Posted by admin on Thursday, 30 July 2009
Tags: Garage Door, Garage Door Opener, Garage Door Repair, Garage Door Replacement, Garage Door Installation, Garage Door Service, Garage Doors, Garage Door Openers, Garage Door Services
Automatic garage door openers are such a common convenience; they are practically standard equipment in most new homes, but there was a time not long ago when homeowners routinely got out of the car to open the garage door before parking. The garage door opener has also become a security feature for homes, allowing people keyless entry, programmable keypads and automatic lighting features.
But before you start thinking these gadgets are without fault, there are some important safety and security issues relating to garage door openers that you should know about. For example, if you have elderly relatives or small children in your home, some older garage doors can present a risk. This is because some older doors do not have a feature that prevents a door from closing on top of an object or person beneath it.
Also, while most new roll-up garage doors have anti-pinch panels, some older doors can cause small fingers to become stuck in the gap between the hinged panels, just while the door is closing.
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Since 1993, garage doors and garage door openers have been required to comply with Underwriters Laboratories "spec 325" (UL325), a guideline that spells out safety requirements for this equipment. In fact, if your garage door doesn't meet these requirements, it could show up as a red flag on a home inspection.
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One of the main specifications of UL325 is an "electronic eye" that is mounted at the base of the door on both sides. If anything is blocking the light beam projected by the "eye", it will cause the opener to reverse the closing cycle of the door until the object (or person) breaks the beam. Without this feature, a young or fragile person could be seriously injured by a closing garage door.
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UL325 compliant garage doors may also stop closing if the mechanism senses excessive load, indicating an obstacle. This feature prevents the garage door from crushing down on the obstacle until it breaks.
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The safety and security of your garage door are very important considerations, and failure to address these issues could present a liability to homeowners. The good news is, a new garage door opener is relatively inexpensive, and it will keep your family and others safe.
Posted by admin on Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Tags: Garage Door, Garage Door Replacement, Garage Door Installation, Garage Door Service, Garage Doors, Garage Door Repair, Garage Door Services
Most homeowners use their garage doors to protect their belongings and gain easy access to their home, but few people consider that a garage door can also add an element of style to a home's exterior as well. While the most stylish garage doors don't come cheap, there are some manufacturers that aesthetic quality at affordable prices. The question is, how do know if you are getting the best value? Consider the following three factors when you set out to purchase a new garage door.
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Several different types of garage doors exist, but the most commonly purchased are roll-up sectional doors, which travel up and down on rollers on a wall mounted tracking system. While they may be somewhat more expensive than other types, roll-up sectional doors are usually safer and more durable.
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A tilt-up garage door swings up in one piece by rotating out and then upward. This type of door can be less expensive, but they are also less convenient.
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Both types of doors can be operated by a garage door opener with a remote control device.
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Garage doors are available in four materials, including wood, aluminum, steel and fiber glass. The material you choose will depend on your budget, insulation needs and the style of your home. A wooden garage door may be more natural looking, but it will also require regular maintenance. Many homeowners choose wood because it can easily be painted to match the home's exterior.
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A steel door is more durable and requires little or no maintenance, other than cleaning. Aluminum doors are the most durable type of garage door, as they do not dent easily, but they are also heavier and more expensive compared to other materials. Another option is a fiberglass garage door, which comes in a variety of colors, designs and textures, but these doors don't handle the elements as well as aluminum and steel garage doors.
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Finally, most doors are available with optional upgrades, such as recessed panels, etched windows and flush designs.
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It makes sense to deal directly with a salesperson, visit a showroom, and keep your options open to be sure you get the best deal within your price range. Also, be sure to ask about installation fees, delivery costs and warranties, as these could make or break a deal.
Posted by admin on Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Tags: Garage Door, Garage Door Opener, Garage Door Repair, Garage Door Replacement, Garage Door Installation, Garage Door Service, Garage Doors, Garage Door Services
When garage insulation was first introduced, it may have seemed like a strange concept. In the past, most garages were outdoor structures, with no relation to the house itself. But times have changed, and now most garages are attached to houses.
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As people began spending more time in the garage, even transforming it into a workshop or office, some form of garage door insulation became a necessity. Proper insulation can also reduce home heating costs and eliminate drafts coming into your home.
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Here are some tips on what you should do to insulate your garage, garage door, and garage entry doors.
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1. Make garage door insulation a high priority. If you have a newer, or better, garage door, chances are it is already insulated. But it may not be insulated well enough if you plan to spend a lot of time in the garage during the winter months. Also, if your garage door is not properly sealed, or flush with the floor of your garage, you will need to address that with a garage door insulation kit. These usually include rolls of reflective insulation that is designed to fit in between the support rails of your garage door. You can also purchase single-sided garage door insulation kits.
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2. Sealing the bottom of your garage door will keep the wind from whistling through and causing a draft. Even if your garage door came with a sufficient seal at the bottom, remember that the cement slabs on your garage and driveway can start to tilt over time, which creates gaps at the bottom of a garage door. A garage door threshold kit can fix this easily and affordably.
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3. Insulate the door that leads from the garage to your house. Make sure you have an exterior door that is fire-rated that is insulated. If you have a hollow wooden door or other interior door here, replacing it will save a lot on energy costs.
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Remember, garage doors and seals do need to be maintained as they age, and eventually replaced. Buying an insulated garage door will have an immediate impact on your home energy costs and allow you to spend more time in the garage during the winter months.
Posted by admin on Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Tags: Garage Door, Garage Door Opener, Garage Door Repair, Garage Door Replacement, Garage Door Installation, Garage Door Service, Garage Doors, Garage Door Services
This year's sluggish real estate market has caused many homeowners to consider all sorts of methods for enhancing their home's curb appeal. One simple way to accomplish this is by purchasing a new garage door. Most homeowners become so accustomed to the exterior of their home, they often neglect to realize how an aging, dented or faded garage door can detract from the overall "look" of their home.
[caption id="attachment_9" align="alignright" width="271" caption="Garage Doors Increase Home Value"][/caption]
If you are looking to maximize the value of your home, you will find that a garage door is an easy, affordable way to give your home a "face lift". Many companies even offer garage doors that are simple enough to install yourself on a weekend afternoon.
Consider a wooden garage door, or one that is painted to match your home's shutters. With most garage door manufacturers, you can customize the color, style and materials of a garage door to include etched glass windows, multi-textured panels, high-grade steel, fiberglass or stained natural woods.
If your current garage door is still looking good, another upgrade to consider is a garage-door opener. Not only are garage door openers considered a "must" by most new homebuyers, they also offer a higher level of security and convenience, including keypads, motion sensitive lighting, and remote access to your home.
A new garage door is an excellent way to make a great first impression on prospective home buyers, but in some cases you may be looking to improve the garage door that you already have. One way to do this is by hiring a garage door repair service. Many garage door companies will send out a contractor to repair your existing garage door opener, refinish the exterior, or re-hang the tracking system. You may also wish to install a keypad or alarm system on your garage door opener, which can make your home more attractive to buyers.
However you decide to spruce up your home's exterior, chances are your garage door accounts for a healthy percentage of your home's street-facing faade. Any improvement is likely to result in a quicker sale at a higher price.
Posted by admin on Thursday, 16 July 2009
Tags: Garage Door, Garage Door Opener, Garage Door Repair, Garage Door Replacement, Garage Door Safty
A lovely Iranian couple down the street from me had their home broken into, apparently through the garage. They and their children were unharmed, but the burglar took off with a lot of stuff from the garage and their TV. This scary event really got me thinking- how can you be sure that your garage isn't a liability? How can you ensure safety for you and your family when it comes to garage doors?
People should treat the door to their garage (if it connects to their house) as an external door, and fit it with a good deadbolt lock. And no matter how much of a pain in the butt it is, be sure to lock to door whenever you're not using it.
Your garage door is the biggest door on your property, and it can often be the least well-guarded. Old door opener radios, for example, all use the same code, and if a thief has a remote to one or a 'code grabber', he can open any door. The latest garage door openers all use 'rolling code' technology to generate a new code every time you use it- if your door operates on the old system, upgrade as soon as possible, because you are putting yourself at risk.
But making sure the opener is safe is useless if the garage door itself is easy to break into. If the door is too flimsy, it will be all too easy for someone with a crowbar to break in. Be sure to check the condition of the door and its frame, to make sure no rot or corrosion has occurred, and that none of the panels are loose or easily pried apart.
It may seem silly to worry over such things, but think about what your have in your garage: you car, your bike. Maybe boxes of precious old photographs. Maybe expensive tools and equipment. Don't leave yourself open to exploitation!
