New Garage Door Ideas

There is no better way to improve curb appeal, add property value, and reduce downtime than to purchase a new garage door. This project can also help increase the safety and security of your home. The annual Cost vs. Value Report indicates that garage door replacement is an easy upgrade that yields big returns as well. This year’s report reveals that an upscale garage door replacement, costing approximately $3,500 delivered an estimated $3,502 when the house sold. That’s a 98.6% return on investment (ROI)!

Choosing a Garage Door, Opener, and Springs

Modern Materials

Many stylish options are available when you’re looking to replace a battered or weathered garage door. While materials like steel and wood remain popular, glass and aluminum are becoming more and more appealing to homeowners. Be sure the material you choose will withstand your local weather. Another important consideration is maintenance. Some materials require additional upkeep than others. For example, wood may need to be sealed or refinished every couple of years.

Thermal Efficiency

Homeowners are increasingly choosing insulated garage doors. Apart from mitigating heat loss, insulation can contribute to overall home comfort, and increased door strength and durability. Polystyrene and polyurethane are both appropriate materials. R-values and U-factors greatly influence the performance of insulation. Look for high R-values and low U-factors. Equally, weatherstripping provides an effective barrier against moisture, insects/critters, and debris.

Innovative Technology

Is there anything technology can’t do? Smart automatic openers allow you to easily monitor and control your garage door. You can also automate your entire home using an IFTTT applet (a fee may be required). For example, you can set your lights to turn as the door is opening or set the door to open/close automatically when you’re within certain perimeters. To take advantage of these features, after the opener is installed, simply download and program the LiftMaster MyQ® app.

High-Cycle Torsion Springs

Torsion springs are one of, if not the most, important parts of the garage door. By creating, storing and releasing an excessive amount of mechanical energy, their job is to counterbalance the weight of the door each time it opens and closes. Standard torsion springs are rated for 10,000-cycles, whereas, high-cycle springs are rated for 25,000-cycles. Converting cycles to years is dependent on daily usage. For busy households, with two or more drivers, high-cycle torsion springs are the only way to go.

DIY or Professional Installation?

Installing a garage door is not for the faint of heart. Not only can its weight, a minimum of 150 pounds, make maneuvering it difficult but there are lots of moving parts that must either be installed or adjusted to ensure it functions properly. DIYers are strongly cautioned against installing a new garage door. Hiring a licensed and professional service company is best. Professionals are also a good source of information both during and after installation.

Arizona Garage Door and Repair serves the entire Phoenix metro area, providing a broad range of services, from installation of your garage door to replacement of broken torsion springs. We haven’t met a garage door or automatic opener that we won’t service. Get installation and repair projects done right with the help of Arizona Garage Door and Repair by contacting us today at (602) 396-4717.

5 Reasons to Ditch Your Old Garage Door

The average garage door should last from 15 to 30 years. Although, construction quality materials, maintenance and local temperatures can cause this to vary. Automatic garage door openers usually provide 10 to 15 years of reliable service. The longevity of key components such as springs, rollers, and cables are based on usage.

Take note, though: Measured for 20,000 cycles, torsion springs will need to be replaced every seven years if the door is operated four times a day. The springs can last considerably shorter or longer depending on how often your specific household opens and closes (counts as one cycle) the door each day.

Why You May Want to Consider Replacement

Here are five reasons to ditch your old garage door:

Return on Investment

In the event the door is more than 20 years old or in disrepair, then you may want to consider ditching it – especially if you plan to list your home for sale. In its annual Cost vs. Value Report, Remodeling magazine reports the average return on investment for a replacement garage door is 98.3 percent at resell. This makes it the most cost-effective home improvement project. Look for an insulated model constructed in high tensile strength steel with two coats of factory-applied paint.

It’s Damaged Beyond Repair

If someone accidentally backs into the door, it may need to be replaced. In situations such as these, it’s best to have a repair professional assess the damage, and make the final determination on whether repair or replacement is needed. Replacement is typically always required if two or more sections are broken or the door has fallen off its tracks. You may also want to consider a new garage door if the existing one repeatedly needs to be repaired.

You’re Unhappy with Its Overall Appearance

The garage door can account for as much as 40 percent of your home’s facade. An outdated door that doesn’t accurately represent your style or compliment the architecture may detract from home curb appeal. One of the greatest benefits to a new door is its ability to instantly turn this around. There are many models of garage doors that may appeal to you, including carriage house, contemporary and full-view glass. You can also customize it using windows and decorative hardware.

The Old Garage Door Lacks Modern Features

There is full range of exciting new designs, features and thermal-resistant garage doors. If you prefer to share the space as a workshop, auto shop or fitness area, then you’ll want to consider insulation. Insulation is also ideal if there are sleeping quarters directly above the garage. Benefits include reduced energy bills, street noise, and humidity. Batt insulation, foam board insulation, and reflective insulation are the most popular types. Smart garage door openers are available as well.

Extending Garage Door Longevity

With regular garage maintenance, extending the longevity of the door, opener and their components is not only possible, but probable. The International Door Association (IDA) provides a checklist detailing which safety tests and projects should be completed each month. As you, or a service professional are completing these tasks, use quality products such as white lithium grease or silicone-based lubricant – please don’t use WD-40 – on all moving parts. Every six months, check the door’s weatherstripping for wear or damage, and replace as needed.

Four Garage Door Materials to Consider

If your current garage door has seen better days, or it is need of repeated repair, you may want to give some real consideration to replacing it. Few home improvement projects can add major curb appeal and increase home value as quickly as a new garage door. Additional benefits include reduced energy costs* and minimized maintenance.

One of the first thing to consider when door shopping is material. There are three garage door materials to choose from: steel, fiberglass composite, and wood. Another option is full-view aluminum frame doors. These garage door materials should complement most any home architecture quite nicely.

Steel Garage Doors

Steel is strong, secure, and easy to maintain. Steel is also available in a wide range of fashion, function, and price options. Additionally, when you choose a high-tensile strength (24-gauge steel) with two coats of factory-applied paint that is foam insulated to a minimum R-12, you can expect a 98.3% return on your investment.

Wood Garage Doors

If you desire authenticity, wood is the way to go. Wood garage doors are available in a variety of finishes and colors to maximize curb appeal. There is also a world of panel options and window styles to select from. Keep in mind though that natural wood does require regular maintenance to ensure the material doesn’t warp, rot, bow or splinter.

Fiberglass Composite Garage Doors

Do you like the look of wood but don’t want the maintenance? Consider fiberglass composite garage doors that mimic the appearance of real wood. Typically constructed using sheets of fiberboard over a wood frame, these doors offer many benefits not found in wood, including high thermal resistance and minimal maintenance requirements.

Full-view Aluminum Frame Garage Doors

An aluminum frame door combined with durable glass inserts beautifully complements more modern or contemporary architecture. Choose from a wide selection of aluminum frame finishes and glass options to complete the look. Aluminum construction affords homeowners a door that provides strength, longevity, and natural light.

Don’t forget to couple your new garage door with a new garage door opener!

*Requires proper insulation and weatherstripping

Garage Door Replacement Buying Guide

Upgrading your garage door is among one of the more popular home improvement projects you can do. According to Remodeling magazine’s Cost vs. Value report for 2016, a garage door replacement is one of those projects that are guaranteed to generate the biggest bang for your buck, as it can increase your property values by up to 91.5 percent*.

Small wonder really!

Your garage door does it all when it comes to increasing the appearance of your home and making a good first impression with passersby’s (or potential buyers). This is especially true for homes with garages that occupy up to 30 percent of the front facade. If you’re ready to scout out a new garage door, take a deep breath, and read our buying guide: You’ll be amazed at the available options.

Garage Door Replacement Basics

Sizes: The importance of accurate measurements in the garage door industry cannot be overstated – particularly since each garage door opening is unique. To determine the correct size you’ll need, please click here.

Styles: It’s important to choose a style that complements your home’s exterior. From traditional carriage house doors to contemporary full view doors, there are a wide variety of styles for you to select from.

Safety: A garage door is not only one of the largest moving objects in your home, it is also the heaviest, which is why manufacturers have designed today’s doors with your safety in mind. Today’s doors include features such as automatic reversal, safety eyes, and more.

Garage Door Construction

Aluminum Garage Doors: Construction features rust-resistance, which is ideal for humid, hot environments – as found in Arizona. Choose between various frame finishes and glass inserts for a contemporary look.

Steel Garage Doors: Steel garage doors offer the broadest range of color, insulation, and price options. Molding overlays give the appearance of carriage doors. Choose entry level, single-layer, non-insulated, or premium-quality.

Wood Garage Doors: There’s simply no substitute for the distinctive look of wood. Wood garage doors are made from your choice of moisture-resistant cedar, redwood or cypress, and offers the most flexibility for custom designs.

Composite Garage Doors: Composite garage doors are known for their resistance to moisture, warping, and changes in humidity. Composite excels at mimicking the look of real wood. It’s insulated and can be painted or stained.

To Insulate or Not?

Whether we use it to safeguard our cars, store household overspill, or get our daily workout in (or all of the above) our garages provide a layer of convenience not found elsewhere. No matter what you use your garage for, you may want to consider choosing an insulated door – particularly since the garage door impact’s your home’s energy efficiency. A insulated door will help reduce exterior noise, and increase your energy efficiency, as well as your comfort.

Let Arizona Garage Door & Repair Install It

It’s easier, not to mention safer, to have a garage door professional remove your old door and install the new one in its place. We at Arizona Garage Door & Repair are proud to have assisted hundreds of homeowners in the purchase and installation of garage door replacement. Learn more about our services.

*Midrange models (90.1 percent for upscale models)

Cooling Your Garage During Hot Arizona Summers

When you live in central or southern Arizona, blazing hot summers are just part of the deal. Unless the space you’re in has air conditioning, things are going to heat up. Your garage is no exception. Sometimes it may even seem like your garage is hotter than it is outside. We thought we’d provide a few tips that may just help with cooling your garage down a few degrees.

Insulation

You have a few options when it comes to insulating your garage. There are several models of pre-insulated garage doors that you could have installed. Each comes with it’s on R-value rating depending on how much insulation you need. These styles of doors are very efficient for keeping both heat and cold out. If replacing your garage door is not in your budget, most home improvement stores sell pre-fitted, garage door insulation kits that attach directly to your garage door. While these may not be as effective as a pre-insulated garage door, they certainly are better than nothing!

Garage Door Weather Seals

Garage door weather seals are a great way to prevent unwanted air from seeping into or escaping from your garage. Seals, also known as weather stripping and astragal, help a garage door form a tight bond with the surrounding frame when closed. When having a garage door installed, it’s important to ask about weather seals and the type of material the company uses. It’s not uncommon in Arizona that weather stripping can dry out, crack, and eventually peel off. Most hardware stores carry garage weather seals for those do-it-yourselfers out there or you can certainly call a professional garage repairman to replace the stripping.

Air Circulation and Ventilation

Another way of keeping your garage cooler is to keep the air circulating. A couple of strategically placed box fans can certainly help move the air around but, as anyone who has lived in Phoenix or Tucson AZ could tell you, it wouldn’t be enough to completely cool your garage. However, in conjunction with a proper ventilation system, fans can be very effective. There are a variety of garage ventilation systems on the market ranging from very simple wall and roof fans, to very sophisticated, automated systems. A good ventilation systems will draw clean air in and pull old hot air out. This is not only good to control temperature, it also helps remove any harmful fumes and pollutants from operating your car.

Door Material and Color

How much sun exposure your garage door receives is obviously based on the orientation of your home. If your garage takes the brunt of sunlight during the summer, you may want to consider the material and color of the door. Steel doors are the most common type of door out there and are the worst for conducting heat. If you feel your garage door is generating too much heat, you may consider a new fiberglass or wood door. Likewise you want to consider the color of your door. Whiter colors reflect heat while dark color absorb heat. This is good to keep in mind when you are replacing your door or having a new home built.

Portable Air Conditioner

For those who spend a lot of time in their garage, a portable air conditioner may be the answer. It’s a misconception that home air conditioners create cold air. They actually work by removing heat from warm air. The basic concept is that a chemical called a refrigerant loops from inside the home to outside and back again, absorbing and casting out heat in the process. Portable ac’s work the same way and come with hose that must have access to outside to vent heated air. So if your garage is windowless, a portable ac may not work although there are ways around it by venting into your attic or creating a vent in the wall. If you want to add ac to your garage, it may be best to check with professional HVAC company.

Prevent Your Door from Breaking Down

Garage Door Maintenance Tips

A garage seems like such a simple-looking mechanism. At just one push of a button you can tell your garage to open or close. That’s pretty powerful! While a garage is easy to work with when it’s functioning properly, if there are any signs of a broken garage spring or off track garage door, you should be careful. You should not attempt any major garage door repairs by yourself. Although, there ARE a few maintenance tips you can keep up with! Our hope is to help you prevent future garage door issues.

Have you done all of these yet?

Lubrication

A noisy garage door is extremely annoying, and totally unnecessary! Most people think that you can spray a little WD-40 on your garage door springs and tracks and the sound will vanish. We’re here to set the record straight! WD-40 was not designed to be a long-term lubricant. Lithium or silicone lubricate spray’s are designed to work with the metal parts, chains, and rollers on your garage door.

Track cleansing

Sometimes people assume that your garage track needs lubrication, when that’s not always the case. Adding lubricant can actually attracted more dust and interfere with how your garage is operating. Use a damp cloth to wipe down the tracks, that should take care of your cleaning needs. If there is more of a sticky residue on your track, it is a good idea to use a solvent metal cleaner.

Realigning Garage Door Sensors

If you garage door has randomly stopped opening or closing, we recommend checking your garage door sensors first. You will find your garage sensors at the bottom of both sides of your garage door. These are little but important aspects to a properly running garage. Make sure your garage sensors are aligned and that no obstructions are blocking their ability to work.

These are just little, but helpful tips to be mindful of while caring for your garage! For more information, your ARIZONA GARAGE DOOR company can help you with all of your garage door questions and needs!

Call us at: 602-396-4717