A garage door significantly boosts your home’s curb appeal, improves energy efficiency, and provides security. But if it’s broken, it can disrupt your daily routine.
Thankfully, there’s good news: It doesn’t have to be this way. Whether your old one has a cracked window, a rusted panel, or an inoperable opener, you can upgrade to a new garage door. Contact Garage Door Repair Yukon now!
Adding decorative elements to a garage door is an easy way to elevate the look of this functional entryway. There are a variety of customization options available, including colors and finishes that can complement or contrast with your home’s existing color scheme. Some homeowners even opt for two-tone designs, creating a striking contrast that draws the eye.
Another aspect to consider when selecting a garage door color is the architectural style of your home. For example, traditional homes can benefit from a classic white door that reflects the clean lines of the architecture. Conversely, modern or contemporary homes often lend themselves to bolder colors, such as deep blues or rich greens, that create a dramatic contrast against neutral siding.
Customized garage doors can also enhance the functionality of your home by improving its energy efficiency. For instance, steel doors can be equipped with polystyrene or polyurethane insulation, which helps regulate the temperature in your garage and save on utility bills. Some models can even feature smart openers that allow you to control your garage door with a smartphone app, providing convenient and secure access even when you are not at home.
A well-designed customized garage door can increase the value of your home, making it more attractive to prospective buyers. However, it is important to budget properly for this project. Consider factors like the scope of work, materials, labor costs, and additional features. A professional can help you create a realistic budget that meets your needs and budget constraints.
Decorative hardware is a popular customization option for garage doors. Decorative hinges and handles come in a wide range of styles, from rustic to modern, to complement the overall aesthetic of your home. Moreover, these accents can be combined with other customization options, such as window additions, to achieve the desired look.
Adding windows to your garage door is an excellent way to add natural light to your home and create a more visually appealing exterior. They are available in various shapes and sizes and can be frosted or tinted to provide different levels of privacy and light transmission. They can also be placed in multiple locations on the garage door to suit your preferences.
Durability
A garage door is the primary means of access to a residential property, providing convenient and secure storage for vehicles, equipment, tools, supplies, and more. These doors swing or roll open from ground level on a track suspended from the ceiling by a torsion spring, cable, or manual pulley.
Several factors contribute to the longevity of your garage door, including its design and the quality of its components. Enhanced features like insulation and weatherstripping help safeguard the door from harsh environmental elements, while advanced opening mechanisms reduce stress on the system’s moving parts. Regular maintenance is also key to preserving the integrity of your garage door. Lubricating moving parts and thoroughly inspecting them for signs of wear can help them function optimally and prevent mechanical issues that shorten the door’s lifespan.
Durability is an important factor when selecting a new garage door, especially if you live in a coastal area or a region prone to heavy rains or snowfall. Choosing a steel door with durable fiberglass or vinyl panels is an excellent option because these materials resist moisture and are less susceptible to damage. Other high-quality door options are steel composite overlay doors, which combine the durability of steel with the timeless look of wood.
Garage doors are available in various styles and finishes, so it’s important to consider your specific needs when shopping. For example, if your main priority is energy efficiency, choose an insulated model with a high R-value. Polyurethane foam is a popular choice because it offers better insulation than polystyrene, but it’s produced using petrochemicals and emits harmful greenhouse gases. An alternative option is Neufoam, which uses a safer and more environmentally friendly manufacturing process.
The way you use your garage door is another important factor in determining its life span. More frequent opening and closing cycles expose the door and its components to greater wear and tear, so if you have a busy household, a more durable door may be a wise investment. Inspecting the pulleys, rollers, and springs regularly for signs of wear can help keep them functioning properly and minimize the risk of breakage or premature deterioration.
Security
The garage is a popular target for burglars because it provides easy access to vehicles and tools. In addition, the garage can provide cover for a crook scoping out your home and family before breaking in. The good news is that modern garage doors are designed with security in mind and can be enhanced with a variety of smart gadgets.
One of the most significant improvements in garage door security is the inclusion of rolling code technology. This feature changes the code each time the remote is used, making it virtually impossible to hack into and gain unauthorized entry. This is a big improvement over conventional fixed codes that are easily duplicated and decoded by determined hackers.
Other garage security upgrades include the installation of high-quality locks on the service and/or side entry doors. These can be affixed to the frame or attached to the doors themselves, and they are designed to resist both kicking in and forceful forcible entry. Depending on your needs and budget, you can opt for a keypad lock that requires an affixed code or a more sophisticated security system that connects to your top home alarm system.
You should also remove any bushes or landscaping that could offer cover and conceal a thief lurking near your garage door or windows. Additionally, install motion-activated flood lights that shine a literal spotlight on anyone prowling your property at night in search of a weak entry point.
Finally, it’s a good idea to keep valuable tools and equipment out of sight. For example, if your garage has large windows, add frosted window film that blocks out the view of expensive tools and equipment. You can find great frosted window films at Amazon that let in light but deter crooks from peering inside.
You should also be careful not to leave your garage door remote in your parked vehicle. While a lot of people leave theirs on the sun visor or in their glove compartment, this presents an easy way for a thief to figure out your house address and plan a break-in. It’s best to take your garage remote with you or switch to a universal remote that can be stored safely in your pocket.
Maintenance
Keeping your garage door well-maintained reduces the need for major repairs and extends its lifespan. Regular visual and manual inspections of the doors, hardware, and mechanisms help identify minor issues before they become serious problems.
Checking for loose parts and lubrication are important components of maintenance. The first step is to look for signs of wear and tear, including unusual jerking movements or banging sounds. If you notice any of these issues, contact a technician for repair.
The next step is to inspect the cables for any frayed or cut sections. These can cause unnecessary strain on the door and are a safety hazard for anyone using the garage. Never try to adjust or repair cables yourself, as they are under high tension and can cause severe injury if handled incorrectly.
If you see signs of rust or corrosion, clean the metal tracks and rollers with a household degreaser to remove the build-up. Then, apply a coat of automotive wax to keep them from scratching or rubbing against each other as they move up and down the tracks.
Check the photo-eye sensors for any obstructions that could prevent them from activating the automatic reverse feature. This includes even the slightest dust, which can block the sensors from seeing their reflected light. If the sensors aren’t working, contact a professional to realign them.
You can also inspect the jamb brackets that connect the vertical tracks to the framework on each side of the opening and ensure they’re not rusted or cracked. You should also check the strut mounted at the top of the garage opening to ensure it’s free from dents and is in good condition.
Finally, it’s essential to lubricate the track and roller brackets and hinges of the garage door with silicone or Teflon based spray or grease. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and reapply as needed. Avoid WD-40-type lubricants, which can damage or corrode metal components.