How to Choose a Garage Door

For many home owners the garage is an "extra room" where families can visit, play games, work on hobbies and much more. For others, it is used primarily for vehicle storage and a tool shed. Regardless of what you use your garage for, it is an important feature of your home and as such you will want to put some thought into the door selection.
5 Steps in Choosing a Garage Door
A garage door is an easy way to give your home a new look and there are many styles, types of materials and options to consider. Use these steps to make your garage door selection easier.

1. Determine your budget. Garage doors can be expensive, with wood and fiberglass doors being the most costly. Should you plan to have insulation added, then plan on an additional 10%. Of course, if you live in a region where winter temps often dip below the freezing point, or where typhoons or hurricanes are common, this extra expense is well worth it and will soon pay for itself in energy costs and peace of mind. Another added cost, is whether or not you want windows as part of the garage door. Also, when looking at the doors, be sure to ask about maintenance costs and warranties.
2. What's your style? Is your home reminiscent of the Old South? Then you may want to use recessed paneled doors. Does it have a modern flare? Then look at doors made of contemporary materials such as wood and copper or aluminum and glass or perhaps having panels that does not look like a garage door. You may even want to look around your neighborhood to see what style garage doors others have used. Doors can be made from wood, aluminum, fiberglass, and contemporary materials like glass, copper, or a combination of wood and zinc. You may also want to think about what color, if any, you would like for your garage door. Most doors come already finished in neutral colors, but you may wish to accent the other colors in your home's exterior.
3. Decide whether you want your door to roll-up or tilt when being opened. Tilting doors often allow moisture and debris into the garage but are cheaper in price. Roll up doors are composed of several sections, save on space, and are stronger, but they are more expensive.
4. Decide whether you want windows. Having windows can add style and break up the plain look of a door. You can select from curved, square rectangular or arched windows. However, keep in mind their placement in the garage door in regards to what can be seen through them from the outside.
5. How much maintenance do you have time for? Metal doors dent and show imperfections like scrapes caused by branches. Wood doors can accent your home's exterior features, but can be easily damaged if not maintained as per instructions; fiberglass doors are long-lasting but are not recommended in colder climates.

For additional information on garage doors, please visit www.premiumgaragedoorservice.com.
Article independently authored by Janet Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Premium Garage Door Service.

Garage Door Openers - Confusing Choices, But Convenient Luxuries Simplified For the Home Owner

Garage door openers are a modern day convenience and luxury investment invented in 1926 by C.G. Johnson. Since that time, door openers, as well as garage doors, have undergone many refinements. Originally, garage doors were composed of solid wood and were exceptionally heavy and cumbersome to open or close. It was not until much later that steel doors and fiberglass doors became commonplace. A variety of openers have different horsepower ratings in order to handle the variety of doors on the market today.
Gone are the days of the 1940s and 1950s when a home owner would open their door with the remote, as well as the garage doors of multiple neighbors. Because of this and the use of scanner tools being able to detect the transmitted codes of earlier openers, allowing unscrupulous individuals the ability to program a remote and enter the home, manufacturers developed the use of rolling codes. The purpose of this rolling code technology is to enhance the security and privacy of the home owner by preventing scanners the ability to hi-jack the transmitter codes, thereby leaving occupants protected and the contents of the home safe from being stolen. Rolling codes are now universally found on every garage door opener.
Today's garage door openers have a plethora of additional features unheard of in the "good 'ol days". Some of the mainstream features found with every opener are photoelectric sensors, or seeing eyes, pressure sensing technology, and a trolley quick release handle. These features were developed for the safety of small children and preventing the door from crushing an object as it descends. While an injury may still be possible, these changes have greatly increased the safety of the automatic door operation.
The main features to be considered are the type of mechanical drive system the door opener utilizes. The three main types are the proven chain drive, screw drive and belt driven openers. If the speed of which the garage door opens is of major concern, only one type needs to be considered. Screw drive openers generally provide the fastest opening of most garage doors. In addition to being the fastest at opening the door, the screw drive opener is one of the most maintenance free of all the openers.
The quietest of all the garage door openers is the belt drive type. Despite seeming flimsy and delicate, the rubber belt is reinforced by steel for durability. Belt drive models also provide virtually maintenance free operation, but often times cost more than their chain driven counterparts.
If cost is the primary concern, then the chain driven openers are the least expensive to purchase. While chain driven models are the least expensive and the most common to find throughout the majority of homes, the durable construction is a long proven method for opening a door. These particular units usually require more routine attention as the opener ages.
The second main feature to be examined is if the opener is able to accept remote keypads and operate with a battery backup. A few openers on the market are not able to accept additional components, but these models are usually found at the bottom of the pricing scale. A large number of automatic door openers include keypads and extra transmitters. A few openers include a backup battery which will allow the continued automatic operation i the event of a power outage. Starting at the high end of the mid-ranged price point openers also allow the transmitter to operate more than one garage door or gate for convenience.
The most important feature of any garage door opener, however, is the horse power rating. Carriage gates or solid wood construction will determine what rating of opener to buy. Should the garage door be constructed from steel, fiberglass or wood composite, a 1/2 horse power rated garage door opener should be sufficient. For maximum longevity and superior lifting capabilities, a 3/4 horse power opener should be considered.
Once a garage door opener has been chosen, it is recommended to have it professionally installed. While the typical home owner may be handy with a screwdriver and hammer, installing a garage door opener can be an entire day or weekend project of back and neck straining work. A professional installer will have the equipment and experience to make quick work of any joist or ceiling reinforcement necessary and install the opener in the least amount of time possible.

To learn more about garage doors and door openers visit http://www.premiumgaragedoorservice.com


Article independently authored by Daniel Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Premium Garage Door Service.

Garage Door Tax Credit

With the multitude of tax credits available for homeowners this tax season one of the last places most think to look is in their garage. One of the best ways to benefit from tax credits are to benefit both short and long term, and improving the efficiency of your home is one great way to save you bundles. Door insulation can make a huge difference in the overall efficiency of your home and is incredibly easy to install.
Even though newer doors are insulated many are not. It is quite simple to fix this issue and doesn't take much time at all. The first step is to ensure that the garage door seals are effective and do not leak air. The seal along the bottom of the door can often become ineffective and need to be replaced due to a variety of reasons. Sometimes driveway slabs tilt or sink over time creating holes in your seal, or it is possible that the seal is just old and ineffective. No matter what has happened to your old seal be careful when installing the new one, as the most common form of initial damage is stretching the seal beyond its limits.
There are two kinds of garage door insulation that are the most widely used and popular. The first of these is a form of reflective foil, which usually comes in a kit and needs little more than a sharp blade and wrench to install. While the foil does not qualify you for a tax credit it does greatly decrease heat loss and drafts. Once installed the foil looks like large sheets of aluminum foil placed on the back of your door, and typically consists of either one or two layers of air bubble film and aluminum foil.
The second most popular form of insulation consists of panels of either fiberglass or foam insulation, and will qualify you for a federal energy tax credit. Both forms of panels offer benefits: fiberglass offer great resistance to corrosion and mold while foam insulation is laminated and more easily installable. Precut panels that fit perfectly inside the garage door is all it takes for installation here, and results in a great finished look that will not adversely affect the operation of you garage door whatsoever.
No matter what form of garage door installation you choose you will see dramatic improvements to your overall energy efficiency when combined with other home improvement projects. Just remember that even if it may not seem important, the garage is still a part of you home that in today's society is more and more prevalently used. For more information, or tips on how to improve the function and efficiency of your garage door contact your local handyman or door installation specialist for tips and tricks.

For more information and guidance about garage door insulation or installation, visit http://www.premiumgaragedoorservice.com. Premium Garage Door Service specializes in garage door needs.

Posted by WebDrafter.com, Inc. with permission.

Article independently authored by Matthew Eddington. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Premium Garage Door Service.

Garage Door Openers...

There Are Many to Choose, But Only One Type of Opener Meets the Gold Standard

The standard residential garage door opener with which "cookie cutter" builders will install in a new home have typically been the most basic of chain driven models. Although a proven and reliable type of opener, these builder installed chain drive openers are usually the lowest rated units with regards to horsepower and quietness of operation. While they may still function for a time, the stress of operation will shorten the lifespan of the basic garage door opener and will only get louder with age.

Even before the economic status quo turned to ashes for many families and businesses, one thing has never changed. A large majority of home builders will slide by with installing the cheapest and most featureless equipment in a home. With the most basic of appliances and especially garage doors and garage door openers, much of the convenience and quality is lost.

With new construction the option to upgrade the garage door opener, unlike ranges, sinks, and bathrooms, is usually forgotten by the home buyer and the builder. Most families are not dealing with new construction, however. If given the option, the gold standard of upgrading to a premium residential garage door opener would be a belt drive unit.

Much like what is used on the most popular American motorcycle sold in the U.S., belt drive openers offer an incredibly smooth and reliable method for opening any garage door. The rubber belt is reinforced with steel, much like most automobile tires are today. The most widely appreciated benefit of a belt drive opener is its virtually silent operation with the only noise being detected from the door rollers on the tracks and the hum of the motor.

Belt driven openers tend to be slightly more expensive than either their screw driven or belt driven counterparts. Ultimately what determines the cost of the opener is the feature set with which it is packaged. No matter which type of drive is selected, all should be available with a bevy of options. The most expensive units will come with all the bells and whistles such as, external wireless keypad, programmable receiver and transmitters, and the all important lifetime warranty.

Despite the torsion spring being used to offset much of the weight of the door, the construction and size of the garage door will determine what horsepower rating will be required of the door opener. A company specializing in garage doors and openers will be adequately able to recommend units to meet the needs of the home owner to ensure a smooth and worry free investment.

For more information and guidance about this topic, including preventive maintenance and repairs, visit http://www.premiumgaragedoorservice.com. The website includes resources, information, and links to manufacturers.

Posted by WebDrafter.com, Inc. with permission.
Article independently authored by Daniel Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Premium Garage Door Service.

Garage Door Opener Troubleshooting

The garage door opener is the most critical part of a homeowner's garage system, and can cause big headaches if it is not functioning properly. Often a little know how and some simple tips can fix the problem and avoid a costly call to a service technician. For problems that are not immediately clear or for larger problems you still may want to refer to your owner's manual or a professional. This article highlights a few common and easily fixable issues that the average homeowner may face.

1. Transmitters will not operate the door.

This problem could be connected to malfunctioning sensors or infrared 'eyes'. Every garage door system is required by law to have a safety system that will not allow the door to close if an invisible path is blocked or interrupted. These sensors can be found on either side of the door close to the floor. If these are in any way blocked, the 'eyes' that supply the beam are dirty, or the wires connected to this part of the system are loose, the door will not close. Sometimes the sensors can be bumped and their alignment offset, which will also cause the system not to operate properly. Obviously these are all easy fixes and are the most common problems, however unplugging the garage door opener may also be a solution as a loss of power usually acts as a reset switch.

2. The door closes completely and then opens again.

Your garage opener system is configured with an open limit and a close limit. Both of these functions must be properly set as they control the distance the door is allowed to open or close before stopping. For example, if the doors' close limit is set at a distance larger than it takes for the door to close completely the system reads a safety hazard and automatically reverses the direction. The limit controls vary between several different styles of garage opener so in order to correctly make this adjustment you will have to research your specific model online or refer to your owner's manual for the specific location of these adjustments.

3. The opener makes grinding, scraping, or whirring sounds during operation.

These noises can indicate a variety of issues related to a range of components within the system. Problems with gears, motors, or the wheel tracks can all cause these noises so if you are not exactly sure what the problem is get a professional opinion rather than tinkering with the entire system. However, sometimes the track may need lubrication on some of the hinges or rollers. As part of your maintenance, you should be applying a low viscosity, permeating oil to these parts to prevent this. Sometimes springs can also squeak and groan due to use. While there is no way to test springs for their remaining life, be assured that the door will not fall when open due to a malfunctioning spring as there is no tension on them when the door is raised. The easiest way to check if your opener springs are ok is to disconnect the opener and raise the door manually. If you can do this without much trouble the springs are fine.

While there are countless other issues that undoubtedly arise with the varying garage door openers, those listed above are some of the most common and can be easily fixable. Obviously the best way to prevent issues is to perform proper scheduled maintenance and read your owners manual to ensure correct operation of your garage door and door opener. If you are having major problems with your system be sure to seek professional advice to avoid any accidents, and don't be afraid to ask lots of questions!

For more information and guidance about garage door openers and systems, visit http://www.premiumgaragedoorservice.com. Premium Garage Door Services specializes in garage door openers and helping you troubleshoot your problems.

Posted by WebDrafter.com, Inc. with permission.
Article independently authored by Matthew Eddington. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Premium Garage Door Service.

Easy Garage Door Maintenance and Troubleshooting

While automatic garage door openers can be extremely useful and convenient they can also become a burden when not working properly. Here are a few tips and pointers to help keep your door opener in tip top shape, or help you determine the solution to fixing a malfunctioning one. However, since all garages are different and operate in many ways, be sure to consult your owners manual or professional repairman for more help if needed.

Maintenance

The first step to a properly functioning door is to properly maintain its many moving parts. Here are four simple and effective ways to ensure years of use:

• Yearly Inspections: The best and most effective way to solve a problem is to prevent it. Be sure to inspect your door and electric motor for anything that seems out of the ordinary. Loose and worn hinges, tired springs, and wobbly nuts and bolts are some common issues that may arise. Be sure to address any potential problems before they worsen and create additional, more complex problems.

• Paint and Stain: Be sure to keep your garage door properly painted and stained. What most homeowners do not realize is that this step includes both the inside and outside of your door. Only painting the exterior door can weaken the paint through moisture, causing your door to warp.

• Lubrication: The many moving parts must be kept lubricated, especially the rollers and hinges that allow the door to bend and move smoothly. Apply a low viscosity, permeating oil such as WD-40, PlusGas, Liquid Wrench, PB Blaster, Mouse Milk, Unilease, GT85, Kroil, or CRC 5-56 at least once a year.

• Watch the Door Tracks: The tracks that guide the door must be kept in proper alignment to effectively guide the rollers. If the track needs adjusting, loosen the support bolts and use a hammer and small wood block to return it to its correct position.

Troubleshooting and Repair

Several problems can arise in your garage door or opener because of their many parts and exposure to weather. The most common problems can usually be fixed fairly easily, but since garage doors differ, be sure to check your owners manual to ensure proper repair.

One of the most common problems can be that the door becomes difficult to open and close. This problem could potentially be with the electric opener, in which case you should address your owners manual. The simple way to check this is to pull the release cord that often dangles below the opener to raise the door manually. If it works fine when you do this, then the problem is most likely with the electric opener. If the door seems exceptionally heavy, the problem could be spring tension. Do not try to adjust the spring tension yourself as they are under extreme amounts of pressure and can be dangerous to adjust, call a properly certified repairman instead.

If your house is fitted with a swing-up, one piece door that is sagging in the middle when it is raised, you or a repairman can install metal reinforcing rods across the center of the interior door.

If your door does not open completely but only opens 4 or 5 feet, the limit adjustment screw should be adjusted according with the owner's manual. If the door does not close entirely, the adjustment screw needs to be manipulated as well. Refer to your owners manual for the placement of these screws on your model of opener.

Most problems with doors and openers can be solved relatively simply with a few adjustments every few months, and can be prevented with simple maintenance. If the proper steps are taken, garage doors should last more than 20 years, and garage door openers should last at least 10, but small steps like those described above can make a big difference.

For more information and guidance about safety and operations of garage doors, visit http://www.premiumgaragedoorservice.com. Premium Garage Door Service provides installation, repairs, and inspections, and has a series of slide show picture depicting many styles of doors.

New Garage Doors - What to Buy

While most garage doors last for years and years there still inevitably comes a time in some homeowner's life when replacement is necessary. If events should occur in your own life that would warrant the replacement of a new garage door, be sure to do your research as they tend to last for many years and chances are you won't be replacing it again. For this reason a few extra dollars here and there may be quite worth it.

Today the two most popular styles of garage doors are tilt ups and sectional roll downs, which are usually in the median price range. Tilt up doors, also known as overhead or roll up doors, are attached by metal hinges and simply tilt or swing outward to allow access to the inside space. They are usually somewhere between 25-30% cheaper than the alternative, making them more attractive to some buyers. Sectional roll downs on the other hand are broken into four or more sections attached by joints and use a roller system to move the door parallel to the garage ceiling. The major advantages of this kind of door are its space efficiency and ease of use.

A second important decision when purchasing a new door for your garage is the kind of construction material that is used in doors manufacturing. Listed below are the most common materials used:

Steel: Extremely durable, steel is one of the most popular choices due to its appealing properties. It is a low-maintenance material that will not warp or bend when put under mother natures strains, and can be fabricated in a variety of different textures. Energy efficiency can also be increased with a steel door due to their double pane construction, as most steel garage doors are made of two plates with insulation in between.

Aluminum: Aluminum garage doors are also a common choice among consumers. They also offer a low maintenance option that costs approximately half as much as a steel door, and in manual garage door situations allows for ease of use due to its light weight. However, aluminum doors are more likely to incur more dents and nicks than steel doors.

Wood: Wood can be greatly appealing due to its natural look and can be quite beautiful in the correct applications. However, while easy to paint wood does require the most maintenance, including staining or painting, refinishing, and general care that must be taken towards any form of wood that is exposed to the elements.

With the green, energy conscious minds of many consumers and potential buyers the insulation used is also an important factor. The kind and amount of insulation used in a garage door can be just as valuable as the insulation used elsewhere in your home, and because of this insulated garage doors are becoming ever less popular. Polyurethane and Polystyrene are the most conventional forms of insulation used in door construction, but with such long names who can tell the difference? To most homeowners, insulation is either thick or thin. But don't be fooled. Polystyrene can be much thicker than its competition but does not always offer the best efficiency. Polyurethane, although appearing thinner in its post-production state actually offers greater energy efficiency because of its ability to expand to completely fill the space between two surfaces, and adhere to them both. This also helps decrease noise during operation and the strength of the door due to its chemical properties.

Garage door shopping can be a daunting task to any homeowner, but as always, the key to making the best purchase is to do your homework before hand. Talk to a local repairman or ask questions of many different manufacturers, as everyone has important and different advice to add. A well thought out purchase will be a better one in the future.

For more information and guidance about the variety of materials, styles, and specifications, visit http://www.premiumgaragedoorservice.com. Premium Garage Door Service specializes in installations and maintenance, and they have a great slide show on their site's banner that illustrates a variety of styles to help you visualize the look you want.