Choosing A Reputable Garage Door Company

What To Look For In A Garage Door Company

Like all trade professions, garage door technicians and the companies they work for come in a wide variety of  expertise levels. Unfortunately, there are some which are below par in experience and knowledge, while others are just looking to make a quick buck. However, there are also many companies that are dedicated to their profession, who stand behind the quality of the service and products they provide. When choosing a garage door company for garage door repairs or installation of a new garage door, here are some things to look for: 

  • Name brand products. Competition drives price, making it a good choice to pick a garage door company that carries several name brands of new garage doors. This ensures they are striving to be competitive, versus selling products that are only available through them as a proprietary provider.
     
  • Experience. Just because a company is new does not necessarily mean it’s not a quality company. Still, there are many disreputable companies which change names every few years to outrun their bad reputations. A company with a long community history is often a better choice.
     
  • Warranties. Garage doors, openers and repairs are often expensive investments, making it imperative to buy high-quality products which have manufacturer warranties. You also want a company that warranties their service, standing behind any service they provide. 

Don’t wait until an emergency arises to choose a garage door company. Do your research now, so that when the time comes, you will have a reputable, dependable company upon whom you can call for new installation or repairs on your garage door.

Posted on behalf of Habpro

Does Your Garage Door Opener Have A Battery Back-Up?

Fall and winter storms are right around the corner, often resulting in extensive power outages. What happens when you come home in the middle of a storm and your power is out, disabling your garage door? Do you have a key to get the garage manually? Will you need to stand outside in severe weather trying to get your door open, or run inside to open the garage from the interior emergency release feature? If you have a battery back-up for your garage door opener, you won’t need to worry about the occasional power failure. You garage door will be ready to open or close, even when the rest of your home is left in the dark. 

How Effective Are Garage Door Battery Back-Ups?

Battery back-ups for your garage door openers are an easy and affordable option which can make your life easier and safer in the event of a power outage. These rechargeable batteries can last for 24 hours during a blackout or storm, allowing you to open and close your garage door when you really need indoor access. There are a variety of options in back-up batteries, with some offering capabilities of up to 50 cycles in the 24 hours after a power outage. This ensures you will be able to get into your garage, even if your power has been out for several hours. 

Some of the newer garage door openers come equipped with battery back-up systems as an added benefit. However, even older garage door openers can be hooked into a battery back-up system. To learn more about adding a battery back-up or purchasing a new garage door opener with this option, call your local garage door company for more details.

Posted on behalf of Habpro

Enhance Your Curb Appeal With A Garage Door Makeover

Your garage door, or doors, can have a large impact on your home’s curb appeal. Whether you are trying to sell your home and need it to look its best, or you just want a new look for your home’s exterior, giving your garage doors a makeover is an affordable option. From adding a new coat of paint to replacing the entire door, you will be amazed how much a difference a beautiful garage door can make on the overall appearance of your home. 

Revitalize Or Replace?

There are many ways to give your existing garage doors a face-lift to enhance your home’s curb appeal, provided they are still in good shape. However, if they are at the point where they will need to be replaced in the next few years, it may be more sensible just to replace them with new garage doors now versus adding new paint, stain providing other cosmetic improvements only to replace the door along with all your hard work in short order. Before you break out the paint brushes, give your garage doors a thorough inspection. 

  • Cracks. Look closely to see if your door has any cracks in the surface. While most panels can be replaced individually, if you need to replace two or more, it may be time for a new door. Fiberglass doors can fracture, becoming hazardous if not repaired or replaced quickly.
     
  • Dents. Steel and aluminum doors will become dented over time from hail, vehicles and other items hitting them. While small dents are just an eyesore, larger dents can cause wear on your opening system.
     
  • Seals. Temperature and time can wear out the seals on your garage door, causing a strain on your energy bills. If the seals are worn, cracked or missing pieces, it’s time to get a new door. 

Whether you decide to paint or repair your existing door, or have a beautiful new garage door installed by your local garage door company, you will notice a substantial improvement to the curb appeal of your home when they look their best.

Posted on behalf of Habpro

Is Your Garage Door Inviting Thieves Into Your Home?

One of the common ways for thieves to break into homes is through attached garages. For a clever thief, a garage door can be an easy way of quickly entering your home if you don’t have the right safety and security measures in place. However, most newer garage door openers offer many security features which can stop thieves from using your garage door opener as a way to get into your home. Here are a few features to look for in a new door, plus some security tips to keep intruders out of your home and garage.                             

–        Rolling codes. Newer remote controls for garage door openers feature rolling codes which make them difficult for thieves to manipulate. If your garage door opener is older, you may also have old technology which is easy for thieves to bypass in order to open your garage door.

–        Vacation protection. Some garage door openers offer features which allow you to disable all remote function. This is especially important when you are out of town or on vacation, and during times when no one should be accessing your garage door.

–        Smartphone applications. Many newer openers now integrate smartphone technology which allows for control and management of the garage door through the owner’s cell phone. This allows you to be alerted if the door is left opened or opened when you are not at home.

–        Remote theft. Always keep close tabs on your garage door remote. Never leave it sitting in open view in your vehicle. This is an open invitation for thieves to break into your car, steal your remote and head to the address on your vehicle’s registration to rob your home. 

If you have an older garage door opener, it may be time to upgrade to a model with higher security features. Not only are these features designed for convenience, they are vital to keeping out thieves and intruders who are savvy enough to bypass your old system. Call your local garage door company today to learn what new features are available in garage door openers.

Posted on behalf of Habpro

Keeping Your Garage Safe

Garages have become more than just a place to park your vehicles. They often do multiple duty as storage units, playrooms, workshops, and pet kennels while also serving many other purposes. Regardless of how you use your garage, you want to ensure it’s a safe area for everyone in your home. From garage door safety to stacking boxes, every homeowner should inspect their garages to make sure there are no hazards lurking in this area of their house. Take time out this week and give your garage a thorough safety inspection. 

  • Organization. It’s easy for a garage to become over-cluttered with old furniture, boxes of clothes and other household items. Check to make sure that all items stored in your garage are properly stacked and braced to reduce the likelihood of boxes collapsing, potentially injuring someone in your household.
     
  • Chemicals. Many garages contain old paint, gasoline cans and other chemicals which can be hazardous under the wrong conditions. Ensure that all potentially dangerous chemicals are stored according to the manufacturer’s directions, and sealed in appropriate containers where small children and pets cannot reach them.
     
  • Lighting. In addition to your garage door light, ensure that there is adequate lighting throughout the garage to reduce the chance of tripping or falling after dark.
     
  • Garage door safety. Garage doors can be hazardous if not properly maintained. Check your garage doorfor proper balance, ensure that safety features are working correctly and that the door moves smoothly on its tracks. Have your garage door opener tuned once a year, with a full inspection of springs, pulleys and other components. If it has been over a year, call your local garage door company today to schedule a tune-up.

Posted on behalf of Legacy Garage Doors

 

Now Is The Time To Insulate Your Garage Door

No one wants to think about winter during the beautiful summer weather, yet this is the best time to get your garage doors ready for the months ahead. Your garage doors are exposed to inconsistent temperatures in the winter, as the interior side is warmed by your central unit while the exterior is chilled by winter wind. Regardless of where you live, there are most likely times of the year when the temperature varies by twenty or more degrees between the exterior and interior of your home. This is why insulation is so important, especially when it comes to garage doors. 

Benefits Of Insulated Garage Doors

If you have a basic garage door, it may have little if any insulation to protect against the outdoor temperatures. Many of the more affordable doors are hollow in the inside, while some may only have cardboard or pressed wood in the center. This provides minimal protection for the garage from the outside weather, creating cold drafts in the winter and hot garages in the summer. What you need is an insulated garage door, which will work as a barrier during the extreme temperatures of winter and summer. Some benefits include: 

  • Lower energy costs. If you have an attached garage or a temperature-controlled garage, insulated doors can help reduce energy costs. Whether it is hot or cold outside, insulation helps protect against losing cooled or warmed air through thin garage doors.
     
  • Sound-proofing. Insulation can help reduce noise in your garage, whether you are trying to keep noise out or minimize what others can hear from the outside. 

Garage doors come in a variety of insulation levels, depending on how severe the weather is where you live or how much sound-proofing you need. Call your local garage door company to discuss having a new insulated garage door installed now, before winter arrives with plunging temperatures and climbing energy costs.

Posted on behalf of Legacy Garage Doors

 

Options To Consider When Buying A New Garage Door

Replacing your garage door can enhance the appearance of your home, while offering protection against severe weather and potential intruders. Although a new garage door is significant investment, it’s also one of the smarter home improvements you can make, in terms of return on investment through home value. Still, there are many options to choose from when it comes to buying a new garage door, so it’s worth taking your time to consider these factors. 

Material

One of the primary considerations you should take into account when choosing a  garage door is the material from which it’s constructed. Garage doors come in three main materials: wood, steel and aluminum. Wood doors are the traditional option, with solid wood as one of the more expensive materials. Steel doors offer excellent protection from high winds and severe weather, while aluminum doors are light and affordable. 

Style

There is a wide array of styles when it comes to garage doors. From classic, carriage-style garage doors to the modern tradition of paneled doors, you can choose from hundreds of combinations of colors, design and window options. 

Features

Although you can buy basic garage doors which will do the job, there are additional features which are worth investing in for the protection of your home. Insulated doors help maintain the temperature of your home and garage while offering sound protection. Wind-resistant garage doors are recommended in areas that are prone to hurricanes or severe storms, protecting the entire home from further damage. 

Your new garage door should last for many years, and will be one of the first things that people see when they come to your home. Take the time to make sure you get the door which will yield the best features and benefits, while adding the aesthetic appeal you desire.

Posted on behalf of Legacy Garage Doors

Five Signs It’s Time To Buy A New Garage Door

No one wants to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a new garage door. However, there is a point when it becomes necessary to consider investing in a new door for your garage. When you consider that your garage door can be more important to the safety and security of your home than even your front door, it’s well worth the investment. Here are five signs that it is time to start shopping for a new garage door

  1. Outdated. How old is your garage door? Ten, fifteen years or even older? It may be time to replace that old door with a newer model. Consider getting a newer door which is resistant to high winds, has good insulation and is durable enough to last for many years to come.
     
  2. Dents, dings and cracks. If your garage door is showing wear with dents and cracks in the exterior, you need a new garage door now. Do not wait for it to fail; start shopping now to get it replaced.
     
  3. Hard to open or close. There are many components of a garage door which can cause it to become hard to open or close when they become worn and misshapen. This can cause unnecessary stress on your garage door opener, making it likely that it will need to be replaced too.
     
  4. Gaps. If there are gaps between the top or bottom of your garage door, your door may be sagging and needs to be replaced. This is common in older wood garage doors.
     
  5. Aesthetics. Even if your garage door is still functioning, if it’s ugly, it could be detracting from the curb appeal and value of your home. The garage door is one of the first things you see when coming to a home, making a new, beautiful door a great investment for your home.

Posted on behalf of Habpro

 

 

Does Your Garage Door Opener Talk To You?

If you haven’t looked at the features available on new garage door openers in the last few years, you may be amazed at the new options that these high-tech devices offer. While you may think of your garage door opener as just a convenience item, it is much important than that. Garage doors are one of the easiest ways for criminals to breach your home, endangering your safety and property. What if your garage door opener could talk to you, letting you know when someone is trying to get into your home? 

New Garage Door Opener Features

Garage door openers have evolved far past just opening and closing your heavy garage door. They now are available with high-tech security and safety options which can help protect your family and home. Consider these options that are now commonly offered: 

  • Smartphone applications – Your garage door opener can talk to you directly through your phone. New applications alert you when your garage door is opened. You can also open or close the door remotely with your phone. Imagine you are having an expensive item delivered while you are away. You can open the garage for the delivery person when they arrive, then close it when they are finished without leaving your home or packages vulnerable to theft or intrusion.
     
  • Security features – In addition to controlling your opener with your phone, new garage door openers come with advanced security features to ensure safety. Rolling security codes make it difficult for anyone to manipulate the opener, unlike older devices which are easily compromised. In addition, there are options for fingerprint access and other security features which can help protect your home. 

If you are ready to update your current garage door opener, talk to your local garage door service company to learn more about the incredible options available. Increase the security and convenience of your garage door with new technology designed to make your life easier.

Posted on behalf of Legacy Garage Doors

Weather Out The Storm With Reinforced Garage Doors

There has been a barrage of severe weather and storms all over the country in the last few years. Many homeowners are wondering whether their home could withstand one of these major storms if one hit their area. Regardless of where you live, there is always some type of severe weather that’s possible in the area, many bringing high winds which can compromise your home, especially your garage doors. 

Reinforced Garage Doors For Wind Resistance

When it comes to new garage doors, there is a big difference in how they are built to handle high winds. Light doors such as aluminum or fiberglass may not hold up well in a high-wind storm. In fact, garage doors not rated for high winds can implode or even fly off their frames. Their large size makes them an easy target for wind damage, which can pull a door that isn’t reinforced off its tracks or demolish it from pure pressure. 

The damage caused by high winds to a garage door does not only jeopardize the garage; it can put the entire home at risk. Once those high winds are allowed inside the structure, they can destroy walls, windows and even the roof from the inside out. 

If you live in an area prone to hurricanes or high-wind storms, you need to have reinforced garage doors which are built for wind resistance. In high-risk regions such as Florida and the eastern coastline, many building codes recommend garage doors that can handle winds up to 150 MPH. Considering the damage that can be done to your home, it is worth the investment to ensure that the largest opening to your garage and home is secure. Call your local garage door service company to discuss options to either reinforce your current door or replace it with a wind resistant model.

Posted on behalf of Legacy Garage Doors