When it comes time to replace your garage door, the options seem endless. Many manufacturers feature online visualization tools where you can upload a photo of your home and overlay different doors to see what they will look like.
One of the most important garage door facts is safety. You should test the pressure sensors regularly by waving a broom handle under the door during closing. Contact Norman Garage Door now!
The garage door has come a long way since its beginnings as a basic structure meant for practical use. Its evolution has been driven by innovation and a growing need for safe and convenient car storage. As America began trading in their horse-drawn carriages for modern automobiles, they realized that they needed a new kind of outbuilding to store them. While carriage houses worked fine for buggy storage, people needed something more spacious and more suited to the size of their new vehicles.
Traditional carriage house doors hung on hinges and swung open, but this was not a practical solution for storing cars. The heavy doors were prone to damage and required a large space that had to be kept clear of impediments. They also had to be opened manually, which was time consuming and inconvenient.
In 1921, a man named C.G. Johnson created a better alternative. He invented a garage door that lifted upwards to become parallel with the ceiling, making it far easier to store cars and trucks. Johnson’s invention revolutionized car storage, and he traveled the country with his small prototype mounted to the back of his Model T to demonstrate the convenience of his new garage door to car owners across the nation.
As demand for garage doors increased, manufacturers began creating more sophisticated designs to accommodate the growing size of cars. By the 1960s, many families owned two cars and required a larger garage to keep them all safe from the elements and within easy reach. People also wanted to make sure their garage doors matched the styles of their homes, so manufacturers began producing doors in the Mediterranean, French, and Colonial styles.
Today, the garage door is one of the most important and functional components of any home. As it continues to evolve, it will continue to meet the needs of homeowners and offer them a safe place for their vehicles and other belongings. Wayne Dalton Corporation, a leading manufacturer of residential garage doors in the United States, has played an important role in this process, and their superior craftsmanship is evident in every door they produce.
Design
Over time, garage doors have evolved from simple barriers to key components of home design and security. With a wide range of designs, materials, and features available, homeowners can choose the right door for their specific climate, maintenance preferences, and architectural style. For example, if you live in an area with a lot of rain, you may want to consider a door that resists moisture and corrosion. Or, if you’re looking for energy efficiency, a door with high insulation R-values may be the best choice.
When choosing a garage door, it’s important to consider the upfront cost and long-term maintenance requirements. Some door types require more frequent maintenance than others, and some can be more expensive to repair or replace if they are damaged. You also need to think about how you use your garage, and if you plan on selling your home in the future, choose a door that will appeal to potential buyers.
Sectional garage doors are a good option for homeowners who need a garage door that offers more privacy and security than other options. These doors consist of multiple panels that slide horizontally in tracks and are operated using an electric opener or manual pulley. In addition, these doors can be customized with a variety of window styles and colors to suit the homeowner’s style preferences.
Another popular option for homeowners is the roll-up (or coiling) garage door, which consists of vertical and horizontal metal strips that wrap around a drum at the ceiling when open. These doors can be customized with a variety of colors and patterns, and are an excellent option for homeowners who have limited headroom in their garages.
If you’re interested in a more traditional look, consider a wood garage door. Wood garage doors offer the most aesthetic choices, and can be painted or stained to match your home’s exterior color scheme. However, they can be the most expensive option and will require regular maintenance to keep them looking new. Fiberglass and vinyl doors are a more affordable alternative to wood, and can be made to mimic the look of painted or stained wood without the high maintenance requirements.
Security
A garage door is often the primary point of entry for burglars, granting them easy access to valuables stored inside and even the home itself. However, there are a number of simple steps homeowners can take to keep their garage doors safe and prevent break-ins.
Opt for a Strong Material
Choose a steel or aluminium garage door, which offer robust resistance to forceful intrusion. For increased security, opt for a dual skinned model.
Install a Lockable Latch
If your garage has a standard latch, you can secure it with a padlock to prevent unauthorized access. This is a particularly good idea if you live in an area that is prone to burglary, or if you have expensive items stored in your garage that you don’t want to be stolen.
Upgrade to a Smart Garage Door Opener
Modern smart openers like Liftmaster’s innovative MyQ technology provide an extra layer of security, allowing users to check whether their doors are closed through a smartphone app. Some even provide activity logs, giving homeowners peace of mind and ensuring they know when their doors have been tampered with. Smart openers can also be integrated into larger smart home systems, enabling voice control and automatic closing based on your location.
Make sure the Emergency Release Cord is Secured
The emergency release cord on your garage door is designed for safety, allowing you to manually open the door in case of power outage or if your children are trapped in the garage. But it’s also a potential entry point for opportunistic burglars looking for an easy way into your home. Burglars can use a method called “fishing” to insert a wire hook through a gap and pull on the cord, which could open the door. You can prevent this by securing the cord with a specially designed cover, or by using zip ties to secure it.
It’s also a good idea to get to know your neighbors, as a community that looks out for each other is a safer one. For example, if you’re going away for an extended period of time, arrange with a trusted neighbor to collect your newspapers and mail.
Maintenance
There are a few easy and affordable maintenance tasks that any homeowner can do to help extend the lifespan of their garage door. These include a visual inspection of the door and its components, lubricating parts, and testing safety features.
First, visually inspect the door panels for cracks or dents that could affect how the door operates. Look for loose hinges or screws that need tightening, as these can also cause problems. Rust spots are another issue to look for, especially on metal doors. These are a sign of corrosion and may require painting or rust-resistant coatings.
Next, clear away any dirt or debris that has accumulated in the tracks or the rollers. This can make it difficult for the garage door to open and close properly. A good time to clean the tracks is before and after lubricating them, as this helps prevent the accumulation of more dirt. Use a non-stick lubricant that can withstand a high level of moisture, such as white lithium grease.
Check for loose nuts or bolts that may need to be tightened, as well as any parts that need replacing. If you notice any unusual noises, such as rattling or grinding, this is a sign that the garage door has worn out parts and needs replacement. A professional can recommend a repair solution before these minor issues turn into major repairs, saving you money and stress in the long run.
Finally, test the photo eye and mechanical auto-reverse mechanisms to ensure that these safety features work. The photo eye sensors are located near the bottom of the door and should activate when an object is in the door’s path. To test the mechanical auto-reverse, place a wooden plank or brick under the door when it’s closing and see if the motor reverses the door before hitting the object. This can protect against damage to the garage door, the floor, and your car. Test these features each month to ensure that they are working correctly. The garage door is a vital part of your home, and proper maintenance can save you from costly repairs down the road.