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Garage door repair services from a quality garage door company are a smart investment indeed. How do you know you’re making the right choice?

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

If you’re a smart home enthusiast, smart garage door openers offer even more automation. New features continue to be added, contributing an even greater level of convenience. A Wi-Fi enabled garage door opener has changed the way you open, close, and interact with your garage door. Here are seven benefits you may not have known about.

1. Improved Security

The garage is a common entry point for burglars, who use an ever-evolving array of techniques to open garage doors. Criminals know people store all kinds of valuables in garages. You can lock your door remotely and even receive alerts on your smartphone when it opens and closes. Some systems have built in smart cameras with feeds you can view remotely, including those with streaming night vision video.

2. Never Forget to Close Your Garage Door

Have you ever left your house and had that nagging feeling you left the garage door open? Like most people, you probably have. Now, you can just check your smartphone to verify your suspicion, and just tap the screen to close the door. A smart garage door opener may even automatically close after a certain period of time. You may also get an alert if it senses the door is open, even if you’re just outside doing yard work.

3. Open Your Garage Door from Anywhere

Your garage door opener may sense when your car is pulling into the driveway. A family member may have arrived home and doesn’t have or lost their key. Rather than risk sharing access codes, you can open the door from anywhere in the world.

4. Set a Schedule

If you leave for work and come home the same time every day, or your child departs and returns from school on a regular schedule, you can set your smart garage door opener when to open and close. Is your neighborhood relatively safe? On the weekend, you can program how long to leave the garage door open while the children play outside.

5. Keep Track of Things at Home

The app with your smart garage door opener keeps a log of all activity. You can see every instance in which your garage was opened or closed, and at what time. There are even apps that provide two-way audio so you can communicate directly with visitors. It’s in your power to let someone in or not.

6. Protect Your Deliveries

Far too many delivery packages end up being stolen. Bad weather can ruin a package as well. Amazon offers a service for LiftMaster garage door openers that enables delivery personnel to enter and safely store your package. The garage door will automatically close again afterward.

7. Great Features

Some smart garage door openers now include additional features such as:

• Pairing with smoke/carbon monoxide detectors: An alert is sent to your phone if smoke, fire, or dangerous fumes are detected.

• Laser guidance systems: Activate once you pull your car into the garage to help park perfectly instead of risk hitting any objects or storage units.

• Temperature monitoring: Smart systems often have sensors to track temperature, which can help determine if your garage door is open and/or it’s too hot or cold for equipment, food, or other temperature-sensitive items.

Smart Garage Door Openers from Garage Door Doctor

At Garage Door Doctor, we install, repair, and service all brands of garage door openers, including smart systems in our Elite Series® and Premium Series from LiftMaster. Several models are available to meet the needs of your home. To learn more, feel free to reach out to us online or call 317-934-7706.

The post 7 Benefits of Smart Garage Door Openers appeared first on Garage Door Doctor.

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

The garage door safety sensor is the reason your heavy garage door reverses if something is in the way. If it is misaligned, your garage door may not work properly. It might reverse for seemingly no reason or not work at all if the sensor fails. Dirt on the lens is a common issue, but it’s also possible for a sensor emitter or receiver, or both, to go out of alignment.

A garage door sensor, or photo-eye, consists of two devices. One sends a signal and the other receives it on the other side of the garage door opening. This creates an invisible beam that, if broken by anything in its path, triggers the garage door opener to reverse and return the door to its original open position.

What to Look For

If you believe a garage door issue is caused by a misaligned sensor, first check whether an object or stored item is obstructing the light beam between the two units. Perhaps you stored a toolbox nearby or a child’s ball rolled in the way. Remove any potential obstructions. If nothing is in the way, and there doesn’t seem to be damage to the sensors or their wires, then:

• Find your garage door’s photo-eyes. One sensor is installed on the left-hand side and the other on the right. Both are mounted on the inside of the garage door opening, about six inches off the ground. The actual appearance, shape, and design differs depending on the sensor brand and manufacturer.

• Determine the status of each sensor by looking at the LED light on its side. Each should have a steady green light. A flashing red light or no light on at all means there may be a misalignment. If the sensors are properly lit and the door still doesn’t work, check the lens for dirt, dust, or debris and clean off any you find with a soft cloth.

• Measure the height of each sensor unit and use a level to determine if they are aligned. It’s important for both sensors to be at equal heights and facing each other. If not, they may have been installed improperly or the mountings may have been damaged. The best step is to call a garage door repair professional to find and fix the problem.

Can I Fix a Misaligned Garage Door Sensor?

You can adjust a misaligned sensor if there is no damage. First, loosen the screws on the pivot bracket. Then you can move the device up or down and direct one sensor to be in line with the other. Once the sensors are aligned, the LED light will come on.

Test the sensors after the adjustment is complete. To do so, place a cardboard box or other relatively soft object under the door and activate the switch to close it. The system should detect the object and stop the door. However, if a sensor problem persists, the door will close on or even crush the box or object. In this case, you should call a repair professional right away to service your garage door.

Contact Garage Door Doctor for Help

Serving Indianapolis and surrounding areas, Garage Door Doctor can help if your garage door sensors are misaligned, damaged, or not working. Our team of experienced service professionals can address your problem 24/7. We can service all types, makes, and brands of garage doors, openers, and parts. Call 317-934-7706 today to request same-day service or contact us online to set up a free consultation.

The post How to Tell If Your Garage Door Sensor Is Out of Alignment appeared first on Garage Door Doctor.

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

Garage door repair or garage door installation? It’s a hard question, but a garage door company that does both is here to help.

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

Do you notice something isn’t right with your garage door? Many garage door problems originate with the springs that support them. After all, torsion and extension springs are what support a door’s weight as it moves up or down. A broken garage door spring can therefore cause a major safety problem, but here are 9 signs that indicate it’s time for professional repair.

1. The Garage Door Is Off Balance

Any changes in how your garage door opens and closes can be due to a balance issue. Symptoms include differences in speed or any difficulty operating the door. Even if the balance problem isn’t directly caused by a broken spring, excess strain can wear out and damage even new garage door springs.

2. The Garage Door Stops After 6 Inches

Torsion springs support the entire weight of the door. When they’re faulty, the door might not lift the full height of the opening, typically not more than six inches off the ground. The safety system can also trigger this; if the sensors are operating normally and nothing is obstructing them, check the springs next. Safety features may be reacting to the extra force to prevent further damage.

3. The Garage Door is Jerky

Jerky movement is a common sign of damaged garage door extension springs. If the door is jerky when you open or close it, there may be a broken spring. The overall impact on the system depends on whether it is designed to run with one or two springs.

4. The Garage Door Falls Too Fast

Operating a garage door with a broken spring, combined with the weight of the door, can prevent it from running at a controlled rate of speed. The effects range from a slightly higher closing speed to the door crashing to the ground.

5. The Door Is Too Heavy to Lift

Is your garage door like dead weight? If so, a broken extension spring may be the culprit. This will be true even if you use the red emergency release cord.

6. Gaps in Springs

Garage door torsion springs are tightly wound when intact. When they break, the springs unwind, leaving behind a noticeable gap. Don’t try to fix the problem yourself. Instead, contact a local garage door spring repair company for a professional fix.

7. The Springs Appear Rusty or Worn

A wide gap isn’t the only sign of trouble. In some cases, a failing spring may look rusty or worn out. It might also not have coiled back as tightly. Contact a repair technician if you notice a garage door spring doesn’t look right in any way.

8. Noise

A worn or broken spring puts an excessive amount of strain on the garage door. You may hear squealing, groaning, or popping sounds that are hard to ignore. Torsion springs often break with a bang, after which you’re unable to open the door.

9. Cables or Pulleys Are Hanging

It may appear that a garage door cable is loose when the spring that supports it has failed. The cable may be out of place or hang from its normal location. In addition, a pulley can be forced from its regular position.

Call Garage Door Doctor

We provide affordable garage door spring repair and garage door service for residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Indianapolis. A family owned and operated company, we service all types of garage doors and can fix any problem. To request service, contact us online or call 317-934-7706.

The post 9 Signs of Broken Garage Door Springs appeared first on Garage Door Doctor.

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

Garage door repair from a reputable garage door company is essential to your investment’s longevity, but at-home maintenance procedures are valuable, too.

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

Garage door repair from a reputable garage door company should be done before winter hits, but what exactly does that entail, and what should you look for?

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

Holidays are a great time to decorate your home, let us help you decorate your garage door this coming holiday season.

Halloween is coming faster than most of us want to believe. It seems that the last half of the year always flies a lot faster than the first half. Well, one thing most people seem to agree on, whether the holidays are coming fast or not, it is that decorating for holidays tends to make the holiday season more exciting. 

We here at A Plus want to show you some fun ways to decorate not only for your upcoming Halloween ideas, but also for all holidays in the upcoming season. 

Some preliminary warnings to keep in mind: 

• Do not add anything ¼ inch or thicker 
• Do not add anything heavier than 1 pound
• Do not add anything that covers more than one section

Where To Decorate Garage Door

Garage doors have a lot of moving components to them, ensuring that nothing gets stuck in those parts is key to ensuring your door doesn’t break because of your decorations. 

Knowing how often you use your door, you can determine where to put decorations. If you use your garage more for storage, decorating on the panels and pieces of decoration overlapping the panels will not be much of a problem. While using your garage door regularly makes it so that overlapping decorations will get caught in the moving panels, breaking at best the decorations, and at worst the door itself. 

If you use your garage door more like a front door, then decorating the framing, or the garage itself might be a preferred alternative. Another great source is to use any light fixtures that may be attached to your garage, creating a great source for hanging different decorations. 

Materials To Decorate Garage Door 

Now that we know where to decorate we can focus on what to decorate with. 

If you do not use your garage door often, a great decoration idea is using vinyl decals or using magnets. Magnets are the preferred source as they stick well and are easy to remove. Since your door won’t be moving often, you can afford to use larger ones that cover more than one panel on your door. 

You can also create large silhouettes on your door if you do not use it often, or can use the door as a mouth for a monster or creature. You have the whole door to use, and can get very creative. We will get more into detail of different ideas for holidays later on. 

If you do use your garage door often smaller decorations are the superior choice. You can still use vinyl decals or magnets, but they need to fit on one panel so that they do not get caught. 

Anyone can use lights to decorate their garage, using the framing to hang them, or the garage itself. You can also use any light fixtures on your garage door to hang additional decorations.

Halloween Garage Door Decoration Ideas

Halloween is arguably the best time to use your garage door itself to decorate, there are a lot of creative ideas out there when it comes to using your garage door for decorating for the spooky season. 

We want to show you a few of the highlights we have come across: 

Using your whole garage as a spider web, this would be a great idea for those with darker doors, so that the spider web really stands out. 

Creating a silhouette with backlighting can be done on any garage door color. This can be done with string lights, or tea lights if you are looking for cheaper solutions. 

This is a great idea, and can be done with any color door. If you don’t want to cover your whole door with material like in this video, find a character whose mouth would match the color of your door. 

Thanksgiving Garage Door Decoration Ideas

There is a lot to be thankful for on Thanksgiving, or anyday, but especially those new garage doors. We found some great fall themed decorations to share with you all. 

Using gourds, pumpkins, and wreaths to tie in that fall theme is a great way to decorate without needing to put too much effort into the door. 

Using murals on your door, either painted with watercolors, or printed ones ordered off the internet is a great way to decorate your door, and the latter is a simple solution too!

Christmas Garage Door Decoration Ideas

Christmas is another prime time to get out and decorate your garage door. Nothing really brings in that holiday spirit like decorating your home and sharing the joy with others. We wanted to share some of the Christmas decorations we liked the most. 

We talked about this concept earlier, using light fixtures to hold wreaths. This is ideal for those who use their garage doors regularly, but still want to decorate their garage. 

Using greenery and lights is a great way to light in the garage with the rest of the home without compromising your working door. Using the framing and the garage itself to hold the decorations while keeping your door free. 

The post Blog first appeared on A Plus Garage Doors. This post first appeared on https://utahgaragedoors.net

Are you a homeowner interested in what a garage door costs, especially in Utah? We’ve been doing garage door installations and replacements since 2005 throughout Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo, Park City, and surrounding areas and know a thing or two about pricing out a garage door project.

Please note that this guide is intended to give a rough idea of what goes into pricing out a garage door, not provide a true cost estimate. Every project is unique, and though the numbers we share here are based on years of experience, they are general figures intended to be a starting point. If you want an exact amount and assistance with color and style choices and live in one of our service areas, contact us for a free estimate.

And now, let’s cover the main factors that determine how much a new garage door costs.

Garage Door Size

The first major factor in new garage door pricing is the size of the garage door, or doors. Size always matters because of the amount of materials and labor that are required in order to manufacture, ship, and install the garage door. The larger the door, the higher the cost.

A steel 8’ x 7’ garage door (standard single door) will start at around $600 installed. A steel 16’ x 7’ garage door (standard double door) starts at around $900 installed. Keep in mind that this is for a steel, non-insulated door with a standard color, finish, and panel style. (More on that later.)

Garage doors that are 18’ and wider require struts to prevent bending and warping over time, which also requires more in materials and installation. These are installed per panel, so the overall amount depends on the height and width of the door.

Garage Door Insulation

Insulated panels can have a vinyl plastic backing or steel backing. Steel offers improved insulation value and panel strength, and will cost more. Adding insulation to a garage door usually adds about 30 to 50% to the price of a new garage door.

Garage door insulation helps manage the temperature of your garage and reduces sound that passes through and vibration while operating. On top of that, steel-backed, insulated panels are much more structurally sound and tend to last much longer than non-insulated doors, and we recommend them for projects where the garage door will be open and closed often.

Garage Door Material

Many materials are available for garage doors, including steel, aluminum, wood, vinyl, fiberglass, and more.

However, steel has become by far the most popular option because it’s the most affordable material while also being very durable and attractive. Most of the “wood look” doors you see around are very likely steel panels with a wood-like texture stamped during production and painted and finished to match. Many times you can’t tell it’s a steel door unless you’re standing very close to it.

Behind steel doors, aluminum and wood (or composite wood) are the other popular materials our customers select for their garage doors. Aluminum is required in some installations to reduce the size and weight of certain doors, such as full-view glass doors.

Real wood is also an option for garage doors, but usually ends up being much more costly due to the process required to make the door. They also tend to require more upkeep and maintenance compared to other materials, and depend heavily on the climate they’re installed in.

Color, Panel Style, and Finish

Garage door manufacturers optimize production around popular styles, so anything out of the ordinary could influence the overall garage door price. White, almond, sandtone, and a few other colors are generally the most popular and come as standard options. Custom colors and finishes such as wood grain patterns, non-standard colors, and powder coating will add to the final cost.

Panel styles also have standard options, the most common seen in Utah residences is the short panel:

These are popular with builders because they are often the lowest-cost option. But many manufacturers include other styles that can be selected at the same or slightly higher pricing, including long panels, bead board, and more.

By selecting a complementary color and style to your home or business, you can get a very customized look and feel without adding a lot to the final cost of your new garage door.

Garage Door Windows

Garage doors with windows have become very popular as a way to let natural light into the garage. Plus, they look really, really good.

The cost of garage door windows varies, depending on the manufacturer and options. Most manufacturers use window inserts, which is a way to cut the space out of a panel and install windows by inserting them into that space. These typically start at $150 per panel installed for a single door, and go up based on size and optional upgrades (glass/acrylic style, insulation, finish, etc.).

Some manufacturers, including Martin Door, have door models that come right off the assembly line with windows. These let even more light in due to slimmer framing, but also add to the overall cost.

Garage Door Accessories

There are other additions that can be included with a garage door installation that will influence the overall cost. In some installations, weather trim will be needed to bridge the gap between the door and framing, and can either be included as a set cost on top of installation or as per-foot pricing. We do both, but tend to recommend and install the trim along with the initial installation.

Decorative hardware is another accessory that is not required, but adds a nice touch to a new garage door. These are either magnetic or installed with screws, and will add a touch of texture, contrast, and realism to a door.

Other Garage Door Pricing Factors

Overall, from the company installing the garage door, the heavier the door, the more effort it requires to load, transport, and install the garage door. Smaller, lighter doors can be installed by one person within a few hours while larger jobs can take two or even more people.

Additionally, heavier doors can require heavy duty hardware, including hinges and tracks, to operate properly.

If there isn’t a standard amount of space for a garage door opener and track, special low clearance hardware may also be needed. There are openers and hardware specifically for these use cases, and the pricing will vary depending on several factors.

Getting the Best Price on a Garage Door Installation

If you’re in the market for a new garage door, it’s important to do your homework so you don’t get gouged on price or end up with something you’re not happy with.

1. Research the company before getting an estimate. Make sure you’re dealing with a company with a good reputation. Check how many years they’ve been in operation. Look at their reviews on Google, Facebook, and Yelp, and take note of the responses the company has to negative reviews. Companies that care about their reputation will respond to and engage with negative feedback.
2. Check the estimate closely. Most garage door companies will come out and give you a free estimate for your garage door cost. But not every estimate is created equal: review the details of the estimate, and make sure you know exactly where your money will be going. The line items should be tailored to your project, including specific sizes and additional options, so you can do an apples-to-apples comparison with other bids.
3. Ask about the warranty. Find out if the work includes a warranty, and what it covers. Hopefully you’ll never have to use it, but things happen, and it’s better to be covered than left on your own.
4. Beware of shortcuts. Reputable companies should be willing to give you a ballpark price over the phone with minimal information, but will also delve into your specific project needs before giving a firm estimate.

Shopping for a Garage Door in Utah? We Can Help!

We pride ourselves in providing the best service available in northern Utah. If you’re thinking about replacing a garage door or need a door for a new build, we can help you find what you’re looking for at a fair price.

We can perform an in-person or over-the-phone consultation, then give you a detailed estimate for new garage doors at a fair price. If you decide to work with us, we order the materials and schedule an installation. We also offer financing options with up to 12 months with no interest!

Book Online

Call Us Now

The post Blog first appeared on A Plus Garage Doors. This post first appeared on https://utahgaragedoors.net

Just as every garage serves a specific purpose, so too should every garage door accommodate the space’s unique needs. When considering different commercial garage doors, many people compare steel rolling garage door benefits to steel sectional garage door benefits. In the debate between steel sectional vs. rolling steel garage doors, it’s sometimes difficult to identify which suits your needs.

Thankfully, our team at Garage Door Specialists have extensive knowledge about all types of commercial garage doors. We’re happy to help identify the benefits of each and highlight a few points to consider as you make your decision to purchase a new garage door.

Benefits of Rolling Steel Doors

Rolling steel doors are fantastic resources for commercial settings. You might hear people call them overhead rolling doors, roll-up doors and coiling garage doors. Their mechanism retracts the steel rolls together into a compact coil. These overhead rolling doors are applicable in the interior and exterior of a space. Their versatility, combined with their small footprint, ease of maintenance and attractive design, offer distinct advantages, including increased security, durability and insulation.

Rolling steel doors create layers of protection and locking mechanisms to provide exceptional security. The strong materials used in their design provide substantial durability that enables them to withstand heavy usage, wear and tear for years, which includes standing up to severe weather, corrosion and rust. These steel doors can also have a layer of foam insulation that reduces the transfer of both heat and noise.

One of the more popular types of overhead rolling doors used in commercial settings are fire-rated roll-up doors. These steel roller doors enhance safety and security by rolling down automatically when triggered by smoke to prevent fires from spreading. With customization offering additional benefits, rolling steel doors are applicable for interior and exterior use in businesses of all sizes.

Benefits of Sectional Steel Doors

Sectional garage doors are among the most popular types of garage doors available, particularly for residential applications. Steel sectional doors have wider panels than those of rolling steel doors, and rest parallel to the ceiling when retracted. Like steel roller doors, steel sectional garage door benefits are versatile enough to cater to your unique needs. For instance, you can opt to include windows, insulation or added hardware. Steel doors are generally affordable for all budgets and require little maintenance.

As one of the leading types of commercial garage doors, steel sectional doors offer a range of benefits. Although they don’t roll into a coil like rolling steel doors do, steel sectional doors are still relatively compact. They also feature strong, durable materials that resist damage and provide enhanced security. If you need better climate control of your interior, choose insulation.

Things to Consider When Making a Decision

Now that you have a general idea of the benefits sectional steel doors and steel roller doors provide, let’s venture deeper into the decision-making process and identify a few crucial considerations. Depending on your specific application, you’ll need to consider additional factors such as each door’s performance, ease of installation, cost and overall maintenance.

Performance

No matter which types of commercial garage doors you choose, performance will be one of your top priorities. Performance is the way to assess how well a door can handle heavy usage. Some garage doors can meet high-efficiency metrics, such as completing hundreds of thousands of cycles before wearing down. 

Typically, rolling steel doors will offer higher cycle ranges than steel sectional doors. However, more is not always necessary. Depending on how much traffic will come in and out of your garage, the “performance” you desire may be a reliable, cost-effective door, even though it doesn’t yield a six-figure cycle range.

Mounting

Before considering space requirements, you must first think about the best way to mount the garage door. Different lift mounts will require space either directly above or beside the doorway, or overhead behind the doorway. For example, you can have rolling steel doors mounted to the walls instead of the ceiling, while sectional steel doors require ceiling or roof support. 

Since rolling steel doors can attach to the walls, they require limited overhead space, which is ideal for smaller garages. However, there are various ways to mount steel sectional garage doors. These include a standard lift, a high lift for high ceilings, a vertical lift to bring the entire door straight up or a low-headroom lift for limited overhead spaces.

Space

The physical space necessary to install any garage door is a factor many commercial and residential property owners forget about at first. Steel sectional doors will take up more overhead space than rolling ones, which significantly limits property owners with low ceilings or smaller garages.

Consider how many resources are above you: fire sprinklers, lighting, HVAC vents, hanging storage shelves and hanging promotional materials like banners or signs. Steel sectional doors may block these, whereas an overhead rolling door will contain itself in a compact coil that takes up limited overhead space in your garage.

Cost

Cost factors into every decision you make for your business. However, it’s vital to understand that “cost-effective” and “cheap” are not the same. No matter which garage door you choose, you should always make sure it has reliable parts and comes from a trustworthy garage door company.

In many cases, steel sectional doors are more cost-effective than steel roller doors because they feature one-piece construction. You must also consider the long-term cost associated with each door. For instance, the steel sectional door may have a smaller upfront cost, but rolling steel doors typically have a smaller lifetime cost, as they’re more durable and require less maintenance.

Size

While space is a critical concern, the size of the door is another aspect that requires some thought. Depending on your garage opening, you may need a door that meets non-standard specifications. A size variance ranging from half an inch to an inch may not seem large, but such details are vital.

It’s possible to custom-fit many rolling steel doors to the exact dimensions required. In most cases, you can also get steel sectional doors modified. However, their modification limits may be predetermined increments ranging from 2″ to 3″ to 18″ to 24″. Modifications on either door will still look attractive, but if your dimensions are uncommon, a rolling steel door may provide a better fit.

Security and Maintenance

Although sectional steel doors feature single-piece construction, they often have more components in their overall mounting and installation than rolling steel doors do. With fewer exposed parts, rolling steel garage doors take less wear and tear over time. They’re also more likely to have grease-coated springs that resist damage from rust and low temperatures.

Regarding security, both will secure your garage and everything inside it. Generally speaking, choosing an overhead rolling door over a steel sectional door may lend additional safety because their parts are less exposed. Remember that all commercial garage doors require routine inspection to ensure they’re secure and safe for use.

Steel Sectional vs. Rolling Steel Garage Doors

Still unsure whether a steel sectional garage door or a rolling steel garage door is ideal for your application? We’re here to help. Contact Garage Door Specialists today and tell us the performance and functionality you desire from your garage door. Our knowledgeable team will help you choose the right steel roller doors or steel sectional garage doors that meet your unique needs.

The post Which Is Better for Your Application: Rolling or Sectional Steel Doors? appeared first on AAA Garage Door, Inc. | Husker Door.