With the power and scope of the Internet, all sorts of claims are made that sound quite true and which we often don’t take the time to verify. This deceptive information can even extend to garage door systems. While some of these are myths have persisted for decades, others have appeared more recently. Whether old or new, they are difficult to dispel…
For those of you who are garage door owners and shopping around for a new one, here are false statements that you may hear - but don’t be taken in! Talk to an actual garage door expert for the facts and explanations.
Garage doors are all made the same way
“If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all!” But that isn’t always the case. Take, for instance, the material used to construct a door. It could be wood, metal or aluminum, each with their pros and cons. Wood is held in high esteem for its natural warmth and beauty, metal for its strength and practicality (no painting or staining), and aluminum for being lightweight and offering the option of all-glass garage doors to let in lots of daylight. The question then becomes, which material best satisfies your needs.
Another factor to take into consideration is the thickness of a door. If you have a double garage doors, like a 16 x 7 ft. one, it is worthwhile for it to be 1 ¾ inches thick and injected with polyurethane foam. Why is this? Because when the door is left open for a long period of time, like those Saturday mornings when you’re doing lots of outdoor work, these two key features ensure the door system is solid and strong.
It’s not recommended to insulate a garage door
“The purpose of a garage door is to close an opening. A non-insulated door will do the job just fine!” Yes, that could be the case if your garage is located in the backyard, and it is only used to store items of low value. However, if you garage is attached to the house and your garage is insulated, shouldn’t this fourth wall be insulated too? As well, if it’s the case that you have a bedroom above the garage, wouldn’t it be better to install a weathertight insulated garage door? And does reducing your energy costs sound appealing? Well then a well-insulated garage door equipped with weatherstripping and effective thermal breaks will not only protect you from the cold, but keep your garage cool during the warmer months.
I can easily repair a garage door by myself
“Really, it can’t be that hard to change a spring on my garage door!” What would you say if your friend decided to give his smartphone to a handyman to be repaired? As they say, stick to what you know. That being said, there still remains some care you can supply to your door to keep it in good working order. Start with a visual inspection of your door and tighten any loose bolts such as those on the hinges and metal angles at the end of the horizontal tracks. This type of job won’t put your safety in danger. For other more complicated issues, contact us at Soo Overhead Doors Inc we are qualified to pinpoint and remedy any abnormality.
Garage doors are basically maintenance-free
“My door is oh-so simple. It opens and closes at the push of a button. Nothing to worry about!” Definitely false. Just like any household appliance, a garage door needs some regular basic care, at least once a year. This is even more vital if you and your family use the garage door as the primary access point to your house, just like 70% of homeowners. Remember, it is your home’s largest moving mechanical object and as such, should be treated with respect. Refer to this guide for the care and maintenance your garage door needs and that you can do yourself.
It’s normal that a garage door makes noise
There are so many metal parts - it’s no surprise that it makes noise! Yes, you’re right; a majority of the components of your garage door are metal, giving maximum strength and durability to the system. However, it’s important that you really “listen” to your door, both the sounds coming from the electric door opener as well as the complete hardware system, which includes the rollers, tracks and lifting springs. Have you detected any strange noises recently? If so, and you are unable to identify the source, don’t delay in contacting us.
Safety isn’t really a concern
“Is a garage door really all that dangerous?” If you don’t pay heed to signs of garage door malfunction - most definitely yes! Without being an alarmist, you should be aware of this data: according to the US National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, there are annually more than 10,000 accidents, such as crushed fingers, cuts and being hit, associated with the use of garage doors. Something you should keep in mind.
More specifically, special attention should be given to the 2 automatic reverse mechanisms, one mechanical and the other photoelectric. To ensure that both are working correctly, all you need to do is test the 2 systems twice a year. These tests are simple. For the mechanical system, just place a 2X4 on the floor under the open door then close the door. When it comes in contact with the wood, the door should reverse direction. For the photoelectric system, while the door is closing, pass your foot or another object in front of either one of the two units located on each side of the door, about 4 inches from the floor. Again, the door should automatically reverse direction. If in either case, the reversal system doesn’t work, get in touch with us.
Garage door repairs are expensive!
“That’s crazy! A guy came to repair the door, changed 2 or 3 parts and it cost me more than $200!” Yes, it’s true that sometimes the bill seems abnormally high. There are 2 ways to help you avoid that:
- Do twice-yearly regular maintenance to your garage door system and you’ll lower your bill. As they say, do something before it’s too late! If you can’t find the time, we can provide a tune-up program similar to what you do for your car.
- Ask for a quote and an explanation of the work to be done BEFORE the repair work begins. You can ask when you contact them for a service call, but have the amount confirmed once the technician is on site. Any garage door professional will give you a clear picture of the work to be done as well as tips to avoid a repetition of this issue in the future.
Electric garage door openers – the cheaper ones work just as well
“Why should I pay $150 to $200 more for a garage door opener from a specialized dealer when I can get a less expensive one on the Internet?” When it comes to saving money, yes, you can get a better price on the Internet, but are you sure what you’re getting? Ask yourself the following questions: One, how many times a day do you use the garage door to access your house? That counts the times you use it personally as well as the times other members of the family use it, like when the kids leave for school and return. Two, is safety important for you? We’d guess yes.
So then what explains such a difference in price? A major factor is the trolley that pulls the garage door. Ones often found on the Internet are made in 3 parts, which means less sturdy and more tightening of bolts as time passes, and even more often if you have a double garage door, e.g. 16 x 7 feet. Another consideration is that very often, low-cost door openers don’t provide a wall unit to allow you to, among other things, (re)program your remote. They are just equipped with a button, like a doorbell. Lastly, some economical openers are limited in the possible accessories that can be added to them. Thus, ask questions and have the differences explained to you. There’s nothing worse than saying “if I’d only known that before…”
To be better informed on these subjects…
If you are located in the area(s) of Sault Ste. Marie, then go ahead and contact us at 1-877-794-4223. We know garage doors better than anyone else and are more than able to advise you on the best door system to meet your needs and budget.
Add new comment