Common Problems That Cause a Garage Door to Not Open

A garage door’s primary purpose is to protect the interior of the space from the elements and intruders. But it can only do those jobs if it works correctly. Here are some reasons why a garage door may not open correctly:

Tension springs breakdown

Garage doors tension springs are what make the door open and close smoothly. There are several types of spring systems, including extension springs and torsion springs.

Extension springs are positioned on the side of the garage door and attached to the track by several pulleys and cables. The power is provided by the extension springs, while the pully system does the lifting.

Torsion springs are above the garage door opening. This system has cables that go to the garage door’s bottom bracket. These cables wrap around the springs and coil or unwind when the garage door opens and closes. The reasons why the springs might break over time include the following:

A professional will be able to evaluate the state of the garage door springs and replace them if necessary.

Remote control issues

One controls automatic garage doors with either a remote control or a wall-mounted panel. The remote signals the door opener motor to raise or lower the door. When a garage door doesn’t open, it may be because the remote is broken or disconnected from the engine. A garage door expert can determine if the remote needs reprogramming or replacement.

The track is not aligned properly

When the garage door opener activates, the cables move the door along the metal tracks while the strings control the speed. The tracks must be perfectly straight for the system to work correctly. When a door makes grinding noises or jerks around when opening and closing, it could indicate that the garage door has fallen off the track.

A garage door expert will be able to determine if that’s the reason for the door malfunction and will be able to set it back on the metal tracks.

Photo eye issues

The photo eye is a sensor that detects when a person or an object is in the path of the door. Several factors may cause the sensor to stop working:

A garage door specialist will evaluate the estate of the photo eye sensor to determine which issue might be the malfunctioning cause.

Fix the garage door

A few issues can cause significant problems when opening or closing a garage door. When experiencing any concerns, it’s best to contact an experienced garage door professional to assess the situation and provide an optimal solution.

Simple Ways to Create Curb Appeal for a House

These days, first impressions matter more than ever before. But, when it comes to a home, that first impression starts with its appearance from the curb. 

While the inside of a home is essential, the outside is what will make that all-important first impression. So if one is considering selling one’s home or wants to make sure it looks its best, there are some simple ways to create curb appeal.

Statement-making front doors

One of the most impactful ways to boost curb appeal is to have a front door that makes a statement. Painting the door a bold color, adding attractive hardware, or simply making sure it is well-maintained and clean are all ways to have an outstanding front door. A front door is among the first things visitors will see in any home, and it should reflect the home’s overall style.

Magnificent mailbox

Lively mailboxes make a great first impression on visitors and can be a focal point for the home.

There are many different mailbox styles available, so it is essential to choose one that complements the style of the house. Wrought iron or brass mailboxes would be an excellent choice for a traditional home. Sleek and glossy mailboxes fit perfectly with a modern home.

Whichever style works best for a particular home, ensure it is installed correctly and well-maintained to keep it looking its best.

Splashes of color with flowers and plants

Potted flowers and plants can add color and life to any home and are a relatively simple and inexpensive way to improve the look of a property. Raised flowerbeds, trees, and blooming shrubbery are other fantastic natural touches that make any house a home. Also, adding flowers and plants creates a place that is more inviting and welcoming and can also help add value to a property.

Decorative lighting

LED string lights are a cost-effective way to add curb appeal. String them along the porch, around windows, or along the roofline. String lights are versatile, allowing for the creation of numerous clever designs and eye-catching shapes.

Warm yellow lights will evoke homey feelings of peace and comfort. In addition, LED lights use less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, saving money on your energy bill.

Garage door upgrades

Installing a new, hi-tech garage door can make a home look more modern and up-to-date. It can also add value to a home and make it more energy-efficient. Contact local professional garage door service providers for the best door options for any garage, regardless of size or style, to maximize the home’s curb appeal.

Colorful furniture

Just a touch of color can go a long way in curb appeal. Adding colorful furniture to the front porch or lawn can brighten the look of any home. Just a few pops of color, without exaggerations, can make a difference in the overall look, provided the colors match well.

Window curb appeal

Window curb appeal is an excellent way to make a home stand out. First, it’s essential to ensure the windows are clean and free of dirt or debris. Clean windows look bright and new. Next, add some lovely window treatments. Curtains, blinds, or shutters can all add to the appearance of windows and make them more appealing.

Finally, consider adding some decorative elements to the windows. Window boxes or planters, hanging wall art, awnings or canopies can enhance any window’s beauty, skyrocketing the home’s curb appeal.

A Simple Guide to Smart Garage Door Openers

Being away from home and realizing the garage door is still open isn’t exactly a great way to start the day. However, this makes smart garage door openers an excellent option for homeowners. So, if one thinks a smart garage door opener would be helpful in the home, this article will give some insights into how they work.

Smart Garage Door Openers

Simply put, smart garage door openers use Wi-Fi and sensors to send relevant information to and from an associated mobile app. Using the mobile app, a homeowner can see information about their garage door, including whether it is shut or open, the last time it was accessed, and so on.

Like regular garage doors, smart garage doors open and close with an electric motor. The only difference is that, unlike traditional motorized doors, the movements of smart garage doors are remotely controlled via smartphones and voice assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa.

Fortunately, installing these openers isn’t a hassle because the homeowner doesn’t have to replace the entire garage door or the motor. Instead, they must acquire a smart garage hub, a specialized device that allows them to control the existing motor remotely.

Luckily, most hubs work with existing garage door motors, so finding one that works with their door shouldn’t be a problem. However, different motors require different smart garage hubs. Therefore, a homeowner should find a professional to help them choose a hub that works with their current garage door motor.

Smart garage hubs have different prices, but one can generally expect to pay more for advanced features and capabilities.

How a smart garage hub works

The hub comes with a sensor and a controller. The sensor is attached to the garage door, and its function is to detect whether the door is open or shut and relay that information to the associated app. Meanwhile, the controller has wires connecting to the current motor’s opening and closing command nodes, which relay the instruction to open or close the door.

The controller needs a strong Wi-Fi connection for the whole system to work correctly. So, a homeowner must ensure that their Wi-Fi signal is accessible in the garage. If not, the router’s location will need to be adjusted to meet this new requirement.

Another benefit of these hubs is that they will continue to work with existing garage door remotes, so there’s no need to replace them.

A smart garage door opener is the best way to make a home garage more efficient.

Install a smart garage door opener

When installing a smart garage door opener, consult a professional for a custom price quote and further project details. The right professional knows where to find high-quality smart garage door openers that provide maximum durability and functionality. They also know how to properly install smart garage hubs so one won’t incur unnecessary replacement costs.

Explore the Benefits of a New Garage Door

In addition to revamping a house’s outer appeal, replacing an old garage door brings many advantages. A new garage entrance adds to the overall security of the home. Moreover, it increases overall property value when selling the house; the list of reasons doesn’t stop there.

Here are the top seven benefits of installing a new garage door:

Enhanced security

A garage often serves as the second entrance to a home. Many people store valuable belongings there as well. Since garages commonly extend from the house, they’re often vulnerable to break-ins. Investing in a new garage door will bring more solid protection from intruders.

Increased home value

Selling a home is complicated, and every seller aims for the best return on investment. Besides outer appeal, modern garage doors have newer functionalities, which are often highly prized. Suppose an interested homebuyer notices the house has a polished, solid-looking garage door. In that case, the sale is almost guaranteed.

Appealing looks

Garage door renovations add to the aesthetic appeal of the home. Any house with a new door automatically seems more welcoming than the ones with old, worn-out ones.

Garage doors come in many styles. From modern to rustic, there’s a design that suits the home’s style and adds timeless beauty to it.

Improved insulation

Even the most durable garage doors fall victim to weather damage. Aging garage doors poorly regulate the seasons’ hot and cold air.

Investing in a new garage door is cost-effective, as it provides further insulation properties and helps the home remain warm in winter and cool in the summer.

Improved safety

Old doors, especially if worn, can be hazardous due to past mechanical damage or sagging springs. Newer door models have additional safety features that serve as prevention against possible injuries. Safety hazards decrease significantly with features like hold-to-run closing and safety edges.

Less maintenance

Modern garage doors are much more resilient than the old-generation ones. Because they’re less prone to accidents and failures, a new, more vital door built from more break-proof materials is a wise investment.

Preventing garage door malfunctions by installing a brand-new one saves money that would otherwise be spent on constantly repairing the damaged one.

They’re quieter

Older garage doors are noisy, especially if they have undergone maintenance. In addition, the worn door may creak when opening and closing, disturbing everyone nearby.

Replacing the door with a new one can fix this problem, as modern door systems run much more quietly.

Choose the best garage door

There’s no denying that replacing the old garage door increases the value of any home. When conducting a major house renovation, such as changing the garage door, hire a licensed professional for this job. Installing the new garage door requires attention to detail, appropriate tools, and expert training.

How to Choose a New Garage Door

A new garage door purchase is an excellent opportunity for homeowners to transform the exterior of their homes. However, since most doors only get replaced once in a lifetime, it’s crucial to spend the money right.

This guide covers crucial factors to consider when purchasing a new garage door:

Choosing the door style and finish

Homeowners should choose a garage door style matching their home setting and preferences. Sometimes, it’s possible to match styles. For example, a modern home pairs great with full-view doors.

The door’s finish makes a huge difference in whether the end look is universal or authentic. Garage door shoppers can choose from various finishes to achieve a modern, natural, rustic, or another look.

The climate can also affect the type of finish best for a particular garage door, so it’s essential to consider that.

Window considerations

Windows add character to a house, increase its appeal, and allow a better natural light influx. Garage door windows have the same purpose. In addition, most modern-day solutions have impact resistance and can withstand hurricanes and similar harsh weather conditions.

The budget

The budget plays a crucial role in whether homeowners can get the garage doors they want. The cost varies depending on the material, style, insulation, hardware, door size, etc.

Shoppers after low-cost solutions can opt for a garage door without insulation. These doors work great in mild climates and when not used often. However, buyers who plan to use their new garage doors often and spend a lot of time in the garage should consider more expensive solutions with insulation.

Material

Natural wood, steel, composite, aluminum, glass, and faux wood are some of the most commonly used materials for garage doors. Ultimately, the material should consider three factors:

Size

Garage size is an essential element to consider when shopping for garage doors. Single-car garage doors in most homes range from 8 to 9 feet in width and 7 to 8 feet in height. For double-car garage doors, the width is around 16 feet, and the height is from 7 to 8 feet. Garages that fit RVs or similar taller vehicles can be 10 feet tall.

Measuring the opening correctly before making an order to ensure the perfect match is essential.

Make the garage door purchase easier

A garage door is a lifetime investment that adds value, aesthetics, and functionality to any home. Additional features like insulation and windows contribute even more to the overall performance and are worth considering for all installations.

For additional questions or assistance with garage door installation, it’s best to contact local garage door contractors. Doing so will increase the work quality and bring peace of mind to the homeowner.

The Best Reasons for Professional Garage Door Repair

It’s easy to take a properly functioning garage door for granted. However, when something goes wrong, homeowners understand the value of good garage door maintenance.
But if the garage doors are opening unevenly or there’s a strange and constant noise, it’s best to let the professionals address the problem.

Homeowners might be tempted to fix the issue themselves, but that can backfire. Here are the top reasons why it is prudent to let the professionals repair garage doors:

Safety comes first

A malfunctioning garage door can be frustrating but risking an injury by trying to repair it is not a great idea. Additionally, some homeowners with basic garage door maintenance may attempt more complex repairs.
But the average weight of a garage door is 130 pounds, and some are much heavier. Handling repairs without the right equipment, which only a professional service possesses, is a potential hazard.

Saves precious time

Some garage door repairs might seem to take a few hours. However, one can quickly find that they’ve spent an entire weekend trying to get the garage door motor to operate correctly without any success.
Daily household activities get disrupted when the garage door isn’t working correctly. Therefore, it’s vital to fix them promptly. The easiest and most efficient option is calling a professional garage door service.

Saves homeowners money

Garage doors have a straightforward design, but their mechanics are pretty complex. For example, for the garage door to open and close, there are a lot of hardware components that must work together.
Amateur attempts at garage door repair can result in more damage and more money spent on repairs. Furthermore, an unprofessional garage door repair may void a warranty.

Experience matters

A homeowner might not know the actual problem with the garage door, only that it isn’t working correctly.
If the door is making a strange noise or stopping midway up or down, a homeowner likely can’t find the issue causing the symptoms, even though they might guess it.
A professional garage door technician can pinpoint the problem and offer a swift solution. Additionally, they have all the tools and equipment to fix the garage door.

Success is guaranteed

A professional garage door service can eliminate any problem preventing the door from working correctly. In addition, they can find the right spare parts and offer a long-term solution. Also, if the garage door is beyond repair, reliable technicians can advise homeowners on how to choose a new garage door.

Let the professionals maintain the garage door

It’s vital to reiterate that garage doors are heavy and potentially dangerous when not working correctly. Furthermore, attempting repairs with inadequate tools, skills, and experience can lead to terrible outcomes.

Instead, homeowners should consider reaching out to a trustworthy and affordable professional garage door service to solve any garage problem for good.