Archive for November, 2009

How to Make Your Garage Door “Green” – And I Don’t Mean In Color!

In today's world, everyone is going "green". Topics like greenhouse emissions, global warming, and pollution levels are opening the eyes of individual...

 

In today’s world, everyone is going “green”. Topics like greenhouse emissions, global warming, and pollution levels are opening the eyes of individuals everywhere. The construction industry has been under an immense level of scrutiny for their lack of attention when it comes to the impact that their materials have on the environment. As a result, many companies are specializing in offering “green” solutions as alternative choices to their standard line of products. The same holds true for companies that specialize in creating garage doors. If you are ready for a new door for your garage unit, this short guide has some steps on how to make sure that the door is the most environmentally friendly option.

The very first step in ensuring that you have a “green” garage door is to consider the type of materials that were used to construct the door. You will want to purchase only those units that used recyclable materials or materials that are considered to be renewable. The manufacturing process involved in creating the garage door will tell the tale as to whether it is considered an environmentally friendly option. In addition to paying attention to the materials used to create the door, you must also consider the paint used on the door or any type of finish applied to the product. In order to ensure your garage door is green, it is best to choose products that only use powder-coat paints.

If you are seeking to reduce your carbon footprint, choosing a garage door that is considered to be “green” is a great option. Remember, consider the materials used to create the door, as well as the type of coating that is on the door. If you find that the door was created in such a way that it considers the environment first, then you have likely discovered the “green” garage door that will be right for you and your home!

Basic Tips for Garage Door Maintenance

 

There are many basic tips for maintaining a garage door. While this is not a favored task among homeowners, it is a necessary task. If you take the time to perform some basic maintenance on your garage, you will find that it operates more efficiently for extended periods of time. Maintenance will assist in reducing the amount of money that you have to spend on repairs and replacing parts that contribute to the functioning of the garage door. Throughout this short guide, important tips will be highlighted. While there are many measures that can be taken, the tips here are the easiest and most common.

1.      It is important to know that all of the parts of the garage door will need to be lubricated on a regular basis. Parts like the hinges, the actual rollers, and the tracks should be sprayed with WD-40 on a monthly basis. You should also become familiar with the spring systems and where they are located. These components will need to be regularly lubricated as well.

2.      It is important to ensure that your garage door is protected from natural elements. You will want to ensure that weather strips are placed on the sides of the door as well as the bottom section of the door. It is important to inspect these strips regularly. If moisture is permitted to come in contact with the door, it could damage the materials that it is constructed from.

3.      Rollers on garage doors have a habit of becoming stuck. There are many reasons for this. If you want to keep this from happening, clean the tracks with a hard bristle brush and kerosene. This is also effective if they become stuck and you are unable to jar them.

If you follow these simple maintenance tips, you will find that you have very few issues with your garage door. These strategies will save both time and money.

Keeping Children Safe around Garage Doors

 

If you have a garage at your home, it is important to know some simple steps that will help in keeping children safe around the doors on the structure. Most garage doors are controlled by a button for the opener system. When you install this button, be sure that it is placed in an area where children are unable to reach it. Many accidents have occurred in which children pushed these buttons and got caught underneath the door as it closed. By taking special care in the installation of this control device, you can rest comfortably knowing that children are unable to experience this possible complication.

If your garage door is remote controlled, it is imperative that it is not kept within the reach of children. Kids should never be allowed to play with this device. Accidents may occur that include other children, as well as pets and other individuals in the home or neighborhood if children play with the remote control. Most garages have a switch that can be used in the event that an emergency arises. You should learn all that you are able to regarding this emergency situation. This way, should the garage door come down on a person or animal, it can quickly be lifted so that serious injuries do not occur.

You should inform children that they should never run under the garage door as it is being opened or closed. If something malfunctions in the door opener system, the door may unexpectedly fall on the child. This could cause severe injuries, or even death. It is important to thoroughly inspect all aspects of the garage door on a regular basis. This will reduce the possibility that the opener system malfunctions. It is important to ensure the safety of children that may live in or near the home that has a garage. By following the tips listed here, you will likely discover that your home is accident free.

Choosing a Garage Door Replacement Contractor

 

Replacing a garage door may prove to be quite challenging to many homeowners. For this reason, many elect to hire a contractor that specializes in the replacement of doors attached to garages. If you are considering this, it is important to know how to choose the right professional for the job. The very first step that should be taken is creating a list of individuals and businesses that come recommended from relatives, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. Their experiences with a particular professional will detail what you can expect if you decide to hire them.

When choosing a garage door replacement contractor, it is important to conduct an interview with the professionals that you are considering. You should inquire about the length of time the person has been working in the area of door replacement, the types of techniques that they use, as well as their availability. At this point, it is a good idea to express to the contractor that you have specific goals related to the installation of the new garage door. The professional should be able to determine if your goals can be successful based on their specific level of expertise in the replacement of garage doors.

Most contractors will provide you with a free estimate. It is important that you carefully review the details of the estimate and the contract that you will be expected to sign in order for the work to be performed. Be certain when you get to this part of hiring a contractor that the professional has insurance coverage in case anything happens to them while working, the new garage door, or your garage. If you follow the tips listed here, you will find that it is simple to find a garage door replacement contractor. As with any purchase, it takes research and determining if a contractor service is right for you.

Top Reasons for Garage Door Opener Replacement

 

There are many reasons why one may elect to replace the garage door opener at their home. If you have been considering whether or not to replace your unit, the information contained in this guide may prove to be very helpful to you. The very first item of consideration should be security. Older garage door opener models often included keypad entrance. Many criminals throughout history have been able to successfully break the code on these keypads and gain illegal entry into the home. The models on the market today typically implement a continuously changing code. As a result, unwanted visitors are able to gain access to the home.

Many have discovered inconveniences when it comes to older model garage-door openers. One of the main inconveniences is that if the power is interrupted in the home, the door will not open. For this reason, many are doing away with their older model and purchasing models that incorporate battery powered backup systems. If the power to the home is interrupted for any reason, the garage door opener will access the power emitted from the battery system. You will still be able to open and close your garage door with success with the battery system.

Does your door make a lot of noise when it opens and closes? If so, you may benefit from a new door opener. Older doors often use a chain drive to open and close. These drives are considered to be the loudest. New doors often include either a belt drive or that of a screw drive. While these models do cost a bit more than a chain drive, it is a good investment. Many homeowners come to the point where they want to purchase a garage door opener. If you are at this point, it is beneficial to know when a change is necessary.