to how they use their garage, if, for example, your garage is mostly a storage area and you don't need an automatic opening option, you could choose this style. Your door panels will be hinged in the middle to open outward, accordion style. You can even custom design it to have a 2, 3 or 4 leaf option.

Materials to Buy

If you are looking to install your own sliding door, or if you want to buy the materials to have someone else do any garage doors installation, you will need to factor in all the equipment you need. First and foremost you will need the garage door track which will be attached above the garage door opening for the doors to slide on.

Remember, if you are choosing bypassing doors, you will need two tracks. You will then need track brackets to attach the track to, and a rolling trolley to hold the doors' weight. A center stop bracket is essential for a bi-parting style, since it will stop the doors in the middle, and a stop is required at the end to stop the doors from coming off the track.

You will then need stay rollers, a door handle and a guide strip which is a metal strip that will alleviate wear and tear from the stay rollers. Finally, look into getting a remote control garage door opener for your convenience.

Luckily, when you are buying the pieces to install your own sliding garage doors, most companies have created kits that you can buy with everything included so you don't run the risk of forgetting anything.