High-Tech Garage Door Features

Modern technology has changed the face of today’s world. More and more of the tools we use every day are finding themselves subject to a major facelift. Garage doors are another area in which technological innovation is making major waves. These days, garage door features go far beyond the visor clip on the back of an opener remote or a keypad entry system. 

Smartphone apps and home automation technology now allows you to open your garage door from anywhere in the world. You can let a repair technician into your home, even when you’re not there, by opening the garage door from your office when he arrives. Monitor your kids’ comings and goings when you’re away from the house by tracking how often the door is open and closed. Bluetooth-enabled garage doors allow you an unprecedented level of control and safety. 

Even if you don’t opt for today’s high-tech systems that allow you to open and close your garage door while you’re on vacation or in the office, you can still take advantage of some relatively new technology. You’ll never have to worry about forgetting to close the door behind you again if you spring for a timer, because it will automatically close the door at the predetermined time. 

Speak with a garage door installation and repair technician in your area today to discuss all the ways you can treat your garage doors to a high-tech upgrade of their own. Ride the wave of the future, and take the time to research all the ways that an experienced professional can turn your boring garage door opener into something fresh and exciting.

What is R-Value?

When shopping for a new garage door, you are bound to be hit with the question of R-value at some point or another.  This rating, usually displayed somewhere on the packaging of the door or on the manufacturer‘s web pages, usually indicates a number between 0 and 10 or 11, sometimes followed by a decimal point. 

In short, the R-value is a number that reflects the effectiveness of the door’s insulation, or how energy efficient it is. The number is derived from a mathematical formula that looks at such things as the thickness of the insulation and its chemical properties. Generally speaking, the higher the resulting number, the better the energy efficiency. 

But there are a couple of things to consider when looking at the R-values of garage doors. Some manufacturers base their R-value rating on a small section of the door’s center, producing a higher number, while others use the entire door, resulting in a lower number. The number also doesn’t take into account installation.  For example, a professional job done by a garage door contractor can mean a seamless, snug installation – and a more energy efficient garage door. 

If you need a rule of thumb to go on when comparing the R-values of insulated doors, go by this:  if you live in a moderate to temperate climate, seek an R-value of at least 3, while if you live in a colder, harsher climate, try to find an R-value of around 10.  Also, since high R-value doors tend to cost more, consider why you need an insulated garage door in the first place and how it fits into your home’s overall energy saving needs.