Damaged Metal Garage Door Panels

Garage doors put up with a lot of abuse. They are hit with basketballs, bicycles and even cars, getting dinged and dented in the process. Over the years, your garage door can begin to shows signs of all this mistreatment, taking away from the beauty of your home. However, a few dents and dings don’t necessarily mean the whole door needs to be replaced. 

Replacing Damaged Panels

Many metal garage door panels are removable and replaceable. Depending on the door and manufacturer, you can usually order replacement panels for those which have become dented or bent out of shape. They generally come in only a few colors, or just in white. Once they are replaced you can paint the entire door, leaving it looking just like new. 

There are a few situations where garage door repairs may not be a good option and you will need to get an entire new garage door. These include: 

  • Older models. Some of the older models of garage doors may have been discontinued by the manufacturer. When a model is discontinued, there may not be replacement panels available to order. In this case, you would either have to have panels custom made or replace the entire door.
  • Door structure is damaged. If more than just the panel is bent or damaged, the entire door may need to be replaced. Before ordering new panels, have your local garage door service company inspect the entire door to make sure that only the panel area is damaged.
  • Multiple panels. If two, three or more of the panels are damaged, it may be more cost effective to replace the entire door, especially if the door is already a few years old. 

Replacing old panels on your metal garage door can give your whole garage and home a fresh, new look. Talk to your garage door service company about replacing your dented panels today!

Posted on Behalf of Legacy Garage Doors

Are Your Garage Door Sensors Aligned Properly?

Your garage door sensors are important for safety, keeping your garage door from closing when anything is under the door. The alignment of these sensors can become skewed over time, and can be the source of an emergency service call to your garage door service company. Imagine you are already late for work, and when you pull out of your garage, your garage door only closes halfway. Now you need to jump out of the car and shut the door manually, making sure it is locked and secure, making you even later for work. Not knowing what was wrong, most people will call their garage door service company to get the problem fixed when all that is wrong is their sensor alignment. 

Aligning Your Garage Door Sensors

Most garage door sensors are located approximately five feet off the ground, with one sensor on either side of your garage door. Most will have a red light on them, with one having a steady red light and the other only lighting up when it receives a signal from the other device. To align these sensors, the goal is to have both of the beams pointed directly at the other sensor. To do this, open or close the door, looking at the lights being displayed. Adjust them to point directly at each other, so that both are illuminated and solid red. 

If you are having trouble getting your sensors aligned properly, try cleaning the lens on the sensors. If you are still having problems, you may need to call your local garage door service company to adjust your sensors for you, or it may be possible that they need replacement. Sensors keep your garage door from closing down on people or items that could be crushed, so making sure they are aligned and working correctly should be a top priority.

Posted on behalf of Legacy Garage Doors

Is Your Garage Door Properly Insulated?

To save money, many builders or homeowners neglect to buy insulated garage doors, either when the home is first built or when a garage door is replaced. While insulated doors can be more expensive, they also can save money on energy costs by reducing the amount of heat or cooled air that’s lost through the garage. In addition, insulated garage doors reduce noise from outside and can help sound proof your garage. Even if your garage door is new, you can still add insulation to the door to gain these benefits. 

Insulating An Existing Garage Door

There are insulation kits which can be added to a garage door. You can choose to buy your own kit and install it yourself, or call your local garage door service company to install one for you. For most two-car garages, you are looking at a couple hundred dollars to install it yourself. However, many homeowners choose to have a professional do it for them, as there often is not a large difference in price to have it professionally installed. 

Need A New Garage Door?

If your garage door is older and will need to be replaced in the next few years, it may be better to just replace the door with a new, insulated door versus spending money on insulation. There are many options in insulated doors, from carriage-style doors to heavy-duty steel doors that are both insulated and wind resistant. 

Talk to your local garage service company about what is the best insulation rating for your area and home. Whether you are adding insulation or buying a new insulated garage door, you want to ensure that you have the right amount of insulation for your home.

Posted on behalf of Legacy Garage Doors