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Blog Archive: February 2011

Garage Door Isn’t Behaving

Troubleshooting garage door problems isn’t anyone’s favorite weekend activity, but it’s a task that pretty much every homeowner has to deal with at one point or another. Probably the most common issue you’re likely to encounter with your garage door is that it doesn’t close correctly. Maybe it stops and starts, or goes all the way down only to bounce back up. Or, it might not close at all, and you have to tug with all your might to get it to close manually. No matter what the scenario, it is more than inconvenient! Fortunately, in the majority of cases, there’s a relatively easy answer to be found, with an associated quick fix.

Problem 1 – Blocked Sensors

If you have an electric garage door and it’s simply not responding to the door opener, either for opening or closing, then check for the simplest problem first: blocked sensors. On the roof of your garage, usually in the middle of the tracks that the garage door runs on, is an electric sensor that receives the waves from your garage door opener, and that also senses potential obstructions in the path of the garage door, in which case it will keep the door from [more]

Anatomy of a Garage Door

Here’s the inside look of a sectional door:

1. Torsion Spring

Counterbalances door’s weight so that it can be lifted easily. 

2. Track

Guides door up to ceiling and back.

3. Roller

Rides inside track. Steel ones are noisy; nylon is quieter.

4. Hinge

Connects horizontal sections.

5. Section

6. Lock Bar

Engages with track to prevent door from opening.

7. Weatherstripping

Seals door edges against air infiltration.

Friday Funny: Funny Garage Door Story

At least I think it’s funny. Probably funnier if you were there.

So, this guy’s renting a room from a classmate.  He has a garage door opener that he occasionally has a bit of trouble using – nothing major. He’ll just double click it and the door starts up or down then for some reason stops and he then has to repeat the process.  Sometimes he almost drives thru the garage door thinking it should be open by now.

So last night, he came home at 1:30 AM from work and hit the garage door remote and nothing.  He stopped before plowing into the door and hit the remote again. It rises about 8″ and then begins to go back down.  Weird, he’s sure he didn’t double click, so he hit it again. It stops. He hits it again and it begins to rise just to suddenly stop and begin to go back down.  

Now he’s wondering, “what the heck?”. This thing is definitely not working and he’s going to have to call and wake up his friend to let him in.  He tries it one more time and it begins and continues to open up.  YEAh!

Inside he see’s someone moving – [more]

Garage Door As A Ball Catcher

When home improvements are being made, especially around the outside of the house, many people fail to remember one simple improvement that can perk up the surroundings and make a house look newer.

The door to your garage is the very item that can be repaired or replaced to complete any home project. Through years of coming and going in and out of the garage, the door can sustain much damage. Whether the damage is in the form of dents, scratches, unsightly peeling paint, or broken windows, repair is the answer to such an eyesore.

Every family seems to have a child who just loves to play ball and use the garage door as its catcher. While the door may be a handy alternative to a real person, the damages a hard ball can cause to a garage door are immense. Another common problem homeowner’s encounter with their garage doors is a broken or worn out spring. In the event of a broken spring, opening and closing the door to your garage may be nearly impossible, especially in the case of a broken spring.

A smart solution to garage door abuse is to contact a professional contractor. There are several companies that continue [more]

Get Qualified Help!

Installing a garage door isn’t a thing that could be carried out without having the qualified help of someone who is specialized and experienced in it. A garage door professional will have sufficient hands on experience to correctly install or repair your garage door.  Improper installation of a garage door could create a hazardous situation.

 Kids or tiny pets or animals could be caught under the closing door or get themselves hurt while closing the door. It must be closed correctly. Give ample time for closing when using a remote control transmitter or push button and look carefully for a complete shutdown. The opener must be given particular attention while using the door. If the door feels heavy and more energy is necessary to open the door than usually, there may be a problem with the balance or proper adjustment of the door. Realizing the issue, a professional technician should be contacted to analyze and fix the issue. Self adjustments or just keeping it heavy may possibly trigger much more hazardous circumstances in the end. A stronger garage opener is not necessarily the answer as maintaining the appropriate adjustment and balance of the door is the proper remedy. 

Garage doors are normally [more]

Got Wood?

Some things do come back in style if you wait long enough. Think hip-hugger pants, shag carpeting and, yes, even wood garage doors. The wood garage doors of the 1970s are back in a big way. It’s one of many design trends that have come and gone.

The first revolution in garage door materials happened in the 1980s, when raised panel steel doors replaced wood ones. They continue to dominate the market today, mainly because they’re economical and low-maintenance. But for certain homes — especially custom homes or those with an Old World look — a big expanse of cold steel just won’t do. Frequently the garage door is a major part of the front of a home and people are finding that they can do something more interesting.

For this reason, wood has become the most popular option. But these aren’t the humble wood doors of two decades ago. For example, 1st United Door Technologies offers wood doors in a carriage-house style that has an old-fashioned craftsman look. Made of the finest wood, they offer a much richer appearance and you can expect to pay four times or more what you would for steel doors.

Just as wood is beginning to catch [more]

Earliest of Garage Door Openers

Got Critters?

Garage Doors Are the “Face” of Your Garage

The automobile—and a place to put it—has become a necessity of modern life, but that wasn’t the case when most historic homes were built. Creating a garage that offers the amenities you want without disrupting the period character of your home can be a tall order. The good news? Today, there are more options than ever to ease the burden.

Since doors are the “face” of your garage, choosing them is one of the most important design decisions you’ll have to make. If your garage is prominently placed in relation to your house, the style of the doors can have a major impact on your curb appeal. Pulling architectural elements from your house and replicating them on garage doors will go a long way toward striking a harmonious balance between garage and house.

The easiest way to blend house and garage is to match up their color schemes. If the design of your garage door isn’t a great fit for the age of your home, a complementary color scheme can at least help it blend in. Conversely, if you have a gorgeous traditional-style door to highlight, creative coloring (for example, painting the bracing elements on a carriage-house door the same color as [more]

Save Energy With Garage Door Sealers

Your garage can be susceptible against the constant attack from external elements including water and mud from roads, road salt, and even the auto fluids and oils that could have leaked from your vehicles.

The damages causing will be both physical and energy related costs. As we know, your garage is likely to consume electricity like any other rooms of your home. The lights, garage door openers, ventilation will always consume power. The usage of sealers with various kinds of doors can reduce this power consumption.

These sealers are a perfect addition to your garage door as they can help withstand regular wear and tear that these doors face over a period of time. This means less garage door repair. The best part is that they are durable and are less expensive. The sealers can aid you to reduce the cost by consuming less electricity. Many of the garages are building right next to homes to reduce the heat inside it by saving large amount of energy costs. This problem doesn’t arise if sealers are used.

The sealer in your garage door will ensure the garage will stay cooler even during summer season. The insulations must be good to make sure the gas [more]