Garage doors have evolved into key components of modern homes, offering energy efficiency and smart functionality. With a wide array of styles, materials, and customization options, homeowners can easily find a door that complements their home.
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When a homeowner chooses a new garage door, it’s important to consider how the design will enhance their home unlike doors in the past that swung open on hinges, modern overhead garage doors lift vertically and store parallel to the ceiling of a garage. These doors come in a variety of colors and styles, making them a versatile addition to any style home.
One way to select the perfect garage door is to start with a collection that matches the aesthetic of your home, such as Classic Craftsman or Mid-Century Modern. From there, you can pick a specific model that fits your needs. This will help you determine the features and options that best suit your space, such as window style and trim color.
In this example, a double bay garage door in dark Cedar beautifully complements the white stucco and natural stone siding of this home. The garage door’s simple molding and glass panels add interest to the facade, while wrought iron strap hinges, handles, and decorative nailheads evoke a Spanish Colonial-inspired look. Sconces mounted above or to the side of the opening create a warm glow that highlights the windows and garage door at night.
Other factors that influence the design of a Garage Door include material, color, and insulation. Steel and aluminum garage doors offer a streamlined contemporary look that can complement expansive glass walls. For a more traditional option, wood garage doors with a timeless silhouette and textured panels can complement a classic farmhouse or coastal-inspired style.
If you live in a cold climate, an insulated garage door is a must. It will reduce heat loss in winter and reduce air infiltration in summer, helping to maintain a comfortable temperature inside the garage. An insulated Garage Door can also increase the value of your home and provide peace of mind that your vehicles are protected.
The track system is a key component to the operation of an overhead garage door. It facilitates the smooth movement of the door’s sections from the closed position to the fully opened position. The tracks have two components: the vertical tracks on either side of the door opening and the horizontal tracks overhead. The horizontal tracks are connected to the vertical ones by curved sections, which run along the bottom corners of the garage door. These sections have a series of slots that hold the roller brackets and guide the steel counterbalance cables. These steel cables are wrapped around the cable drums at both ends, allowing them to raise and lower the garage door by twisting.
Materials
There are various materials used to make a Garage Door, each with their own benefits. Understanding the different options available to homeowners helps them select the best system for their individual home and family needs.
Wood garage doors offer the widest selection of design and style options. They provide great design flexibility and can be painted or stained to match a home’s exterior color and architecture. However, they can be expensive and require regular re-coating to prevent wood rot in humid climates.
Steel and aluminum garage doors are durable and cost-effective. They are often made from recycled materials, which helps reduce environmental impact. They are also strong and offer excellent insulation value. These doors are the most popular options for modern homes.
Fiberglass and vinyl garage doors are durable and can mimic the look of painted or stained wood without the maintenance costs. They are also resistant to dents and rust, making them ideal for coastal regions. However, they are not as insulating as wood and may crack in extremely cold weather.
Garage doors are typically constructed from panels, hinges, tracks, rollers, and a drive system. Panels are the horizontal sections that form the garage door face and can be insulated to reduce energy bills. Hinges connect the sections and allow them to bend as the door opens and closes. Rollers are small wheels that ride along the track and assist with smooth movement. They can be made from nylon, steel, or durable plastic materials. Regular lubrication can help minimize friction and noise.
Tracks are the guides that ensure smooth operation of the garage door and are attached to the wall and ceiling. They are supported by brackets that hold the vertical tracks and pulleys that control the lifting operation.
Cables run through the pulleys and lift the door from either side through counterbalance springs. This system is easy to maintain, but if the springs break or the cables become frayed they can cause injury or damage. Regular inspection and maintenance can highlight issues that should be repaired by a professional. Scheduled repairs can help keep your garage door in good working condition and prolong its lifespan.
Installation
A garage door is a key component of your home’s design and function. It adds curb appeal, protects your cars and possessions from the elements, and can help improve energy efficiency and even boost your property value. While you may be able to handle some maintenance tasks, it’s best to have a professional install and perform major repairs on your door. Using a professional ensures the job is done correctly and safely, ensuring your family’s safety and protection.
The first step in installing a new garage door is to remove the old one, if necessary. You’ll need to take extreme care in relieving tension on the springs, as they are under tremendous stress and can cause severe injury if handled incorrectly. Use the right tools and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Once the old door is removed, lay down the bottom panel exterior-side down on a workbench, sawhorses or cardboard. Place rubber weather stripping over the panel and the bottom brackets, then secure them to the panel with lag screws. Measure the width of your doorway and purchase panels that are a little smaller than that size, then fit them into the opening.
The bottom of the garage door needs to be supported by a track, which can run either horizontally or vertically. Most new doors use a horizontal track, while older ones often use a vertical track. The track can be placed flush with the ceiling, or it can extend above the door. It’s important to check the track specifications and installation guidelines provided by the manufacturer, as these can vary slightly.
Your garage door can be powered by extension or torsion springs. Extension springs use cables to counterbalance the weight of the door, while torsion springs are attached to a steel shaft and consist of tightly wound-up springs. Most new garage doors are equipped with torsion springs, which have more longevity than extension springs and offer a higher level of safety.
Once the track is in place, feed the steel cable over the pulleys and through the holes on each end of the track. Feed the other end of the cable through the end of each torsion spring and secure it with a hook. Use the tool provided to tighten the springs, using the number of turns specified by the manufacturer.
Maintenance
The Garage Door gets used every day, so it’s essential that it operate smoothly. Regular maintenance will reduce friction and other problems that can affect its function. A few simple steps will keep your garage door in good working order for years to come.
Check Garage Doors for Damage
Inspect the entire garage door system periodically to identify any visible signs of wear or damage. Start by opening and closing the garage door both automatically and manually, then listen for jerky movements or unusual banging noises that may indicate a problem with any of its components.
Next, examine the door tracks for loose screws or bolts and tighten them as needed. If the track is damaged, contact a professional for repairs or replacement. Examine the rollers (the small wheels that guide the door along the track) for cracks or chips and replace them if necessary. Rollers are available in steel or nylon, but nylon is quieter and more durable. Finally, examine the bearing plates and springs for signs of damage or rust, then lubricate them with lithium grease to help reduce friction and ensure smooth operation.
Check Remote Controls and Keypads
In the past, garage doors could be operated by hand or with a manual opener. Today, however, most feature remote controls and keypads that make it easy to open and close the door from anywhere in the home. If these devices aren’t working properly, it may be because of low battery power or interference from other household devices. If this is the case, American Garage Door and Repair Services can help restore them to full functionality.
Garage doors move up and down hundreds, if not thousands, of times a year, so it’s normal for some parts to loosen or get rusty over time. It’s important to inspect these areas regularly and re-tighten any loose screws or bolts as needed. In addition, lubricating moving parts like the opener chain and overhead springs can reduce friction and prevent other issues. Just be sure to use a degreaser or cleaner designed for this purpose and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application.