When cars started becoming popular in the early 1900s, people needed a place to store them other than barns and fee-based garages. C. G. Johnson’s invention of the overhead garage door solved this problem.
A garage door is a significant investment, but it can add value to your home and provide energy savings. Several factors must be considered when choosing a new garage door. Contact Norman Garage Door now!
A garage door offers a wide range of design options that can complement or enhance a home’s architectural style. Whether you prefer the rustic charm of wood, the clean lines of aluminum, or the sleek look of glass, there is a door that will fit your style and budget. Factors like climate, maintenance preferences, and energy efficiency are important when choosing the type and design of a garage door.
Traditional garage doors offer a high level of customization with multiple panel designs, windows, trim, and hardware styles in various colors to complement any design aesthetic. Carriage-style doors, for example, are a popular choice that combines beauty and function, adding a touch of elegance to any home. Other options include full-view aluminum doors with large glass panels framed by aluminum that add a modern, airy appearance and are ideal for coastal homes or high-rise apartments.
Wood doors add a warm and welcoming feel to any home and are available in a variety of wood grain styles. They are typically crafted from mahogany, cypress, or walnut and can be enhanced with a variety of decorative hardware and trim options. Many of these doors are designed to resist harsh weather conditions and feature an insulated core to reduce energy costs.
Steel and fiberglass garage doors are excellent choices for homeowners in coastal areas because they resist rust and corrosion better than other materials. They are also available with an insulated core. They are lightweight and work well in a variety of climates. Wood composite garage doors, which combine the appearance of genuine wood with added durability and longevity, are an alternative to real wood doors that can be more costly and require more regular maintenance.
Another option is to choose a door made from ABS, a tough and flexible material used for car bumpers. This door type is extremely durable and has a “bounce-back” property, meaning it can absorb impact without denting or bending. It’s the ideal choice for garage doors that children and pets often use.
Security
Garages are a common point of entry for burglars and can pose significant risks to your belongings. But there are a number of security measures you can take to prevent break-ins and theft.
Start with a thorough assessment of your existing security measures. Walk around the exterior of your garage, and note any structural vulnerabilities that could be exploited by burglars. Next, examine the locks that secure your garage door. Are they in good condition, or do they require repair or replacement? It is also important to consider whether your garage doors have the latest safety features, such as photo-eye sensors that detect objects and prevent the door from closing on them.
If you use your garage for storage or work, it is crucial to keep it closed when you are not home. Burglars love to case their targets, and if they can see all your expensive tools, workout equipment, or vehicles, they will be more likely to make a plan.
You can also add a deadbolt to the service door, which leads into your house. This is a great idea, especially if you have children or pets in the home. It is also a good idea to install security bars that can be anchored into the frame of your garage door. This will make it more difficult for someone to kick in the door, and it can be an excellent deterrent for even the most brazen burglars.
Other security measures that can be easily implemented include installing a smartphone app that allows you to monitor your garage doors remotely. This is ideal if you forget to close the garage before going to work, or if you are worried about a thief breaking into your home while you’re away. Liftmaster’s innovative MyQ technology provides a fast, convenient solution that uses the WiFi in your home to connect to your smartphone, and will send you an alert if the doors are open or closed.
Finally, if you haven’t already done so, it is a good idea to change the codes that are used by family members on your keychain remote openers. This will prevent anyone from gaining access to your home by simply stealing your garage door remote.
Energy Efficiency
The garage door is the largest opening in a home, and its construction significantly impacts energy efficiency. Non-insulated or minimally insulated doors allow heat to escape in the winter and enter in the summer, forcing HVAC systems to work harder to maintain a consistent temperature in living areas. This drives up utility bills and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Insulated garage doors and the associated hardware, however, can help reduce these costs.
Choosing an insulated model, especially one with a higher R-value, will improve your energy efficiency. The R-value measures how well the insulation resists heat flow, with higher numbers indicating greater thermal efficiency. R-values range from zero to 20, and you’ll also find options with lower R-values that still provide significant energy savings.
In addition to boosting your home’s energy efficiency, insulated garage doors offer several other benefits. Noise reduction is one of the most significant, as insulated doors are quieter than their uninsulated counterparts. They also serve as a buffer between exterior sounds and your garage, reducing the disruptions from traffic and neighborhood activities.
An insulated garage door can also increase your resale value, as potential buyers will appreciate the reduced maintenance and utility costs they’ll experience after moving in. Additionally, a properly installed insulated door can be up to 20% more durable than an uninsulated model. This can prevent dents, rust, and warping over time, saving you money in the long run on repairs and replacements.
During the Garage Door Installation process, homeowners should carefully measure their garage door opening and record the dimensions. This information will help the manufacturer construct panels that are slightly smaller, fitting perfectly in the opening. To ensure a tight fit, the installer should lay the first panel on a work surface with its exterior-side down. Then, loosen the hinges from the previous panel and connect it to the new one by ensuring that its grooved edge sits in the ridge of the panel beneath it.
When installing the rest of the panel, begin with the bottom section and work your way up. When putting in the top and bottom tracks, loosen the bolts connected to them and then lift up and move the track as needed.
Maintenance
Your garage door is a substantial investment that requires periodic maintenance to keep it working at peak performance. A routine maintenance plan can prevent small problems from escalating into major malfunctions and costly repairs. Routine cleaning, lubrication and tightening of loose hardware are all essential elements of a good maintenance plan.
A neglected, old or damaged garage door is a security threat. It can be kicked in or tampered with, giving a burglar easy access to your home. A broken or sagging door can also allow water and snow to penetrate the insulation, causing damage to your home and increasing utility bills. In addition, a faulty opener or weather seal can allow pests to enter your home.
A well-maintained garage door is more durable, saving you money on energy and repair costs. In addition, it can add resale value to your home and improve the appearance of your property.
To keep your garage door looking great and functioning at its best, periodically clean it with a degreaser or household cleaner to remove dirt, grease, oil, and other contaminants. Lubricating moving parts can reduce friction and extend their lifespan. Regularly lubricating your hinges, tracks and other components can help with noise reduction, as well as increase energy efficiency.
Safety features can be tested at home to ensure that the garage door is responding properly. You can test the photoelectric sensor and mechanical auto-reverse by placing an object such as a wood plank or brick in the path of the closing door; it should immediately reverse its direction upon sensing an obstruction.
Springs, cables and drums require special attention because they carry the load of the door and can snap if not maintained correctly. Examine the springs for any signs of wear and tear, and replace them if necessary. Check the cables for dents and kinks, and make sure that they are not wrapped around the pulleys or hanging down from the track. Inspect the rollers for any cracks or chips; replace them as soon as they become worn to avoid dangerous situations.