Your Step-by-Step Guide to a New Garage Door

Regardless of why you decide to get a new garage door, you can simplify the process with these steps.

STEP 1: Budget – determine how much you are comfortable investing in a new garage door before you start shopping for one.

STEP 2:  Desired Style – what style of garage door suits you and your taste? There are various styles available, from contemporary to traditional garage doors.

STEP 3: Material – you’ll have to choose from quite a number of different materials used for overhead garage doors, including:

–        Steel

–        Aluminum

–        Wood

–        Wood composite

–        Fiberglass

STEP 4: Garage Door Opener – not all garage-door openers work the same. Each works differently. You’ll need to decide whether you want a

–        Belt drive opener

–        Screw drive opener, or

–        Chain drive opener.

Furthermore, you’ll want to consider features such as:

–        Size

–        Speed

–        Safety &

–        Security

STEP 5: Estimate – don’t worry if the options for openers, materials, and styles overwhelm you. When your garage door professional gives you an estimate, he or she will also explain the different options.

STEP 6: Installation – it is usually a good idea for you to be present while your garage door is being installed – in the event of questions, concerns, or problems.

STEP 7: Remote– the final phase of your garage door’s installation is the programming of your garage door opener remote. Your garage door installer will help you with the programming.

STEP 8: Manual – it is very important that you read the manual. If your garage door is improperly used, then it can pose a danger to you and your family. Please be sure that you make time to read your garage doors, manual.

Posted on behalf of Legacy Garage Doors

Signs That You May Need Garage Door Repairs

Your garage door protects your home from the elements and plays an important role in keeping your home, family, vehicle and property secure.  We usually take our garage door for granted because it works well day after day, but a garage door is a heavy piece of equipment with a lot of moving parts.

These parts wear out over time and as they do, your door can go out of alignment and become harder to operate, placing stress on your opener and causing it to work harder and wear out sooner.  Also, garage doors use springs, torsion bars, or counterbalance systems that help lift the door.  When these systems wear or fail, the door will get much harder to open.  Stresses on the door also cause it to deteriorate faster and lead to needing a new garage door.

If your garage door suddenly seems heavier than it used to, you may have a problem with the springs or counterbalance system.  Loud popping noises as the door is raised and lowered or a door that does not open and close evenly are signs that the door is not properly aligned.

You can extend the life of your garage door and opening system by having your garage door repairs completed by a professional garage door contractor whenever you notice a problem.  Other than lubricating your system in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, it is best to leave garage door repairs to a professional.  The springs and torsion bars are under a lot of pressure and can be dangerous to tinker with unless you know what you are doing.

Checking References

You have decided to upgrade to new garage doors and are going to hire a garage door service company to complete the project.  You have narrowed your search down, and all that is left before deciding is to check the references.  But, how do you do that?

During the interview project with your garage door contractor, ask for a list of three to four references.  Ideally, you want past customers that have done business with the contractor over a period of time – some recent, and some historical.

Then, call the references.  Do not be embarrassed about asking for references, or for calling and checking references.  When you call the potential reference, simply identify yourself as a potential customer of the company, and ask a series of questions.  Plan on the conversation lasting less than 15 minutes. 

Some questions to ask include:

  1. What type of project did you have done?
  2. How satisfied were you with the work completed?
  3. Would you use this company again?  Why or why not?
  4. Can you recommend this company to perform my project?  (Elaborate here a bit on what you are having done, unless the work performed for the past customer was identical to your anticipated project.)
  5. If you had one suggestion for improvement for this company, what would it be?
  6. Did the company clean up their mess afterwards, and were there any additional expenses?
  7. Did you need to have any warranty work done, or any repairs on the project?  If so, were they responsive to your needs?
  8. Is there anything else you would like to tell me?

For more information on how to hire a garage door contractor, see our post on hiring.

Hiring a Garage Door Professional

You have a much needed repair for your garage door, or you need a new garage door installed.  Can you hire the local handyman to do this?  You are often better off if you hire a professional with expertise in garage doors, openers, and installation and repair. These garage door professionals are usually licensed, insured and bonded.

How do you know if you are hiring the right person for your garage door project?

First, spend some time talking to the contractor.  Ask to see copies of their insurance paperwork, making sure that they have both liability and worker’s compensation insurance. 

Find out how long the contractor has been in business.  New businesses are not necessarily bad, but you want a contractor who knows the garage door industry and the business, and is experienced in your project.

Honestly discuss with your contractor your price expectations.  Expect to see a written estimate for the project, and ask about any unanticipated overages.  How often does this contractor’s projects go ‘over’?  Make sure always to receive a written estimate.

Find out if the contractor is a member of the local better business bureau.  Contact your local better business bureau to find out if any complaints or reports have been filed.

Finally, use a reputable local company.  Local companies thrive off of local business, and are more likely to be around if you have a problem or concern down the road.  The last thing you want is to be half way through your project and your contractor ‘disappear’.