How to Choose a Garage Door

You want to make a good decision about your garage door but you may not be certain how to do so. We are here to help you make the right decision about the garage door that you’ll have installed. Since you have to see this door every day, great care and consideration should be given to the type of door to have installed. If you want to make sure that your home has curb appeal, it will be important that you take your time to make sure you’re going to receive the right door for your home. There are many factors to consider, such as environment, use, and cost. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a new door because the one you have is old and dated or if you simply want to replace door to give your home more appeal. Regardless of the type of garage door, you have installed, it should meet the needs of your household.

The Types of Doors

The construction of your door or the type of door that you choose to have installed is likely going to be based on the type of weather you experience in the area you live, the cost of the door and how frequently the door will be used.

Types of Garage Doors

• Fiberglass

This is one of the most popular types of garage doors because of their ability to hold up against the worst weather. Since the climate will vary based on where a person lives, it helps to have a door that is flexible enough to withstand most weather, no matter how bad it is.

• Wood

This type of door is often chosen because of its design aesthetics. Due to the beautiful appearance of most wood doors, you’ll be expected to pay more. Those homeowners who choose to have this type of garage door installed are willing to spend the money to have a door as attractive as a wood door.

• Metal

You will often find this type of door, along with aluminum and steel doors in regions where there are very high winds. This is because they are not easy to damage due to bad weather. They generally will last longer than any other type of garage door and are offered in different colors to suit your taste preference.

• Size

When deciding on which type of door to have installed, you’ll have to measure the area. Measure the width, height and thickness needed. When you have the measurements, bring them with you so that we can make sure we are able to provide you with the right door.

• Style

The style that you choose is based on your personal preferences. There are often four main types of panel designs that are offered:

1. Flush panels – They lay flat against the door and are textured slightly. The design is subtle enough to add interest but not take away from the appearance of the actual door.
2. Carriage panels – They add interest to raised panels found often on traditional garage doors.
3. Short Raised panels – We install this feature on Victorian-style houses since they add depth. They have very keen trim, which improves the overall look of the style of the home.
4. Long Raised panels – They also offer depth to the door, improving the appearance of the home that the garage is attached to.

Most Common and Affordable Garage Door

It is the steel garage door that is used most often because of its durability, styles, and cost. This type of door can even be painted to suit the needs of the homeowner. The steel door is constructed in three distinct ways:

1. Single-layer doors use a single sheet of galvanized steel to design. This one is the most economical of all three.
2. Double-layer doors are made with a single sheet of galvanized steel on the exterior and a layer of polyurethane to support it. The layer offers soundproofing and insulation benefits.
3. Triple-layer doors are designed the same way that the double-layer door are but with another layer of galvanized backing to protect the polyurethane. This makes it the most durable of all three types of doors.

If you’re interested in investing in a new garage door or simply having some improvements made to your existing garage door, you should know what you can add to the door to give it more curb appeal. You can change the entire appearance of your garage door with these added features.

• Hardware

Hardware can consist of knobs, panels, and windows added onto the front of the garage door to change its appearance. You can even have certain types of garage doors painted.

Many of the garage doors that you will choose today offer the ability to add home automation to them. This makes it easier for you to get the most from your newly installed garage door. The automation offered today enables you to open and close your garage door with the touch of a button. You can even monitor your garage remotely with new home automation systems offered today. Based on the type of home automation system you have, you can even be notified when your garage door is not completely closed.  This enables you to protect your belongings by closing it remotely.

Garage Door Service and Installation

It is up to each individual homeowner to do their research before they have their garage door installed or new features added to their existing door. This will certainly save you a lot of time and frustration in planning ahead. No matter what type of garage door you choose to have installed, the most important thing you can do is choose the right garage door service to install it for you. If you do not, you could likely end up with a garage door that doesn’t do the job it is supposed to do. This can be avoided by relying on the reputable services of Complete Garage Door Repair in East Point, Georgia.

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GARAGE DOOR ISSUES IN COLD WEATHER

Our East Point, GA winters get pretty cold sometimes! It can be hard enough having garage door problems in temperate weather, but during cold season; it can be a nightmare! Imagine trying to leave for an important sales meeting or to pick up your child from school. You jump in the car and hit the garage door remote button…and nothing happens. You try again; same result. Now, you are frustrated! You get out of the car and walk over to the wall mounted garage door switch and hit that button; same result. When this happens; don’t panic. Be glad that you read this post by Complete Garage Door Repair; simply follow our advice for a fast return to normal garage door use!

Don’t panic

Easy to say; we know, but hard to actually do. It always seems like cold garage door issues happen at the worst times! If you HAVE to be somewhere, how can you NOT panic? Actually, getting stressed out always makes things worse. It might be a cold garage door that is acting up or it might be a snapped extension spring. The “culprit” doesn’t really matter; what does, is that you keep a clear head so that you are able to get your errands done AND your garage door open and closed again.

First of all…

If you are experiencing cold garage door problems, there is one thing you should do first; check your remote’s battery. While most everyone knows that a drained battery can affect the performance of whatever it is that it usually powers, a cold battery can also do the same. Sometimes all it takes is for the remote battery to warm up in order for it to work. If you have a battery tester at home, be sure to check it to see if it’s still good. If you don’t have a tester, try any local East Point, GA Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, Best Buy or Lowe’s and they will gladly test it for you free of charge or obligation.

Photo electric safety eyes

This is another easily fixed but very common garage door problem. Your safety eyes send a beam to each other that when not interrupted, allows your garage door to open or close. If the device gets unplugged or if the safety eyes are not aligned properly, the garage door will not open. Check your system to ensure that there are no frayed wires or loose hinges that might cause a problem. This beam is what stops the garage door from closing when the cat runs underneath. It is designed for safety but once in a while, something will get in the way and block the signal. This could be a fallen rake or a maybe a bicycle that is parked too closely. What you want is an uninterrupted beam so look out for that.

Here’s an easy way to check for sensor problems. If you find that your remote not working when it’s cold outside, try holding down the wall switch inside the garage. This overrides the safety component and shows that it is indeed your safety eyes.  They most likely need realignment. Cold weather (and sometimes hot) here in the greater Atlanta metro area sometimes cause the metal casings of the sensors to expand or contract and this slight change can often throw of the beam just enough to make your East Point, GA garage door stop working.

Are your tracks clean?

One culprit could stop your cold garage door from working is your set of tracks. If there’s grease, grime or oil in your garage door tracks, the colder weather can make them harden and this action alone can interfere with your garage door’s performance. The garage door needs to move smoothly within the tracks and this nasty build-up can put a stop to that. Inspect your tracks and if you see any grimy build-up, simply clean it out with an old toothbrush. No need to lubricate your tracks; just clean them.

Cold garage door springs

The frigid weather here in East Point, GA can often make your garage door’s rollers and springs perform poorly. These two components normally have long life cycles but repeated cold weather spells can shorten this and cause them to wear out sooner. When your garage door is in the down position, disconnect it from the opener by pulling on the red cord. Now, attempt to open your garage door manually. Note how it opens. Was it smooth and relatively easy to open or was it choppy and difficult to lift? A damaged or broken spring is usually responsible when it’s difficult to open.

Please DON’T attempt spring repair on your own. It’s dangerous and requires expertise that you most likely don’t have. If your rollers or springs need service, call a local garage door professional for safe and reliable repair service that when done right, will last for many years to come. One service you CAN do on your own is lubrication of your garage door parts. Colder weather can often make your tracks and springs freeze up and work erratically. Using a silicone based lubricant on your rollers, tracks, hinges, and springs can often clear up the problem. It’s best to avoid WD-40 as this is a degreaser and not an actual lubricant. Try using a lithium spray or a silicon-based lubricant instead.

Still not working?

If these tips don’t help, it’s time to call in the pros. You are always welcome to call our local Complete Garage Door Repair shop and we’ll be happy to help. Or, choose your favorite East Point, GA garage door repair firm and get your garage door working again, no matter how cold it is outside. If you work with the right company, you make the most use of your time and assets. This is because you will be working with an affordable, highly professional local shop that offers on-site service at your convenience backed by years of experience, training and skill.

Aricle source here: GARAGE DOOR ISSUES IN COLD WEATHER

CAN’T GET YOUR GARAGE DOOR CLOSED OR OPEN? HERE’S WHAT TO DO!

If your garage door ever goes on the fritz, there are numerous reasons you could be having problems. Some are straightforward, and some are complex. Here are the most common possibilities and solutions.

Easy Issues

If your garage door won’t close, the photo eye sensors might be out of alignment. Your garage door has a photo eye on each side, and between them is an invisible beam, which when broken, for safety reasons keeps the door from closing. Look to see if they are misaligned or grimy. Depending on which brand and style of sensor you have, if the light is blinking, there’s something wrong. Or, you may have sensors with red and green lights, in which case the red one usually means it’s not working right.

Another problem with the sensors not functioning can be the wiring. Check the connections from the sensors to make sure the wires aren’t coming loose or hindered by corrosion. Another possibility is that there’s a short in the wiring somewhere, which can sometimes be caused by a staple used during installation; vibrations over the years can eventually trigger a disconnect. The wires can also become stretched, resulting in a disconnection.

Does your garage door opener run a few seconds, but then turn off? If your garage door still doesn’t budge, this can occur when the door’s shut and the motor tries but fails to lift the door. Try this:

1  Look at the springs.

2  Check the track for any obstacles.

3   Find out if your garage door has a built-in lock that’s engaging by mistake. This typically happens with older garage doors.

Does your garage door open and close at random? If your garage door opens or shuts by itself, even while you’re away, that’s a safety risk. But no worries. Here’s what you can try:

1  Make sure the transmitters aren’t stuck under an object that’s inadvertently pushing down on the control mechanism. For example, the transmitters may be under some items you’ve forgotten in your car, or somewhere else nearby.

2  Test the transmitters’ frequency. A neighbor may have your same exact frequency.

Your transmitter batteries could be low. Maybe you just have to replace them, and your door will open.

Does your garage door opener run, yet the garage door still doesn’t move? In case of power failure, your garage door opener comes with a disconnect switch that allows you to open or shut the garage door manually. This switch, generally attached to a rope or knob, can inadvertently get unhooked. What you can do:

1  Close or open the door manually all the way.

2  Securely reattach the hook.

3  Now using the transmitter, you can try opening or shutting the garage door again. It should work fine this time.

Does your door go down all the way, but then open again? Probably the open-and-close limit settings of the garage door opener are malfunctioning. The settings tell the garage door opener how far the door should move before it’s closed. If set too high, the door will touch the ground before the opener estimates it should, assuming the door’s hitting something in its path. If so, it will reverse to keep from crushing it. Read your operator’s manual to see how to set the open-and-close limits.

Complicated Issues

Does the garage door not go up at all? It’s likely your garage door spring needs attention. Your garage door might have one or two torsion springs, and one or both could be broken. The door will fail, or not even open. Professional attention is needed.

Does your garage door shut only part way, then open again? A garage door has a reversing mechanism to prevent it from crushing any object in its path. The reversing instruction can be triggered by any objects on the ground blocking the door’s path ~ such as a trash can, box, or bicycle. There could also be a buildup of debris on tracks ~ grime, gum, any small object, and so on ~ preventing the rollers from moving forward. This requires a professional.

Your garage door track may be out of alignment. This is serious. The metal track of your garage door must stay properly aligned, or it won’t move. Look for bends in the rails, or gaps between the rollers and the rail. As years pass, the garage door’s weight can compound these issues, so don’t procrastinate. Your door can become dangerous. Hire an expert.

Does the garage door shut with a bang? It could be a broken tension spring, which counters the door’s weight. Or, the cables connected to the tension spring might be broken. Either can be dangerous, and necessitates a garage door expert.

How to Prevent Future Issues

Follow a routine garage door maintenance schedule to prolong your garage door’s life. If you use your garage as a shop or game room, you’ll want to have an insulated door, and keep it in tiptop shape. Keep your garage door hinges, springs, and rollers lubricated ~ at least annually, before winter. Experts often say it’s best to lubricate every 3 months. Without lubrication, the springs will rust, and the coils will ultimately bind. Use a trustworthy brand, so it won’t dry out. A light coating is all that’s needed.

Schedule an annual inspection with your local garage door repair service. Springs, pulleys, wires, and cables require professional attention.

Once a month, inspect your garage door system’s components.

1  Replace worn parts.

2  Tighten down loose bolts.

3  If you ever notice strange noises when your garage door opens and shuts, investigate immediately.

At least every other year, clean your garage door to extend its life.

1  Wash both sides with a sponge and mild dish soap and water. Rinse well.

2  Wash the garage door opener sensor eyes with a clean, dry cloth.

3  Keep the area around the sensors free of cobwebs and grime.

4  For a steel garage door, if you want cold-weather protection, apply car wax.

5  For a wooden garage door, if you see signs of peeling or chipping, apply a fresh coat of paint.

DON’T adjust your garage door yourself, unless you’re an engineer! A garage door spring can actually cause severe injury, and even death. The cables, bottom brackets, and drums sometimes require adjustment. It’s time to hire a reliable garage door repair company. If you live in East Point, Georgia, consider a legitimate local company such as Complete Garage Door Repair.

Aricle source here: CAN’T GET YOUR GARAGE DOOR CLOSED OR OPEN? HERE’S WHAT TO DO!