Have you thought about your garage door lately? Your garage door may be due for an upgrade or need basic maintenance.
We invited Rosie Certified Partner Christopher Brown of Same Day Garage Door Services to help explain the types of garage doors, their components, and when an upgrade could be in order.
Upgrades for your Garage Door
Door Types
While there are hundreds of garage door designs, the materials doors are made of make a difference.
- Wood doors. The look of an actual wood door is hard to beat. However, there are some downsides to solid wood doors. Exposure to the Arizona climate, especially in the Phoenix Valley, will mean you have to spend time and money maintaining the wood. Exposure to the sun and weather, coupled with lack of upkeep, can lead to splintering, twisting, and cracking of the wood.
- Steel Doors. Steel doors are strong and durable and can provide greater security as they are more difficult to break into. Steel is also low maintenance and generally costs less than wood or vinyl. A downside to consider is they can dent and scratch more easily than, say, a vinyl door.
- Vinyl doors. Vinyl is another low-maintenance option, but Christopher tells us vinyl doors don’t work well in our Valley of the Sun and are rarely used here. They are not as strong as a steel door and tend to cost slightly more.
Insulation
Christopher outlined the four basic levels of insulation for a garage door.
- Level 1. Usually has hardware made to last for 10,000 cycles(5-7 years for most homeowners). Upgraded hardware with a new door can more than double the life span.
- Level 2. The same as the above door but with a Styrofoam layer added. Adding a Styrofoam layer is often a DIY project. Glue is commonly used to adhere the Styrofoam to the inside surface of the door as opposed to mechanically fastening the foam panel. This is a two-layered door.
- Level 3. A three-layered door is manufactured with a front and back panel. A Styrofoam panel is encased between the panels to form the third layer.
- Level 4. The next level also has a three-layered door with an upgrade. It has a front and back layer; only this door has polyurethane foam injected between the layers. Polyurethane is denser and stronger than Styrofoam and works better at keeping noise out and as an insulation system.
TIP: If you add insulation to your existing garage door, be aware that you are adding weight to the door and may need to change your springs to accommodate the added weight.
Components
Upgrading your door may require an upgrade to the moving parts of the door and those parts that make it move. Upgrading the door may increase the weight, and that change may be significant enough to benefit from having a professional look at all the pieces.
Two significant factors affected by weight are:
- Motor size- it may need to be increased.
- Springs- may need to be stronger.
If your garage door is in good condition, consider upgrading all the hardware associated with it. Roller replacement can keep your doors operating smoothly and safely. All the items mentioned below can be upgraded to extend the life of your door.
Benefits of Replacing Your Door
Replacing your door with an upgraded door and components affords you several benefits.
- Worry-free operation-You fixed everything, so you are good to go for several years.
- Lower energy costs- Better insulation means lower energy costs.
- Sound control- If you use your garage for any activity other than storing your automobile, you have better sound control from road noise.
- Better security- An upgraded locking system and a stronger door add to your peace of mind.
- Return On Investment- The ROI to upgrade a garage door can be up to 193%. If you are thinking about selling, you might look into this.
- A level 1 door is made to last for 10,000 cycles. An upgraded door can double the life span.
Regular Maintenance
We recommend regular maintenance of garage doors with or without an upgrade.
- Lubrication- Rollers and drive chains need regular lubrication.
- Tracks- Clean the tracks to keep the system moving freely.
- Sensors- Make sure the lenses are cleaned and properly aligned. The alignment of the sensors can be affected when the sunlight changes for the seasons.
- Pull chain or rope– that disengages the motor for manual door operations is not frayed or, worse, missing.
If the cost of upgrading your door is outside your immediate future, Christopher suggests looking at reinforcing the door for added strength. If there are tears, cracks, or dents, repairing and repainting the door will help preserve it.
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CONTENT PARTNER | Same Day Garage Door Services
As a family-owned business we put our name on every job. Our experience and expertise ensures that our customers can rely on us to do the right job at the right price. We want your business – and we will work hard to get it and keep it through our commitment to excellence, our superior customer service and our quality results.
PODCAST
According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost versus Value Report, the garage door is one of the most cost effective improvements with a very high return on investment. Chris and Peter Brown of Same Day Garage Doors discuss the types of doors, their components, maintenance and when an upgrade could be in order for great curb appeal and proper working order.
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PHOTO CREDIT
- Same Day Garage Door Services
