Garage Door Openers - Better Choices and Better Quality Can Be Difficult To Find

Until relatively recently the basic garage door opener was limited only to raising and closing the garage door. As computer chips and electronics have become more compact, technologically advanced and cheaper to produce, the garage door opener no longer has that same limitation. Depending upon the home owner's budget, the available models from which to choose are truly astounding.
Many home owners will make a trek to the local home improvement store to purchase an opener. Unfortunately most of these hardware superstores, despite having massive amounts of inventory, will only stock a limited number of garage door openers. Usually the choices will range from the basic chain drive to a model with two lights and a little more programmability.
The two other options which have advantages over a chain driven model are a screw drive model or belt driven opener. Of the three standard drive systems available, the chain drive is the oldest type with which most home owners are familiar. Even though chain drives have a proven track record and are durable, the chain and drive gear are among the noisiest compared to other drive types available on the market and generally require the most maintenance. Both belt drive models and screw drive openers have increased in popularity. The reason for this demand is ease of maintenance and the noise level produced by the operation of these garage door openers. The only potentially bothersome noise readily discerned from a screw drive or belt driven opener is not from the drive itself, but from the rollers of the door when traveling along the track. If noise from the garage door is of great concern there are different rollers which are designed to reduce the noise to minimal levels.
The other main feature to base a decision on is important for functionality and safety. The home owner needs to make sure that an undersized or underpowered garage door opener is selected. Every garage door opener is rated by horsepower. The type of opener a home owner should purchase will be determined by the type of door, the number of panels and the material from which the door is made. If the opener is underpowered the longevity of the door opener will be greatly diminished due to overheating and burning out of the drive motor.
Installing a new automatic door opener as a do-it-yourself project is not for the feint of heart. It is a laborious and time consuming project which should not be undertaken without a second pair of hands and safety in mind. It is likely that installation can easily take 4 to 6 hours for the average home owner. A professional installer will definitely be a good choice for a home owner and is a justifiable investment.
To learn more information about garage door openers or purchasing garage doors please visit Premium Garage Door Services at www.premiumgaragedoorservice.com or call 612-234-4812.
Article independently authored by Dan Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Premium Garage Door Service. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

4 Things to Keep in Mind When Selecting a Garage Door

What's not to love about having a garage? After all, it means you have a place to park your car making it easy to avoid walking in the elements, can provide a place for your hobbies, offers additional area for storage and many other possibilities. Of course, not everyone has a garage, but if you are one of the fortunate who do, then you are more than aware of their potential.
However, if you are building a home or planning to renovate your current one, then chances are you will want to include a garage. Consequently, you should keep a few things in mind regarding your garage door selection. As a garage door is the largest moving part of a home as well as one of the features that can give (or not) your home curb appeal, you will want to consider carefully when making your garage door selection. Before you begin your quest for the perfect door for your garage, make sure you have already established your budget, preferences, needs and your home's style; then start shopping, keeping the following 4 things in mind.

1. Type:Garage doors come in a variety of materials, but the most common are steel, wood or composites. A steel door requires little to upkeep, cost less and have multiple style and color options. Wooden doors not only cost more, but require more maintenance, but they can be customized to suit the look of your home easier. Composites are made o recycled wood and are better insulated.
2. Function and Fit: Most garage doors present a face and descend and ascend. They typically work by travelling rollers and are maneuvered via hinges and pulleys. If you live in area where extreme cold is common you will want to be sure that you select a door that is insulated and avoid single section doors. Standard sized garage doors are 9 feet wide by 7 feet tall for a single door and a two car garage door is typically 16x7 or 20x8.
3. Insulation:Depending on what type of door you choose and where you live, you will need to decide if you want insulation. For metal doors a common choice is polystyrene or injected foam insulation. The polystyrene offers a lower level of insulation than the use of injectable foam. Wood doors may be insulated by creating a sandwich between the wood face and the interior facing; however, wooden doors are a good insulation, without need for anything else.
4. Endurance:For your metal garage door to last you will need to protect it from dings, dents and scratches as this can destroy the finish and result in rusting. A wooden door will need to be resealed at least every two years. Regardless of the door you have installed, be sure to keep water from drains and gutter from running onto it by protecting the door with a splash back from the roof eaves and keep "kids" from using it as a sports back stop.

For additional information on the topic of garage doors visit Premium Garage Door Service. Article independently authored by Janet Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Premium Garage Door Service. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

6 FAQs About Garages

Garage doors are perhaps one of the most frequently used features of a home. After all, with a garage, homeowners can go to and from their home and the vehicles without having to step out in to the elements. In addition, having a garage often means that homeowners have a place that can be used as a workshop, storage area, or entertainment area. With the many uses a garage offers, it is important that you understand some of the basics of garage doors and door openers. And, if you have a carport that you are considering converting to a garage, then it is likely that a few questions have crossed your mind. Here are some of the FAQs of garage doors.

1. Is it necessary to have professional to install the doors? Yes. The garage door is the largest moving part of a home and it is vital that all of its small parts, as well as the big ones, are installed correctly so that the door works properly and safely. In addition, if you have the door installed by a professional, then you can be sure that the warranty will be valid as often times portions of the warranty are negated if the door is not installed by a professional.
2. What are the benefits of an insulated door? Having insulation keeps the loss of heat or cold air to a minimum which means that your living area temperature stays comfortable. Also, if you plan to use your garage as working/entertainment space, then you can regulate the comfort levels better; but perhaps the biggest benefit is that insulated doors are quieter than non-insulated ones.
3. What makes a steel door better than a wooded one? Steel doors require less maintenance and are easier to clean. Also, remember that when selecting the thickness of the steel, the lower the gage numbers the thicker and stronger the door.
4. I want to replace my existing garage door. Can I keep the existing track? Most companies recommend that you replace the track as well, since the tracks are designed to work with specific doors. Also, by replacing the tracks as well as the door, you can be assured that both are as safe as they can be.
5. I would like to replace a one piece door with a sectional. Is that possible? Yes, however, you will need to talk to a professional to determine what additional changes will need to be done based on the existing tracks, lines, construction, etc... of your garage.
6. Is an extension spring or a torsion spring better? Extension springs are each side of the door and stretch along the horizontal track when the door is closed; torsion springs are above the top of the door and mounted to the header. Though, both work great, many homeowners prefer the torsion springs as they offer more safety and are better balanced making the door operate more smoothly.

For additional information on the topic of garage doors visit Premium Garage Door Service. Article independently authored by Janet M. Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Premium Garage Door Service. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Garage Door Opener Basics

In times past, having a garage meant that each time the homeowner returned home and wanted to put the car in the garage, someone had to get out and raise the door and then lower it after the vehicle was parked. Of course, electronic garage doors ultimately, became more popular and the doors could be opened easily, by merely pressing a button. However, these electronic doors did not include the safety features and advancements available today such as pressure and obstacle sensors, a selection of motor speeds or the ability to change directions with the touch of a button. Today, there are many styles and features to consider when selecting garage doors and openers. Here are a few things to keep in mind when making your choice.
Drives
Perhaps the most common style of door opener is the chain drive opener. These work much like a bicycle chain and can be quite noisy. They are available in ½ to ¾ hp models and cost anywhere from $150 to $200.
For a quieter drive, you may opt for a screw-drive door opener. These have very few moving parts so they make less noise. In addition, they are easy to install and require minimal maintenance. Average price for the screw-drive is $150 to $225.
If you are willing to spend a bit more ($200-$300), then you may want to choose the belt-drive opener which uses a long rubber belt to raise and lower the door. These doors are virtually maintenance free.
One of the most recent types of residential door openers is the jackshaft opener which is mounted on the same wall as the overhead door, so there is no need for an overhead track or drive system. These heavy residential doors make almost no sound whatsoever; however, you will need the services of a professional for installation.
Motors
Originally, all garage doors worked on AC powered motors, but now garage doors primarily use DC as it allows for better speed control and assortment of features. Of course, these DC motors require a conversion from AC power and they use less power than an AC motor. However, manufactures install a battery backup, in the event of a power outage. It should also be noted that while the door springs are responsible for lifting the door, you will want to have a door opener with a higher horsepower rating as they have the ability to start and stop the garage door should there ever be a problem with the garage door's spring system.
Security
When it comes to protecting your family, there is no such thing as "doing too much." One way you can protect your family is with a garage door opener that requires a code to raise or lower the door. The latest in this technology is called a rolling code. This rolling code means that each time the transmitter is operated it sends the code to the receiver but also creates a new code for the next operation.
Learn more about garage doors and visit http://www.premiumgaragedoorservice.com
Article independently authored by Janet Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views or opinions of Premium Garage Door Service.

Garage Doors - Installing a New Door Can Be Paid For With Tax Credits and Rebates by the Government

Most home owners either do not have the space or funds to build a separate outbuilding which can serve as a workshop. Because of these limitations most garages either double as or are adapted to be a work area. Whether the garage is used for wood working or an automotive mechanic work, after the first winter season it becomes clear that it can be very chilly and painful on the hands.
Should the winter be especially harsh, as has been experienced in the past few years, any garage time is usually delayed until warmer weather. Before December 31, 2010 is the perfect time to replace the garage door with an insulated door for several reasons. The benefits will do more than just provide a warm interior.
An insulated garage door goes a long way for regulating a comfortable temperature not just during the winter, but the summer months as well. There are large tax incentives for those qualifying energy efficient doors; up to $1500, in fact. Newer construction is superior to the aging doors of 15 years ago. Not every door is created equal, however.
There are commonly three basic styles of construction: steel, composite or genuine wood doors. Vinyl garage doors are available, too, but all of these types of doors have their own advantages ranging from strength to being permanently stained or fading and does not always include insulation automatically. It is true that any door will provide a miniscule amount of protection from extreme hot or cold temperatures, but even the most basic door without insulation will only shield a home owner temporarily; usually for just an hour or two.
An average price for a base steel garage door model and the most inexpensive type can range from about $850 - $1100 installed depending on the region. Base models do not include any insulation. An insulated steel door will usually start at a couple of hundred dollars more, but keep in mind that the increased expense of several hundred dollars in upgrading can easily be made back with tax credits under the government stimulus package that went into effect during 2009. Essentially the home owner will get the extra strength of an insulated garage door increased comfort for free. The garage door company should have all of the information regarding any tax credit available, as it is a good benefit for up selling.
Budget is usually the deciding factor for most home owners. As additional features or styling is added, such as windows commonly referred to as glazing, the cost, of course will increase. Composite garage doors offer the best of steel and wood overall with regards to styling and price. Genuine wood custom garage doors can easily cost more than $5,000, but the greatest variety of styles and the beauty of real wood is unmatched by any other material. It is rare, but on occasion the garage door company may have a cancelled or returned special order which may be available at a reduced price. There may be substantial saving available if this is the case.
For additional information on the topic of garage doors and garage door openers visit http://www.premiumgaragedoors.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 Doors - Danger Lurking Unseen, But Testing and Adjusting the Door Opener Can Maintain Safety

Despite garage door openers being designed with improved technology and safety features, there are still several serious injuries reported every year. Many of these injuries are sustained by children. The price for the convenience of having an automatic garage door opener should not include any injury to a family member or neighbor. There is no reason injuries attributed to overhead doors should continue to take place every year with the current safety precautions mandated by law.
Until relatively recently almost every manufacturer of garage door openers recommended placing a block of wood where the overhead door meets the ground in order to test the automatic reverse settings. It is quite simple to get the door to reverse on this hard of a material. The major problem with this test is that a block of wood is much denser and harder than any part of the human body. Even with testing the automatic reverse feature using a block of wood can still mean that a child may easily be crushed to death or severely injured if he or she is pinned underneath as the door descends. Seeing eye sensors have assisted in diminishing the number of injuries annually, but does not eliminate every one and should not be a substitute for paying attention.
Most door installers and manufacturers of door openers now recommend that a softer item be used to test the reversing feature. A large full roll of paper towels or an empty box about the size of a cinder block are excellent items for testing to see if the settings are sufficient to minimize or prevent an injury by activating the automatic reverse. There is one catch to this test.
If the overhead door is newly installed then the installer should have adjusted the torsion springs. Even if the garage door was installed in recent years, the torsion spring or springs should be adjusted so that the overhead door is counterbalanced properly before the force settings are determined on the garage door opener. Garage doors which have been installed in years past need regular adjusting. Over time the steel of the torsion spring will relax. If the torsion spring is adjusted to the proper tension after the opener settings are finalized, the emergency reverse and closing functions will not work properly.
Occasionally a torsion spring can break. Should the garage door be of the variety with two torsion springs, both springs need to be replaced. Pairing up an old torsion spring with a new one is just asking for an accident. When a spring does break, it will probably be when the door is closing or already in the closed position. The tension is highest when the door is closing or in the closed position. If the door is in the process of closing, it will come crashing down. DO NOT attempt to "catch" or stop the door. Garage doors weigh several hundred pounds and serious injury will result if an individual is underneath the door.
Garage door safety is paramount and the door should be treated as if it is a piece of heavy industrial equipment. Children should never play with or around any garage door. Unless specifically trained to service overhead doors, a home owner should rely on a professional installer for all repairs having to do with any cables or springs. Serious injury may result if proper safety precautions are not taken.
For more information on garage doors and garage door openers please visit http://www.premiumgaragedoorservice.com.

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

Garage Doors - Danger Lurking Unseen, But Testing and Adjusting the Door Opener Can Maintain Safety

Despite garage door openers being designed with improved technology and safety features, there are still several serious injuries reported every year. Many of these injuries are sustained by children. The price for the convenience of having an automatic garage door opener should not include any injury to a family member or neighbor. There is no reason injuries attributed to overhead doors should continue to take place every year with the current safety precautions mandated by law.
Until relatively recently almost every manufacturer of garage door openers recommended placing a block of wood where the overhead door meets the ground in order to test the automatic reverse settings. It is quite simple to get the door to reverse on this hard of a material. The major problem with this test is that a block of wood is much denser and harder than any part of the human body. Even with testing the automatic reverse feature using a block of wood can still mean that a child may easily be crushed to death or severely injured if he or she is pinned underneath as the door descends. Seeing eye sensors have assisted in diminishing the number of injuries annually, but does not eliminate every one and should not be a substitute for paying attention.
Most door installers and manufacturers of door openers now recommend that a softer item be used to test the reversing feature. A large full roll of paper towels or an empty box about the size of a cinder block are excellent items for testing to see if the settings are sufficient to minimize or prevent an injury by activating the automatic reverse. There is one catch to this test.
If the overhead door is newly installed then the installer should have adjusted the torsion springs. Even if the garage door was installed in recent years, the torsion spring or springs should be adjusted so that the overhead door is counterbalanced properly before the force settings are determined on the garage door opener. Garage doors which have been installed in years past need regular adjusting. Over time the steel of the torsion spring will relax. If the torsion spring is adjusted to the proper tension after the opener settings are finalized, the emergency reverse and closing functions will not work properly.
Occasionally a torsion spring can break. Should the garage door be of the variety with two torsion springs, both springs need to be replaced. Pairing up an old torsion spring with a new one is just asking for an accident. When a spring does break, it will probably be when the door is closing or already in the closed position. The tension is highest when the door is closing or in the closed position. If the door is in the process of closing, it will come crashing down. DO NOT attempt to "catch" or stop the door. Garage doors weigh several hundred pounds and serious injury will result if an individual is underneath the door.
Garage door safety is paramount and the door should be treated as if it is a piece of heavy industrial equipment. Children should never play with or around any garage door. Unless specifically trained to service overhead doors, a home owner should rely on a professional installer for all repairs having to do with any cables or springs. Serious injury may result if proper safety precautions are not taken.

For more information on garage doors and garage door openers please 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.