How to Have an Eco-Friendly Garage

It seems that no matter where one looks these days, that there is a push to protect the environment. We can use eco-friendly fuels, cleaners, lawn care equipment, and even construction materials. So, when you decide to have a garage added to your residence, or perhaps want to upgrade your current garage's appearance, why not opt for a garage door that is not only attractive but also environmentally friendly? In addition, you might want to take it a step further and ensure that the items within your garage are also eco-friendly.

Of course, the first step is to select a garage door that is eco-friendly. There are several choices to select from. For instance:

• A wood door is an environmentally friendly choice as long as the door has a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) endorsement. There are also door that are made totally from recycled material making them the perfect eco-friendly option.
• Steel doors usually contain at least 40% recycled materials, and often this number is even higher.
• Fiberglass doors are also good for the environment as it is made from readily available silica sand.
• Durable and energy efficient doors not only protect the environment, but are long-lasting and energy efficient. However, vinyl and plastic doors are very unfriendly for the environment and should only be used to accessorize; in addition, the vinyl doors are not as durable and will often warp.

Once you have chosen the garage door that best suits your needs and the design of your home, you can take additional steps to ensure that the items kept in your garage are also eco-friendly. For instance, what good is it to have an environmentally friendly garage door then store used automotive fluids, pesticides and chemical inside? To help you make sure that your garage is eco-friendly both inside and out, here are a few basics to keep in mind:

• Begin by cleaning out the garage. As you do so, you will get a better idea of what is stored there. And help you decide what to keep, what can be donated to Goodwill and what needs to be hauled away. Of course, if you just adding a garage to your home, you can typically skip this step-unless you are moving from a storage shed to the garage in which case you will want to sort out the unused/unwanted items rather than storing them again!
• If you have an assortment of fluids to dispose of, be sure to talk to your local agricultural extension or waste management office to learn the best way to deal with these products.
• If your water heater is in the garage, be sure that it is properly installed; also do not store boxes, tools or other items near the unit.
• Consider swapping out gas power tools for those that are electric or battery powered.
• Use high-efficiency fluorescent bulbs or install a skylight rather than incandescent lighting.

Learn more about garage doors and garage door openers by visiting Premium Garage Door Service of Twin Cities, MN. 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.

7 Questions Regarding Garage Doors and Garage Door Openers

For many people, there is no way a home without a garage would even be considered. After all, where else would they store their vehicles, tools and miscellaneous outdoor equipment? However, when it comes to buying a home, sometimes, there are features you may have to give up in order to have something else. Sometimes, this can be a garage. So, if you are now living in a home without a garage and have decided that you would like to have one added, then it's likely that you have a number of questions regarding garages. To help you decide what you want in a garage, here are some of the more common questions and concerns regarding these great features to your home.

1. What type of door will work best for my home? Depending on your home's outward appearance and whether or not you want your garage doors to blend in with your exterior or give it life, you have a variety of options to choose from. Typically, garage doors that have flushed panels will be unobtrusive and look great with virtually any architectural style while doors with long raised panels draw attention and add a design element to the home.
2. What types of garage doors are available? The most common are steel doors which requires little upkeep, costs less and has multiple style and color options; wood doors which cost more and require more upkeep yet are easier to customize; and composites which are made of recycled wood and better insulated. You will also want to consider the type of use your garage will get. For instance, if there will be sports played near your garage door, then you may wish to choose wooden doors rather than metal as the wooden ones will not dent.
3. What aspects are important in garage door maintenance? Most doors require minimal maintenance in regards to one needing to know how to repair them.
4. Are there any "simple" reasons why a garage door might not open/close properly? Yes. Oftentimes, you just need to be sure that the opener is plugged into the outlet. Also, if you have anything that is blocking the photo-cell beams from connecting with the receiver, then those items need to be moved to. If the opener is plugged in and the beams are not blocked, but you are still not getting a response, you should call your garage installation company and ask for a technician to visit.

The following concerns are best handled by a trained garage door technician!

1. What should be done if the door is not balanced? This is noticed when the door drops or opens on its own. It is a result of the springs needing to be adjusted.
2. What about loud noises or snapping sounds? This indicates that a spring has broken and needs to be replaced.
3. What about a frayed cable? This needs to be replaced as soon as possible to prevent the garage door from falling at an importune time!

Learn more about garage doors and garage door openers by visiting Premium Garage Door Service of MN. 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.

Garages: Then and Now

"The more we change, the more we stay the same." This statement has been used to describe many aspects of life, but it is also an apt description of the history of garages. Another appropriate statement for garage doors would be, "Necessity is mother of invention". Here's how the garage and ultimately the garage door, became a vital part of the American culture.
When the car was first introduced, despite Henry Ford's desire for it to be owned by the common man, in actuality it was more often purchased by those of the more elite of society. Of course, as cars were a new commodity, most homes were not designed with somewhere to house them when not in use. Consequently, many vehicles were stored in the same building as the wagons and horses. However, the created quite the problem, as the upper crust of society found that storing their vehicle(s) in the same space as the horses often resulted in the auto smelling like the horse!
This problem, led to building what became known as a garage. The early garages were little more than what we now use as parking lots. The concept was that is horses could be housed in rows of stalls, then rows of vehicles could be stored similarly. Enterprising business men built large heated garages were auto owners could store their vehicles when not in use. The novelty soon became a raging success as "garage" owners were able to charge $15-$20 a month to store the vehicles. These garages worked great for several years until there were more cars in use than could be stored.
With the need to have a convenient place to store one's vehicle in mind, people started looking for an alternative to the public "garages". They recognized that the carriage house had great potential, if only they could get rid of the animal smells. Soon, many vehicle owners were having special buildings built to house their cars in. The buildings were simple structures with a double door that opened outwards- in essence, they were vehicle barns. This was a great plan except that the door received a great deal of use causing much wear and tear on the strap hinges and in climates where snow was common, it could be extremely challenging at best ( and impossible at worst) to get the cars out of the carriage house. Something had to be done!
With more experimentation, innovative craftsmen ultimately came upon the idea of sliding garage doors that moved on a single track across the front of the garage door, but this would require doubling the garage door's width. To offset these "problem" inventors, decided to cut the door into sections then hinge them at intervals. Then in 1921, C.G. Johnson designed a garage door that could be lifted upwards, folding parallel to the floor. A few years later, he invented an electric, automated garage door opener to help with lifting the heavy doors.
To learn more about garage doors and garage door openers, 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.

Garage Door and Automatic Opener...

Basic Maintenance to Perform In Order To Keep Smooth Operation

Regardless of the area of the country, garage doors take a beating from wind, rain, and heat. In the North Central states such as Minnesota, the additional conditions of snow, salt and sand need to be dealt with throughout the autumn and winter seasons. The condition of the home exterior, including the garage door, can degrade quite rapidly if not maintained properly. The weather stripping and gaskets are of prime importance to maintain and be kept in good repair. Often these are the first line of defense.
Without the weather stripping and the gasket at the bottom panel of the door being intact the elements are allowed to slowly affect the rollers and quite possibly any items stored near the opening. Although weather stripping and gaskets can be found in some big brick and mortar home improvement centers, surprisingly it can be a back breaking task for the average home owner to change out items as simple as these. Additional maintenance needs to be performed on the door components as well.
In order for the door to work as smoothly as possible, every hinge and roller should be lubricated. Either a basic oil, such as that used for a bicycle chain, may be used, but can often create a mess by dripping on objects below when the garage door is opened. A better alternative can be a synthetic lubricant or graphite. Graphite however, will not last as long and will most likely not protect the hinges and rollers from moisture. It is important for the home owner to not apply any oil or grease in the tracks. Not only will this attract dirt and debris to collect in the track, it will prevent the garage door from traveling smoothly causing a sticky mess which can be very difficult to clean.
The maintenance required for maintaining a door will be very much the same no matter the type of door. There are several choices of garage doors on the market. The most durable garage doors will be manufactured from fiberglass or composite materials, although these are more expensive than steel doors. Steel doors are the most commonly installed type of door. One key component which will raise the cost of a door is whether insulation is integrated into the door itself. Should the home owner foresee any work being done within the garage during the extreme temperatures of summer or winter, then the extra investment will be a wise choice.
Most garage door installation companies will not be able to stock the wide variety of premium garage doors available, but instead will have samples and catalogs from which to choose. Because steel doors are the most common, most installers will have a good supply of steel doors on hand and decent supply of colors.

For more information on garage doors and openers, visit Premium Garage Door Service of Minneapolis & St. Paul, MN.

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.

Garages - Get More Clearance for Larger Vehicles Without Damaging the Garage Door, Car Or SUV

Garage doors along with automatic garage door openers have provided the ultimate convenience to the home owner. Although this continues to be true, some garage door openings may not be of sufficient width or height to accommodate many of the oversized sport utility vehicles, trucks or vans which are so popular today. There are usually only three options for the home owner from which to choose in this situation: sell the oversized vehicle, let the vehicle sit in the driveway or remodel the garage framework to allow for the larger vehicle.
Although a private sale can maximize the amount of money received, selling a vehicle through a private sale is often tedious and can take quite a bit of time, especially in this economic climate. Trading the vehicle in at a car dealer will be the fastest way to get rid of the vehicle, but usually will create a car payment which may not be desirable. Selling the vehicle is probably not the preferred option. After all, there is a reason why the larger vehicle was purchased in the first place.
Letting the SUV, truck or van sit in the driveway is usually the most inexpensive and common solution, but there are definite drawbacks. Assuming the neighborhood is a safe and low traffic area, there should be very little risk for property damage to occur. Leaving a vehicle unprotected in a driveway, however, can invite unwelcome attention.
The last option, which will be a good home improvement investment is to have the entrance to the garage resized. Calling a contractor may not be necessary. A garage door may be able to have its travel path increased so that the bottom edge of the door does not extend passed the top of the opening when opened.
It is very important for safety reasons to close the garage door and disengage the garage door opener from the door when working on any component of the system. If changes are made to the door or travel path, further adjustments to the force adjustment will be necessary in order to ensure smooth and safe operation. Torsion spring or cables may also need to be adjusted.
Torsion springs should not be adjusted by the home owner. These springs are the coiled spring which is mounted above the door and visible at the header only when the door is closed. Any attempt to adjust the torsion spring without proper safeguards, tools and experience will likely result in serious injury or death. It is best to contact a professional garage door company to perform any moderate changes or adjustments.
For more information on garage doors and garage door openers please call 952-513-4849 or visit at Premium Garage Door Service today!
Article independently authored by Daniel Elliott. The content herein may or may not relfect the views and opinions of Premium Garage Door Service. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

What Does Your Garage Door Say About You?

When it comes to decorative elements for your home's exterior décor, there is only so much you can do. After all, you can paint the house, add shutters, perhaps a flag or decorative embellishment but when it comes right down to it, there are not a lot of choices. However, one of the most effective, as well as useful, choices is by turning a car port into a garage and then selecting a garage door that reflects your home's personality. There are several types of garage doors and panels to choose from and your selections will be a reflection of your style.
Most garage doors are either wood or steel. Doors made from wood are usually pricier, but are available in several types of woods and can be painted or stained. In addition, the wooden doors look great with homes that reflect life of bygone eras. They often mimic the elaborate doors once used on carriage house and add a touch of elegance to your home.
Steel doors are more economical, so they are more commonly used. However, just because you select a more common product, doesn't mean you have to sacrifice on style. You can still paint the doors to match your home, and oftentimes, the garage door manufacturer will have a door that will look great with your house, without your needing to make any changes. Also, many professionals recommend that you purchase white or light-colored doors as they will reflect sunlight and keep the garage cooler. In addition, be sure to ask about the finish. Door finishes should be baked on and applied by the steel supplier at the steel mill and not by the manufacturer.
Whether you choose to use a wooden door or a metal, you will also need to determine what type of panel you wish. As each of the five choices adds a different look, keep these basic associations in mind:
Flush panel are flat panels and will look great with whatever you put it next to, without being over conspicuous.
Long raised panels are known for adding distinction to your home's overall appearance. These have become popular in recent years and have many options in regard to windows and color.
Short raised panels, as well as the long raised panels add depth to the door. They look great with home that favor the Victorian, Antebellum or Tudor style homes as they set off the beautiful trim work and proportioned finishes of these homes. These are sometimes called carriage -style garage doors as they resemble the doors used on carriage houses years ago.
Painted panels are associated with that bit of extra to your home's appearance. Quite often, homeowners opt to have the raised portion painted on color with the sloped portion painted in a contrasting color.
Contemporary garage doors are perfect for homes that have modern design. They feature straight clean lines, and are more commonly metal doors with tempered glass panels.

For additional information on 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 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.