Garage doors aren’t often thought of as statement piece of a home. People often install them for function alone, not realising that they can be stylish too. Sydney Home Design + Living’s Chloe Jaenicke speaks with RAC Garage Doors co-founders, Kal Collins and Isaac Russell about how custom aluminium batten doors can blend function and style to create the perfect garage door for your home.
Being friends since they were 12, Collins and Russell took their friendship and turned it into the foundation of the business. The pair credits their lifelong friendship as one of the company’s greatest strengths.
“There’s a level of trust, honesty and respect that allows us to challenge each other, make decisions confidently and always have each other’s back,” they said. “It’s the foundation that has helped us grow from a garage door company into a recognised architectural façade business.”
Collins and Russell pride themselves in create bespoke custom products they’re “genuinely proud” of and changing the people’s perceptions of what a garage door can be. Being one of the biggest elements of a home’s street presence, the pair “see garage doors as architecture, not just access.”
“A well-designed garage door adds character, elevates curb appeal and can genuinely increase the perceived value of a home,” they said. “It should be one of the hero features of the exterior, not something homeowners try to hide.”
This is part of the reason why they decided to specialise in aluminium batten doors. “Clients loved the clean architectural look, and we loved the versatility of the material,” Collins and Russell said. “The finished product speaks for itself – it’s modern, durable and completely transforms the appearance of a home.”
UNIQUE GARAGE DOORS
Available in a range of sizes and finishes, Collins and Russell said aluminium battens are “powder coated aluminium profiles” that have the ability to reproduce the “timber-look colours [replicating] the grain and warmth of natural hardwood”, without the maintenance.
“Unlike real timber, aluminium won’t twist, bow or split over time, it’s significantly lighter than many hardwoods, and it performs exceptionally well in Australia’s coastal environments,” they said.
Collins and Russell believe these kinds of doors work best with modern coastal and contemporary homes often seen throughout Illawarra, South Coast, Sydney and Canberra.
The popularity of these doors has only grown as homeowners seek something more unique compared to a standard garage door.
“The garage is often the largest feature on the front façade, so it has an enormous influence on a home’s overall appearance,” they said. “Our custom aluminium batten doors allow clients to create a seamless, high-end finish that’s tailored specifically to their home, while also delivering long-term durability and performance.”
BRANCHING OUT
While the company specialises in aluminium garage doors, as word got round about their services, Collins and Russell realised there was space to offer more to their clients. “It grew very organically,” they said.
“A client asked if we could match their new garage door with a front door and gate, and that project eventually grew to include the fencing as well.” With strong demand for façade solutions the pair began creating exteriors where the garage doors fit smoothly into the home’s exterior.
“Today, we’re able to design an entire frontage that flows together – from the garage door and pivot entry door through to gates, fencing and architectural screening – creating a cohesive and premium result,” they said.
A PERSONAL APPROACH
Built on a foundation of friendship, Collins and Russell believe in taking a straightforward and personal approach to installing garage doors.
“Our typical turnaround is around four to six weeks for aluminium batten doors, and our team manages the installation from start to finish to ensure a seamless result,” they said.
Beginning each project with the home itself, the RAC Garage Doors team works closely with the homeowner, builder or architect to understand every aspect of the home. Through collaboration and practise, the team has perfected how they build their garage doors.
“Each door is manufactured to the exact opening, starting with custom-welded aluminium frames that are powder-coated for durability. We then clad the frames with a composite backing before individually installing the aluminium battens in the chosen profile and spacing,” Collins and Russell said.
“Once assembled, the panels are precision cut, weighed and matched with the appropriate springs and hardware to ensure smooth operation. Every door is then carefully wrapped and delivered to site, where our installation team completes the final fit with colour matched tracks and hardware for a truly integrated finish.”
This streamlined approach has led to many projects that the team is proud of. A standout project for Collins and Russel is a coastal home where the team created a matching façade, including an aluminium batten garage door, pivot front door, feature screening and front gate in the same finish. The final result was a home where the garage door fit seamlessly into the homes exterior.
“Seeing every element work together created a striking yet timeless street presence,” they said.
“We’re particularly proud of that project because it perfectly represents what RAC is about – combining practical products with thoughtful architectural design to completely transform the front of a home.”
Images courtesy of RAC Garage Doors