Opening Your Garage Door During A Power Outage

April 11, 2016 by secure4sure

Those who have experienced the convenience that an automatic garage door offers will likely never go back to a manually opening door. Especially in bad weather, there’s no better feeling than a simple click of the button keeping you and your belongings dry. That being said, that same storm might bring with it power outages that could leave your garage door incapacitated and you stuck out in the cold. On the flip side, when you’re inside the garage with no power and you need to get out for work it’s important to understand these tips on how to open a garage door manually.

Trip the Trigger

Virtually all garage door openers have a bypass switch for situations such as when the power goes out, a motor goes awry, or the remote opener dies. On most garage door openers there is a rope with a handle on the end (usually red). This manual release handle disengages the trolley from the attachment point to the rail. Pulling on this rope will put the garage into manual mode so if the door is up, it might come crashing down. To be safe, always activate the handle when the garage door is closed.

Staying in Manual Mode

The red rope controls the spring attachment in the trolley. If the power is going to be out for a long period of time or the opener motor is malfunctioning, then you may have to stay in manual mode. When you want to continually open the door in manual mode it’s important to pull the rope down and towards the back of the garage (or the motor) so that it doesn’t get caught on the tracks.

Reattaching the Door When Power Returns

After utility crews have restored power in your house, you’ll likely want to take full advantage of the conveniences of an automatic door again. To reengage the trolley attachment, simply pull down on the cord but this time towards the garage opening to keep the lever from engaging. Pull up on the door until it snaps into place and you’re back in automatic mode. If that’s too confusing, simply hit the button on the remote opener and the track will force the spring attachment back into place.

Things to Remember About the Release Cord

Something to keep in mind about using manual mode is that even though some components in the track or door may be corrupted, the automatic system will keep the garage functioning. Weak or broken springs and cables are aided by the track, making the garage one cohesive unit. Of course, when you disengage the track, bad things can happen.

If possible, only use the release cord when the garage is in the down position. This might not be an option if a power outage occurs when the door is up, but when the handle is released the door will come crashing down.
If the door must be disengaged when in the up position, use 2X4’s to prop open the door for safe closing.
Clear the area of people and objects when releasing in the up position.
Don’t hang from the cord if it doesn’t release. It takes some force to disengage the lever but hanging from it could cause damage to the rope or lever.

If you find there is damage to a cable or the door opens unevenly, make sure to contact one of our experts. Tension springs and other garage features can be dangerous to work with and doing a DIY project could result in irreversible damage. Our certified professionals have the tools and experience at their disposal to repair your garage opener safely and efficiently.

Opening Your Garage Door from the Outside

It’s important to get familiar with the layout of the garage door opener spring mechanism in non-emergency situations. If you’re locked out when the power is out and the garage is your main way of accessing the home, it may be possible to release the lever from the outside. Placing a shim in the weather stripping near the top of the garage and sliding a bent clothes hanger in to flip the lever will enable the door to be opened manually. Of course, this is a great security risk, so you’ll have to weigh the options on whether installing a secure shield or being able to engage your door manually from outside is more important.

To be safe and lower risks, it is best to hire a professional garage door specialist. The specialist can determine and address the problems of your garage door and propose a feasible solution. Feel free to contact us any time for help. Call Yuval at (215) 805-9209 or visit SecureGarages.com – don’t forget our Awesome Amazon Local Deal! Garage adjustment, reconditioning + safety inspection. and for another $34 we will replace up to 8 rollers! Mention Code: Secure4Sure10 to get another 10% off your order!

How to install a door from your garage to your house

January 27, 2016 by secure4sure

Well, it’s a good idea to install a door from your garage to your house and it also save your money. Installing a garage door is not so easy .You need to contact a professional to install your door but, if u know how to do it yourself then you can do and save your money. There are some tips given below for helping you out to install door:

Tip 1: Make sure the door parts are working:

If your garage door is opening slowly or making a lot of noise, the problem may not be your opener. So before you buy a new one, check for broken or wobbly rollers and brackets. But don’t replace the bottom roller bracket yourself—the cable attached to it is under extreme tension. You’ll need to call a pro. If you’re replacing the rollers, get nylon rollers. They operate quieter than steel rollers and cost only a few bucks more. Next, check the torsion spring (mounted on the header above the door opening) to see if it’s broken. When one breaks, you’ll see a gap in the coils. You’ll need a pro to replace a broken spring.

Tip 2: Check the door balance:

Make sure the door is balanced. Close the door and pull the emergency release cord (always close the door first so it can’t come crashing down!). Lift the door about halfway up and let go. The door shouldn’t move. If it slides up or down, the torsion spring needs to be adjusted (or maybe even replaced). Adjusting the torsion spring is dangerous, so don’t attempt it yourself (you could get seriously hurt). Call a pro to adjust it.

Tip 3: Choose the right opener:

When buying an opener, choose a 1/3 hp or 1/2 hp opener for a single garage door (1/3 hp can be hard to find at some home centers). Go with 1/2 hp for a double door and 3/4 hp for a door that has a wood or faux wood overlay (they can be heavy!). Openers have a set opening speed, so installing an opener with a higher horsepower won’t open your door any faster.

Openers are available with a chain drive, screw drive or belt drive. Chain drives (a long chain pulls the door open and closed) are the least expensive, but they’re loud. Screw drives (a long threaded rod drives a mechanism that opens and closes the door) are priced in the mid- range. They require the least maintenance, but they’re not as quiet as belt drives. Belt drives (a rubber belt opens and closes the door) are the quietest, making them the best choice if you have living space above the garage. They’re also the most expensive.

Tip 4: Set the opener on a ladder for easier installation:

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to assemble the opener and mount the rail to the header bracket above the door. Then set the opener on a ladder where you’re going to install it. The ladder (usually an 8-footer) holds the opener in position while you measure for your lengths of angle iron. If necessary, put boards under the opener to raise it.

Have the door open when you install the opener (clamp locking pliers onto the roller track below a roller to keep the door from closing). It’s easier to align the opener with the center of the door when the door is open.

Tip 5: Buy heavy-duty angle iron:

Garage door openers come with everything you need for installation. But the mounting straps that are included are often so flimsy that you can bend them with your hands. So buy slotted angle iron at a hardware store. Cut it to size with a hacksaw.

Angle iron provides a stronger installation and reduces vibration, which helps extend the opener’s life span. In an unfinished garage, attach the angle iron directly to the face of a joist with 1-in. lag screws. For finished ceilings, attach angle iron along the bottom of a joist with 3-in. lag screws. Hang the opener using two more lengths of angle iron and nuts and bolts. Use lock washers or thread-locking adhesive to keep vibration from loosening the nuts.

Tip 6: Replace all the components:

Don’t be tempted to reuse the old photoelectric eyes and wall button (opener button). The new photo eyes and wall button are designed to work with your new opener.

If the wires that run from your opener to the photo eyes and to the wall button are exposed, replace them, too. Those wires have probably been in your garage for 10 years or more, and they may be nicked or worn. Newer openers are extremely sensitive and won’t work if a wire is damaged. It only takes about 15 minutes to run the new wire, so it’s time well spent. If the wires are protected inside the wall, you don’t need to run new wire.

Tip 8: Fine-tune the opening and closing force:

The opener’s instructions probably tell you to place a 2×4 on the floor under the center of the door, then close it. When the door contacts the wood, it should stop and then reverse. Proper closing force ensures that if something is in the door’s path, the door won’t crush it.

The locations of the opening and closing force adjustment screws vary. Our unit has two screws on the front. When adjusting the opening or closing force, turn the screw only about 1/8 in., then recheck the force.

If the door starts to open and then stops on its own, increase the opening force. Likewise, if it stops on its own while closing, increase the closing force. You might have to make several small adjustments to get the force exactly how it should be.

Tip 9: Use bulbs that handle vibration:

(Install tough bulbs) Use “rough service” bulbs and don’t exceed the wattage listed on the opener. Bulbs that are too hot can damage the opener.

Tip 10: Fix a reversing door:

The most common problem with garage door openers is the door reversing when it’s closing, even when there’s nothing obvious obscuring the photoelectric eyes. If your closing force is adjusted correctly, then the problem is almost always the photoelectric eyes. The eyes are very sensitive— even cobwebs can interfere with them. First make sure the eyes are still in alignment (some- thing may have knocked them out of whack). Then make sure the eyes are clean and the path between them is clear. Finally, look for loose wires in the eyes and the opener.

How to get your garage ready for the winter

January 11, 2016 by secure4sure

It’s that time of year again! Just when you were enjoying the warm weather, fall and winter decide to come along and spoil the fun. Time to put all those Halloween and fall decorations away and get ready for winter! One might ask what are the things that must be done to prepare for the holiday season? You’re in luck! We are here to help you prepare for the winter season. Below is a list of things you might want to consider when preparing your garage for this season. Hopefully this helps you to get ready and be prepared for Santa!
The first step is to clean up your whole garage. Take advantage of the weather before it gets too cold. Sort through everything in your garage, tossing items you don’t need and moving those that could be stored elsewhere. Once you’ve cleared the area, wash the floors and scrub the walls. This seems like a big task, but it will make your garage look more spacious and organized.
Part of your cleaning process should include some steps to prevent damage to the garage. Your floor will undergo damage through the season as your tires track snow, gravel, and salt chemicals.

Install a protective coating to give a fresh look and protect the floor.

After cleaning, look at the space and what you have decided to store. Be creative as you organize. You may need to buy new storage containers or install wall racks to keep things out of the way. If you have out of season items, consider storing them in containers on the ceiling.
• Rotating storage bins. As you get ready for decorating, find a place to put those storage bins so you have room and space available to move around in your garage.
• Move freezable fluids into the garage. If you have any fluids outside, move them into the garage. If those fluids are needed (such as gasoline for a kerosene heater), it would be extremely difficult to get them thawed out and ready for use when you need them the most.

• Sealing the gaps. Even when your garage door is shut, wind and snow can still come in through the gaps. Make sure those gaps are sealed nice and tightly to prevent your electronics from freezing overnight.
• Heaters. With how crazy the past winters have been, you may want to consider purchasing a space heater for the garage. A heater can help make the garage warmer and also keep the cars warm.
• Insulation. Another way to keep the garage nice and warm would to be hire a contractor (or you can do it yourself) and install insulation into the walls of your garage.
• Setting up a mudpuddle. If your garage is attached to the house, you should designate a specific place to place your shoes (and family members) so dirt and snow does not track in the house.
• Snow blowers and shovels. With winter being around the corner, not every snow plow will be available. It would be a wise decision to purchase a snowblower, or shovel, to help with the driveway and sidewalks around your house so you are able to get to work or other events on your agenda.
Follow these simple tips to make sure your garage is ready for the winter. With a little planning, you’ll have your garage clean and be able to store everything you need this season. If you have any tips for garage organization and maintenance, we would love to hear from you!

How to avoid scratching your car from your garage

January 4, 2016 by secure4sure

As most owners of a garage may know, getting your car in and out of it doesn’t always go according to plan. Unless you’re the proud owner of a swanky extra wide garage, the risk of bumping or scratching your vehicle is relatively high. Obviously, the longer one has owned and used their garage the less likely it is that accidents will occur, but while you’re settling in to a new way of parking, or if your garage is situated on a tricky slope or corner, it’s best to be extra vigilant about garage accidents. Read on to discover what the most common garage accidents are and how you can take step to avoid them – after all, parking your car in a secure garage can take £££s off your insurance premiums; you don’t want to undo all of those savings because you have to claim for body repairs!

Use your Garage

If you have a garage, use it! It is the best way to protect your car. There are many benefits of covered parking, including protection from hail storms that can come with costly deductibles. In the winter, parking in a garage keeps ice and snow off of your vehicle, getting you on the road quicker. Garage parking also keeps your vehicle out of direct sunlight, which over time, can fade the appearance of leather or other aspects of your interior. Parking outside of the elements is the number one way to avoid hail and prevent car dents caused by it.

Driving Into Your Garage Door

A common mistake that many people make – particularly those with an automatic garage door such as a roller, tracked or sectional – is driving into the garage door itself. Of course, those with single panelled, up & over garage doors are not spared of this; a common mistake here is driving into the garage door when pulling up to it. This is particularly troublesome when the garage is situated on a slope. The key to avoiding this accident is patience. If you are waiting to drive your car out of your garage and the door is slowly being opened by the garage door motor, try to relax and wait until the door is in the fully open position. To risk driving into it is to risk damage to both your car and the garage door – neither of which are likely to be inexpensive to fix. Adding some outdoor and indoor spotlights which are trained to come on when the garage is being used can help to illuminate the door and increase your chances of stopping in time.

Driving Into The Side Of Your Garage

When driving in and out of your garage – particularly if you tend to reverse in – taking your time and ensuring the car is going in straight can save a lot of hassle in the future. Even the most experienced of drivers, who have used their garage a thousand times can dent or scratch their vehicle whilst manoeuvring in or out of the space. Generally speaking, a narrow garage entrance, a large car, or a complicated angle can make this a very genuine hazard, but even if your garage is wide enough, it’s something to keep in mind. Paying attention and seeking assistance if you’re struggling are the best ways to avoid an accident like this. Ensuring that your mirrors are pointing in the right direction, and even installing a convex mirror within or just outside the garage can help you to see what’s happening. It’s also worth noting that it’s easy to open your car door onto the wall of the garage or onto something being stored there without thinking.

Closing The Door On Your Bonnet or Boot

If you have a manual garage door, then you’ll know how heavy they can be, even if they have strong opening mechanisms and springs to hold most of the weight. Closing your garage door onto your car, therefore, is clearly not a good idea and can cause an awful lot of damage. Automatic doors will stop when they feel resistance due to safety laws, but manual doors will exert weight and force when closed on a car bonnet, roof or boot, so caution should be used if your door tends to be slammed a lot! If your door is automatic, one good way to prevent it from touching your car at all is the photocell kit, which can be found in our garage door accessories section. The photocells are placed on either side of your garage opening, either just inside or just outside the frame. They transmit an invisible beam between them, and if this beam is broken, the garage door will stop moving downwards until it has been manually overridden. If you can place these photocells so that they’ll catch your vehicle at the correct height, then you won’t have to worry about dents.

Overcrowding Your Garage Space

Having too much stuff stored within the garage is something that most garage owners and users will be familiar with. Garages, whilst not being truly ‘livable’ rooms of the home, tend to become a dumping ground for anything which doesn’t fit, is no longer used, or simply ‘doesn’t go’ with the house. Having some garage clutter is obviously not a problem, but when the stuff overrides the space and you still want to put your car in there, you raise the risk of running something over, or damaging your car. Try to keep your garage area neat and tidy, or at least ensure objects are stacked in boxes or on shelves at the back of the space, in order to keep a safe, open space for your vehicle.

How to choose the right garage door for your business

December 25, 2015 by secure4sure

You must consider several factors when choosing a garage door for your business. Commercial garage doors should always come with a garage door opener (it can be automatic or manual depending on your budget). The main reason of picking doors with openers is that commercial garage doors are generally much heavier compared to the residential units and also made from bulkier materials. The openers used in these doors are also much different than the products used in garage doors installed in homes; they are specially designed commercial strength openers. The safety features embedded in these units are also much more advanced.

Make sure that the door you are installing in your commercial garage comes equipped with a break-away bottom. The main advantage of having this section is that it will break away as soon as it gets hit by a big object. This means, presence of this section will allow you to reset the garage easily and protect the operator from severe injuries and expensive damages.

Style

Is the architecture of your house traditional, modern or rustic? Is it a Cape Cod, English Tudor or contemporary ranch? You want to be sure that you pick a garage door that compliments the style of your home. For example, carriage house style garage doors look terrific with a more traditional home. Keep in mind that there many styles of garage doors available now that can be customized with paint or stain, windows and decorative hardware to fit the style of your home. The sky’s the limit when it comes to creating a unique look for your home.

Cost

Even though the garage door is the largest moving object in your home and sometimes the most visible feature, a new garage door is not as expensive as you might think. You get a lot of bang for your buck with a new garage door. This annual report breaks out the estimated cost of various projects and the estimated return on investment for those projects by region and by city, as well as by midrange and upscale projects. So, let’s get down to brass tacks. The average cost can range anywhere between $600 – $2800 on average. As with most purchases, you get what you pay for and your final cost will depend on many variables.

Door Size

Most garage doors are offered in standard sizes. If you have a newer home, the opening for your garage door is mostly likely standard. If you own an older home, you may have to purchase a custom-fit size garage door which will increase your costs. Remember, in either case, the larger the size, the more expensive the door.

Construction – Style – Hardware

Construction materials can vary greatly in price. Single-layer steel doors are the least expensive while stain-grade wood doors are generally the most expensive. Also, adding windows will increase the price of your door, as well as decorative hardware.

Picking the Garage Door Type

Depending on the how you want the garage door to function, choose from the different types of garage doors. You may want your garage door to be fully automated. If so, then motorisation is needed for the garage door. It may also be that you do not require any automation in your garage door and simply want a classic look to complement the look and simplicity of the house. Garage door types include roller doors, roller shutters, panel lift door and tilt-a-door type of doors. You may add in windows to the garage door to break the monotony in the door’s appearance.

What Material to Use

You can choose from different materials, from wood to stainless steel, to metal and fibreglass. When choosing the material for the garage door, remember that how long the door will last depends a lot on the material. Each material has its pros and cons, so do consider these first and decide later which ones you can tolerate. Metal may be strong, but it can be dented if hit with some materials. Wood panels prove to be the least strong and they also require adequate maintenance, which could include staining and sealing.

The stylish design and highest quality you and your business deserve. So, don’t compromise with it and do not also take any chance with your business safety. Pick the one that extend the life of your commercial garage door and avoid pricey issues that may occur without proper precautions.

Why you shouldn’t have windows on your garage door

December 21, 2015 by secure4sure

Debate has been raging on whether to have or not to have garage door windows. It’s wise to look at the two sides of the coin in a bid to understand which side holds more weight. Read what installing windows could really mean to a garage door.

There are number of factors that suggest not to have windows on your garage door:

You can take a look outside without having to open the garage door with the help of garage door windows, while you can have them installed garage door but will surely compromise your privacy. It would not be appropriate for a person concerned about nosy neighbors or even theft in the area to have garage door windows. The disadvantage of garage door windows is that, depending on the size and height of your window, there may not be any privacy offered.
Glass is not a very good heat and sound insulator. Therefore, having garage door windows can reduce the heat insulation in your garage. Heat can be lost through the windows which means more energy is consumed to keep the garage adequately heated.
Cost is one drawback when considering glass for garage doors. Adding glass can tack on an extra two hundred to five hundred dollars to the total bill.
It is advisable for some homeowners to have windows installed on their garage door. For one, you can open them during those warm days and let in fresh air. This way, you can avoid leaving your garage door partially open for ventilation, which can damage it.
Home security is another issue to think about. Glass makes it easier for criminals to peak into the garage to see whether or not you are home and if there is anything of value inside.
Energy efficiency is usually lower whenever you introduce glass. You can certainly buy insulated glass, but it is rarely as air tight as an insulated garage door without glass.
Garage doors with glass also can take more time to produce, adding a few extra days to your order.
For repairs, glass is breakable and may require more occasional replacement of panes due to downed tree limbs or stray baseballs.

So if your garage is a big part of the curb appeal of your house, or you want a custom-coordinated look, or you use your garage part-time as a workshop, consider the beauty and light of a garage door with glass. On the other hand, if you have a tight budget or timeline, are concerned about security or heating bills, or don’t want the headache of the occasional broken pane, skip the windows in favor of a solid door for a long lasting investment.

How to properly maintain your garage door over the years

December 16, 2015 by secure4sure

Not only is your garage door the largest door in your home, it’s also the single largest moving part as well. So hopefully it makes sense that you should want to take care of it as much as possible. That’s one big part to need to replace, for one thing. Plus, if it stops working, you’re going to have quite a hassle on your hands. So we have compiled some basic tips that you should follow to properly maintain your garage doors over the years easily.

Keep Your Eyes and Ears Open

One of the easiest ways you can take care of your garage door is simply by staying alert. Whenever you open or close it, watch to make sure it functions smoothly. The entire door should go up and down without any jerking. It should also be perfectly symmetrical. There should be very little noise and especially no alarming sounds like grinding or scraping.

Tighten Your Hardware

The average garage door is used well over 1,000 times each year. That’s a lot of mileage on all those small parts your system relies on to work properly. This means plenty of vibration is working its way toward loosening up everything from bolts to roller brackets. Fortunately, as long as you have a socket wrench and a few minutes, you can tighten everything up so that it works properly and without issue.

Test the Door’s Balance

A garage door that isn’t balanced stands very little chance of working correctly. This imbalance will eventually become a big enough issue that your garage door simply breaks because of all the stress put on the opener. To check the balance on your door, pull the red cord (or whatever your door uses as a release handle) and then manually move the door halfway up

Inspect and Replace Any Broken Rollers

Whether you rely on steel or nylon rollers, they should be inspected at least twice a year to ensure they haven’t become worn down or otherwise damaged. On average, they’ll need to be replaced once every seven years, but if you use your garage door more than most, you’ll probably need to replace your rollers sooner.

This is an easy replacement to make as you can simply remove the brackets, slide the old rollers out, and then slide the new ones in.

Check Your Weatherstripping Too

Weatherstripping runs along the bottom of your garage door so that, when it’s shut, a secure seal is made. Check the stripping regularly and look for any areas where it may have become brittle, cracked or otherwise broken. If you do need to replace it, we have everything you need for this easy project, so don’t hesitate to contact us!

Apply Lubrication

All it takes is about 10 minutes a year to make sure your garage door is properly lubricated and working smoothly. Your home improvement store will once again have the supplies you need which is just some lubrication spray for the overhead springs and some white lithium grease for the chain or screw your opener uses.

Inspect the Cables

The high-tension cables used to lift your door are nothing to mess around with. You could be seriously injured or even killed. However, there’s no harm in checking around the bottom roller bracket to make sure they’re still intact and working well. If you do spot a problem, just call a professional.

Test Your Safety Measures

You should also look into your garage door’s safety features. This means sticking something like a brick or piece of wood on its threshold to ensure the door will back up once it hits this material. Most garage doors should also have a photocell component. If yours doesn’t, that probably means it’s quite old and you should think about replacing it.

With the photocell component, shut the door and while closing, put your foot through the invisible beam. This should trip the system and send the door moving back up again.

Clear out the Tracks

The tracks of your garage door can become encumbered with all kinds of debris and other materials. So, now and then spend just a little time inspecting these tracks and cleaning them out as necessary.

Clean Your Garage Door

Check out your garage door regularly to look for places whereit has become chipped, warped, or if the paint has peeled. For steel doors, ensure there are no rust spots or other issues. Whenever you wash your car, get in the habit of cleaning your garage door too.
While it may not be the most glamorous part of your home, your garage door is no less important.

Use the above tips to make sure you get the best performance from yours, year after year.

Why you Shouldn’t have to Force a Garage Door Shut

November 30, 2015 by secure4sure

It is a big problem when your garage door is not closing properly . First of all check garage door properly . when you didn’t find any problem after checking all the mechanism of garage door or garage door opener and you shouldn’t have to force garage door for closing it because it damage the mechanism of garage door and problem goes double.

What to do?

You should thoroughly check the garage door and when you didn’t get the solution adjust the closing force of your garage door opener but please don’t put force on garage door for closing because it doubles the problem.

What is garage door opener:

A garage door opener is a motorized device that opens and closes garage doors. Most are controlled by switches on the garage wall, as well as by remote controls carried by the owner.

How garage door openers work :

The garage door dies some time during its 13,476th operation, while it’s being closed. It goes out without much drama—there’s no audible snap as the torsion spring breaks, no parts dangle loose in telltale failure, and the motor sill lights up, strains and stops. Maybe its decline started that day you closed the door on the Buick bumper, or maybe during the last big freeze, when ice swelled the door sections. Or maybe it was just the mechanism’s time. The average American garage door opens and shuts 1500 times a year, and this torsion spring—rated for 10,000 cycles—was positively geriatric in garage-door years. Regardless, you’re in the market for a new system.

There are some step for adjusting the closing force of garage door openers:

How to adjust the Closing Force for your Garage Door Opener :

A garage door opener with an improperly adjusted closing force can damage the door or worse, injure a child or pet that accidentally walks under the door. The closing force of the door works as a secondary safety catch in the event the optical eyes — that usually stop and open a door if a child, pet or object passes underneath — cease to function. Testing and adjusting the closing force is vital to the safety of the garage door.

There are some steps to figure out the closing force for your garage door opener.

Open the garage door, using the garage door opener.

Close the garage door while holding onto the door handle. The garage door should reverse direction when you apply force to the handle with your hand.

Place a stepladder under the back of the garage door opener’s motor. Climb the ladder. Pull the plastic shroud off the back of the opener and set it aside.

Locate the force-adjustment screw. Turn the screw clockwise one-quarter turn to increase the amount of force required to reverse the door’s direction. Alternatively, turn the screw counterclockwise one-quarter turn to decrease the amount of force required to reverse the door direction. Open and close the garage door. Continue adjusting the closing force until it reverses without excessive force.

Close the garage door. Inspect the rubber seal on the door’s bottom edge. The seal should be slightly compressed and no light should be visible between the bottom of the seal and the garage floor.

Turn the travel adjustment screw — for the closed position — clockwise one-quarter turn to increase the downward travel of the door. Alternatively, turn the screw counterclockwise one-quarter turn to decrease the amount of downward door travel.

Replace the plastic shroud when the garage door operates correctly.

When to use a Wooden Versus a Steel Garage Door

November 16, 2015 by secure4sure

When it comes to replacing or installing a garage door, there are several options to consider. One of the biggest decisions homeowners are faced with when selecting a new garage door is which material will best fit their needs. Wood and steel garage doors are typically the two popular options and there are pros and cons for each. Garage doors are an investment and you want to be sure you are happy with your choice for years to come.

Wood Garage Door Overview

Wood has long been used to build garage doors, and it remains one of the most popular materials, despite the emergence of alternatives such as metal and fiberglass. Wooden garage doors are very common in high-end homes because the look is elegant and refined.

Wooden garage doors are often custom or semi-custom built, meaning they’re not mass-produced in a factory. They can be designed to perfectly match the look and feel of your home. Opt for real wood, or choose a composite variety that mimics real wood but requires less maintenance.

How Much Do Wood Garage Doors Cost?

Factory-built wooden doors start at about $500 to $600, not including installation, while semi-custom doors cost about $1,500 to $3,000. Custom-built wooden doors start at about $3,000 but can easily reach $10,000 or more.

Wood Garage Doors Pros

Attractive – Wooden garage doors are widely considered more elegant and luxurious. They look more expensive (largely because they are more expensive).
Customizable – With wooden garage doors, the style possibilities are almost endless. Choose from a wide variety of looks, designs and colors. They’re available in standard and non-standard sizes, too.
Won’t dent – Wooden doors won’t dent the way steel doors do. A wooden door is less likely to be damaged if you run into it with the lawn mower or one of the neighborhood kids hits it with a baseball.

Wood Garage Doors Cons

More expensive – Wooden garage doors are pricier than steel doors. The materials are more expensive, and the fact that they are usually custom or semi-custom built also drives up the price.
Require more maintenance – Wood can warp, rot or chip without proper maintenance. At a minimum, you’ll need to sand and stain or repaint wooden garage doors every few years. Excessive moisture and pests such as termites can also lead to damage.

Metal Garage Door Overview

There are several types of metal garage doors, including steel, aluminum and iron. Steel garage doors are by far the most common — this is what most people are talking about when they refer to metal doors.

Steel doors are usually factory-built, meaning they come preassembled. Because of this, the color, design and size options are limited. You won’t find steel garage doors in non-standard sizes.

How Much Do Metal Garage Doors Cost?

Steel garage doors usually sell for anywhere from $400 to $1,200, not including installation. Very basic doors with no windows fall on the low end of that range, while fancier varieties with windows and decorative features fall on the high end. The highest-quality steel doors go for as much as $1,500.

Metal Garage Doors Pros

Affordable – Steel garage doors are far less expensive than wooden doors. They’re a great option if you’re on a tight budget.
Easier to maintain – You’ll never have to sand, stain or paint metal garage doors. Simply power wash them from time to time to keep them clean.
Lighter – Steel garage doors are much lighter in weight than wood doors. They’re easier to install, and they’re easier to open if you don’t have an automatic garage door opener or if the automatic opener breaks.

Metal Garage Doors Cons

Prone to rust – Steel garage doors are likely to rust over time. If you live in an extremely moist or coastal climate, they’re probably not the best choice.
Prone to dents – Steel garage doors are much more susceptible to dents and dings.
Fewer design options – Because steel doors are factory built, the size, design and color options or limited. You won’t be able to customize the garage door to match the style of your home.

Having a wooden door will dramatically improve the curb appeal of your home. A wood garage door can increase the property value of your home as well. On the other hand, since wood garage doors tend to be on the higher end of the price range, there are now many steel doors that mimic the look of a wooden door that you could also consider if budget is a concern for you.

From an investment standpoint you really can’t beat steel, but when it comes to overall looks, you have to go with wood while you can fabricate the look of wood with faux wood or Steel Clopay carriage style doors, a metal door isn’t going to look as elegant and refined as its wooden counterpart. Steel may have the advantage in maintenance, but you can’t beat wood when it comes to style. But finally choice is yours!

Why You Should Oil Your Garage Door Tracks Annually

November 5, 2015 by secure4sure

Oiling the garage door tracks is important because it don’t let the doors to make noise, stops rusting , keeps your garage door rolling smoothly and maintain their real state .

How to Lubricate Springs on Garage Doors:

Keep your garage door rolling smoothly with regular maintenance. The sound of squeaking, squealing, grinding garage doors is annoying, but the sound is a significant sign to a homeowner that the springs maneuvering the action of the garage door require immediate attention. Providing a twice-yearly maintenance routine for garage door springs, whether torsion or extension, addresses problems due to normal wear and tear from the repeated up-and-down motion, checks for any negative affects of seasonal and inclement weather and allows early detection of a defect in the mechanism itself.

What You Need to Know:

Most of the items necessary to lubricate your garage door springs are regular household items, like cotton rags, mild detergent, and lubricating oil (such as WD-40). It’s also helpful to have the owner’s manual to your garage door, if you can locate it.

Lubricating Garage Door Springs:

Step 1:

Apply a thin line of lubricating oil across the top of the torsion springs from one end of the spring to the other. Allow the oil to coat the outside of the springs and seep down between the seams.

Step 2:

Apply a line of lubricating oil across the length of the extension springs. Allow the oil to penetrate the seams of the springs as well as the cables.

Step 3:

Open and close the garage door two to three times once the oil is applied to allow the lubricant to thoroughly coat the inner portion of the springs.

Step 4:

Continue the maintenance regimen by lubricating all hinges, seams, rollers and pivot points that comprise the moving pieces of a garage-door mechanism.

Step 5:

Clean any built-up grease, grime and debris from within the roller tracks using a cloth dipped in a solution of water and detergent. Consult the owner’s manual for instructions regarding whether oil can or cannot be applied to the tracks for your particular model of garage door.

Tips & Warnings :

Lubricate torsion and extension springs once or twice a year and all other moving parts, including hinges and rollers, an additional three times per year.

When oiling torsion or extension springs, do not attempt to fix or adjust problems found during routine maintenance, as broken or faulty springs are dangerous. Consult a professional garage-door repairman to address issues with faulty springs.

Oil used on rollers made with nylon may cause the nylon to degrade. Oil sprayed into the tracks may cause the rollers to slip. Both degrading material and roller slippage affect the effectiveness of the garage-door mechanism.