Garage doors are an essential part of our homes. They provide us with security and enhance our home’s aesthetics. However, most of us don’t know much about their mechanics.
Garage doors are available in a variety of styles. Each has its own look. Steel and vinyl doors have a traditional look while wood and full-view aluminum offer a sleek aesthetic. Visit https://patriotgaragedoorok.com/ to learn more.
The garage door has come a long way since its beginnings. When the automobile first started to become commonplace, people needed a place to keep their vehicles safe and sheltered when they weren’t in use. In the early days, cars were kept in repurposed carriage houses with large wooden doors that opened outward. However, as cars became more affordable and popular, these types of structures were quickly overcrowded. In addition, keeping cars in repurposed carriage houses didn’t do them any favors as they smelled like the horses and other domestic animals that were also stored there.
To address these concerns, people began to build their own private garages in their homes. These garages were similar to outbuildings with 2 large, heavy doors that would open up and down manually. These types of doors, referred to as “carriage house” style doors, did not last well over time and were often difficult to operate in winter when snow was present.
Throughout the 1910s and 1920s, as car ownership continued to grow, real estate agents found that properties were less likely to sell if they did not have a garage attached. This lead to the garage industry booming and people began to demand better doors for their garages.
In the early years of garage door manufacturing, companies focused on improving materials and developing functional innovations for their products. For example, some companies created doors that were split into sections that folded around a corner to take up less space when they were open. This allowed garages to be built more compactly and also improved the security of the doors as they were now able to be locked in a safe position.
Materials
The material your garage door is made from has a direct impact on its durability, maintenance requirements and appearance. The most common materials are steel and aluminum. These are sturdy, durable and attractive. They can be painted or gel stained in a wide range of colors to complement the look of your home. They are also easier to maintain than wood doors and offer more design options such as varying insulation levels, window choices and custom overlays.
Faux or wood composite doors are an ideal compromise between the natural beauty of wood and the durability of alternative materials. This material contains recycled wood fibers and a robust resin, making it highly resistant to splitting, warping and rotting. It is also easy to clean and can be sanded down to remove scratches. Wood composite garage doors are also lighter and more energy efficient than real wood doors.
If you’re looking for a more traditional look, a wooden garage door offers the classic aesthetic your home deserves. While they can be more expensive upfront than other types of doors, their natural wood grain patterns provide a unique, customized look that will elevate your property’s curb appeal. However, they may require more frequent resealing and resanding than other materials due to their vulnerability to moisture.
Metal garage doors are affordable, durable and low-maintenance. They’re available in a variety of design styles and are an ideal choice for coastal homes, or for homeowners who want to achieve a modern, sleek look. They’re also a great option for garages in hot or humid climates, because they are designed to withstand high temperatures and humidity.
A newer option is a bifold door, which operates like a set of closet doors that fold back against the sides of your garage opening. These are not as heavy or difficult to operate as swing-out doors, but they can’t open out as far and don’t seal as tightly. Additionally, bifold doors can be prone to snow buildup that may prevent them from fully opening. They’re also not as secure against forced entry as a monolithic, single-panel door.
Design
When it comes to garage doors, design is a key factor that can affect the look and feel of your home. The design of your door should reflect your personal style as well as complement the architecture and character of your home. Garage doors are available in a wide range of styles, materials, and colors to suit any taste. Some garage doors also incorporate features to improve energy efficiency and safety.
Residential garage doors are designed to emphasize curb appeal and seamlessly integrate with home architecture. These are typically offered in a variety of materials and finishes, and many include decorative hardware and window inserts. They can also be customized with paint colors that complement your exterior color scheme.
Commercial garage doors are often built to withstand heavy use and feature security enhancements like reinforced panels and high-grade locking mechanisms. They are also available in a wide range of colors and styles to complement any business’s aesthetic.
Single panel garage doors are less expensive to install and come in a larger selection of designs and materials than sectional doors. They also tend to be more durable than wood doors, and if you choose a steel or vinyl door, you can expect it to resist damage and wear and tear much better than wood.
If durability is your main concern, consider choosing a solid-core garage door. This type of door is made of a sturdy material such as meranti that offers superior strength and resistance to damage. It is also insulated, so it will keep your garage warmer in winter and cooler in summer, which can reduce your energy costs.
While you may think of your garage as a simple barrier to protect your car, many homeowners use their garages as additional living space. Whether you use it as an office, playroom, or hobby room, a new garage door can help you transform your garage into the perfect living space for your needs.
Choosing the right garage door for your home requires careful consideration of climate, maintenance preferences, and energy efficiency. For example, if your garage is located in a wet climate, opt for steel or vinyl doors to protect against rust and corrosion. Wood doors are an ideal choice for a traditional or classic look, while full-view aluminum doors have a sleek, high-end aesthetic.
Safety
Working hand-in-hand with the auto-reverse function, garage door safety sensors are a vitally important component of your garage door. Located within six inches of the ground on each side of your garage door, these sensors will send a signal to reverse the direction of the door if anything blocks its path. This feature is especially crucial if you have children or pets.
There are three common reasons your sensor might be malfunctioning: dirty lenses, misalignment or pinched wires. Using a microfiber cloth and mild cleaner that won’t leave streaks, it should only take a few minutes to clean your sensors. Once you’ve cleaned them, follow this Precision video to check for proper alignment.
Oftentimes, your safety sensors can become misaligned because they’re located so close to the ground and easily bumped by people walking by or objects like garbage cans. Additionally, vibrations as the door opens and closes can knock the sensors out of alignment. To determine if this is the case, first close your garage door manually. Then walk over to each safety sensor and look for a solid green or yellow light. If you see any blinking lights, the sensors are out of alignment and should be realigned.
Pinched wires are another common reason for garage door sensors to fail. If a wire becomes twisted or pinched, it will inhibit the infrared beam that connects the two sensors. This can cause the garage door to stop moving or, in extreme cases, even cause it to crash down on whatever is blocking its path. To fix this, locate the force adjustment screws on your garage door motor back panel and adjust them accordingly. The screw on the left is for the open force and the one on the right is for the down close force.
It’s a good idea to test the safety sensors and auto-reverse function on a regular basis to ensure they are functioning properly. This will not only help keep your home safe, but it’s also a good idea for security purposes because burglars will try to prey on easy targets.
