Today’s Garage Doors

Homeowners today have a wide variety of options available when considering a replacement garage door.  Available in a wide variety of architectural styles, including contemporary, traditional and carriage styles, the doors are available in a wide variety of widths and heights.  The materials being used today include wood, fiberglass, aluminum, steel and vinyl.  In addition, they are available with a variety of window and hardware options, making the doors highly customized to the architectural style of the home, as well as the tastes and budget of the homeowner. 

Wood doors are available in a variety of wood species including kiln dried Hemlock, Cedar and Mahogany, as well as more exotic wood species such as African Mahogany, Spanish Red Cedar and Birch.  They are also available in a variety of laminated wood products as well, including rough sawn plywood and T-111 siding.  Wood doors typically have a polystyrene insulated core, which reduces energy waste in conditioned garages.  While these doors will require periodic staining or painting, these doors are very attractive and will provide years of service.  

Fiberglass, aluminum, steel and vinyl doors have the advantage of being very low maintenance due to the inherent stability of the products being used in the doors, as well as wide variety of pre-finished colors available, eliminating the need to paint the doors. 

Modern wood, fiberglass, aluminum, steel and vinyl garage doors are engineered to be low maintenance and provide years of service, while enhancing the architecture of the home at an affordable cost!

Posted on behalf of Find Local Garage Door Service

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

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

 

 

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

Cost Vs Value-Garage Door Replacement Ranked In Top Five

One of the considerations when investing in home improvements is the cost versus value of the project. While some home improvements need to be completed regardless of the value, those looking to get the most bang for their buck may want to consider replacing the garage door. According to Remodeling.com, an online home improvement site, garage door replacements are one of the top home improvement projects that give you the highest value versus cost. 

2014 Cost Vs Value Report

Each year Remodeling releases a Cost Versus Value report, which provides a breakdown of the top home remodeling projects for the previous year and their effect on home value. This report lists the average cost for these projects, how much value they add to the home and the recouped cost on the project. The report is broken into two categories for the national averages, mid-range and upscale projects. In both categories, garage door replacement was in the top five. 

  • Mid Range. In the mid range projects, garage door replacement ranked fourth on the list, with an average investment of $1,534. The cost recouped percentage was 83.7%.
     
  • Upscale. In the higher end projects, garage door replacements ranked second, with an average project cost of $2,791 and a recouped cost of 82.9%. 

What these numbers and ranking reflect is which home improvement projects will be the best investment, adding the most value for the money spent. This is extremely important for homeowners who plan on selling their home in the next few years. Replacing an old garage door can increase the curb appeal of the home and is a wise use of home improvement funds.

Posted on behalf of Legacy Garage Doors

Why Choose an Insulated Garage Door

A new garage door is a big investment either to your new home or for replacing an old door on your current home. Garage doors can add to the comfort, curb appeal, and security of your home. There are many factors to consider when choosing new garage doors: cost, material, design, insulation, and building code requirements. Taking into consideration how your garage will be used and where it is located in your home can help make your decision easier. 

Most people want a garage door that adds curb appeal to their home if they have a front facing garage door. That decision is probably the easiest. Now, let’s consider where the garage door is located in terms of the rest of the house. If the garage door is located below a bedroom or kitchen or living space in the home, insulation matters. Garages are typically very cool environments because of the fact that they are constructed of cement and are open spaces. Having a cold garage underneath a bedroom can cause issues in the home, especially during cooler months. Heat also radiates upward during the summer months, keeping the garage cooler but rooms above feeling like an oven. 

Bedrooms above the garage typically fluctuate in temperature much more drastically than the rest of the house. If the garage is attached to your house and located below a living space, you will greatly benefit from an insulated garage door. Insulated garage doors help to keep out cold, heat, and humidity as the outdoor temperatures fluctuate throughout the year. By being able to maintain a more balanced temperature within the garage, any rooms above also benefit. An insulated garage door may cost a bit more at the time of purchase, but it will prove cost effective when you compare the heating and cooling costs of the home. Talk to your trusted local garage door company about your options for choosing an insulated garage door.

Posted on behalf of Legacy Garage Doors

New Garage Doors

It may seem like an odd upgrade, but replacing your old garage doors with new ones can add style and value to your home. Garage doors that are dented and scratched from wear and tear can make a house appear run down or older than it actually is. Choosing to spruce up the appearance of your garage doors can actually add more curb appeal to your entire home. With many different options available, it is easier than ever to give your home a face lift simply by replacing your old, outdated garage doors with new ones. 

It may seem hard to believe, but there are more than 300 different styles and designs of new garage doors available. From colors to style, there are doors to suit every style of home. Carriage style garage doors have been incredibly popular for the last ten years. They are often selected to add a bit more character to a home. These doors can be painted in accent colors that coordinate with your home beautifully. Garage doors are also available with or without windows. Many people like the privacy that windowless garage doors offer, however, many people also like the beauty that stylish garage door windows add to their home’s appearance. 

New garage doors are available for every style home. From traditional to farmhouse, from contemporary to modern — and everywhere in between — you can find a new garage door to suit your style. Doors are available in many different sizes to fit 1, 2, and 3+ garages. With quality installation, your new garage door can provide years of operation with a beautiful appearance. 

 Posted on behalf of Legacy Garage Doors