Two Great Garage Door Features for Your Automated Home
Garage door openers have been thoroughly modernized, and the latest technology is ready to make your home a smart and seamless space.
This post first appeared on https://www.doorpower.com
Garage door openers have been thoroughly modernized, and the latest technology is ready to make your home a smart and seamless space.
This post first appeared on https://www.doorpower.com
Every home with a garage requires a good door to keep everyone safe and protected. Without a properly functioning garage door, the safety risks are enormous.
Installing a garage door requires ample knowledge, so it’s better to hire an expert company for the job. You can rest easy knowing your home is secure at all times. Below are reasons why it’s essential to hire an established garage door company for your safety.
Imagine trying to sleep at night when you’re not sure if the garage door is secure. Chances are, you won’t get a wink of sleep. It’s tempting to install or repair the garage door on your own to save on costs. But, the risk of not doing a good job is high. Therefore, the best action to take is to hire a professional firm for the job.
An established company with years of experience understands how to install and repair garage doors keeping you safe. Also, they can advise you on other safety measures to take that guard against intruders.
When an established company comes in to install or repair the garage door, they remain accountable to you. If for any reason, the door is faulty or ends up affecting your safety, you know who to turn to.
When you opt to do it yourself, you carry the burden when problems occur in the future. If there’s ever an issue with intruders or a faulty door causing injuries, you have to account for these shortcomings yourself. That’s a tremendous burden to carry around, so it’s better to call in the experts.
DIY repairs seem like a good idea, but the truth is they can be pretty expensive in the long run. Imagine you purchase all the tools to repair the garage door on your own. You start the project but end up making the issues worse or never have enough time to finish.
At that point, you have to call in an established garage door company to start over. If you made the problem worse, repair costs are high, forcing you to dig deeper into your pockets. Consequently, you end up with the cost of hiring an expert plus the price of all the items you bought at the beginning.
However, if you hire an expert company the minute you notice issues with the garage door, you can keep the costs low. There might even be some discounts and deals available that can bring down the cost of repairs. Also, you’re assured the parts are of top quality and won’t easily breakdown after only a short while.
There are certain parts of the home that are at high risk and need immediate repair. For instance, if you have an issue with the garage door, you need it tackled as soon as possible. The dangers of a faulty garage door are great, especially at night or when you’re not at home.
It would be best if you had an immediate solution to the problem, and hiring an expert garage door company is the way to go. Due to the urgency of the situation, experts will take the least time possible to repair the doors. That means you won’t have to spend nights listening for intruders because the doors are still broken.
Garage doors aren’t cheap, but they can last up to 30 years with proper maintenance. However, the longevity depends on the state of the door and the surrounding environment. Factors that affect the door’s lifespan include how you use them, maintenance frequency, door quality, and the local weather/climate.
Keeping all these in mind, it’s in your best interest to have an expert check your garage door now and then. You may consider having annual maintenance checks if the doors aren’t faulty during this period. The longer your garage door lasts, the longer you can keep your family safe without paying exorbitant costs.
Research reveals how advantageous electric garage doors can be for you and your family’s safety. Most electric gates have sensors to detect any unwanted guests. You get an alert immediately even if you’re not at home and can get images from cameras at any time.
But, installing such an intricate system to keep your home safe requires expertise, which is why you must hire an established company with references for similar jobs in other homes. The technicians will come in, install the garage door, and train the whole family on how to operate them.
With an electric door, you won’t have to worry about the kids handling heavy garage doors, which pose a significant risk. All they do is use a remote control or app to close or open them. Also, anyone with arthritis or other health conditions won’t have trouble operating the door.
Apart from making fast repairs, you can always call a professional company when you have an emergency. For instance, if the door won’t open in the morning and you have to go to work.
Most expert companies always have technicians on standby for their customers in case of an emergency. And, you can rest easy knowing you are getting quality repairs for your doors, even if it’s on short notice.
The best decision for your home is to call in an expert company to install garage doors during construction or remodeling. Once you do, you can inquire about warranties for the garage door.
Straight from the shoulder, the warranty gives you a sense of security since you know the doors are secure. If there’s ever an issue, you can reach out to the company for answers. However, any doors you install and repair on your own will have no warranty.
Do you like the way your neighbor’s garage door operates and want something similar? You could have them refer you to their garage door company.
Chances are they did thorough research to find the best repair company around, and now their home is safe. You can do the same for your home to find a good company in your area. References give you more insight into the best company to work with and ones that do a good job.
It’s pretty tempting to install or repair garage doors on your own. The truth, though, that this can jeopardize your safety. Therefore, the best thing to do is hire an established garage door company with several years of industrial experience to do the job.
Our trained professionals at Garage Door Doctor are at your service if you would like to install or repair a broken garage door. We also offer other services, including commercial garage doors and residential garage door spring repairs and replacements.
If you have an issue with your garage doors or would like to install a new one in your Indianapolis, IN home, contact us today.
The post The Safety Importance of Hiring an Established Garage Door Company appeared first on Garage Door Doctor.
This post first appeared on https://www.garagedoordoctorllc.com
Residential garage door installations can take many forms, so learn from a garage door company what’s functionally best for you.
This post first appeared on https://www.doorpower.com
When you think of fraud, you probably imagine identity theft or hackers. Unfortunately, many scams still occur offline, and one type you may not know of is garage door scams. While most people in the garage door industry are honest, some of them aren’t.
Scammers prey on people’s desire to take care of garage door problems quickly. Having a broken garage door is a hassle, and homeowners understandably want to clear up the issue as soon as possible. Garage door repair scams try to trick the homeowner into paying for services they don’t receive or the technician can’t perform.
How can you tell when someone is trying to scam you? What telltale signs of a scam should you watch out for? Keep an eye out for these common garage door scams.
Asking people to overpay for something or making promises that aren’t delivered on are both common scams in any industry. In the garage door business, rebuild package scams occur when a repair company says you need a “hardware overhaul,” which involves replacing everything from your torsion springs to the bearing brackets.
In reality, nothing is wrong with your equipment — most garage door hardware lasts 10 to 15 years. However, you might not initially realize that. You will get a rude awakening when you receive the bill because dishonest technicians mark up the hardware and the installation costs. Then, you pay an arm and a leg for new hardware you don’t need.
When you hear someone talk about a lifetime guarantee, you probably think you’re set for as long as you own your house. However, that’s rarely the case. A lifetime guarantee often covers parts but not labor. Your technician can charge an exorbitant fee for labor for the simplest task, such as changing a light bulb.
By installing cheap parts, the technician ensures your hardware will break down. Then, you’ll call them to fix it again, enabling them to charge an astronomical labor fee. The cycle repeats when the broken hardware is replaced with another shoddy item, setting you up to need more help shortly down the road. If you consider a lifetime guarantee, ask the technician several essential questions:
Your contract only guarantees coverage for the hardware it mentions. Even if you speak to a technician about adding extra coverage, it will only apply if it’s in the contract.
You only want experienced, certified professionals working on your garage door. While a company may present the impression that its technicians know what they’re doing, they can pull a last-minute switcheroo by contracting the work to a subcontractor. The person may not live up to the high standards set by a legitimate business.
The company you contracted with will pay the subcontractor a low rate, and the original technicians will have no investment in the outcome because you are not their customer. They aren’t counting on you using their services again for a job well done. You have no way of knowing if the person who comes to your door is certified or what their garage door repair history looks like. You also have no one to call if the repair is mishandled. Here are some things to look for to avoid this situation:
When you know what to look for, you can avoid garage door repair scams. Here are some questions to ask during the vetting process:
If you are not satisfied with the answers you receive, play it safe and avoid hiring the contractor. Always trust your gut. If something seems fishy or “off” with the company, it’s better to err on the side of caution than get caught up in a scam.
Instead of relying on a business with shady practices, ask your friends and neighbors for recommendations for garage door repair companies they have used and liked. Getting a testimonial from a trusted source is always better than trying a company you aren’t sure about.
If a suspected garage door scammer has approached you, or you have fallen victim to a scam, you can report it. Contact the International Door Association (IDA) by emailing info@doors.org. You can explain the details and include any documentation from your case. The organization may follow up with you for more information.
Scammers may also face criminal charges depending on what they did. You can contact your local police station to report the interaction. At the least, the police may warn others in the neighborhood that a suspicious person is making false claims.
For reputable garage door repairs, contact AAA Garage Door. We have provided many people in the Fremont, Nebraska, area with dependable service at affordable prices.
The post Common Garage Door Scams appeared first on AAA Garage Door, Inc. | Husker Door.
A properly insulated garage door prevents warm air from escaping your garage during the cooler months and hot air from entering during the warmer months. The increased insulation helps decrease your energy usage and provides many other benefits for your garage, home and wallet. Since your garage door is the largest opening to your home, it must have sufficient insulation, or you’ll experience drafts, extreme temperatures and energy loss.
You have a few options available if you’re looking to insulate your garage door. You can choose to go the DIY route with an insulation kit, contact a professional garage service to upgrade your current door or replace your old door with an energy-efficient replacement. If you opt to get a brand-new door, you can compare many options to add insulation and style to your home. Modern garage doors add significant curb appeal and value to your home.
Older or poorly insulated garage doors can lead to various problems in the home. For example, water can build up in your garage after a rainstorm or high-humidity days. The water trapped inside your garage struggles to evaporate, and it can cause mold to develop throughout your home and your possessions. A buildup of water in your garage can also lead to condensation forming in your vehicles’ crevices and electrical circuits, leading to faster deterioration over time.
Are insulated garage doors worth it? Keep reading to learn more.
Why insulate your garage door? Doing so brings many advantages and allows you to recoup your initial investment through increased energy savings and protecting your home and belongings. Here are six of the most significant reasons to insulate your garage door.
Is your garage cold in the winter and hot in the summer? Even if you have insulated your garage’s walls, your garage door may be causing a significant energy drain. An insulated garage door will help seal your garage off from the outside temperatures that sneak into your home through your garage. You should notice a decrease in your heating and cooling costs when you insulate your garage doors. Hot or cold air can enter the rest of your home when your garage is at a higher or lower temperature, which results in your A/C and heating units having to overcompensate and operate more often.
Insulating your garage door will help keep your garage at a moderate and comfortable temperature — not too hot and not too cold. Another benefit is that you can work in your garage year-round, due to the more comfortable temperature.
Older and uninsulated garage doors can make loud noises when you operate them, while insulated garage doors are much quieter. You can resolve the abrasive creaking and rattling by insulating or replacing your garage door. For many uninsulated garage doors, the sounds you’re hearing may be from the panels on the door vibrating and creating noise. Panel vibration can be worse for more lightweight garage doors. Solve this problem by insulating your current door or replacing it with a new, high-quality one. The insulation prevents the tiles from rattling and will cut down on the noises you hear when operating the door.
Is insulating a garage worth it? Insulated garage doors consist of more durable materials than uninsulated ones, making them suitable for long-term investment in your home. Insulated doors should require less frequent maintenance and repairs. The materials’ strength also makes the doors more resistant to damage like dents or warping. The constant opening and closing of garage doors can wear them down over time, but an insulated garage door will long outlast an uninsulated one. Many insulated garage doors have a steel or aluminum frame with solid insulation on the interior, making them sturdy, lightweight and durable enough to withstand the elements.
Installing an insulated garage door is vital if you want to protect your car and other belongings you keep in your garage. Extreme heat, cold and humidity can damage your possessions, leading to costly repair bills or permanent damage. Your garage will stay at a relatively consistent temperature throughout the year if you have an insulated garage door. Keeping your car in a controlled environment will help prevent wear and tear from temperature fluctuations.
Insulated garage doors are also helpful in keeping water from coming into your garage. Water struggles to evaporate once it enters your garage because it has nowhere to go, and the lingering water increases the humidity levels. High humidity and condensation can make your tools rusty, damage your vehicles’ electrical components and cause mold to develop in your walls or on items you store in the garage. An insulated garage door will form a tight seal with the garage floor, which will prevent water from entering.
Insulating a garage door helps keep external sounds out and internal ones in. The thick insulation will do wonders for noise reduction if you live in an area with nearby neighbors or a busy street. Working in your garage can be noisy, and an uninsulated garage door doesn’t do much to prevent loud noises from leaking out. You can avoid irritating neighbors with loud power tools because the insulation will keep the noise contained.
You can replace your garage door with a modern, insulated door that will elevate the appearance of your garage. Your garage is one of the most visible aspects of your home, and a high-quality garage door can elevate the curb appeal. An appealing garage door will also boost your home’s value, and you’ll see a return on your investment, whether you’re planning on living in your house for years to come or are considering selling soon.
Installing an insulated garage door will generate immediate savings due to the increased energy efficiency of insulated vs. non-insulated garage doors. Insulating a garage door makes the most difference for your savings if you live in an area that experiences extreme temperatures and have an attached garage. Attached garages pose the most significant energy drain because your home probably shares at least one wall with the garage.
Freezing and scorching temperatures that enter your garage through uninsulated garage doors will leak into the rest of your home through the walls and house doors, which causes your home’s internal temperature to fluctuate. Your cooling and heating systems will have to compensate to restore the correct temperature, causing higher energy usage and mechanical strain.
Ultimately, the amount of money you save on your energy bills will depend on where you live and how much heat loss occurs from your garage door. Living in an extremely hot or cold climate makes insulated garage doors worth it.
The type of insulated garage door you choose depends mainly on your climate, aesthetics and how much you’re looking to spend. If the garage door has the necessary amount of insulation for your environment, any insulated door should suit your needs. Most insulated garage doors are multilayered and have a thick layer of insulation within the frame. Here are the most common types of insulated and energy-efficient garage doors.
The type of door you choose is less of a factor than garage door insulation ratings, windows and the door’s size. Let’s dig into what this means.
An R-value is a measurement of how effective insulation is at preventing heat loss. The “R” stands for the resistance a material has against heat flow. A higher R-value means the material limits more heat than one with a lower R-value. A lower insulation R-value will result in more garage door heat loss than a higher-value one.
Some garage door manufacturers measure the R-value in different areas than other companies, making it challenging to accurately compare the insulation value of different branded garage doors. When a manufacturer provides an R-value based on the entire door, the values will be lower than those measured from the center panel.
Because the R-value doesn’t have a consistent measurement method, it’s not a reliable indicator of the insulation’s thermal efficiency.
The U-value — sometimes referred to as U-factor — is a helpful alternative to the R-value because it measures the entire garage door’s insulation. This form of measurement is much more reliable because some parts of the door, such as the frame and seals, can’t have the same degree of insulation as the panels. Insulated garage door U-factors account for this and provide a consistent figure across all manufacturers.
U-values range from zero to one, and lower numbers indicate better insulation than higher ones.
There are two main insulation types found in garage doors.
Both materials will age well and not deteriorate over time if the door remains in good external condition, but polyurethane will hold up better when exposed to stressors. While polyurethane offers better insulation, it also costs more on average than polystyrene.
Windows in a garage door can add visual appeal, but glass is a poor insulator. If you’re in a climate that gets very hot or cold, you should consider getting a garage door without windows. Garage doors will have energy-efficient windows, but they’re still not as insulated as a standard insulated garage door will be, and heat will transfer through the glass.
It’s vital that the garage door fits correctly and forms a tight seal against the ground and the sides of the garage to prevent wind and cold air from entering. If there are any gaps, your insulated garage door will be much less effective because the air will still have a place to escape.
Does an insulated garage door make a difference? After reading this post, we think you’ll agree it does. At AAA Garage Door, we’ve been in this business for over 25 years. Count on us to provide you with garage door repair, inspections, regular maintenance and even replace your current garage door with a fully insulated one to increase your energy savings and keep your home comfortable.
We have a range of garage doors for you to choose from that look modern and provide insulation against our harsh Nebraska winters.
Fill out our online form to schedule garage door services or request a free estimate for your garage door opener today!
The post The Importance of Insulating Your Garage Door appeared first on AAA Garage Door, Inc. | Husker Door.
Whether you’ve recently installed a new garage door or want to make an existing model last, here are some tips to extend the life of your garage door.
This post first appeared on https://www.doorpower.com
We all have long lists of home improvements we want to get accomplished. Replacing your garage door opener is probably not on the top of that list, but at some point, it will need to be replaced. Look for these tell-tale signs it may be time to swap this model for one that has more power, better reliability and smart home features.
The overall unit seems sluggish.
Your opener works hard to raise your garage door every day. The average opener is lifting and closing that heavy door about 1500 times a year. While garage doors, with proper maintenance, can last 20 to 30 years, the life expectancy of an opener is around 10 years. All that wear and tear will start to catch up eventually. If you see that the door is opening slower than usual or seems to be catching and jerking slightly, it is probably time to replace your unit.
Safety is an Issue
In 1993 all models of garage door openers were required to have an auto-reverse mechanism. This feature consists of two sensors that sit on either side of the door and can tell if an object is in the way of the door opening or closing. Now, you may not have an opener that is over 28 years old, but you may have sensors that no longer work. This important safety feature should not be overlooked. Over 20,000 people are victim to garage door accidents, many of them children. If you are unable to fix broke sensors, make the choice to replace your unit.
A Little Peace and Quiet
Picture this. You’re coming home from a long day, baby or toddler asleep in the back seat. You just want to park and transfer the sleepy child into bed..until, the screech and squealing of your garage door opener awakens said child and that glorious silence is broken. If your opener is waking up or disturbing family members inside the home, it may be time to enjoy the quieter operation of a belt drive. Not to knock chain models, many models are much quieter that of their predecessors.
You Desire More Features
We live in an age where we can control many items in our homes (lights, thermostat settings, starting our ovens) from our phones. Newer models of garage door openers offer smart features that can be done via an app on your phone or tablet. Alerts of your door being left open, the ability to turn on lights or opening the door to receive a package, can make your life a bit easier.
Battery backups systems are another newer feature that ensure your garage door can still open and close should a power outage occur. A plus if you hate wrestling with the door in the bitter cold or snowy weather.
If a garage door opener upgrade is in your future, please feel free to talk to our knowledgeable sales staff. They can help you choose the right unit and features to fit your needs.
This post first appeared on https://www.abedoors.com
Manually opening a garage door can be inconvenient and dangerous. That’s why automatic garage door openers are such great tools to have. No automatic garage door opener would be complete, though, without a garage door opener remote. Whether it’s mounted in your vehicle or in your Indianapolis home, a garage door opener remote allows you to gain access to your garage with just the touch of a button. Before you can use your garage door opener remote, though, it needs to be programmed. To help simplify this process, here is a basic guide from Garage Door Doctor on everything you’ll need to know to ensure that your garage door opener remote works correctly.
There are two main types of garage door opener remotes from Garage Door Doctor: wired and wireless. Wired opener remotes are often installed in the garage itself or next to a service door that leads from the house to the garage. These types of remotes make it easy to open and close your garage door when you’re not in your vehicle.
In many cases, these types of remotes are illuminated with a low-power nightlight so that you can find the remote when it’s dark. Wireless remotes, on the other hand, are almost exclusively for use in a vehicle. In most cases, a garage door opener kit will come with one or more wireless remotes that you can move from vehicle to vehicle. In addition, most newer vehicles come with a wireless transmitter built in so that you won’t need a separate remote.
Wireless garage door remotes utilize a radio transmitter built into the remote that is paired with a receiver that’s built into the garage door opening mechanism. When you push a button on the remote, the transmitter sends a signal that the receiver can decode. When the receiver detects that the correct signal has been sent, it activates the motor to begin opening or closing your garage door.
A wired garage door opener remote sends an electrical signal to the garage door opener when you push the corresponding button. A wireless remote is powered using long-lasting lithium batteries while a wired opener receives its power from the electrical supply that powers the opener motor.
To prevent your garage door from opening with remotes other than yours, you must program the receiver on your door’s opening mechanism to recognize your wireless remotes. You’ll need to access the opening mechanism, which means you’ll need a ladder or step stool. On the opening mechanism, you’ll find a button called the “learn button.” This button is located in different places on different openers.
Once you find the button, press it once, then press the “open” button on one of your wireless remotes. The light on the opening mechanism will flash to let you know the system has been programmed. Then, you’ll want to test your remote to make sure that it works. You’ll need to repeat this procedure for each of your wireless remotes.
Since you use your garage door opener remotes fairly often, they are likely to begin to form a buildup of body oils that can affect the performance of the remote. That’s why it’s good to wipe down all of your remotes with an alcohol-based cleaner that will both clean and sanitize the remote without damaging it.
For wireless remotes, you’ll also need to make sure to replace the battery. Under normal usage, you can expect to replace the battery approximately every two years. Every year or so, it’s a good idea to open the remote to check and make sure that there’s no corrosion in the battery compartment. Finally, make sure to keep all of your opener remotes out of direct sunlight to prevent damage to the remotes from high temperatures.
A moving garage door can cause serious injuries if it’s misused. That’s why Garage Door Doctor urges you to put safety first whenever you’re using your garage door opener remote. Before closing your garage door, make sure that the path of the garage door is free from any obstructions. You’ll also need to consistently maintain the electronic eye that will stop the garage door if it senses anything in its path.
When pulling into your garage, make sure to turn off your vehicle before closing your garage door. If you don’t, carbon monoxide contained in the tailpipe emissions of your vehicle could cause serious injury or death after just a few minutes of exposure.
One of the few drawbacks of an automatic garage door opener is that the thieves have easy access to your garage if your vehicle is stolen. Therefore, if your remote or vehicle is stolen, it’s important to de-program the receiver as quickly as possible. Most modern receivers have a single button that will cause the system to forget all programmed remotes. For extra protection, you may want to turn off the power to your automatic opener until you can get new remotes.
For all the convenience that a garage door opener provides, it can be quite frustrating when this staple of modern life quits working. Fortunately, most problems with a garage door opener remote are fairly easy to fix. If your remote won’t work, the first thing to check is the battery. Even a newer battery can become depleted sooner than expected. If a fresh battery doesn’t help, make sure that the receiver isn’t dirty to the extent that it can’t pick up the radio signal. Also, make sure that the opener isn’t in the “locked” position on the indoor keypad. If none of these solutions fix the problem, be sure to call Garage Door Doctor for further assistance.
Since automatic openers use electricity, it presents a problem if the electrical supply to your home is interrupted. Fortunately, most openers from Garage Door Doctor have a battery backup that will allow you to open and close your garage door at least once. You can also use the manual lift mechanism that allows you to open and close the door without the need for an electric motor. If you experience frequent power outages in your area, you may want to invest in a backup generator for your home so that you can power your opener for longer periods without interruption.
At Garage Door Doctor, we’ve been taking care of garage door needs in Indianapolis for over a decade. We can take care of garage door installation, repair, and maintenance. Plus, we can install commercial garage doors, extra control interfaces, and various types of loading dock equipment. We even offer emergency service if you should ever find yourself stuck in your garage with no way to open the door. To learn more about garage door remotes, contact us at Garage Door Doctor today.
The post How to Program Garage Door Opener appeared first on Garage Door Doctor.
This post first appeared on https://www.garagedoordoctorllc.com
Prudent garage door repair can go a long way when it comes to protecting your kids—but what can you do at home to keep them safe?
This post first appeared on https://www.doorpower.com
Anything from broken garage door springs to faulty garage door tracks can cause a noisy nuisance, but just how dangerous are these problems? Door Power, a family-owned garage door company in the Twin Cities.
This post first appeared on https://www.doorpower.com
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