All About Garage Doors, Garage door openers, Garage door materials, Garage door repairs and garage door installation
The integrity of your garage door is important for the safety and security of your home or business.
A garage door isn’t a frequent purchase, so you want to make sure you choose the one that fits you the most, it’s vital to get it right. However, it can prove challenging to choose the right garage door for your home or business.
There are many things that you must consider when investing in a new garage door, including the size, style, materials, insulation, and accessories. You must choose the right combination of these items to get the most out of your new garage door replacement.
Type of Garage Doors – Garage Door New Installation
The two main ways to differentiate garage doors is their materials and how they operate. Most consumers are familiar with overhead garage doors. However, there are many other types.
An overhead or sectional garage door is convenient. You can pair it with an automatic door opener that leaves plenty of space for your vehicle and belongings.
For commercial structures, you’re more likely to see property owners choose a roll-up door for new garage door installation. A roll-up door offers a straightforward design for limited space applications.
In some homes, you may see a sliding garage door. These units operate by bending side to side along a garage wall. This kind of garage door is one of the earliest designs.
Finally, the tilt-up canopy garage door is another common style. It’s made of one piece of solid wood. This door has a pivoting hinge mechanism, enabling the door to tilt up into the garage.
Type of Garage Door Materials
The most popular materials for garage doors are wood, steel, and vinyl. For both residential and commercial applications, property owners most often choose steel.
Steel Garage Door – Steel is durable and cost less compared to other garage door materials. Also, manufacturers can produce steel garage doors with a wood texture. This characteristic makes them more attractive for residential use. Residential steel garage doors also feature insulation. Steel commercial doors, however, are quite plain.
Wood garage door – If you want a more traditional look, you might opt for a wooden garage door. However, a wood door is subject to warping over time. Still, with the right treatment, it can last for many years.
Vinyl Garage Door – Vinyl is becoming an increasingly popular material for garage doors. The material is dent-resistant and does not peel or fade. Alternatively, you may want to give your home a more modern look. In that case, you may prefer an aluminum and glass garage door.
This kind of door is made with a durable aluminum frame available in several colors, such as clear, black, and bronze. For this reason, you can choose a color to complement the exterior of your home. This kind of garage door also has attractive glass panels.
Overhead Garage Door Operator Installation – Types
Garage door opener installation provides added convenience. It allows you to open your door without lifting a finger. However, there are several types on the market.
For example, a chain-drive garage door opener connects the door trolley to the motor. Meanwhile, a belt drive opener uses a rubber belt instead of a chain. This feature makes it quieter compared to a chain-drive garage door opener.
A screw drive opener is another quiet door opening device. It uses a threaded rod to push and pull the trolley that lifts and lowers your garage door.
A jackshaft garage door opener is wall mounted. It mounts to the side of your garage rather than overhead. This kind of garage door opener is also favored for its quiet operation.
Finally, the only part that moves on a direct drive door opener is the motor. For this reason, it’s exceptionally reliable.
There are a few brands of garage door openers that are popular among homeowners in Los Angeles, CA. Chamberlain garage door openers, Liftmaster garage door openers, Genie garage openers, Skylink garage openers, those are just a few of many other brands.
Smart Garage Door Opener
Today, there are many accessories that you can choose for a new garage door. For example, you can select garage door openers that allow you to see if your garage door is open or closed simply by checking your phone.
You can also receive alerts and open or close your garage door from anywhere. Using your smartphone, you can perform these functions, change settings, and perform other tasks.
Modern smart garage door openers also integrate into home smart systems such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. You can use these kinds of assistants to control your garage door as well as other parts of your home.
Furthermore, you can purchase added garage conveniences such as a Bluetooth speaker or adjustable fan. You can even invest in a dual laser parking assist upgrade. For added safety, you can also install a carbon monoxide detector or surveillance camera.
Smart Garage Door Opener Installation Benefits
Smart garage door openers are an easy and cost-effective way to make your garage more convenient and safer. Top brands such as Chamberlain, Genie, and Skyline all make smart garage enabled garage door openers.
For example, the Chamberlain MyQ smart garage door opener is a popular model. You can control it with a free app that you download to your smartphone.
It comes with a high-definition camera to monitor your garage. It also features a two-way audio system. Meanwhile, the NEXX Garage Remote Garage Door Opener works with smart home systems such as Alexa and Google Assistant.
A smart garage opener is a great way to make your garage available for package deliveries. You can also use it to grant guest access when you’re not available.
You could simply use your smart garage door opener to let service providers or guests in as needed. At the same time, a smart garage door can enhance the security of your home or business.
Garage Door Spring Types
Springs are a very important part of your garage door. They counterbalance the weight of the door to make it easy to open and close. Typically, you’ll find either an extension spring or torsion spring installed on a garage door.
Many residential doors have extension springs. When you lift the door, the function of the springs activates. This action creates a force that counterbalances the weight of the system.
Alternatively, a torsion spring mounts horizontally above your garage door. When you pull the door down, the cables force the springs up. This action energizes the counterbalance system to support the weight of the door.
Garage Door Spring Repair, Garge Door Spring Replacement, and New Installation
Over time, the springs for your garage door can wear out. It makes sense to want to save money by replacing them yourself.
However, it’s important that you know how to do it right. If you make a mistake while replacing the springs, you could face serious injury.
Every year, tens of thousands of homeowners get injured trying to replace garage door springs. Some of these instances even result in death.
If you have extensive garage door opener repair experience, changing your garage door springs may prove a job worth tackling. However, you should never attempt to change your garage door springs if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing. In most cases, it’s safer and faster to hire a professional for garage door spring repair.
Most garage door springs last for approximately 10,000 cycles. The lifespan of your garage springs will vary depending on how often you open and close your door.
Rust, however, can also reduce the lifespan of your garage door spring. For this reason, it’s important to maintain your garage door regularly.
Common Garage Door Problems
The proper functioning of your garage door is vital. A malfunctioning garage door can cause serious safety concerns. It can also negatively affect the security of your home or business.
Often, garage doors will suffer from a broken spring. Other times, the wheels of the door will jump off the track.
In other instances, the cables that support the garage door may break. Sometimes, the entire door may wear down or break. However, some problems are as simple as cracked or broken weather sealant.
There are a few common problems that homeowners might resolve easily. For example, noise is a common complaint. Often, you can fix this problem by replacing the gears in the garage door opener.
In other instances, you may find that your garage door doesn’t open or close in the winter. In this case, you may need to adjust the sensitivity of the opener.
However, you may also need to lubricate the gears. The cold weather sometimes speeds up corrosion.
Other homeowners find that their garage door does not respond to the remote or keypad. In some cases, you may have installed the antenna out of range.
If your antenna is in range, you may have a problem with the controller. Typically, you can fix this problem simply by replacing the controller batteries.
Garage Door Maintenance
There are a few steps that you can take to ensure that your garage door remains in top shape. For instance, get into the habit of listening to your garage door. Over time, you’ll learn to hear when there’s a problem.
Also, it’s a good idea to check and clear the tracks occasionally. While you’re at it, you should tighten any loose garage door hardware.
You should also lubricate any moving parts. It’s also beneficial to repair and replace any worn weatherstripping.
You also want to give your garage door an occasional once over. For instance, you should check the door balance now and again. Also, test the auto-reverse feature of the door.
Finally, you want your garage door to add to the appearance of your home. Accordingly, it’s a good idea to clean your door occasionally and paint it as needed.
Commercial Roll Up Door Repair and New Roll Up Door Installation
Businesses also need dependable, secure garage doors. Sometimes, a commercial garage door increases efficiency. Other times, it keeps employees safe.
A commercial door can also offer convenient access to customers. In some cases, however, businesses need commercial doors to comply with government regulations.
Typically, manufacturers make commercial rolling doors using steel or aluminum. These doors feature individual interlocking steel slats. They coil overhead and are extremely difficult to penetrate.
Alternatively, a security grill is an attractive solution for retail stores. You can purchase a retail store door with an electric operator.
Your business may also need a fire safety door. A fire safety door is part of a passive fire protection system. It reduces the spread of fire and smoke.
At many commercial properties, owners choose specialty commercial doors. These doors are fire and temperature rated. They also help to prevent the spread of fire.
Some businesses make use of high-speed roll-up doors. This kind of door can manage unlimited opening and closing cycles during the day.
Commercial aluminum and glass doors feature framed glass sections. They’re an aesthetically pleasing solution that gets customers visual access to a property.
Roll-up shutters provide an extra layer of protection for commercial properties and storage areas. They keep intruders out and keep assets safe.
Meanwhile, loading dock doors are extremely reliable. They can withstand accidental impacts with little to no damage.
Materials of Commercial Roll Up Doors
As with residential garage doors, commercial offerings are available in many materials. You can purchase commercial doors made using aluminum, fiberglass, steel, or wood. However, you’ll typically only see sectional roll-up doors made of wood.
Among these materials, fiberglass is the most fragile. At the opposite end of the spectrum, steel is the most durable.
Commercial Roll Up Door Accessories
You can also install a range of accessories for commercial garage doors. For instance, the MyQ Garage system also works with some commercial doors.
The MyQ gives business owners the ability to monitor garage access remotely from a laptop or smartphone. It also enables them to see the stats of their garage door in any giventime.
With the MyQ system, you can check the status of your garage door when you desire. You can also use the system to turn your garage lights on and off as needed.
Furthermore, you can choose a range of accessories for commercial door systems. For instance, you can choose between corrugated drums or tension set brackets. You may also select a variety of closure systems, including sliding and bolt latches.
Depending on your application, you can select from a range of convenient electric motors. If you don’t open and close your door frequently, however, you might choose an inexpensive chain hoist system. You can also choose from a variety of weather seals based on your needs and the local climate.
Finally, you can install vision panels for your commercial doors. Vision panels are a cost-effective way to illuminate a work area.
The Tech Guys Doors and Gates Smart Overhead Doors Repair and Overhead Doors Installation
By now, you should have all the information that you need for your next garage door replacement. However, a garage door is only as good as its installer. Accordingly, you’ll need the best garage door installer in town.
The Tech Guys Doors & Gates is your source for the latest technology in residential and commercial doors. We connect home and business owners with the best door and gate hardware as well as access control equipment. You can count on us to secure your doors, gates, and other entry points.
Contact The Tech Guys Doors & Gates today at (310) 400-0314 or connect with us online. We are waiting and ready to provide you with the best garage door for your comfort, convenience, and security.