So you want to buy a garage garage door repair sonoma county ca and be an expert your first time out. Here are a few tips to aid the process of finding the right door for your home.
Some people break the process of looking for a garage door into very simple terms of trying to find something to fill a large hole in front of their home that looks good and is cost effective. That’s a good start. Cost, appearance and functionality are part of the process, but safety, warranty, adaptability and value should also be part of the mix.
There are a wide range of options out there. You don’t have to buy a white garage door with a lot of squares any more. In fact some manufacturers can give you a door with no squares at all. Pattern and design options are multitude for most major manufacturers.
Most manufacturers have two or three colors, but some offer the flexibility of dozens of factory baked-on colors. What will look best with your home and bring out the features you think are important? Those are the key issues to ask.
Steel garage doors come in embossed, ribbed and flush designs. Garage doors come in steel, copper, glass and aluminum, so there are multiple options to consider. You have more options than just the one door you may be looking at in the showroom. Some manufacturers specialize in customizing your door within a very short time, so lead time for a customized door with the right material and look is another option to consider.
The value of the steel in your garage door is also a major issue. Hi-tensile steel is best in at least 25-gauge for protection from denting. Ensure that you inquire about the gauge of steel used and whether the paint is baked on, or simply sprayed. This will give a very clear picture in a hurry about the quality that went into your potential purchase.
Any garage door can be purchased with optional windows. A myriad of patterns and designs are now available that allow in natural light to liven up the garage. Weigh safety issues in your choice and whether the windows are made of acrylic or glass.
Some manufacturers tout the insulation value of garage doors. Most people question this concern, since the garage in most homes is neither heated nor cooled. If insulation is a concern to you, lightweight polystyrene foam insulation can be added to most doors. Insulated doors will help to reduce the amount of outside temperatures that enters your garage, thus keeping it more comfortable for you. An insulated door is generally quieter and has a more attractive interior than an uninsulated door.
The spring is perhaps the most undervalued part of a garage door initially but makes its value known very quickly. Low-cost doors tend to use extension springs. Make sure an internal safety containment cable is included in case of breakage.
Springs tend to be the first part of the garage door to need service or replacement. Many springs are tested to operate between 5,000 to 10,000 cycles while some manufacturers make a spring that will last up to 30,000 cycles or more. That’s a wide difference in longevity and value when you add it up. Most homeowners use their garage doors up to 3,000 times per-year so a 10,000-cycle spring could break within 3-4 years. Replacement usually costs $150 – $250. Check the manufacturer’s warranty on the spring. Never buy a door with only a one-year warranty on the spring.
