Faux Wood vs. Wood Garage Doors

Your garage door is one of the first things guests and strangers notice when they look at the exterior of your house. It may be prominent for different reasons, but it essentially reflects your unique taste and style. 

Whether you’re replacing a broken or faulty garage door or upgrading your current one for added aesthetic appeal, you have countless options to choose from. Faux wood garage doors and real wood garage doors come in various designs and colors, giving you the freedom to personalize them as you please. 

The challenge is deciding which is better suited to your needs. We’ll discuss the different features and the benefits of both to help you make an informed decision. 

Table of Contents

• Faux Wood Garage Door Features
• Wood Garage Door Features
• Benefits of Faux Wood Garage Doors
• Benefits of Wood Garage Doors
• Additional Factors
• Which Is Right for You? Let AAA Garage Doors Help You Decide

Faux Wood Garage Door Features

You’d never know the difference if you see a faux wood garage door from afar. They look exactly like a wood garage door. The only way you’d be able to tell them apart is by knocking on their surface. Wood-like garage doors resemble real ones but are made of materials like fiberglass, steel and aluminum. Each of these materials makes a distinct sound that will reveal the true nature of the faux wood door. The external layer is made of a blend of real timber, softwood and other wood compounds to give it a natural look. 

Wood Garage Door Features

Real wood garage doors are exquisite and unmatched in beauty, though they can easily be mistaken for faux wood garage doors. Most are manufactured using layers of hardwood rather than traditional solid wood. The one thing that sets them apart from faux wood is the texture and color variation of real wood, which is something that cannot be replicated. The grains and patterns in real wood add depth and character that distinguishes it from wood-like garage doors. 

You’re also able to install custom wooden garage doors by choosing from an array of different wood types like oak, mahogany, cedar and reclaimed wood. You can add panels, frames and windows that highlight its uniqueness and charm to add your desired personal touch. 

Benefits of Faux Wood Garage Doors

Depending on what you have in mind, the benefits of faux wood doors could make it hard for you to choose. There are a few things to consider:

• Cost and value: Wood substitutes cost less to manufacture, purchase and install, depending on your desired material. Aluminum is generally cheaper than the rest and offers value for money since it is exceptionally resistant to rust and corrosion. Adding insulation will increase the value as it helps regulate your home’s temperature while reducing energy bills. 
• Appearance: There is almost no distinction between faux wood and real wood garages. Therefore its appearance and curb appeal are equally attractive to its solid wood counterpart. 
• Weight: Lifting an aluminum or fiberglass garage door versus a real wood door requires less effort since the wood-like alternative is made of lighter material. This also means the opener will experience less strain when opening and closing, ensuring it operates optimally for longer.
• Maintenance: Maintenance is kept to a minimum with a faux wood door because the material used is able to withstand elements that lead to warping, fading, cracking and rotting. Routine maintenance is still required, although less frequently.
• Durability: Materials like steel are known for their durability against the destructive effects of strong wind, rain and other weather elements.
• Life span: Faux wood garage doors can last decades if maintained well, which adds to their value since they are less costly than wood doors.

These faux wood garage door pros certainly make choosing that much harder.

Benefits of Wood Garage Doors

Considering the same factors when deciding on wood vs. faux wood garage doors indicates your choice. These include:

• Cost and value: Real wood doors are costly, especially if you opt for solid wood like oak or cedar. Customizing it with panels, windows and other features will increase the installation cost. The upside is that you will enjoy a tailored garage door like no other. As with faux wood doors, insulating your wood door will increase your home’s value. 
• Appearance: Despite being hard to differentiate from wood-like garage doors, real wood doors have inherent qualities that enhance their beauty and style. This can’t be achieved in any other way than by using natural wood, adding unparalleled curbside appeal and elegance. 
• Maintenance: Your wood door is more likely to undergo regular maintenance because wood is prone to water damage, cracking, rotting and chipping over time and under harsh conditions. Maintenance includes lubricating moving parts, balancing the door properly and checking that the auto-reverse feature is functional. Regardless of whether it is a wood-like or real wood door, keeping your hand on your garage door ensures its longevity and safety for those who use it. 
• Durability: Wood in itself is durable in nature, so it should withstand extreme weather for an extended period. 
• Life span: A real wood garage door is expected to last up to 30 years if it is well-maintained. However, its organic nature leaves it predisposed to wear and tear over time, which could mean replacing it sooner than later. However, this should not deter you if you are leaning towards a wood garage door.

Given the substantial benefits, the wood garage door pros listed may not make your decision any easier.

Additional Factors

While the benefits mentioned before might affect your decision to choose one or the other, there are a few other considerations to bear in mind that may be helpful. They are:

• Climate: While we may experience mid-to-hot weather in the Nebraskan summer with high levels of humidity, winters get extremely cold, with temperatures dwindling in the negative perimeter. Be mindful of this when installing a wood vs faux garage door. Consider the advantages of each in terms of durability and maintenance. 
• Increased home value: If you upgrade or replace your garage door, your home’s value will likely increase if you decide to sell. An aesthetically appealing door will certainly secure a higher return on investment, especially if it offers additional benefits. 
• Eco-friendliness: If you are conscientious about the environment and ways to keep it safe, you would probably opt for a wood garage door. It is an eco-friendly alternative to materials like steel and aluminum. 

These additional points may be the ultimate deciding factor between choosing to install a faux garage door or a real wood garage door. It all comes down to your personal requirements, budget, preferences and specific needs. 

Which Is Right for You? Let AAA Garage Doors Help You Decide

Whether you opt for a wood vs faux wood garage door, we have everything you need to perfect your home with the ideal door. If you’re still unsure, our door imagination system will give you a visual aid to show you exactly how each door you try will suit your home. All you need to do is upload a picture of your house to give you an accurate representation. 

What are you waiting for? Submit a contact request form, and we’ll get in touch with you shortly. 

The post Faux Wood vs. Wood Garage Doors appeared first on AAA Garage Door, Inc. | Husker Door.

Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or living on your own as a renter, chances are there are some major and minor projects you’ll need to take care of around the house. While many people know that they have to take care of the gutters, change the air filters, and maintain the appliances, they don’t always know about different tasks like weatherstripping.

Weatherstripping is the process of sealing the exterior crevices of your home. The standard places for people to add weatherstripping include the doors and windows. This isn’t exclusive to the front door or the surrounding windows. The garage door and that half-bathroom window are included, too. Whether you live in a warm climate or a cold climate, it’s an important and effective process to prioritize in your home maintenance plan. Yes, this is a process that you can outsource in order to save time. However, if you understand the logistics of how to do it, this is a project you can do on your own.

Benefits of Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping is effective for a number of reasons. If you live next door to a neighbor who smokes incessantly and you don’t want it to get inside the house, weatherstripping can help to keep the odors at bay.

Weatherstripping is most popularly known for keeping the outside air from coming inside the house. It’s helpful for making sure the indoor air doesn’t escape outside. If you’re paying a utility bill to cover your air conditioning or heating, you don’t want to waste any of that energy by allowing the air to slip outside. Weatherstripping keeps everything where it’s supposed to be. The outdoor air won’t come in, and the indoor air won’t go out.

Another thing that won’t be able to come in is a bug. Whether you’re looking to keep out the ants, roaches, or flies, no one wants to attract those small bugs that can easily seep through cracks and crevices that aren’t sealed. While some people choose to use a caulking method, you can actually use a weather-stripping process to keep bugs, dust, and debris from coming inside of the house.

Lastly, weatherstripping can also serve as a sound barrier. If your neighbors tend to make a lot of noise or if you just hear the natural sounds of the outdoors, weatherstripping can muffle the sounds a bit.

Best Times for Weatherstripping

When you’re preparing to set weatherstripping over the windows and doors of your home, chances are you’ll want to be mindful of the air that’s escaping from these areas. Because of this, there are two times that are most ideal for installing weatherstripping.

For starters, you’ll want to consider the climate you live in. The early spring and late fall tend to be the best times to install weatherstripping. This is because during these two times, the outdoor weather tends to be pretty comfortable. It’s also comfortable enough for you to turn off your HVAC system.

When the system isn’t running, you’ll mitigate the chances of wasting money by allowing air to just flow outside. While this process isn’t one that takes hours, it’s not necessarily going to take you 30 seconds either. When you can take your time and methodically lay down the weatherstripping in a thorough manner without worrying about wasting energy, you’ll get the best results. Consider the times of year when you can comfortably turn off your HVAC system and spend time installing the weatherstripping without wasting money.

Steps for Installation

1. Remove the Old Weatherstripping Seal

If there is weatherstripping installed, this is the opportunity to remove it. Start by using a pair of pliers or even your hands to remove the seal. Begin from the top, and work your way down to the bottom. Do your best to take your time so that no part of the seals gets stuck within the crevices. Taking your time also helps lead to easier cleanup.

2. Clean the Surface Area

Once you’ve removed the weatherstripping seals, take time to actually clean the surface area. Begin by getting a vacuum cleaner that has a hose attachment. Use the attachment to get into the crevices, and thoroughly clean the corners of either the doors or the windows.

Once you’ve vacuumed and removed all of the dust from those areas, use some paper towels or a damp cloth and some rubbing alcohol. Use the alcohol solution (or a cleaning solution of your choosing) to loosen up any extra dirt that might have settled in and proved to be harder to remove with the vacuum. Once those corners are thoroughly cleaned, you can either let them air dry or use a paper towel or hand towel to dry them manually.

3. Measure the Stripping Seal

While this step might seem unnecessary, you actually don’t want to waste time or money. One of the best ways to guarantee an efficient process is by checking your measurements to make sure that you have enough stripping seal for the surface area that you are applying it to.

Use a measuring tape in order to get your specifications right. Particularly for areas like doors and windows, it’s nicer when you can have one clean line instead of a bunch of cuts in between lines. Once you’re clear that you have enough and that it fits perfectly for the area that you’re adding it to, go ahead and prepare to actually apply it to the area.

4. Apply It to the Area

Now that it’s time to actually apply the weatherstripping seal to your doors and windows, be mindful to start from one corner to the next. Take your time as you slowly and gently push the seal into the designated crevice. Even though it might seem appropriate to stuff it completely into the section, leave a little bit of room so that you can make the necessary adjustments. Remember that a portion of the seal needs to protrude in order to actually close the gaps. Once you place the seal on a portion, use your hands to push and secure it in place.

5. Test for Effectiveness

Once you’ve secured the weatherstripping seal, it’s time to test for effectiveness. If you’ve secured the seal to a window, open the window and close it. If it tends to open and close with ease, this is a sign that you don’t need to make any more adjustments. When you are able to do the same with the various doors that you’ve applied the seal to, you don’t need to do anything else with it. If you find that you’re able to put your hand over a crack and still feel air from the outside, this is an indication that you need to readjust the seal. If you’re unable to do it on your own, it’s okay to reach out and invest in professional assistance to help you because weatherstripping will save you time, energy, and money in the long haul.

Reaching Out to Professionals

There can be understandable trepidation about doing this process on a garage door. Garage doors are much heavier, and they can potentially be more dangerous. By reaching out to the garage door professionals at the Garage Door Doctor, you’ll be able to rest easily and know that the outdoor elements won’t invade your garage. Plus, you won’t have to take on such a large project on your own. For more information on how we can serve you, contact us today!

The post Everything You Need to Know About Installing Weatherstripping appeared first on Garage Door Doctor.

This post first appeared on https://www.garagedoordoctorllc.com

That’s right: Your garage door can be hacked. Your home is more vulnerable than you think, and today’s thieves are cracking open garages in a digital realm. You might be vulnerable, but you have options. As today’s technology is improving, so are your tools to fight back. Being vigilant helps, but it won't provide long-term security. If you want to keep your garage safe, you’ll need to rely on a trusted provider. Door Power is here to help, and our garage solutions guarantee year-round protection. 

How Can Door Power Protect Your Garage?

A thief's garage hacked targets "fixed code" systems. These systems are used in old garage doors. Typically, any garage door made over ten years ago will use a fixed code system. For this reason, it’s a good idea to update your garage’s remote system as soon as possible.

Door Power garage controls use rolling code systems. These systems can’t be searched by potential hackers, and their constant code cycling is a digital lock against all intruders.

Expert Technicians

Door Power garage installations are conducted by expert technicians. From the ground up, your garage is defended by the industry’s finest. Each Door Power technician is highly trained, and each has mastered the art of garage door installations. Before every installation, a garage is inspected for possible weaknesses. Then, subcontractors expertly neutralize them.

Emergency Repair and Replacement

Don’t wait for a hacker to come knocking on your digital doors. Garage door openers can become outdated, and it’s your responsibility to make sure yours isn’t. Door Power technicians are available for immediate services. We’ve been in the industry for years, and we understand the importance of immediate services. Your old garage door may be easily manipulated. Door Power products, however, can fortify your home for the long haul.

If you’re worried about residential garage door hackers, contact Door Power today. In any event, you should keep an eye on your front yard. Install a security camera system, and make sure you’re able to watch your garage area with care. Even if you’re at risk of digital attacks, you can still ward off perpetrators. Door Power technicians follow a code of integrity, and they’re always ready to strengthen your home’s most valuable area.

This post first appeared on https://www.doorpower.com

Your garage door might be safe in your car, but it’s taking damage over time. Electronics age, and homeowners often find themselves with dysfunctional—or, worse, unfunctional—garage door remotes. Every so often, you should check your door openers for bugs and quirks. If any electrical problems get out of hand, they can easily become long-lasting problems. Below are the main reasons you should get a check-up, or even a replacement.

Reason One: A Noisy Garage

Is your garage moaning and groaning? It might be an old model. It might also have outdated components. Modern garage door openers are almost silent, but age-old openers can squeal with years of overuse. Check your opener’s noise level, and make sure you’re not leaving it to degrade.

Reason Two: You Want Batteries 

Nobody wants to be locked out during a power outage. Older garage door models have emergency pull latches, but these mechanisms can get stuck after years of use. Newer models have battery-powered back-up features. Even if your old electronic door opener works, it might not save you during an emergency. Aim for the peace of mind.

Reason Three: You Want a Keypad

New garage door opener models have associated keypads. If you want to open your garage door from the outside, you should consider getting a simple, programmable keypad. A keypad widens your accessibility options, giving you custom security options.

Reason Four: Lacking Safety Reversal

Any garage door opener made before 1993 may lack safety reversal mechanisms. These mechanisms use two sensors—each about six inches above the floor—on either end of the door. If any child passes through its light beam, the door stops and reverses. You should replace your opener if it doesn’t have this feature, as all modern garage door openers are outfitted with them.

Reason Five: You’re Vulnerable

Old garage door openers can be hacked. Today’s thieves are a smart bunch, and they’re creating digital garage door openers out of toys. Fortunately, you can upgrade to a modern digital opener—which defends your home against these tactics. While the chances of theft are small, they certainly exist. Don’t take any chances.

Your home’s security is in your hands. Make sure you’re defended, and don’t let an emergency catch you unaware. A garage door opener isn’t too difficult to repair or replace. If you think your opener has taken damage over the years, don’t hesitate to contact us atYour garage door might be safe in your car, but it’s taking damage over time. Electronics age, and homeowners often find themselves with dysfunctional—or, worse, unfunctional—garage door remotes. Every so often, you should check your door openers for bugs and quirks. If any electrical problems get out of hand, they can easily become long-lasting problems. Below are the main reasons you should get a check-up, or even a replacement.. We will make sure your home is safe, secure, and reliable! Give us a call at 952-467-3199 to request service or get a free estimate!

 

This post first appeared on https://www.doorpower.com

As long as your garage door works properly, you probably don't think about it very often. You might use it several times every day, but it just goes up and down as needed. You should, however, be aware that like most other parts of your house your garage door does need upkeep from time to time, whether a repair because of immediate damage, general maintenance if parts have become out of alignment over time, or perhaps an upgrade which will provide a convenience for you.

Typical Damage Over Time

Garage doors face a heavy task and do need some upkeep. The motor can burn out, or the cables, springs, or chain can break. The rails can come out of alignment, as can the safety feature which prevents the door from closing if something is blocking it. Although these aren't intense repair jobs, there are tricks to conducting them efficiently and they require a professional garage door specialist to do them right the first time instead of spending days tinkering with it until it's right.

Storms and Weather

Repeated heavy storms and bright sunlight can cause damage over time to a door, or an especially heavy storm with either sleet or hail can cause an immediate problem. Often, such damage can be taken care of with a fresh coat of paint, but it's also likely the door may need to have dents and dings repaired with filler. Further damage from winds associated with such storms can be that the rails are knocked out of alignment or the wheels have come out of the tracks.

Accidents and Collisions

Accidents and collisions can cause worse damage to a garage door, whether the door is bumped by a car or by children who may play in the driveway. The repair can be as simple as re-aligning the different moving parts of the system, or may require a complete replacement, depending on the nature and extent of the damage.

Because of the precise measurements and tolerances of a garage door system, it is recommended to hire a professional garage door specialist such as Door Power to conduct repairs. It's also a good idea to have the door inspected annually so any problems can be determined and fixed before turning into a more expensive repair. With proper care, your garage door will look great and perform well for years to come.

This post first appeared on https://www.doorpower.com

Typically, a homeowner buys a house and doesn't put much thought into the garage door. As long as it goes up and down as needed and generally matches the style of the house, it seems as if there is little else to think about. However, garage doors can add style and function to the home through the use of different designs and features.

New Garage Door, New House

An older home may obviously need a new garage door because of damage or wear over time, and the purchaser would consider such an aspect of the house when making an offer. With a new house, the contractor who built the house likely only installed a generic door with meets the basic needs of the garage. You may want to replace the door with one that has windows for light, or you might decide you prefer a different contour for the rails, stiles, and panels. There are also different materials to choose from, whether traditional wood, metal, or vinyl, and each provides their own benefits.

Maintenance Over Time

Even if you are happy with the current garage door style, it will need maintenance over time. Motors can burn out, springs and chains break, and the rails can come out of alignment. If the door starts making too much noise, or simply doesn't seem to be raising or lowering properly, it's a good idea to go ahead and have repairs conducted before it gets worse and stops working altogether at which point the repairs are likely to be more expensive or a complete replacement might be needed.

Upgrades

Other than the actual door style, the most common upgrade is to add additional points from which you can open or close the door. A numbered keypad outside of the door is a nice feature because it allows you to close it from outside and prevents you from getting locked out of your house. It also comes in handy if you need to allow friends or workers temporary access to your house as you can reprogram it with a number for them to use.

If you need repairs and service, upgrades, or a new garage door be sure to contact the specialist garage door contractor Door Power in the Minneapolis metro area, we'll be happy to meet with you at your convenience and discuss the available options for your home.

This post first appeared on https://www.doorpower.com

Your garage door motor is an essential component as it is what drives the carriage and opens or closes the door whenever you press the button on your remote or type your code into the keypad. When working correctly, the motor should turn on immediately when you signal the door to open or close, and the motor should fully open or close the door within a few seconds. As with any other motor, a garage door opener only has a limited lifespan and can experience various issues that prevent it from working properly. This means that there will always eventually be a time when you need to have your garage door motor replaced, and here are some of the signs that can indicate you need a new garage door motor.

Motor Makes Excessive Noise

A garage door motor will always make some noise, but it shouldn’t be excessively loud or make unusual sounds. If your garage door opener is excessively loud, it usually indicates that the motor is beginning to wear out and is struggling to open and close the door. Grinding, scraping and squealing noises coming from the opener are almost always a sign that the motor is failing and needs to be replaced or possibly repaired. If your garage door motor is much louder than normal or makes any unusual sounds, we would recommend having it inspected as soon as possible.

Garage Door Opens and Closes Slowly

As a garage door motor ages, it will often start to have more difficulties pulling the door open and closed. When the motor is in good condition and working properly, your garage door should fully open or close in around 10 to 15 seconds. If you notice that it starts to take more than 20 to 30 seconds for your garage door to open or close, it’s a fairly good indicator that the motor is wearing out and will need to be replaced.

Garage Door Suddenly Won’t Open or Close

Garage door motors typically fail over time, but there are issues that can cause them to suddenly stop working altogether. If your garage door suddenly won’t open or close, you should first go inside and make sure that the trolley carriage is still connected to the motor and that none of the rollers have come off the rails. You’ll also want to inspect the torsion springs and lift cables for any obvious issues and make sure that nothing is blocking the door. If everything looks as it should and the door still won’t open and close, you’ll want to have the motor inspected. This problem could be related to an electrical in the outlet that the opener is plugged into or it could be that the motor has burnt out and needs to be replaced.

Garage Door Stalls When Opening or Closing

A garage door opener that stalls or only opens or closes the door part of the way before stopping is a fairly common issue. This problem most commonly occurs because the tracks are bent or the rollers are broken. If the rollers and tracks are in good shape and look normal, it may be that the motor is defective and needs to be replaced. In either case, this is a problem that you’ll want to have a professional look at immediately as a garage door that gets stuck can be extremely dangerous and could cause serious injury.

Garage Door Opener Isn’t Always Responsive

Again, your garage door motor should always kick on immediately when you push the button on the remote or use the keypad. If you find that you sometimes have to push the button on your remote several times before the motor responds, the first thing you should do is replace the batteries in the remote. If this doesn’t fix the issue or the motor also sometimes doesn’t respond to the keypad, you will want to have your opener inspected. In most cases, this problem indicates that the motor has some electrical issues and may need to be either repaired or replaced.

Garage Door Opens and Closes on Its Own

A garage door that randomly opens or closes on its own is obviously a serious issue since it could allow anyone to get inside if the door opened while you were away or at night when you’re asleep. The buttons on the keypad or a remote can sometimes get stuck and cause the motor to open or close on its own. However, this problem more commonly indicates that there is an issue with the motor’s circuit board, such as a short circuit. A short circuit can signal the motor to run and cause the door to open or close on its own. If you do ever find that your garage door opens and closes on its own, you should have the motor replaced immediately both for the safety of your family and your home security.

Garage Door Reverses and Reopens After Closing

Another common issue is when a garage door closes and then the motor immediately reverses and reopens the door. This problem most commonly occurs due to some issue with the safety sensors, which work to prevent the door from closing if there is anything in its path. The first thing to do if you ever notice this issue is to make sure that the two sensors are aligned, and then clean the lenses on each sensor. You’ll also want to make sure that nothing is blocking the path between the sensors.

The safety sensors work by sending a beam of light back and forth. If the sensors are misaligned or the lenses are dirty, the beam of light won’t pass between them. This will usually result in the door never fully closing or reopening as soon as it’s closed.

If the sensors are clean and properly aligned and the problem persists, it usually indicates that the motor has electrical issues or worn-out components. In this case, you’ll need to have the motor inspected and repaired or replaced.

Garage Door Opener Is Old and Outdated

On average, a garage door motor will be able to complete around 10,000 open and close cycles before wearing out. This means that the motor will typically last for around 10 to 15 years at the very most depending on how many times you open and close your garage door every day. If your motor is 10 or more years old, we would definitely recommend replacing it as soon as possible even if it is still working correctly.

Older garage door openers aren’t all that secure as many units are programmed with the same access code and this code never changes. This means that thieves can potentially open your garage by using a remote from a different door that has the same model of opener. Newer garage door openers use a rolling access code that changes every time, and this type of opener will only ever work with your remote. By replacing your outdated garage door opener, you can both ensure your garage door works correctly and make your home much more secure.

If you need to have your garage door motor replaced or your garage door needs any repairs, you can trust Garage Door Doctor for help. We specialize in garage door installation and repairs, and we work on both residential and commercial garage doors for customers throughout the Bloomington and Indianapolis areas. For more information or to schedule a garage door inspection, contact us today.

The post Signs That Your Garage Door Motor Needs Replaced appeared first on Garage Door Doctor.

This post first appeared on https://www.garagedoordoctorllc.com

If you ask yourself your garage is so loud, then chances are, it’s not normal. Loud and unusual garage door noises typically indicate an underlying issue. Problems with the door or opener cause these strange noises. That’s why it’s crucial to investigate a noisy garage door to determine the cause before it becomes a bigger problem.

Before You Get Started

When troubleshooting a loud garage door, take the necessary safety precautions. One is to disconnect the power to the opener, so no one can open or close the door while you work on it. You’ll also want to contact a garage door professional to repair serious issues that could put you at risk of injury.

Noises That Indicate a Problem

As an overhead door ages, it’s more likely to make noises. Older garage doors make noises because their worn parts must work harder. You can extend your garage door’s life span by maintaining and inspecting it at least twice a year. If you notice any of these noises, you’ll want to investigate and find the source: 

• Squealing: Squealing sounds often indicate poorly lubricated parts.
• Squeaking: A simple way to fix a squeaky garage door is to inspect the weather stripping. If the weather strip is dry, it can cause the door to squeak when you open or close it. It can also indicate a problem with the rollers. 
• Grinding: Poorly lubricated or worn-out rollers, hinges and door opener’s chain or belt can all produce a grinding noise. 
• Rattling: Rattling noises can signify loose nuts, bolts or a chain, poor lubrication and misalignment. 
• Vibrating: Loose nuts and bolts or poorly lubricated rollers cause vibrating. 
• Slapping: Slapping sounds occur when a loose chain hits your opener.

On the other hand, if your garage door makes any of these noises, contact a professional right away and do not try to fix the issue yourself: 

• Popping: Popping can signify a broken torsion spring.
• Banging: When you hear a banging noise, it means a professional needs to replace or realign your door.
• Clinking: Springs and coils that rub together or a defective roller can cause clinking sounds.
• Clunking: Thumping or clunking can indicate a malfunction with the opener or a broken torsion spring.
• Straining: If your door strains upon opening and closing, your garage may need more power. The other cause of straining is a faulty motor.
• Rumbling: Coil tension or a loosened spring often causes rumbling.
• Rubbing: Tight or bent tracks can produce a rubbing sound.
• Scraping: The door could be rubbing against your home because its placement is misaligned.

Common Causes of Garage Door Noises

When your garage door makes loud noises, one of your primary questions is why. Here are some of the common reasons garage doors make noises: 

• Age: An older door makes more noise. Usually, these noises result from old rollers.
• Misalignment: A misaligned door makes a noise when you open or close it.
• Opener: When the belt or chain of your opener is loose, it can create a rattling noise.
• Rollers: Metal garage openers rust as they age.
• Loose nuts and bolts: Screeching sounds indicate loose nuts and bolts.
• Poor lubrication: If your rollers and hinges need lubrication, your door may squeal, grind, rattle or vibrate.

How to Fix Garage Door Noises

Some garage door noises stem from minor issues that you can address yourself. Here are some maintenance tips that may stop the noises:

Tighten the Nuts and Bolts

Loose or missing nuts and bolts on the door or track supports could cause your door to rattle. You can use a wrench and socket set to tighten these nuts and bolts, but be careful you don’t overtighten them.

Lubricate the Moving Parts

Lubricating the moving parts could solve the problem if they are dry. These moving parts include the chain or belt drive, springs, lift cables, rollers or hinges. As long as these parts are in good condition, they may only require some lubrication. However, you must contact a repair professional if they are in poor condition. Only lubricate the metal parts, not the nylon or plastic ones.

Create Buffers With Rubber Pieces

You can use rubber buffers on your door and opener to reduce the noise. To install the rubber pieces you: 

1. Unplug the motor to your door opener.
2. Rest your door on a ladder.
3. Remove the bolts that hold your tracks to your garage door.
4. Slide a rubber piece between the bolts and the door.
5. Replace and tighten the bolts.

The rubber will help absorb vibrations that can cause the support frame to shake. Test your opener and garage door when done to confirm they work correctly.

Readjust the Locks

Inspect your locking bars to ensure they’re properly aligned. If your lock bar makes noises, doesn’t catch or hits the track, it’s misaligned. You can try to realign the lock bar by: 

1. Finding the leader brackets or the L-shaped plates with screws. 
2. Removing the screws and tap your guide up or down.
3. Tightening the screws.
4. Repeating on the other side.

Replace the Weather Strip

The insulation strip under your door could be damaged, missing or worn out. If the weather strip is the problem, your garage’s air will be humid and cold, and the door may bang when it closes. You can hire a professional to replace your weather strip and save time, or you can purchase a weather strip from a garage dealer and replace it yourself.

Hire a Professional to Repair the Springs

If your overhead door hits the floor too hard, it causes noise. Your door can hit the floor too hard if your springs need maintenance. Since working on the springs is complicated and dangerous, contact a professional to repair or replace them. 

Hire a Professional to Repair the Opener

Sometimes, the noise can come from your opener. A noise close to your garage’s roof or from the opener requires professional repair services. Addressing issues with your opener is crucial so your door continues to open and close safely and correctly.

Schedule Maintenance With AAA Garage Door

Routine maintenance inspections are the best way to address minor issues before they become problems. It also ensures your overhead door lasts as long as possible. For over 25 years, AAA Garage Door’s professionals have provided high-quality, prompt and reliable garage door repair and maintenance services in the greater Omaha area.

Our caring, highly-skilled professionals perform all of our garage door repair and maintenance services. We offer fair pricing models and easy scheduling. When you choose AAA Garage Door — the most reliable and trustworthy garage door repair specialists in Omaha — you receive quality services performed with extreme care and precision to ensure your garage door’s long-term safety, reliability and performance.

The post Troubleshooting a Noisy Garage Door appeared first on AAA Garage Door, Inc. | Husker Door.

A garage door not only adds to the overall curb appeal of your home, but it also provides you with a method of securing it. Your garage door must be attractive and match the exterior style of your home to protect the integrity and value of your property. There are unique styles of garage doors available if you need a replacement. The style you choose will depend on what the exterior of your home looks like, in addition to the specific features you are interested in (windows, handles, or a particular color). Let’s look at some traditional garage door styles and non-traditional options.

Traditional Style Garage Door Style

A more traditional garage door style will usually be made from a material such as wood or steel. Raised panels are commonly used, adding a bit of tone and definition. They are often square or rectangular, positioned specifically to create an even pattern across the door. A traditional door is ideal if you want a clean and simple look. You can also choose different details to add customization, such as color, material type, panel design, and hardware.

Modern Garage Doors

A modern garage door style is often used in a home with a very sophisticated and contemporary look. There is a large emphasis on details like clean lines, and the color may be dark or metallic. The material of a modern garage door may be wood, glass, aluminum, or steel. A modern garage door is easy to spot, as it looks very artistic.

Traditional: Carriage House Garage Door

A carriage house garage door looks like it can open and close by swinging in and out of its garage door opening. It opens up and closes down like other garage doors though. You get the traditional look of this style while having a more modern function. Its design is from a conventional carriage-style home, created with a large garage that would open and close widely enough to allow a horse-drawn carriage to emerge.

Many carriage house garage doors allow you to customize the look with things like windows and hardware. However, you can also choose an amazingly simple garage door that is void of anything but some simple beadboard panels.

Modern: Sectional Garage Doors

Sectional garage doors are common in more modern home designs. They have clean lines and are usually free of additional details or features. Made from aluminum, steel, or wood, sectional garage doors are typically made from four or five horizontal panels that have been joined together with hinges. As the garage door opens and closes, those panels will bend. The benefit of this garage door style is that you don’t need much space in front of the garage door. The folding action keeps everything very compact and close to home. If you’re prone to parking your vehicles in the driveway right up against the garage door’s exterior, this is a style you want to consider using.

Modern: Slide-to-Side Garage Door

The slide-to-side garage door isn’t something you see often, and it’s a more modern concept. It works similarly to how a sectional garage door functions, but it rolls to the side instead of up and down. A lot of people like this option because it’s safe. You don’t have to worry about the garage door coming off the tracks or hitting anything on its way down. In addition, new slide-to-side garage doors have an app that allows you to control them using your smart device.

The only downfall of this garage door style is that you’ll need to keep one side of your garage clear so that the door can move freely in open and closed positions. Also, if you use your garage for storage or don’t have a lot of square footage to work with, you might not like this concept.

Traditional: Side-Hinged Garage Door

This is a very commonly used garage door that has traditionally been used for single-car garages. Split in the middle, the door will open and close by way of hinges attached to the sides of your garage door opening. If your traditional side-hinged garage door were installed many years ago, you would have to open the door manually. Newer models can be equipped with an opener and remote.

Popular in mid-century homes, there are different details that you’ll find on a side-hinged door. For example, some doors have a simple lever handle that looks like something you would find on a regular commercial door. A lock is also a common feature. The building material for these doors is usually metal, and the construction is sturdy overall.

Traditional: Tilting Garage Doors

A tilt-up garage door is a one-piece door that opens and closes by way of pivoting arms at each side of the door. It’s a more traditional door style but can look more modern using various materials, colors, and types. Unfortunately, for several reasons, a tilting garage door isn’t a preferred option anymore. First, when you open and close it, it takes up a lot of space in front of your garage. Part of the door will hide away in the ceiling of your garage, but a substantial portion sticks out of the garage. You will have to leave quite a bit of space in your driveway in front of your vehicles, which might not be possible if you have a short driveway.

Tilting garage doors can be unsafe if they’re not installed properly or are getting older. Because it’s a one-piece design, it’s very heavy. If any of the hardware comes loose or breaks, opening or closing the door could cause the whole door to come down.

Traditional and Commercial: Roll-Up Garage Doors

You won’t typically see a roll-up garage door in a home, but it’s a common fixture in a commercial building. It’s a simple concept: rolling upwards into a large coil at the top and interior sides of the garage. These doors are made of metal and usually don’t have a lot of frills. However, they’re affordable and lightweight, making them ideal for businesses of all types. The only downside is that roll-up garage doors usually make quite a bit of noise when in motion.

Customizing a Garage Door

If you have a uniquely sized garage or a specific style of home that you want to match with your new door, you can work with a garage door company to create a customized garage door. In addition to achieving a specific look, you can have your customized door open and close however you would like, with various features and hardware included.

If you want to learn more about the different modern and traditional garage door styles available, contact Garage Door Doctor. In addition to new garage door installations, we offer emergency repair services, routine maintenance, spring repair, and garage door opener installation. If you live in Bloomington or the surrounding areas, contact us today to schedule an appointment.

The post Considering a Traditional or Non-Traditional Garage Door Style appeared first on Garage Door Doctor.

This post first appeared on https://www.garagedoordoctorllc.com

Your automatic garage door is a huge convenience for you each day. It saves you the time and hassle of having to get out of your vehicle every time you want to leave or enter your garage. As convenient as it is, there are some safety features that you should know about to ensure the longevity of your garage door.

1. Keep the Garage Door Opener Controls Away From Children
   Small children shouldn’t be allowed to play with either the garage door remote control that you keep in your car to activate the garage door or the control button in the garage. The continuous pressing of the button can wear on the controls over time.

2. Make a Monthly Visual Inspection
   Every month, you should make a visual inspection of the pulleys, rollers, springs, and cables that make up your garage door. Be on the lookout for broken items or things that don't seem to look as they should. Don't attempt to fix or adjust anything on your own as all of these components are under a great deal of tension. You could get hurt if you do so. Instead, contact a professional garage door repair service.

3. Test Your Garage Door Monthly
   At the same time that you are inspecting your garage door, get into the habit of also testing its reversing mechanism. Place a roll of paper towels or a stout board beneath it and watch to be sure that the door reverses upon contact. If it does not do so, call a professional garage door company right away for service.

4. Update Your Garage Door
   Even if your garage door seems to be working perfectly, if it is older than a model made in 1993, you should strongly consider getting it replaced. Not only have there been significant upgrades in technology since then, there are also key safety features that are built into newer garage doors.

5. Don't Leave the Garage Door Open Partly
   It can be tempting to leave the garage door open part of the way when you need some ventilation or if you are relaxing and need some protection from the sun. Doing so can be hazardous as the door can travel in a downward motion unexpectedly when you activate it again. This can cause injury to anything in its path.

Door Power has been providing services to the Minneapolis area since 1967. Contact them today for a free estimate if you need garage door services.

This post first appeared on https://www.doorpower.com