Garage Door Upgrade

February 28th, 2013 Posted in New Garage Doors
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If you are one of the millions of Americans who use their garage for more than just storing their car, installing a new energy efficient insulated garage door can increase the energy efficiency and comfort level in your garage.  An insulated garage door helps hold in the heat in the winter months and the cool air in summer.  If you use your garage as a work area or for family recreation, an insulated garage door can make a big difference in your family’s comfort level. 

However, before you invest in a new garage door, consider upgrading your existing garage door.  If your old garage door is still in good condition, you may be able to improve its energy efficiency and comfort by installing an insulation kit rather than buying a new garage door.  Do-it-yourself garage door insulation kits are available that can increase a garage door’s insulation value as high as R-8. 

However, these insulation kits only insulate the door panels.  They are not designed to seal air leaks at the joints between panels.  If your garage door has air leaks between the door panels, you are better off with a new energy efficient garage door.  Modern insulated steel garage doors have very high R-values and are designed with tight fitting joints to keep out air leaks from between door panels.

The energy saving characteristics of insulated steel doors are only one reason they are so popular.  Modern steel garage doors are attractive, durable, and easy to maintain.  They come in a wide variety of colors and styles and have high tech, baked-on finish.  A simple hosing or wipe down with a sponge will help them maintain their good looks for years.  They are also much quieter than non-insulated steel doors.  A new garage door is a worthwhile upgrade to almost any home.

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Don’t Get Locked Out Of Your Garage

February 14th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Openers
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We often take garage door openers for granted. It is so convenient just to push a button and drive right into our garage. It isn’t until something happens and that garage door doesn’t go up that we realize how much we depend on these little gizmos. Whether a battery dies, the electricity goes out or we lose our remote, there are ways to make sure that you never get locked out of your garage. 

  • Keypad entry. Many garage door openers now have an option for keypad entry outside of the garage door. These keypads allow you to enter a code and open the door even when you do not have your remote or if the remote battery dies. There are even Keypads with fingerprint technology that are programmed to open only for you or your family’s fingerprints.
  • Back-up battery. Another great feature that you can look for when purchasing a garage door opener is a back-up battery feature for when your home loses power. This will allow you to open your garage door a few times while the power is out. Nothing is more frustrating then to not be able to open your garage door when there is a storm going on and you want to get your car safely into the garage. 

There are more and more options available for garage door openers, including smart phone applications that can operate your garage door from anywhere in the world. Technology has advanced and the old garage door remote controls are becoming a gadget of the past. With all these new features, you never need to be locked out of your garage again!

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Children-Friendly Garage Doors

February 14th, 2013 Posted in New Garage Doors
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Children are fascinated by anything they can make go and up down with a push of a button. Playing with garage doors can seem like a fun game to them but it can easily turn from fun into injury. Garage doors weigh hundreds of pounds and should not be toyed with. If you have small children at your home, consider these safety tips to keep both your kids and your garage door from harm. 

Installing Children-Friendly Garage Doors

If you are looking at installing a new garage door, there are some features to consider if you have small children. While most garage doors are perfectly safe when used correctly, a young child may be injured if they are allowed to play or use the garage door unsupervised. Some things to consider when installing a new garage door: 

  • Pinch-resistant door panels. Thousands of injuries happen every year when fingers get in between the panels of a garage door closing. Children are even more likely to not realize this danger. Many garage door companies offer pinch-resistant door panels to avoid getting fingers caught in these gaps.
  • Garage open button. Make sure that the garage door open button is out of reach of small children. Have the installer put it high enough that small hands cannot reach it.
  • Test the reverse mechanism. After the door is installed, make sure the reverse mechanism is working properly. Put a soft object under the door and close it. It should stop and reverse when it comes in contact. 

A few small adjustments in your garage door installation can make it much safer for the small children in your home. It is worth the time and effort to keep them safe from preventable garage door accidents.

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Will Your Garage Door Withstand the Storm?

February 14th, 2013 Posted in New Garage Doors
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Every year there seems to be more violent and vicious storms that hit different areas of the country. Even some areas that generally do not see hurricane force winds have had to deal with the aftermath of what Mother Nature can do. When it comes to wind force, not all garage doors are made the same. Having a garage door that can stand up to the next big storm can help protect your family and property. 

The first step in storm proofing your garage door is to find out what the wind load requirements are for where you live. Your local building authority or even a garage door company can let you know what the minimum requirements are. You can then check your model or have a professional technician do a safety inspection on your current door. 

If your door is not up to the wind load that is required or may be needed, there are two options. In some cases, you can buy “add-ons” to reinforce your existing door before a storm. This involves installing poles inside the door before the storm and then removing them after. 

The second option is to replace your existing door with a storm ready reinforced garage door. The reinforcement for storms is part of the door and all that is usually needed is to lock the door before a storm hits. This can add piece of mind for those who need to evacuate or have vacation homes in areas with frequent storms. 

Just like all storm preparedness, garage doors need to be ready before a storm hits. Once the storm is on its way it may be too late to get your door up to standard. Take the time now to find out what your door can handle and make the appropriate upgrades.

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Garage Door Intruder Safety

February 14th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Openers
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One way intruders try to get in to a home is through the garage doors. While many improvements have been made in garage door openers to ensure security, some are better than others. There are certain features to look for and safety measures that homeowners can take to make sure that no intruders are able to enter their home through the use of their garage doors. 

  • Rolling codes. Newer models of garage door openers come with what are called rolling codes. This means they change access codes each time you use the opener. This is important to keep criminals from “grabbing” the code. If you have an older model, consider updating it or at least changing the manufacture code.
  • Remote controls. Never leave your garage door remote control in your car. If a thief breaks into your car or you have an unscrupulous valet or parking attendant, they may now have access to your home.
  • Lock the home entry door. This may seem like an inconvenience, but in case someone does get into your garage, you should keep the door to the home locked. It is worth having to unlock it every time to keep your home safer.
  • Unplug the door opener. If you will be out of town for a few days or longer, consider unplugging the garage door opener or use the vacation lock. Either should make the opener unusable while you are away. 

Automatic garage door openers are a wonderful convenience and something most of us do not want to do without. However, it is important to make sure that the convenience is balanced with good safety procedures and features.

 

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Garage Doors: The New Home Style Accessory

February 14th, 2013 Posted in New Garage Doors
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Drive into many new housing developments and you will see the same home or style over and over again. They may be painted different colors but often the basic layout is exactly the same. While it may be expensive to have a custom home built, there are ways to set your home apart from those that look just like it. Not only are garage doors functional, but they can also give a unique look and style to your home. 

Find Your Style

Just as a belt, shoes or jewelry can spruce up an outfit, a garage door can do the same for the curb appeal of your home. While your home may have come with a basic, run-of-the-mill garage door, adding something with a little style or color can transform the entire look of your home. 

Carriage house doors. There is something about the style of a carriage house garage door that adds elegance to a home. While these doors were common a century ago, they were quickly replaced with the overhead door that was easier to use and worked with the automatic door openers. Now you can have the look and the modern convenience all in one!

Contemporary door styles. If you want a more modern look, contemporary styles move away from traditional and give a sleek, bold statement to your home. Many combine different materials and colors to give an arty look to the design and make your door stand out in the neighborhood. 

Use your garage door to set your home apart from the rest and give it an individual style, just like you. Whether you like a classic or modern look, there are many garage doors to choose from to compliment your style.

 

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