Author Archives: 1st United Door Technologies
Safe-Way Garage Doors Strengthens National Reach Through Acquisition of 1st United Door Technologies
WARSAW, Ind. – Sept. 6, 2023 – Safe-Way Garage Doors (“Safe-Way”), a portfolio company of CW Industrial Partners, today announced it has entered into a definitive purchase agreement to acquire all assets of 1st United Door Technologies (“1st United”). While details of the agreement remain confidential, the acquisition signifies a strong partnership between two regional overhead door manufacturing leaders.
The acquisition allows Safe-Way to expand its distribution network into key western markets, while creating distribution opportunities for 1st United within the eastern half of the U.S. “We are excited about the combined footprint of 1st United and Safe-Way Door because it enhances our national presence and provides faster, easier access to a broader range of products for our customers,” said Ted Rock, Safe-Way Garage Doors CEO.
Why Steel Garage Doors Are Always a Good Choice
Recent studies have shown that there is only one type of home improvement you can do on your own that will actually improve the value of your home above and beyond the price that you have paid for it, and those items are steel garage doors. With all other home improvement projects, you will only get a portion of the investment back when you sell your home, but when it comes to steel garage doors, you will get every penny back.
People replace their garage doors for a variety of reasons, but usually it is because they have worn out over time or through overuse, or they have become ruined by the weather or moisture. Of course, there are also those cases when someone drives through a garage door or accidentally bumps it enough to throw it off its tracks and break the structure that is holding it in place.
Whatever your reason for replacing your garage door, you should first think about steel garage doors before choosing any other type.
Why Would You Want Steel?
The main reason why people choose steel is because it is easy to care for. In fact, it takes no caring at all! Unlike wood doors that need to [more]
Phone Conversation: “My garage door is frozen!”
Homeowner: My garage door is stuck from the Winter’s cold? What can I do to unstuck it?
Garage Door Dealer: Can you see ice at the bottom of the door?
Homeowner: Ah, yes.
Garage Door Dealer: Well then your garage doors weather seal is probably frozen to the concrete. This happens when the bottom of the door sits in water or wet snow that eventually freezes when the temperature dips.
Homeowner: So what do I do?
Garage Door Dealer: Well, to get the door unstuck, break off the ice or use warm water to melt the ice. Then raise your garage door and clean and dry the area to prevent the door from refreezing when you’ve finished.
Homeowner: That sounds simple. I tried to force my door open and break the ice.
Garage Door Dealer: That could rip your weather seal and then water, snow and cold air could get into your garage. Then you’d have to replace the weather seal.
Homeowner: I don’t want to do that. Well thank you for your information.
Garage Door Dealer: Just one more idea. Think about waxing your door with the same wax they use on cars. This can be a great way to prevent ice from sticking to your door.
Phone Conversation: “My garage door is frozen!”
Homeowner: My garage door is stuck from the Winter’s cold? What can I do to unstuck it?
Garage Door Dealer: Can you see ice at the bottom of the door?
Homeowner: Ah, yes.
Garage Door Dealer: Well then your garage doors weather seal is probably frozen to the concrete. This happens when the bottom of the door sits in water or wet snow that eventually freezes when the temperature dips.
Homeowner: So what do I do?
Garage Door Dealer: Well, to get the door unstuck, break off the ice or use warm water to melt the ice. Then raise your garage door and clean and dry the area to prevent the door from refreezing when you’ve finished.
Homeowner: That sounds simple. I tried to force my door open and break the ice.
Garage Door Dealer: That could rip your weather seal and then water, snow and cold air could get into your garage. Then you’d have to replace the weather seal.
Homeowner: I don’t want to do that. Well thank you for your information.
Garage Door Dealer: Just one more idea. Think about waxing your door with the same wax they use on cars. This can be a great way to prevent ice from sticking to your [more]
Adore Your Garage Door
Whether you’re planning to build a new home or are doing a remodel, it’s unlikely you think much about your garage door. Still, it’s the largest moving part in your home and the broadest piece of curb appeal on display. Today’s best garage doors are detailed to blend into the aesthetics of the home’s design. Their architectural frame occupies a major portion of the front landscape and has a major impact on the street perception of the home.
Garage doors can have character too. In many homes, the garage doors often incorporate carriage house motifs that greatly enhance the architectural character of the home and the neighborhood. The latest garage doors offer increased style and function that can enhance the aesthetics of any home. And they are safer to use than ever before.
Decorative options are helping homeowners differentiate their doors adding a dynamic architectural accentuation to their home with a selection of glass inserts and new styles of hardware. Homeowners and builders alike are expressing increased interest in carriage-style garage doors, designed to fool the eye and mimic old-style sliding or swing-up doors. These are drawing the most attention due to their distinctive architectural styling and for traditionally styled homes this is [more]
Winter is Here: Is Your Garage Door Ready?
With the colder weather, there’s nothing worse than not having your garage door not working properly. Here’s some ways to save you a lot of time and money!
Keep it Clean
Clean your garage door regularly with mild soap, such as car detergent, and a soft bristle brush. Avoid using abrasive cleaners and very strong liquid cleaners which could damage the paint or cause delaminating. If you have a steel garage door, you can revive its luster by applying a car wax as it will protect against acid rain and dust. It is best to avoid waxing in direct sunlight to achieve better results.
Weather Stripping
Clean the weather stripping with a good all-purpose cleaner. Lubricate it every 2 or 3 months with a SILICONE-based lubricant. Never use a petroleum-based lubricant on weather stripping as it will dry up and crack. Don’t forget the weather strip between your door panels. It is important to let your weather strip hang 1/2″ below the door base when you readjust your perimeter weather stripping. If the weather stripping is too tight, the door will not function properly. So if your weather stripping has lost its flexibility, it is best to replace it.
Maintaining the Hardware
Lubricate the [more]
CONSUMER ALERT VIDEOS
Brought to you by First United Door Technologies & Door & Access Systems Manufacturing Association
These YouTube Videos are designed to promote a better industry that serves and provides the best advice to consumers.
The Garage Door Repair Scam Link: https://youtu.be/QVhgWi6CxBY
How to Assess Your Garage Door Problems Link: https://youtu.be/sRXk4YHe-5o
How to Spot Marketing from Garage Door Repair Scammers Link: https://youtu.be/OTr88-opHjU
How to Detect a Scammer When You Call for Garage Door Service Link: https://youtu.be/GCIWgPCPt1k
Is It Time for a New Garage Door?
You’ve repaired and replaced, repaired and replaced, but your old garage door still isn’t working right. There comes a time when pouring all that time and money into a faulty door just doesn’t make good fiscal sense anymore. In some parts of the country, garage doors are continuously pounded by harsh weather conditions including snow, sleet, ice, and hot sunshine. Here are some ways that homeowners can know when it’s finally time to get a new garage door.
Dents: A dented garage door is not necessarily a safety hazard, but it is certainly an eyesore! Even if your yard is immaculately kept and the rest of your house looks terrific, the sight of a dent or dents in the garage door will wipe out any positive impression when people drive up to your property: and this could result in a loss of value to your home too if you’re considering selling.
Rust: Rust is not only unsightly, but it is also a sign that your garage door will soon be experiencing operational problems if it isn’t already. Rust is a symptom of corrosion in a door’s metal parts, and these parts may break or fall apart unexpectedly resulting in inconvenience or even [more]
Cleaning and Preventative Maintenance
Make your garage door last longer and operate efficiently
On a busy day your garage door may open and close 20 times, so routine maintenance is a must to keep it in good working order. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Regular garage door cleaning and maintenance will guarantee a great look and longer life of your door.
Appearance
Clean your garage door regularly with mild soap (like dishwashing detergent) and a soft bristle brush. Avoid using abrasive cleaners and very strong liquid cleaners which could damage the paint or cause delaminating. If you have a steel garage door, you can revive its luster by applying a car wax as it will protect against acid rain and dust. It is best to avoid waxing in direct sunlight to achieve better results. If there’s exposed wood, be sure to paint it.
Exterior Weather-Stripping
Clean the weather stripping around the frame and bottom edge with a good all-purpose cleaner. Lubricate it every 2 or 3 months with a Silicone-based lubricant to keep the stripping pliable. Never use a petroleum-based lubricant on weather-stripping as it will dry up and crack. It is important to let your weather-strip hang 1/2″ below the door base [more]
Make Your Garage Door System Family Friendly
Garage doors are very large in size and the last thing you want is for it to harm a member of your family, especially when each year there can be up to 30,000 injuries caused by garage door
accidents. Although garage doors are already designed to be safe, there are some extra precautions that you can take to keep your garage door system safe for your family and avoid any injuries.
Keep Your Remote In A Safe Place
Do not leave your remote lying around for just anyone to grab. Secure it somewhere in your car so that it cannot easily be stolen or played with. Some features allow you to connect your garage door with your car or mobile device and no remote is necessary. Practice safety with your remote to avoid unfortunate accidents.
Inform Your Children On Garage Safety
Make sure your children know not to play around with the remote or garage. Remind them to stand away from the garage and wait when trying to enter or exit. In addition, hanging or playing on any parts of the garage should never occur because that is the quickest way for an accident to happen. Inform your children on the dangers of misusing [more]