Garage Door Blog

Garage door sensors are one of the most overlooked components. It is responsible for preventing the garage door from opening or closing in on people. They are photoelectric eyes that detect obstructions that are on the way of the garage door whenever it opens or closes. These sensors are critical for safety hence should always be fixed immediately if they are defective. Some of the indications that a sensor is broken include the door not opening or closing.

Another sign is when the door shuts or opens, stops at halfway, and then reverses or gets stuck in the middle. These signs don’t fully indicate that the sensor is broken. The problem could also be another part like the springs, but they are indicators that the sensors could be damaged. Most sensors would only require cleaning, and the problem gets solved, but some will need the sensor to be replaced.

On that account, how do you replace the door sensor? In this article by Ridgeline Overhead Garage Door, we go through the steps you’ll need to follow.

Steps to replace a garage door sensor

1. Safety measures

• Ensure you have a safety manual and all the tools needed for electrical repairs. You will need to wear safety gear like gloves to protect yourself from harm from either the wires or any other accident that may occur while you replace the door; insulated gloves are preferred.
• Make sure that there is no power connected while you are working. This is an essential precaution. You do this by ensuring that the door opener is disconnected from the power supply or switch off power from the circuit breaker. This measure prevents accidents that might come about from power like an electric shock.
• Ensure that there are no children in your working space. Kids sometimes can make mistakes without knowing and accidentally harm themselves or cause more damage.

2. Sensors

Most sensors are secured to their brackets through a wing nut unless the garage door owner has improvised the sensor holders. Remove the wing nut from the safety sensor to disconnect the sensor from the holding bracket and pull it. If the sensor was connected to the frame by any other means, ensure that you do not pull too hard on the wire as you remove it. This will prevent another defect from occurring and make the sensor not work.

3. Cut Wires

Using pliers or a cutter, cut the sensor wires from a distance of an inch from the bad sensor to be replaced. As you cut the wire, ensure that the remaining wire is long enough to hold the new sensor without stretching. This will ensure there is enough slack in the control wire for you to connect the replacement sensor.

4. New Sensor

Taking the new sensor, separate the control wires, and remove the insulating sheath about half an inch; a process called stripping. Do the stripping gently, not to cut and waste too much wire, ensuring an allowance while connecting the new sensor back.

5. Connect Wires

Using a crimp wire nut, connect the white solid control wires to the white stripped sensor wires of the new sensor. In the same way, connect the black stripped control wires to the black stripped sensor wires. Follow the sensor wire to where it connects to the door opener to ensure there are no cuts or faults.

6. Ready for Use

After the connection, the sensor is ready for use, but it needs to be secured in its bracket. Slide the sensor back to its bracket and attach it firmly using the wing nut. For doors whose sensor is connected differently, ensure that the sensor is back to its original position and firmly attached to prevent getting loose and later becoming an issue. Repeat the same connection process for the other safety sensor if the sensor being used is not universal.

7. Connect Power

Reconnect the power supply to the garage door opener or turn the circuit breaker back on and make sure the door opener is ready.

8. Adjust sensors

Adjust the new safety sensors until the green indicator light in the receiving sensor glows bright and in a steady manner. It might be necessary to adjust both sensors to ensure they are well in line.

9. Test sensors

The last step is to make sure the sensors are working by simply putting an object in front of the garage door to the sensing beam. Try to close the door using your remote control; the garage door is supposed to remain open, and the motor unit lights are supposed to start blinking. Remove the object and try closing it without obstruction; the door should close normally. If the door does behave in this manner, consider calling an expert to handle the matter for you.

When you are replacing the garage door sensor yourself, always ensure that you have done a comprehensive analysis of the other issues that might be affecting your door. It is also wise to check the company’s credibility that you buy the replacement sensors from so that you are assured of quality. Lastly, since most garage doors also are entrances to some homes, if you decide to call an expert such as Ridgeline Overhead Garage Door, do your due diligence for the safety of you and your household.

Ever notices some dirt, rat dropping, water, or excess moisture in your garage? This can be attributed to some drafts in your garage door. Whether commercial or residential, garage doors come with a seal in most buildings. As the building ages and depreciation sets in, the seal is prone to wear and tear, hence letting in water, dirt, and other undesirable objects.

Garage door weatherstripping is one of the most effective ways to ensure energy efficiency during summer and winter. During summer, weatherstripping keeps your garage cool, preventive the need for air-conditioning. During winter, weather stripping keeps your garage warm, preventing the need for heating, hence leading to energy savings.

Why do you need garage door weatherstripping?

Energy efficiency is one of the most significant benefits associated with weatherstripping. Weatherstripping keeps your home warm by keeping the cold air out during winter. While it’s summertime, weatherstripping keeps the cool air inside your home, reducing the need for air conditioning. According to leading home experts, weather stripping can reduce your home’s energy consumption by up to 20%. Here at Ridgeline Overhead Garage Door, we have experts that can help with all types of work for your garage doors.

Weatherstripping reduces draftiness in your garage. The presence of unwanted drafts in your garage can lead to loss of money, particularly in heating. Further, unwanted drafts can retain humid conditions in your garage, reducing its effectiveness as a storage facility.

The presence of moisture and humid conditions in your home can damage your walls, roof, tile, and paint. Generally, the presence of unwanted drafts causes your home to retain more humid conditions. If such moisture finds its way to your walls and roof, it can lead to leakages in your home and lead to mold.

Thus, weatherstripping is not only effective in ensuring energy saving in your home but also ensures that your home is safer, warmer, and more comfortable.

How to do weatherstripping

Before deciding the ideal weatherstripping for your home, consider factors like:

• Weather
• Location of your home
• Age of your home
• Traffic or the movement in your garage
• The part in your garage door where you should install the weatherstripping.
• The purpose of weather stripping; generally, metal weatherstripping is ideal if your home/garage is older, while vinyl weatherstripping is ideal if you want to increase your homes’ aesthetic value.

The materials required are:

Tension seal

The tension seal refers to a rigid strip that comes in a V-shaped shape. The tension seal creates a barrier that prevents air from escaping or entering your garage. This way, the garage remains cool during summer and warm during winter.

The weatherstripping foam

The weatherstripping foam is also called reinforced foam. This refers to a sealer that you can attach to doors or windows during weatherstripping. The foam acts as an effective sealing material, particularly during humid or windy conditions.

Weatherstripping felt

The felt is one of the most affordable weatherstripping materials. It can be plain or with a flexible strip. The weatherstripping felt should be stapled to the door or window while ensuring minimum contact with water.

Weatherstripping rubber

Also known as vinyl, the weatherstripping rubber works as an air barrier during weather stripping. The rubber should be installed either at the door base or window sash. The rubber ensures minimum air transfer either from the garage or into the garage by providing an effective air barrier.

How to do weatherstripping

Once all the required materials are acquired, follow these steps to ensure your garage door is properly insulated.

Step one – Take measurements

Begin by raising your garage door to a height that you can easily reach. Once your garage door is easily reachable, take all the required measurements. The importance of taking measurements is to ensure that you know how much weatherstripping is required to cover the entire garage.

Step two – Remove all the gasket screws

With your screwdriver, back out the screws at the door to remove the gasket. Be careful while removing the gasket; forcing it can damage the entire door. After removing the gasket, use the screwdriver to return the screws. Ensure that this is done carefully to damage the garage door since damaging the door can lead to more expenses.

Step three – install the new gasket

After removing the old gasket:

1. Install the new gasket carefully.
2. Carefully slide the new gasket in the old that was occupied by the old removed gasket.
3. Ensure that the new gasket fits in the old space perfectly.

If the new gaskets don’t fit properly, remove the excess trim. After putting in the new gasket, carefully put all the screws ensuring that you don’t create any new screw holes.

Step four – conduct a quick test.

After ensuring that you have inserted all the screws, test the door to ensure that your weatherstripping exercise was successful. Before testing, ensure that the weather seal is adequately trimmed and fits perfectly. Remember, a maximum of one inch sticking out is the maximum allowable. To test the garage door, open and close slowly. The door should open or close with the new seal without straining. Further, ensure that the new seal is not brocket at the bottom of the door for better results.

If you have any questions or need any further information, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Ridgeline Overhead Garage Door, where we would be more than happy to help.

A properly functioning garage door ensures that the valuable items we store in the garage are protected at all times. Automation is always the way to go if you want to achieve this and at the same time make your life easier. With a remote, you can control the movements of your garage door even without moving out of your vehicle.

Your garage door remote should be programmed to interface with the other automation components to achieve such automation, specifically the opener unit. This is especially crucial when you have acquired a new remote for your garage door after loss or misplacement of the existing one.

Although the steps of programming a garage door remote differ from one manufacturer to another, read through to understand the basic programming steps that will make the controller work with your garage door opener. Ridgeline Overhead Garage Door can help if you need assistance with your garage door remote.

Before we dive into the steps, let’s handle some essential topics.

What to do when your garage door remote is lost or stolen

In case of accidental loss or theft of your garage door remote, you should immediately do the following to prevent burglars from getting into your garage:

• Locate the LEARN button on your garage door opener (usually on the back or side of the motor unit)
• Open the control housing unit to get access to the button
• Confirm that the LED lights on the button are working
• Press and hold the button until the LED lights go off (takes approximately 6 seconds)

You have successfully reset the memory and code of the lost garage door opener remote!

After erasing the memory and existing code, you can have peace of mind as the lost remote cannot be used to open your garage door.

Replacing the garage door remote

To get your garage door automation back, you need to replace the lost remote with a new one. If your previous remote did not come with a spare, then you need to visit the unit’s manufacturer’s shop and get a replacement.

Please ensure that you acquire a remote controller that is of the same brand as your garage opener. If you switch things up, there will be no communication between them even if you perfectly program the new remote. A LiftMaster garage door opener will not, for example, work with a remote meant for a Genie opener.

An expert tip: Consider purchasing a universal remote for the lost one and any other unit you will install in the future. This will probably cost you more but will save you the hustle of finding a compatible garage door remote replacement unit in the future.

Will you need manual operation?

While waiting for your new garage door remote, you will still need to access the garage space, and this means that you will have to switch to temporary manual operation. Please note that operating a manual garage door that was previously automated should be done following all the necessary safety precautions. However, as long as your garage door opener is tuned and your garage door structure in its pristine condition, you shouldn’t run into problems opening your garage door by hand.

Confirm that there are no faults with your garage door opener

If your garage door opener is faulty, your garage door remote may not work as required, even if you program it. You should inspect the opener and identify faults with the opener’s motor and wiring system. All issues should be dealt with swiftly and in a professional manner. For this, reach out to your local garage specialist as they will come in with the necessary skills and tools required for the task.

If the garage opener is repaired correctly, you should not experience any problems controlling the garage door with your garage door remote. With this in mind, you can proceed to program your new garage door remote following the following six easy steps:

• Use a ladder to access the opener but take care as you climb to where it is located on the ceiling.
• Locate the LEARN button as discussed in the memory-erasing section discussed above. You can take off the light cover if the button is not located externally.
• Press the LEARN button until the LED lights start blinking (Keep in mind that the lights were off at the end of the memory reset process).
• As the opener’s button flashes press the OPEN button on your new remote. Please be fast enough doing this as most units will give you a half a minute time limit to press the OPEN button after the LED lights start blinking.
• Let the communication set for about one minute
• Test if the remote works by testing if it opens the garage door.

You should not have any problems opening your garage door with the newly programmed remote following this easy procedure.

After successfully programming your garage door remote, you need to keep it safe at all times. Since it is hard for a garage break-in to be accomplished without remote control, storing the remote in a secure place is paramount. You can hide it in a private place in your car or bring it to your home and keep it where you keep your other delicate items.

Conclusion

Regardless of why you want to program your garage door remote, the task should be straightforward, and you must not reach out to a specialist. Follow the practices discussed above to ensure that no one gets to your garage before acquiring your new remote and program it.

Don’t forget to keep your programmed garage door remote device in a safe place to avoid subsequent unnecessary losses and replacements. You can find Ridgeline Overhead Garage Door in Austin if you reside there and need some local help.

Garage doors that are not maintained regularly can become noisy and inconvenient to operate. Considering that the garage door is one of your home’s most significant moving parts, you must be serious about its maintenance practices.

There are lots of maintenance practices that a garage door needs. Lubrication is often overlooked despite being so crucial for the moving components.

This post from the experienced team at Ridgeline Overhead Garage Door will discuss why your garage door needs lubrication, the frequency required for this maintenance practice, and the best procedure to follow when lubricating your garage door.

What is garage door lubrication, and why is it important?

For garage doors, lubrication is the process of applying a substance such as a grease or oil to the moving components to reduce friction and related problems such as wear and tear. With good lubrication, the garage door’s components and the entire structure functions without producing any noise and ensure a smooth and peaceful garage access experience.

The garage door lubrication frequency

As a general rule, you should lubricate all your garage door’s moving parts every six months. However, if you live in an area with harsh conditions, such as near the beach, you should lubricate your garage door more frequently. Additionally, if your garage door is noisy, you should lubricate it immediately, focusing on the squeaky components.

Choosing a lubricant for your garage door

Garage door lubrication’s success and effectiveness depend on the quality of the lubricant you acquire and its suitability for your lubrication needs.

Preferred lubricants:

Silicone sprays and white Lithium grease. The latter adheres to metal well and is easier to apply by hand. Silicone sprays come in handy when you want to get lubricants into small spaces. These two lubricants are preferred for garage doors because they are non-corrosive, highly resistant to outdoor elements, and, most importantly, don’t attract dirt and dust.

Lubricants to avoid:

Mechanic’s grease, standard degreaser specifically WD-40, and engine oil. These products are highly prone to the buildup of dust and dirt and hence may bring other problems in the course of lubrication. Note that most of these products are cleansers and not necessarily lubricants.

The process of lubricating your garage door

Although the lubrication process may differ depending on your garage door configuration, these are the basic steps to follow:

Close the garage door and turn off the opener’s power if your garage door is automated.

*Lubricate the garage door’s moving components in this order:

Tracks: Clean your tracks with a damp cloth to remove dirt, grime, and debris. You can use automotive grease cleaner to loosen the grime if it’s stubborn, then wipe it off. Although you don’t need to lubricate your garage door tracks (which may make it harder for the rollers to move and the opener to work smoothly), frequent cleaning ensures the door’s proper functioning at all times.

Hinges: Open the door manually and lubricate the hinges and the section to meet the track’s bend (pivot points). If there are plastic hinges, you should not lubricate them, as the lubricating products can cause this material to break down over time.

Rollers: Lubricate the rollers in their entirety, including the ball bearings inside each of them. If you apply excess lubricant, please wipe it after lubricating all the rollers to avoid balancing problems. Excess lubricant may also drip on your car or mess the garage door floor area and hence should not be left unattended. Here, it would be best if you avoided lubricating nylon rollers.

Springs: Use a ladder to climb up your garage door in its closed position and lubricate the springs and the bearing plates that lift your garage every time you press that open button on your remote controller. Please only apply enough lubricant as excess may cause the same mess as above.

Locks: For a smooth manual garage door locking experience, you should lubricate the locks too. Ensure that your lubricant gets to the tumbler, the keyhole, and other moving parts of the lock.

Chains rail- round up your lubrication process by greasing the top rail where the chain rides in. there is no need to lubricate the chain as it naturally has a lubricant.

*The distribution step

Once all your garage door components are sufficiently and correctly lubricated, you should lift them each at a time for several rounds to ensure that the lubricant is adequately spread on the mechanism. For the components that affect the entire door’s movement, you may need to close and open it several times to achieve the same.

Conclusion

Don’t let friction cause wear and tear to crucial garage door components such as the hinges and the rolling track and potentially cost you a significant amount to replace them. Lubricate them regularly to save yourself from this costly hustle, silence the door’s operation, and extend its lifespan. The above lubrication practices should work for any garage door design as no door can operate without moving parts.

Please remember to go for high-quality and effective lubricants from reputable garage accessories shops, such as Ridgeline Overhead Garage Door, as this is the only way you will be guaranteed extended lubrication and smooth operation of your garage door.

Today, there are many different types of garage door openers available. Generally, there are three main types for homeowners interested in automating their garage doors to choose from; chain drive, screw, and belt drive. So, should your new door have a screw, chain, or belt drive?

Your choice will determine how quiet your opener will be, how long you may expect it to last, and how much it costs. Feel free to get in contact with Ridgeline Overhead Garage Door if you have any questions. Here we will look at the differences between screw-drive, chain, and belt garage door opener and the advantages of every type to help you make an informed decision.

Chain Drive Garage Door Openers

Chain drives are the oldest type of garage door openers and were the standard garage door before the emergence of belt and screw mechanisms. Even today, it remains the most popular type of drive mechanism for garage doors. They are relatively cheap and are very durable under normal conditions. Chain drive openers use a chain similar to the one found on a bicycle and push the trolley connected to the J-arm connected to the garage door that pushes or pulls the door in the track. Although they have a shortcoming of needing to be adjusted, the adjustment only requires to be done once or twice during the lifetime of a chain drive opener. Most chain drive garage doors are relatively easy to adjust and only take ten minutes.

Advantages

In terms of an economical option, the chain drive is a reliable and cheapest option. They are also safe because there is no danger it will slip in the process. However, if your garage door is connected to your house, the chain drive garage door can be very loud, which is an advantage or disadvantage depending on how you take it. Chain drive openers are noisy and better for isolated garages away from the house. Though noisier, chain drive openers offer you a much affordable option compared to belt drives. With time, chain drive units are becoming quieter than the older units with newer technologies such as DC motors and softer start and stop features.

Belt Drive Garage Door Openers

Belt chain openers are significantly similar to chain drive garage door openers, with only one significant difference. They use a belt as a substitute for a chain. Their operation is identical, but they use a door opener made from steel-reinforced rubber, polyurethane belt, or fiberglass. The use of the belt massively eliminates the noises and vibrations linked with chain drive openers. However, if you open a heftier garage door, chain drive door openers are a better option. While a belt drive might struggle to lift more than one garage door, a chain drive will easily lift two cars with no issues.

Advantages

If noise is one of the factors you are considering when choosing the right type of garage door opener, a belt drive is the best option. They are the quietest openers by far compared to screw and chain drive openers. The belt drive garage opener has a smooth operation which gives it a faster process. While most garage door openers lift a garage door at the rate of about 7 inches per second, the belt drive is a bit faster if this makes a difference for you. In terms of pricing, the belt drive is relatively affordable but tends to be slightly more costly than chain drive openers.

Screw Drive Garage Door Openers

Screw drive openers have a different operation than chain drive or belt drive garage door openers. The garage door opener used a trolley and threaded rod made of steel to rotate the garage door motor. The pulling and pushing forces are very different from the belt and chain drive openers.

Advantages

Screw drive openers feature moving tools. This makes them easier to maintain because there is reduced wear and tear. They do not need the same type of pulling and pushing force as traditional chain and belt-driven garage door openers. More so, they are quieter than chain-drive door openers but noisier than belt-driven garage door openers. They don’t need regular adjustments as with the chain-drive garage door openers. Due to the few moving pieces and slight play, the screw drive garage door goes up and down very smoothly. This makes screw-driven openers one of the quickest garage door openers at 10 to 12 inches per second compared to the standard 6 to 8 inches per second.

However, it’s no surprise that screw-drive garage door openers tend to be more expensive than chain-drive or belt-drive openers for their unique and efficient unit. It is recommendable to avoid using screw-drive openers in places with high-temperature fluctuations from winter to summer because the units are temperature sensitive, which might influence their functionality. That said, screw-drive manufacturers are recently making improvements regarding temperature sensitivity and noise.

Conclusion

We hope you now understand the concept and differences between chain, bet, and screw-drive garage door openers. But generally, you can’t go wrong with any of these garage door openers. It all comes down to your budget and preference. If you need any additional information please feel free to contact or stop by at Ridgeline Overhead Garage Door where we will be happy to help.

In some cases, garage doors warp, but that doesn’t mean it is the end of its lifespan. Even when you have provided enough care to your wooden garage door, it can still warp. However, it would be best if you did not worry as this condition can be fixed easily by your carpenter. If you notice that your garage door is not as straight as you had bought it or has changed its shape, that is an indication of warping, and hence it needs to be fixed immediately.

Are you wondering whether it is possible to fix a warped garage door and, if yes, how to do it? You are in the right place. This article by the experts at Ridgeline Overhead Garage Door is dedicated to enlightening you on the causes of warping, fixing it, and the associated preventive measures.

What is warping, and what causes garage doors to warp?

Warping is the bending or curving of wood in some areas due to differences in moisture content, resulting in some parts drying faster than others and shrinking in size.

Warping is mainly caused by moisture from air or rain. In this regard, you should not install a wooden garage door in areas that are very moist and humid. The other cause of warping in garage doors is using wood that has not gone through the required treatment processes. The final cause of warping is the finish used; if you fail to use a quality finish, the garage door will warp, mainly when applied only on one side.

Types of warping

Several types of warping are classified depending on the shape the warped garage door takes. They include:

Twist or wind

This shape resembles a twisted ribbon as both ends of the wood bends inwards, creating a jagged profile.

Bow

Bow warping resembles a bow, the face of the wood remains straight, but the ends bend upwards.

Crook

This occurs when only one end of the woods comes into contact with the moisture. Only the end that has contacted moisture warps, and this results in a C shape.

Kink

Here the wood bends upwards on one side, creating an arm bent at the elbow shape.

Cup

Both ends of the wood curve inwards to the center.

Can a warped garage door be fixed?

Yes, you can fix a warped garage door using various methods depending on the warp’s severity.

Fixing a door with a minor warp

If you notice a door wrap early, the corrective measures are simple and straightforward. Remove the door from the hinges carefully and if it is painted, remove the paint using a heat gun. Fill in any crack present, take off the coat, and varnish and concentrate on the top and bottom part as they are the main areas that soak up water. Apply two layers of sealant and allow it to dry before applying paint. Finally, hang the door, and do not forget to seal door frames to prevent them from swelling.

Fixing a door with a bad warp

If the warp is very bad, remove the door, lay it on a pair of saw horses, and weigh it down with heavy towels or blankets. Leave the door in this condition for several days until it can correct itself naturally. Wet towels/blankets work better than dry ones, and if the warp is too bad, you can add weights. When it has corrected itself and is straight, it can dry completely and then coat with sealant.

Tips to prevent garage doors from warping

Now that you know the cause of warping on a garage door, you need to take these preventive measures to avoid reoccurrence:

• Use quality finish

Garage door finish helps protect the door from moisture and other extreme conditions. With a perfect finish, the humidity will never reach the wood, and consequently, there will be no warping.

• Protect with a suitable sealant

This is done if you have not installed a new garage door. Please keep it in the garage for 48 hours to help it adjust to the room’s moisture content. After 48 hours, apply two layers of a sealant and ensure to apply it to all six sides of the garage door. Pay more attention to the bottom and top parts of the door as these two areas quickly soak up moisture.

• Use a dehumidifier

As you already know, the garage door warps due to moisture. If you realize your garage door is bending from inside, use a dehumidifier to remove the garage’s excess moisture.

• Install a cover over the door

During rainy seasons, the garage door soaks up water even though the warping is only identified during summer when the water is drying up. To prevent water from coming into contact with the garage door, install a cover over the door during the rainy season and remove it afterward.

• Install a water-resistant garage door

This is only applicable when installing a new garage door. Buy wooden garage doors that are naturally water-resistant such as White Oak and Teak.

Conclusion

As evident in this guide, you can fix a warped garage door regardless of whether the warp is minor or severe. The leading cause of warping is a difference in moisture content within the wood and fluctuating temperatures. To prevent warping, protect the wood from contacting moisture by using a quality finish, a suitable sealant, installing a cover over the door, or purchasing a garage door made of moisture-resistant wood. Even though it is easy to fix a warped garage door, get a professional to do it in the right way.

A garage offers enough space to store surplus items from your house, protects your car, and offers access to the house. Due to the frequency of using a garage door, you may need to acquire the best accessories to ease your access to the house while locking out unauthorized persons. When renovating or upgrading your home, consider getting a smart garage door to improve your traditional garage door’s efficiency. A smart garage door opener is linked to your devices and home wi-fi to keep your home and family safe even when you are miles away.

If you are on a tight budget, the acquisition of a smart garage door may be at the bottom of your bucket list. Fortunately, you may soon discover that spending a higher amount on a garage door improves convenience and ease of access to your home while locking out unauthorized persons. If you decide to go all the way in, choose a quality product, such as those offered by Ridgeline Overhead Garage Door, with advanced features.

This piece highlights the benefits and disadvantages of installing a smart garage door opener. Key benefits of a smart garage door opener include;

You can Open or Close the Garage Door from Miles Away

A smart garage door opener allows one to open or close the door from a remote location in the presence of an internet connection. All you need to gain control of the opener is a smartphone or computer and unlimited access to the internet. When friends and family visit without informing you, the remote control allows you to control access to your home without handing over keys to your house time after time.

Improves Your Security

Once in a while, you may forget to lock the garage door while heading to work or on your dream vacation. With a smart garage opener, you may confirm or close up the door miles from your compound. Some devices have high-definition cameras that can identify individuals that access your home without permission. The Android and iOS applications are best for setting timers to close or open your door at your convenience. Your phone receives a notification any time that an unauthorized person accesses your garage.

Easy to Install and Operate

After the installation is complete, you may start using the smart garage door opener immediately. You may seek professional installation or employ your DIY skills to install the smart garage door opener. Tech experts and amateurs can easily use the smartphone app to open or close the door at your convenience. You may choose to pair your smart garage door opener to avoid expensive renovations, including getting a brand-new door.

Protects you from injuries

Garage doors are responsible for about ten thousand injuries across the United States. For a traditional garage door, you may need to do some heavy pushing and pulling when entering or leaving. The process is tiresome and quite lethal to your hands, fingers, feet, kids, pets, or objects lying on the way. A smart garage door opener saves you the time and energy of heavy alighting from your car to open the door. You may find the opener more convenient in harsh weather or have a family member with medical conditions like arthritis.

Connects with Other Smart Devices

Smart garage openers are designed to connect to iOS and Android applications that you can manage conveniently from your room, office, or car. For the best experience, choose a device that connects to Siri, Echo, Alexa, or Google Assistant for easier accessibility. You may also configure your phone’s Bluetooth and GPS to detect your proximity to get the doors open as soon as you pull up on the driveway to avoid delays.

They are Energy Efficient

Smart garage doors are designed to save energy to ensure that hiked bills are the least of your worries. Traditional garage door openers can be in standby mode for a better part of the day until you return home. For a smart garage door opener, you can turn off the entire system while away from home to conserve energy. Acquiring a smart garage door also helps you reduce the amount of physical energy and time spent to open and close a garage door. During a blackout, the garage uses backup batteries to keep your home protected from unauthorized entry.

Safeguards Your Deliveries

Some deliveries may be dropped at your front door when someone is away from home. Leaving your products exposed can attract unauthorized parties to make away with your long-awaited delivery. With a smart garage door, losing your requested products becomes a relic of the past. You can unlock the door from your location to allow your delivery guy(s) in and watch every move they make from your smartphone. You can lock the door remotely to keep them safe till you arrive.

Increases Your Home’s Value

A smart garage door opener is a perfect addition that adds value to your home without changing the garage doors. You can install the piece to open or close traditional garage doors with the proper configuration. The acquisition and installation of a smart garage door opener may seem like a luxury but is effective in upgrading your tilt-up or over canopy garage doors, slide-to-side garage doors, sectional garage doors, or roll-up garage doors.

Final Thoughts

Smart garage door openers are designed to make life easier while conserving energy and keeping your home safe. Acquiring a smart garage door may be pretty expensive at first but is a worthy investment for improving your home’s value and security.

There are two main options for selecting garage door designs: Swing doors and overhead doors. Swing garage doors are the traditional varieties that are side hinged to the walls and open in a swing motion. On the other hand, overhead doors are modern builds made from panels hinged together that roll along tracks with the help of rollers.

This article from Ridgeline Overhead Garage Door will evaluate which of these two garage door designs is easier to maintain by comparing them based on common garage door problems for more information in Danbury CT click here.

Typical garage door problems/ Swing vs. Overhead garage doors

Friction problems

As mentioned above, overhead garage doors rely on a rolling system that is prone to friction. If the track is not well lubricated, a grinding metal sound may be produced when the door opens and closes. This not only disturbs your peace but also compromises the working of the entire system over time.

In the case of swing garage doors, the prominent structure swings on hinges, and this is just a small section that needs to be lubricated from time to time. Again, if the hinges are strong enough and installed strategically, they will work smoothly to carry the door’s weight without the build-up of so much motion resistance.

Sensor issues

Sensors are placed on either door’s side a few inches from the ground and act as a safety component that prevents an overhead door from crashing on people, pets, and property such as a car. Sensor problems such as misalignment, lack of power supply, and faulty wiring may alter an overhead garage door’s normal working process and hence must be acted upon swiftly.

Swing garage doors require only little energy to swing in and out from their closing position. The gentle opening and closing movement eliminate the need to install safety sensors and thus the maintenance practices that come with them.

Torsion and extension springs malfunctions

Torsion and extension springs are located above the roller racks of the overhead garage door and transfer energy from the door opener and related components to the garage door structure. On continued use, the springs can accumulate dirt that may, in turn, bring in friction problems. Frequent cleaning and lubrication are thus needed to keep these components functioning correctly.

Although modern swing doors have a spring system, the traditional ones just relied on the hinges’ motion, thus eliminating spring-related maintenance practices. Even if you go for a swing door design that requires a spring’s system, the swinging motion is less stressful on the spring and will require less maintenance.

Nuts and bolts problems

An overhead garage door system employs nuts and bolts on the brackets and metal tracks. You need to frequently inspect these and tighten them if they are loose and out of their usual position.

You need to ensure that holding screws and bolts are tight and holding the individual units in place for the swing garage doors.

Wiring faults

If you wish to operate your doors automatically, you cannot do without some form of wiring. Whether it is the power supply cables or interconnections between two dependent components, wiring is paramount in an automatic garage. In the process of opening and closing an overhead door, the wires may become worn or broken and, to the worst, appear hanging on the pathway of the door. Only with a frequent inspection will you notice these issues and troubleshoot them immediately before they cause irreversible damage.

The minimal automation in a swing garage door translates to less obstructive wiring and reduced maintenance practices for the cables.

Opener defects

The opener is like the heart of an automatic overhead garage door system. It generates the energy needed to close or open the door and controls every other component, including the door corners’ safety sensors. Common garage door opener defects include short circuits in the powering parts and burn out of the opener’s motor itself. Reversing these issues usually requires professional’s intervention.

Modern automatic swing garage doors mainly employ low-energy operators that generally require low maintenance. Traditional manual swing garage doors don’t require openers at all.

What is the importance of garage door maintenance?

Here are some reasons why maintaining your garage door regardless of the design is vital:

• Reduces unnecessary repairs and replacements
• Makes the door and the entire garage space convenient to use
• Reduces or eliminates safety hazards
• Makes the garage door more durable
• Improves the curb appeal and market value of your home

Final thoughts

Because of the reduced complexity in the opening and closing mechanism of swing garage doors, it would only be fair to say that they are relatively easier to maintain. Swing garage doors also bring a traditional feel to a home and are easily customizable to match the home’s design. However, if you are looking for convenience and space-saving, overhead garage doors are a perfect choice. It would help if you inspected the tracks, rollers, and the automatic opening and closing system frequently. If you want to balance convenience and the rustic look swing garage doors bring, you can have your overhead doors brilliantly designed to look like the hinged swing doors.

Steel garage doors are a highly preferred garage door type because they can withstand any climatic condition, and hence you don’t need to worry much about them. Regardless of what you are looking for in a garage door, attractiveness, durability, safety, etc., a steel garage door will meet your particular need. Since a garage door is a one-time investment, you also need to install a long-lasting one that can stay intact for many years, and steel is the best to serve this purpose.

This post will discuss four primary benefits of steel garage doors to give you an idea of what investing in these doors means.

The benefits of steel garage doors

1 – They are highly durable

When looking for a garage door that can withstand extreme climatic conditions, steel doors are the best option. Unlike wooden and aluminum doors, which are prone to cracking or warping, steel garage doors are not affected by any of this, making them more durable. They withstand absolutely anything- fire, harsh storms, animals, and flying baseballs, making them extremely durable.

A steel garage is lightweight, and the opener mechanism suffers little stress when opening, thus performing longer without failing. They don’t require frequent curing or repainting like the wooden garage doors, and they only need a quick wash once per year to keep them in a good state.

The modern steel garage doors, such as those you can find at Ridgeline Overhead Garage Door, are rust-proof, and hence you don’t need to worry about them getting damaged by moist conditions.

2 – Safe and secure

They provide maximum security and safety for you and your property. Steel is tough to cut, making it very difficult for thieves to find any weak spot, unlike other materials such as wood, fiber, and glass.

Since they are light and easy to open, the instances of you getting hurt when operating them are low. Most are automatic; hence their operation is straightforward and safeguards you from any injuries.

Steel is safe for the environment as it can be recycled when damaged, minimizing waste going to the environment. Even better, most garage doors are made from recycled steel, reducing the waste even further. If you are looking for an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly material, steel garage doors are the best for this.

3 – Affordable and cost-effective

Steel garage doors are the most affordable, durable doors you can get in the market. They are also stunning and add value for real estate purposes.

Steel garage doors require minimum maintenance, and hence you will not need to spend on yours for maintenance requirements. They last longer than synthetic or natural ones and save cost, which otherwise would have been used for repairs.

Most garage doors are insulated, translating to energy efficiency. They maintain warm temperatures during winter and cool temperatures during summer; hence cooling and heating systems don’t require working too much in these garages.

4 – They are stylish and customizable

Steel is malleable, and hence it can easily be mold and shaped into any desired design. The natural look of steel gives it a clean and sharp appearance. Steel doors come in many varieties with different paint colors and panels. They can be installed in any style and modified to match the interior house design, thus complementing the design and making the exterior more beautiful.

Steel garage doors are customizable. You can, for example, add insulation material between the steel to improve temperature control and make them soundproof.

Different construction types of steel doors

There are three construction types of steel doors, and you can choose any depending on your budget and needs.

• Single-layer garage doors
  These contain only one layer of steel and are the lightest and thinnest, hence the easiest to manage. They can dent easily when hit as they are not very strong.
• Double-layer garage doors
  Double layer doors contain a thermal insulator behind the steel layer, making them energy efficient. They have improved strength properties compared to the single-layer garage doors because of the additional steel layer.
• Triple-layer garage doors
  These are constructed as double-layer garage doors only that they have an added galvanized steel layer on the inside to protect the thermal foam from getting damaged. They are the best option for homeowners looking for durability, thermal comfort, energy efficiency, and quietness.

What to know before buying a garage door

It would help if you considered the following factors before buying your garage door to minimize costs and avoid extra costs.

• Get an in-house quote
  Get a professional from the store to inspect the garage door’s size and shape required for your home. This also helps you to get the best affordable door to fit your design.
• Insulation
  If your garage is attached to the house, it affects the interiors temperatures as it is huge to allow temperature exchange. You will need to get an insulated steel garage door if your garage is attached to your house or store your important items there.
• Windows
  Windows add beauty to the garage doors, and they also improve the lighting in the garage; hence you should consider purchasing a garage door with windows. Consider windows that match your house style and your home’s privacy and security when choosing the size and type of windows.
• Pay more attention to beefier springs
  The springs help the garage door go up easily and go down slowly. They are different types of springs with varying strengths, and if you need to use your garage door frequently, you need springs that have a higher cycle rating to increase the service time.

Conclusion

You can see from this post that steel garage doors are the best in terms of efficiency in every climate, affordability, minimal maintenance, and durability. In a nutshell, we can say that steel garage doors are a little investment that goes a long way to improve your home security. When buying your steel garage door, consider the above tips to ensure you get the best for your garage.

An improperly balanced garage door can cause significant issues with your garage door opener. If neglected, this unpredictable behavior can pose a danger to individuals who interact with the door regularly. This article discusses garage door maintenance tips and the steps you need to take to ensure maximum effectiveness. Read on also to understand the three steps you can apply for balancing your garage door.

What is Garage Door Balance?

To understand what you need to look for in an unbalanced door, you should comprehend the door balance concept and what you can do to balance a garage door. If you are having doubts about your garage door balance, you can apply the tips below, or get in touch with Ridgeline Overhead Garage Door where we’d be happy to help with any questions you might have.

Signs a Garage Door is Out of Balance

Are you having doubts concerning garage door issues? Here are signs you need to watch out for to regard your garage door as out of balance:

• Uneven Garage Door- One of the fastest and most conclusive ways of knowing your garage door is out of balance is noticing a skewed look. You can achieve this by comparing your garage door to the frame of your home. If they appear uneven, you may be having a balance garage door issue.
• Squeaky and Loud Noises- Have you noticed loud noises from your garage whenever the door is opening or closes? This may be a result of your rollers having to overcompensate because of damaged springs and warping.
• Opening and Closing Slowly- If your garage door is opening or closing slower than before, it may be due to balance issues. You, therefore, need to take the necessary corrective measures to remedy the condition.
• Difficulty Opening or closing- Another indicator of an unbalanced garage door is rigidity or lack of motion. As a final symptom, you will need to schedule repair procedures soon.

Testing the Balance of Your Garage Door Yourself

Suppose you notice any of the symptoms above, you can proceed to make an accurate diagnosis yourself. Contact the appropriate experts to conduct a balance test if you feel uncomfortable doing it on your own. Some steps you can take to confirm your home garage door balance include:

• Close the Door- In the first step, close the garage door to complete this test. Where necessary, switch off the system and close the door manually before proceeding to the next stage.
• Release the door Manually- Here, you will need to detach the garage door from the garage door opener. This is an easy step since most systems have a manual release on the garage door opener.
• Lift the door Halfway- After releasing the door from the opener, you can manually lift the door halfway in the third step.
• Release the Door- In the final step, after lifting it halfway, you will need to release the garage door. This lets you know if your garage door is out of balance. If you notice your garage door goes up or down when you release instead of sticking in position in the middle, it suggests you have a balance issue.
• If the Door is Balanced, Reattach the Door to The Opener- If your opener features a belt operating on a four-sided rail, you will need to descend the manual release rope to activate the opener. For a T-shaped rail, press the manual release, and your door reconnects automatically.

What Should I Do in Case of a Balance Door Issue?

After conducting the above garage door balance tests and discovering whether your garage door opens or shuts, rebalancing your garage door is important. Adjusting your garage door can be difficult and highly dangerous. You will need expert door garage door assistance if you lack professional knowledge on balancing and repairing door springs. You can find relevant providers using the proper channels.

3 Steps for Balancing Your Garage Door

You will need to perform three essential maintenance steps on your garage door at least once a year to prolong its life and effectiveness.

1. Lubricate the Hinges – This is perhaps the simplest thing you can do to maintain your garage door system. Experts recommend using heavy-duty silicone spray for optimal results. For those with plastic hinges, lubrication may not be necessary. While lubricating, you should also inspect the other hardware parts such as cables, drums, or rollers for wear or damage.
2. Inspect for Imbalance – Perhaps the most important thing you will need to do is monitor the garage door’s balance. Look out for the springs’ ability to counter-balance garage door weight. When the springs begin to fatigue, they are unable to balance the garage door sufficiently. This results in the door getting heavy, consequently destroying your garage door opener.
3.  Check the Safety Sensors – Although often overlooked, inspecting safety sensors is another essential step. Frequently, these are the cause of a malfunctioning unit. You need to ensure the sensors are pointed directly at each other, moving all obstructions out of the way.

Are you experiencing balance issues with the garage door? It would be helpful to have the vital tips of ensuring you restore proper balance and fix issues where necessary. Consider the information above to realize a durable functioning garage door.