Tag: Commercial Garage Doors

Can You Paint A Garage Door? What To Know

Written by jsanford on November 1, 2023. Posted in Garage Door. No Comments on Can You Paint A Garage Door? What To Know

If the garage door goes up and comes back down, most people tend to forget about this part of the home. If you live in a community that has a homeowners association, however, someone might take notice of smaller details, such as chipped or faded paint, an unapproved paint color, dents, scratches, or broken windows. Many HOAs encourage garage maintenance, including painting. If you want to avoid violations or fines, though, it’s important to contact a professional garage door company to handle the details for you.

Becoming Familiar With HOA Guidelines

A primary function of an HOA is to create and enforce rules intended to maintain a residential community. Maintaining a community often includes preserving the original architectural and aesthetic theme of the area. The rules help ensure one or even a handful of properties doesn’t stand out too much from the others.

Each HOA is different, so it’s essential to read through your HOA’s handbook and keep a copy close by any time you plan on making changes to the exterior of your property. Many HOAs also require you to receive approval before commencing the work. While your HOA will have unique guidelines, you can usually expect the following regarding garage door painting.

Approved Colors

You may love the idea of a brilliant shade of blue or green to make your garage door pop, but your HOA might not. It’s likely your HOA has provided you with a list of approved paint colors or makes one available on their website, in their office, or even at your neighborhood hardware store. Be sure to share this list with the garage door company you work with so they can help you choose a color or colors that will complement the rest of your home. Choosing from this list will help speed along the HOA approval process and allow you to get started on your specific paint job that much quicker.

If you have your heart set on a shade that you can’t find on your HOA’s approved list, there could still be hope. Some HOAs allow homeowners to deviate from the list but require swatches to be painted so they can get a look at the color on your house before approving or rejecting it. We recommend using these small sample patches even if HOA guidelines aren’t an issue. After all, you want to ensure you really love the color before you’re stuck with it.

Appropriate Designs

Unfortunately, you probably can’t just ask your talented artist friend to paint a beautiful mural on your garage door. Along with paint colors, you’ll want to have a design in mind that you can submit to your HOA for approval. A solid coat covering the entire door is usually simple enough. However, accent colors around the windows, on any hardware, or along the trim could give your HOA reason to pause. Even if all of your colors are on the HOA’s approved list, seek approval of your planned design before taking on any of these intricate details.

Proper Maintenance

The painting might be finished, but your work isn’t done yet. Garage doors require maintenance to keep them running properly and looking great. Your HOA likely wants you to keep your garage door in a presentable condition, but cosmetic damages are bound to occur over time. Make sure you work with a dependable garage door company that can come back to touch up chips or scratches and even repair dents and cover them up with a fresh coat of paint afterward.

Hiring a Dependable Garage Door Company

In the Indianapolis, IN area, Garage Door Doctor can help you sort through HOA guidelines and leave you with a refreshed garage door you’ll love for years to come. A paint job might seem simple enough, but hiring professionals ensures the project is completed right and delivers long-lasting results. This is especially important if an HOA is involved.

Outdoor paint jobs, like garage door painting, aren’t your typical paint jobs. To ensure complete customer satisfaction, our team follows a meticulous painting process.

Prep Work

The prep work may vary depending on your particular garage door type and its condition. Generally, we’ll begin by removing old paint with a wire brush, scraper, and sanding pad. Once we’ve got a clear, smooth base, it’s time to clean the surface of the door with soap and a wet cloth. To ensure everything is removed, we’ll give the door a rinse with a hose or pressure washer.

After the garage door has been cleaned and allowed to dry, the next step is to apply painter’s tape to areas that shouldn’t be painted. With expert hands, our team will tape off the trim, any windows, gaskets, handles, locks, or other hardware. It’s also important to protect the area in front of your door and the inside of your garage, so we’ll lay down drop cloths where necessary.

Primer

To ensure the paint goes on smoothly and lasts as long as possible, we’ll begin with a coat of primer. Using a paintbrush, our team applies the primer to each individual panel, the stiles and rails, and the edges of the garage door. The primer then needs to dry for 12-24 hours before painting can begin.

Painting

Once the primer is dry, we can apply the high-quality (and HOA-approved) exterior paint we’ve helped you choose. Following the same pattern as the primer application, we’ll carefully paint the garage door panels from bottom to top and work our way outward, cleaning up any excess drips as we go. After the first coat of paint has dried, we’ll apply a second coat to make sure there are no missed spots or uneven patches. This may require a 12-hour drying period between coats.

Cleanup

Following an inspection of our work to ensure everything’s completely covered as it should be, we’ll clean up the area. Our team will take the time to remove all painter’s tape, dispose of any drop cloths, and clean up all of their protective gear and equipment. And just like that, you have a garage door that looks better than it did the day it was installed and that’s HOA-compliant!

Call Us Today

Although garage door painting seems straightforward, it’s an easy project to mess up if you don’t have the experience or proper tools. Fortunately, we have the right equipment, know what kinds of paints to use, and can get the job in no time for you, all at an affordable price. We’ll be happy to help you sort through the details of your HOA restrictions as well.

At Garage Door Doctor, we offer a wide range of garage door services. Whether you require maintenance, repairs, an entire door replacement, or door opener services for your residential or commercial garage door, we’re the company to rely on. Contact Garage Door Doctor to learn how we can get your garage door in Indiana looking brand new.

Tips for Choosing the Right Garage Door Style

Written by jsanford on September 13, 2023. Posted in Garage Door. No Comments on Tips for Choosing the Right Garage Door Style

In Indianapolis, your garage door does so much more than protect your garage from the elements. It also helps to protect your home against burglars and offers an additional level of security. Choosing the right style is important because it helps to add curb appeal and the overall appearance of your home. When you are in the market for a new garage door, there are several decisions to make to ensure that you make the best choice. Learning about your options and how to best coordinate them with your home makes this choice a lot easier.

Overhead Garage Doors

This is the most common style for garage doors and there are different types available. These are the type that either lift or roll up when you open them.

The swing type looks like it has two panels. When you open the door, they separate and swing open. They can have decorative hardware and windows to add some more personality. You can also have them look similar to a barn door.

The bifold type has at least four panels. Each of the panels hinge together so that they function similar to a bifold closet door. There are numerous panel options so that you can best match the door to the rest of your home’s exterior.

The trifold type has at least three sections. Each of the sections hinge together. You can opt to have more than three panels to customize the look, but each of these has to be in multiples of three.

The first type of overhead garage door that hit the market was the traditional stile and rail type. There are panel inserts and mortise and tenon joinery to create this type of garage door. You will notice different horizontal rails and vertical stiles to create the overall design of this option.

Non-Overhead Garage Doors

If you prefer a door that opens out or sideways, these types of garage doors are an option. They do not go overhead, so there can be some additional flexibility in the overall style.

The side rolling type opens to one side. This leaves most of the opening free from obstructions, but it takes up a bit more wall space compared to other styles. While they share a lot of similarities with bifold styles, you can automate them more easily.

Barn-style doors either use a slider style or a swing style. There are usually few to no windows and no horizontal rail, and the top section is solid. You can have some windows in this style if you want, but they have to be at the top section and usually have to be rather small.

The true bifold style folds off to either side of the opening after parting in the center. This type is a good choice if you are replacing a wall with a garage door or your existing door is particularly large. You can also customize this door type with decorative hardware and windows.

The gliding and sliding type of garage door works like a traditional barn door. The doors slide to the side on a track. Compared to the opening, the doors will be larger to ensure complete coverage of the opening. The track is twice the door width to ensure they can open fully.

The true swing type use heavy-duty hinges to swing open and then close. There will be one door on either side of the garage opening. You open them outward, so you have to ensure adequate space in the driveway to do this.

Consider the Style of Your Home

The style of your home plays a major role in the garage door style that will look and function the best. Learning more about the most common home styles and which garage doors are the best fit help to narrow down your options.

If you have a colonial home, you might consider wooden garage doors since they fit the classic style. Look at the doors that swing and have two tones for a sophisticated look.

Cape Cod homes tend to work best with composite or wood carriage-style options. Look at garage doors with raised rectangular panels that are symmetrical.

Barn-style doors can work well with a craftsman-style home. You should look for styles that can accommodate windows and recessed panels. You can also get away with garage doors made from glass if your home’s style is modern.

A contemporary home combines well with more minimalist garage door styles. Consider designs that have neutral colors, sleek lines and windows that are a bit off center and vertical. You might also think about glass doors or wooden doors that do not have trim boards.

The mid-century modern home looks good with a garage door that has sleek lines utilizing negative and positive space. Use only a few decorative elements and consider prairie-style windows with no trim on the door panels.

A farmhouse home can benefit from the rustic appearance of barn-style doors. Divided window grilles and buck overlays are also good style elements for this type of home.

A ranch home benefits from a garage door that is elegant and classic. Consider dark finishes and a door with a streamlined design to complement the home.

No trim and vertical panels work well with a Tudor-style home. You can also take advantage of composite and real wood with decorative hardware and small windows.

If your home has a Spanish style, you should look at recessed panels and dark woods. Consider designs that have clean lines and decorative iron elements.

A Victorian home looks good with a real wood door to play to the historical accuracy. You can also get creative with decorative hardware and windows.

Maintaining Your Garage Door

The general recommendation is to have a professional come and perform an inspection on your garage door about once a year. They will examine the door itself and any related components, such as a motor for a power door. If they notice a problem, they can make any repair or replacement recommendations so that you can keep your door operating smoothly.

Whether your garage door is brand new or not, you want to ensure regular maintenance to keep it looking great and working right. There are several tasks that a professional can tackle during a maintenance session. It is important to have a professional do this to ensure proper completion of the maintenance.

There are multiple things they will do to keep your garage door in good condition:

Tighten the hardware
Test the door balance
Clear the tracks
Replace the weatherstripping
Lubricate the moving components
Test the auto reverse
Clean around the door

Professionals usually suggest that you should only use your garage door when necessary. The more you open and close it, the more wear and tear you are putting on the different components.

In Indianapolis, it is important to keep your garage door in good working order. We can help you keep it looking good, as well as functioning properly. Our company focuses on garage doors, so you can rest assured that we keep our focus on this industry. We are family-owned, so we offer the family experience to all of our customers. Whether you need a quick repair or you are ready for a completely new design, we can help.

Contact Garage Door Doctor today to schedule your next inspection and maintenance service.

Preparing For Garage Door Installation Service

Written by jsanford on September 25, 2019. Posted in Garage Door Installation.

Maybe you’ve noticed the signs that indicate you need a garage door replacement or maybe you just want to enhance the look and curb appeal of your home with a new, modern garage door — whatever your reasoning for garage door installation your new door will ready for installation before you know it!

Garage door installation requires a lot of planning. Our technicians need a safe working environment to ensure proper installation and to avoid any setbacks. If we can’t access the garage, objects are in the way, or we have no electrical access, the installation may be delayed.

Preparing For Your Upcoming Garage Door Installation

What can you do to help ensure a smooth professional installation? There are a few simple steps you can take that will make the garage door installation process easier for you and our crew of garage door technicians.

1. Clear Your Garage

The first thing you will want to do to prepare for garage door installation is to clear your garage. In order to properly install a new garage door system, there cannot be any vehicles or obstructions in your garage. It is helpful if you move vehicles out of the garage and to a spot far enough away that still allows us to park our work vehicle near the garage door opening and work around that area without risking any damage to your vehicle.
Additionally, you’ll want to clear any other equipment or objects in your garage that may get in the way. Lawnmowers, sporting equipment, garbage bins, and other items that are near the garage door or the garage door tracks should be moved outside of or to the rear of the garage. As a safety measure, have at least one foot on each side of the garage door track and fourteen feet back into the garage clear. This will ensure there is plenty of room for our technicians to set up a ladder, remove your existing door and opener, and set up and assemble the new door and opener system.

2. Make Sure We Have Access

In order to replace your existing garage door system with a new one, our team will need access to your garage. Therefore, it is important to be present, at least for the beginning of the installation process. Once we have access to your garage, you are free to go about your normal routine, just make sure that you remain reachable in case any questions arise.

3. Keep Your Pets Inside

If you have pets, make sure they have a safe place to stay while the installation is going on. While our garage door contractors enjoy seeing your friendly furry companions, far too often customers let their pets roam free during the installation process. This is dangerous for both your pet and the installation team. It is easy to trip over a pet or drop large objects. Your pet may even find something interesting to chew on that may in fact be dangerous. To avoid these risks, simply make sure you keep your pets inside or in a safe area away from the garage door.

4. Watch Your Kids

Children are often curious about what goes on during a garage door installation, but they need to remain a safe distance away from the garage area. It is not safe for children to be playing or hanging around the garage area during the installation process. Removal of your existing door and the installation of your new garage door includes items under spring tension, heavy items, overhead items, and power tools. This being the case, the only people that should be in the garage or the area of the installation are the trained and experienced garage door contractors.

5. Choose A Spot For Your Wall Console

Typically, wall consoles or keyless entry pads are placed next to the personnel door that enters the garage, on the garage side of the wall. Exterior keyless entry pads are normally installed on the left side exterior jamb of the garage door that is closest to the personnel door into the garage. If you would like a special location for the wall console or keyless entry pad for your garage door system, be sure the garage door contractors are aware of your preferred location

By doing your part to prepare for garage door installation service will make the process go that much more smoothly and efficiently. The garage door contractors on the job will truly appreciate that you took a few moments to follow these simple suggestions.

Request An Estimate For Garage Door Installation

If you are in need of a garage door installation service, you can count on the team at Garage Door Doctor. Our trained and experienced technicians will work promptly and efficiently to replace your existing door and opener system will a new one that will last for years to come. If you would like to receive an estimate, contact us!

Characteristics of Quality Commercial Garage Doors

Written by jsanford on August 19, 2019. Posted in Commercial Garage Doors Indianapolis.

Compared to residential garage doors, commercial garage doors undergo extensive use each day, and therefore are an essential component of your day-to-day operations. Additionally, commercial garage doors are likely to be concealing valuable equipment, products, or high levels of stock. For these reasons alone, it is important that businesses choose a high-quality commercial garage door that will provide years of reliable use and will be effective at securing whatever the garage space is used for.

There are many businesses that are already using commercial garage doors to their advantage If you are a business owner that is considering commercial garage door installation, don’t just pick any door! Be sure to look for the following characteristics that are essential to look for when choosing a commercial garage door system for your business.

Quality Door Material

The material of your commercial garage door is essential if you want it to last. While many cheap garage door materials are attractive to homeowners with a tight budget, commercial garage doors made with cheaper materials are more at risk of damage, security compromises, and other issues you won’t want to have to deal with.

Sturdy Springs & Parts

If your business plans to use the garage every day, you’ll need parts, especially the garage door springs, that will be able to handle the high activity rate. Ideally, the garage door spring and other parts should be made from sturdy materials and designed to withstand more cycles than is required of the garage door. This helps ensure that the parts will last as long if not longer than the lifetime of the commercial garage door, even with heavy, day-to-day use. Of course, a regular commercial garage door maintenance is also important in ensuring this, helping to avoid broken garage door springs and other frustrating problems you would prefer to avoid.

Modern Security Features

With company vehicles, equipment, or stock concealed inside a garage, the security of your garage door is vital. Many of today’s modern garage doors have state-of-the-art security features, making them more difficult to break into compared to older garage door models. Modern security features like remote lockouts and rolling security codes help to keep unauthorized personnel out of your garages.

Improved Safety

Just like security, safety should be a large concern for your commercial garage doors. These doors are significantly large and heavy, which means they can do some serious damage in the event of a fault. Luckily, many modern commercial garage doors have features that help ensure the safety of the users and to prevent damage to surrounding objects. For example, photo-eye sensors and auto-reverse features make sure that an automatically closing garage door will reverse if something is obstructing its path. This ensures that people or cars underneath the garage door will not be crushed.

Added Insulation

A properly insulated garage door is vital both for the comfort of personnel inside the garage and for maintaining the condition of goods inside the garage. Insulated commercial garage doors help keep the weather out and maintain the right temperature inside, which may be especially important for garages storing electrical equipment or temperature-specific goods. When selecting an insulated commercial garage door, choose one with an R-Value of R-9 to R-18. It’s the best investment you’ll make if you’re trying to protect everything in your garage from air and moisture.

When it comes to commercial garage doors, investing a little more money in quality is a smart choice. At Garage Door Doctor, we have a wide selection of high-quality commercial garage doors and commercial garage door openers that give your business the solutions it needs. If you are interested in a commercial garage door, contact us to learn more!

The Benefits Commercial Garage Doors Offer

Written by jsanford on July 26, 2019. Posted in Commercial Garage Doors Indianapolis.

The right garage door is essential for any business that relies on a garage workshop, or a garage space that is used to keep business assets or store goods. Businesses can’t just choose any garage door, they need to choose a high-quality commercial garage door to ensure that their stock, company fleet, and assets remain secure at all times, yet easily accessible by employees and business personal whenever needed.

At Garage Door Doctor, we have a variety of available options when it comes to commercial garage doors in Indianapolis and the surrounding area. We provide business owners with high-quality commercial garage doors that provide total peace of mind and to protect what matters most to their business. Whether your business has one garage or multiple garages that need commercial garage doors, our team can help with installation, repairs, and maintenance to ensure the highest standard. Until then, check out some of the benefits offered by our selection of quality commercial doors and garage door openers.

Easy Access & Unmatched Security

When a garage is a main space for business operations, it needs to be easily accessible, but offer high-level security at the same time. Our selection of commercial garage doors provide these reassurances. Commercial garage doors can be fit precisely to the needs and demands of your space and are available in different designs, such as an overhead sectional garage door or a roll-up commercial garage door. All of our commercial garage doors offer outstanding security and allows quick and easy access for employees.

Allow You To Take Advantage of Your Space

With no inward-opening doors and all the parts and components overhead, businesses can take full advantage of any available space. This can benefit many businesses, especially auto repair shops who regularly service vehicles and need as much room to work in as possible. Not to mention, vehicles can also be transferred in and out of the garage without having to worry about damage to the garage door frames and other fittings.

Creates a Great First Impression

Customers that trust companies that run business from a garage premises often want to ensure they are getting professional service. More so, they also want to assure that any belongings, such as a vehicle, they entrust to that company will be secure. A high-quality commercial garage door not only provides both parties with confidence, but it also creates a positive first impression from the outside. A commercial garage door that is immaculate and well cared for will show that a company cares about its business and its customers.

Protects What’s Most Important

Starting and running a business often involves investing in stock, equipment, and other business assets. Unfortunately, thieves are opportunists and will stop at nothing to get their hands on these items. Business products, assets, and inventory are often a target for burglars, as garage doors have a reputation of being easily compromised. However, don’t be fooled. Our Indianapolis commercial garage doors are the best defense a business can use to protect what matters to them most. For businesses, replacing stolen items through insurance will result in higher insurance payments, so prevention is a much better consideration in the long run and a secure, durable commercial garage door provides just that!

Expertly Installed

One of the most crucial considerations for any business thinking about a new commercial garage door is that they choose the right commercial garage door company. Get this decision wrong and all sorts of problems can be a result, including a door that is difficult to open and close, security issues, and other issues that will have you calling the company back for repairs.

Fortunately, at Garage Door Doctor, we offer some of the best commercial garage doors and openers that the industry has to offer and our technicians are trained to the highest standards. This ensures all doors we install, service, and repair will provide years of reliable use and comes with a workmanship guarantee. No business should leave its productivity, let alone security, to chance. A quality commercial garage door system from Garage Door Doctor gives business owners total peace of mind that everything on the other side of the door is protected day and night.

If you are a business owners operating in Indianapolis and the surrounding area that is looking to keep their business premises secure and operations running smoothly, a commercial garage door from Garage Door Doctor may be the solution you are searching for.

Helpful Tips For Fall Garage Door Maintenance

Written by jsanford on November 15, 2018. Posted in Garage Door Services Indianapolis.

The Midwest is known to have some brutal cold winters, and one of the last things you will want to do when the temperatures drop and the snow starts falling is clean or fix your garage door. That’s why the fall is a great time to finish up any remaining preventive maintenance so you’re not stuck with a faulty garage door system in the winter.

Luckily, we put together four fall garage door maintenance tips to ensure be worry-free as Old Man Winter approaches.

Tip #1: Clean Up

While there is still some sunshine and temperatures are still up in the fifties, make sure to give your garage a good exterior and interior cleaning.

Use a power washes to get rid of any dirt, dust, and debris
Wash the garage floor with soap and water to get rid of any fluids, dirt and debris from the road, or stains that may be building up.

Extra Tip: Make sure that the lenses of your garage door photo eye sensors are clear, free of any dirt, dust, and debris.

Tip #2: Lubricate Moving Parts

As intricate systems of metal moving parts, garage doors need lubrication to work smoothly. The owner’s manual of garage door system should contain detailed lubrication information.

Make sure that the tracks and rollers operate without any issues.
Ensure that the torsion spring above the door is well lubricated.
Spray all moving parts with a lubricant to help create a quiet, reliable operation.

Tip #3: Check Seals and Weather Stripping

The corners, bottom, and sides of your garage door are most likely to let cold air in during the winter, causing your heating bills to spike when left unattended.

Double check to ensure that your weather stripping and seals are in-tack, not worn out, and show no signs of weathering or cracking.
Consider adding or replacing insulation to your garage door if it’s not already insulated — some new garage doors even come insulated.

Tip #4: Inspect The Track For Dents

It is common for garage door tracks to be damaged over time, especially after repetitive use. Before the winter season, do your due diligence to make sure that the track is in good condition.

Thoroughly inspect the track in search of nicks, dents, and other damages.
Ensure that the rack is clear and that the door is running smoothly along the rails as it should.

Get Professional Garage Door Preventive Maintenance

The tips above are just a few ways to ensure your garage door is ready for the upcoming weather, however, you cannot go wrong with professional maintenance from the experts at Garage Door Doctor. Contact us to learn more.

The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Guide For Your Garage

Written by jsanford on April 13, 2018. Posted in Garage Door Services Indianapolis, Garage Doors Indianapolis.

Now that the cold winter conditions are behind us and spring is finally here, many people have already begun their spring cleaning routine. From washing kitchen floors, vacuuming and dusting the bedroom, to reorganizing the living room — there are several tasks to knock out that will help revitalize the look of a home and feel of a home. However, amidst all of the areas in a home that are included in a spring cleaning routine, there is one area that is often overlooked or skipped.

Garages and the extra space they offer is a great addition to any home. However, the use of garages has developed into something more than just their intended purpose of housing cars. Many homeowners use their garages to store a variety of items and belongings. From old clothing, furniture, and appliances to out-of-season holiday decorations, there is no guessing what you may come across in a garage. If you are like most homeowners, your garage can certainly act as a “catch-all” for just about any item you can think of. Before you know it, garages can become a cluttered, unorganized mess. Sometimes, garages can become so cluttered that there is no longer any room to park a car. Plus, with the nasty conditions we had this winter it is likely that salt, water, mud, and debris was transferred into your garage. This makes the spring an ideal time to clean a garage and get it ready for summer!

Spring Cleaning Tips For A Garage

Cleaning a filthy and cluttered garage can be a daunting task, but it should not be left out of your spring cleaning routine. To assist homeowners, we put together some helpful tips to quickly declutter, clean and organize a garage this spring-cleaning-season.

1. Create a plan and set goals

Before starting any big home cleaning project it is important to first establish a course of action before tackling tasks. Simply putting garage cleaning on your spring cleaning to-do will not always be enough. Before you start cleaning out your garage, take a moment to analyze the area to get a good idea of what needs to be done. Create a checklist of certain tasks you want to accomplish and things you may want to get rid of. If you really want to be motivated, try setting some goals. Maybe those goals are fitting two vehicles inside instead, or creating enough space to install new garage cabinets. Creating a detailed cleaning plan and setting specific goals will help you get a better understand of what you want to accomplish.

2. Set aside enough time

Depending on how cluttered and messy your garage is, it is unlikely that you will be able to fully clean it in a few hours. Most garage cleaning projects can be knocked out in a weekend, or back-to-back days. Be sure to set aside enough time to sort, clean, and organize items and areas in your garage. If you want to make the cleaning process go by faster, consider asking a friend or family member for help! Be sure to provide them with food and drinks for helping you with a less than glamorous task!

3. Take everything out

In order to effectively clean and tidy up a garage, it is usually easier and less overwhelming to remove everything from inside of the garage to start the cleaning process. While this may seem like an exhausting and time-consuming task, it is ultimately worth doing if you want to have a tidy garage this spring and summer. The more you take out, the easier it will be to give your garage a top-to-bottom cleaning. Try to take out as much as you can — vehicles and all. If the weather allows, you can place the items from your garage in the driveway or yard. When removing items from your garage, take the time to group them five different categories: keep, sell, trash, donate, and recycle.

4. Don’t be afraid to let go

When sorting through the items and placing them into different categories, don’t be afraid to add things to the “sell” and “trash” piles. Many people choose to hang on to certain items and belongings due to the fear of potentially needing it in the future. If you come across items you are unsure about, consider whether you will be using the item again in the near future, and whether or not it’s worth the occupied space and extra clutter. When you clean out your garage and throw away unwanted or unnecessary items along the way, it will be much easier to decide whether an item is worth keeping or selling.

5. Start cleaning

Once the garage is finally free of vehicles, items, and other clutter you can start cleaning the areas that would otherwise be hard to reach, such as the walls, floor, and garage door. These areas of the garage tend to be very filthy, especially after the winter. Although most homeowners don’t spend too much time in their garages, cleaning these main areas will help your garage look more appealing and comfortable. Follow these steps to give your garage a tidier look.

The walls

Over time, garage walls can become covered with dirt. This can be an eyesore, especially with white walls. Before scrubbing down the walls, first use a vacuum cleaner with a hose to remove any cobwebs or layers of dust that is calcified to the wall. Next, use a bucket of water with a mild detergent to start washing the walls. To quickly clean your walls, begin at the bottom of the walls, working your way to the top in horizontal layers. After reaching the top, lightly wipe away excess water to avoid streaks and stains.

The floors

The garage floor is likely covered with stains and debris, especially after the winter season. Start cleaning your floors by sweeping them, ensuring to remove as much dirt and debris as possible. Then using a garden hose and cleaning detergent, wash and scrub the flooring. Once that is done, finish by rinsing. If you garage does not have a floor drain, be sure to remove and dry any excess water remaining. If unsightly stains remain, consider hiring a garage floor coating service.

The garage door

Start by using a broom or brush to rid your garage doors of any loose dirt or debris. With the garage door close, spray the outside of the door with a garden hose to do a majority of the cleaning. After, use soapy water and a sponge to wipe both sides of the door down. Give extra attention to any stains that require it. Once the door is dry, be sure to quickly inspect areas that may need garage door maintenance or repair. Be sure to wipe the photo eye sensor lenses to ensure dust and debris isn’t getting in the way. Lubricate rollers, chains, and other parts as necessary.

6. Determine the best layout

Now that your garage is clean and tidy, it’s time to find a home for the items and belongings in the “keep” pile. If there are items that you frequently use in the garage, such as a fridge or recycle bin, be sure to place it near the door for easy access. To ensure you have enough room for vehicles, park them inside the garage and start transferring items neatly into organized areas or spaces.

7. Create extra storage space

One of the reasons garages become so cluttered is because there is not enough space to store items. However, there are many simple storage solutions to create more space in your garage. Consider installing garage cabinets and shelves, hang your tools on a pegboard. Taking things off of the floor and putting them into shelves and cabinets will clear up more space for other items and appliances.

8. Schedule garage door maintenance

The winter can take a toll on a garage door and the garage door opener. It is recommended that garage doors receive yearly routine service to keep it running smoothly. And now that you have a clean garage, it is the perfect time to schedule a garage door inspection with a professional garage door repair company. Scheduling routine maintenance with a garage door service company will make sure that your door is correctly balanced and aligned, properly lubricating rollers, hinges, and other necessary parts, and ensure that there is no visible wear or damage.

9. Prevent future clutter

Once your garage spring cleaning is finished,, you will want to make sure that all of your hard work pays off by maintaining its tidiness and organization. Do your best from allowing clutter to reclaim the space in your garage. Use the cabinets and storage shelves to keep clutter off of the garage floor. Be sure to sweep and hose down the garage floor to keep it free of dirt and debris.

Hopefully, these tips will help you with your spring cleaning routine and a cleaner, more appealing garage. Be sure to remember this blog to repeat the same routine next spring, for a clutter-free garage all year-round!

Need service for your Indianapolis Garage Door?

Now that the temperatures in Indianapolis are looking more and more promising, this is the perfect time to start spring cleaning your home and garage. When you finishing your cleaning routine it is best to have a garage door service come out and inspect it to ensure it is operating properly. When you need garage door service in Indianapolis, IN and the surrounding areas, you can rely on Garage Door Doctor! Whether you are in need of garage door replacement, repair, maintenance, routine service, or garage door installation — whatever your needs are, the experts at Garage Door Doctor can help. Request Indianapolis garage door service today!

Choosing The Right Residential Garage Door

Written by jsanford on February 6, 2018. Posted in Garage Doors Indianapolis.

For many homeowners, garage doors are an important part of their lives. In fact, many potential buyers have garages on their checklist of wants and desires they are looking for while shopping the real estate market. And, for those who are putting their home for sale on the market, most homeowners realize that garages and garage doors are an essential factor in a home’s curb appeal. Of course, the exterior finishing and landscaping materials can surely make a difference, but a garage door is a huge factor due to taking up a large portion of a home’s exterior.

Because garage doors play such an important role in the security of our homes, curb appeal, and home accessibility, choosing the best garage door for your home can be difficult. With the variety of styles, colors, and materials continuously growing more varied to meet customer demands, choosing a residential garage door has never been more challenging for homeowners. That is why we decided to put together this guide on how to choose the right residential garage door.

If you are someone who is the market for garage doors but constantly are asking yourself, “Which garage door should I buy?”, then this guide is a great starting point!

Importance of choosing the right garage door

Before we dive into the core details, we thought it would be best to go over some of the reasons why making the right garage door choice is so important. As mentioned above, garage doors can increase the value of a home. In fact, garage doors are one of the most eye-catching and appealing home improvement projects for potential buyers. And, according to the National Association of Realtors, a garage door improvement project comes with an estimated project recovery value of 87 percent. Even if you aren’t planning to sell your home anytime soon, a new garage door is still a great investment for homeowners, especially if their current door is malfunctioning, outdated, or broken.

Choosing the right garage door is important due to the various ways a garage door actually impacts our lives at home. Think about it, garages are the largest area of a home, meaning a garage door is likely the main focal point for people driving by, which is why choosing a door with the right design is important. Additionally, being such a large surface, a garage door has a significant effect on the insulation of homes. If insulation and heating and cooling costs are a concern, it may be best to choose an insulated garage door. Another concern is safety — due to the size and location of a garage door, many thieves and burglars will target garages. However, newer garage doors are much better at hampering intruders. And lastly, choosing a garage door that is safe is important to ensure that accidental injuries are avoided.

How to decide what’s the optimal garage door for your home

Now that you know why choosing the right garage door is important for homeowners, it’s time to move on to how homeowners decide what the optimal garage door is for their home is. A good start in deciding is for homeowners to consider what type of statement they want their garage door to make. For example, homes that have gray or beige exteriors will look tidy and aesthetically pleasing with the addition of a white door. In contrast, homes that are white should feature a garage door in a color that helps create color contrast and dimension. Additionally, there are many different types of garage doors to choose from, some better complementing homes than others. Check out a brief overview of the three common garage door options so you can choose which door is right for your home!

Aluminium garage door

Aluminum garage doors look great with contemporary homes. Although aluminum is a lighter material of steel, these garage doors are dent resistant and hold up well during all four seasons.

Benefits of aluminum garage doors

Lightweight and easy to install
Less strain on torsion spring, garage door opener, and other parts
Comes in a variety of styles, can be embossed, and is paintable

Steel garage door

Steel garage doors are a top choice for many homeowners. And the best part, steel doors can be manufactured to look like wood!

benefits of steel garage doors

Extremely durable
Available in a variety of styles and colors
More affordable than other materials

Fiberglass garage door

Fiberglass doors are a great alternative option for homeowners looking for durability, but not a steel garage door. Like some steel doors, fiberglass doors can be manufactured to closely resemble wooden garage doors.

benefits of fiberglass garage doors

Perform better in harsh environments
Can be less expensive than other materials
Available in many styles, colors and wood-like finishes.

Steps to choose a new garage door

As mentioned, purchasing a garage door can be a daunting task for many people. While knowing the different types of garage door materials will help with the decision, there are still many questions that homeowners need to answer before pulling the trigger on a new door. To make sense of it all and find the garage door that best fits your home, follow these simple steps.

Step #1: Understand options

As you saw above, there are a variety of materials, styles, and colors of residential garage doors that are available for homes. It is important to have an idea of which brand of garage door you want, the impact the garage will have on curb appeal, the style options and material choices available, which features are important, insulation benefits, and even the budget you are willing to invest into a new door.

Step #2: Determine Materials

Perhaps the most important factor of garage door selection is choosing the material. As mentioned above, there are multiple garage door materials that can be used for residential applications. All doors are not the same, and each material of garage doors has its advantages and disadvantages.

Step #3: Decide on insulation

If you have an attached garage or a garage that is adjacent to any kind of living space, like a kitchen or bedroom, it may be a good idea to choose a garage door that is insulated. Insulated garage doors will help those rooms remain comfortable, even when you live in a climate with harsh winters or summers. Plus, insulated doors are often much quieter.

Step #4: Think about the future

A garage door selection is one that should last and remain appealing for many years. You’ll want to consider choosing a garage door that is durable, able to withstand harsh weather conditions, long-lasting, and won’t require much maintenance or repair.

Step #5: Hire a garage door installation company

Once you’ve done your research and have determined, and decided on, specific factors, you are ready to find a local garage door company that specializes in garage door installation.
They will be able to provide you with expert advice and garage door services, leaving you with a beautiful, appealing garage door.

We hope that this brief guide will make choosing a residential garage door for your home much easier. A garage door is a big investment and choosing the right one for your home is essential to its security, curb appeal, energy-efficiency, and many other factors!

Looking for Marion County garage door installation?

If you are thinking about buying a new garage door in Indianapolis, or in other Marion County areas, there is not a garage door company that is trusted more than Garage Door Doctor! For many years, our team of experts has been providing Indianapolis with garage door repair, maintenance, and installation services. We are proud to install Haas Garage Doors, including the Haas American Tradition Series, in homes throughout Indiana. Our team of trained professionals can provide timely service for all garage doors! We are ready to help you select the perfect garage door for your home, like the Haas Model 360. And, we can even help develop your customized Haas garage door for your Indianapolis home. To learn more about our garage doors, or for help choosing the right garage door for your home, contact the team at Garage Door Doctor.

What to Consider When Choosing a Commercial Garage Door

Written by jsanford on January 30, 2018. Posted in Commercial Garage Doors Indianapolis.

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]If you have been following our blogs recently, you are likely aware of how important garages and garage doors are to homes. However, just as garages are important to residential buildings, they also are important for many commercial buildings. A business may use a garage for storing their inventory, protecting company cars, and some even use garages for extra work space! With all the benefits that a garage can bring to some businesses, it is important to ensure that the right garage door is used. Depending on the company and their business operations, choosing a quality commercial garage door is important.

Businesses that utilize garages need garage doors that are reliable and will offer protection or the business could end up suffering. For example, imagine missing a high-priority shipment because your business couldn’t get your product out of storage. In addition to being a danger to business operations, a faulty commercial garage door is likely to break or malfunction, causing costly damages, repairs, and even liabilities. Plus, another important consideration when selecting a commercial garage door is security. If a business’s garage door is old, flimsy, and has efficient locking mechanisms, there is really nothing preventing thieves from getting in and accessing a business’s property. No business owner wants to find inventory missing because a criminal gained access to a business through the garage. In addition, businesses may be attracted to budget-friendly garage doors. While this may save companies money initially, the costs of constant repairs and inconveniences make budget commercial garage doors not a very good bargain at all.

For businesses in Indiana who need commercial garage doors in Indianapolis — or the surrounding areas — they need to call a reliable garage door company that specializes in commercial garage doors; they need to call Garage Door Doctor! At Garage Door Doctor, we offer quality commercial garage doors that will not break a business’s budget and will not require as many repairs as a cheap garage door might. Whether you need a commercial garage door for commercial, warehouse, or industrial applications, Garage Door Doctor is the choice to make for commercial garage door installation. And because choosing a commercial garage door is important, we are going to go over some things for business owners to consider when choosing a garage door for their business.

What to consider when choosing a commercial garage door

As mentioned, different types of businesses require commercial garage doors for a variety of different purposed. Firefighters need them for truck storage and quick exiting, while retail stores may need them for their loading docks. Due to the different uses of commercial garage doors, they are designed to serve various industry-specific needs. However, with so many types of doors and features to select from it can be hard to pinpoint which commercial garage door is best for your company. When you are thinking about purchasing a commercial garage door for your business, consider the following questions to ensure you are fully prepared to select the best door.

What is the budget?

Companies should first determine what their budget is. As a business owner, you should ensure that a sufficient amount of research is done and that you are aware that the more durable and high-speed a commercial garage door is, the more expensive it will likely be. However, garage doors are a big investment and companies will want to choose the best possible option.

Do aesthetics matter?

For most uses of commercial garage doors, appearance isn’t usually a deciding factor. However, commercial garage doors are becoming more of a trend in modern restaurants and offices to add aesthetics to their current layout. It is important to determine how important the type, color, and texture of a commercial garage door will be to your business.

How often will the door be used?

It is not only important to consider what type of door you want, but also what kind of commercial garage door you need. If your business is a fast-paced work environment and the door will be used multiple times throughout the day, you’ll want to choose a door that is high-performing, fast, and reliable.

Is there an opening size requirement?

Of course, businesses will want to make sure they choose a commercial garage door that will fit the height and width requirements of their building. It is important to consider headroom and other structural accommodations that may need to be made.

Do you need a door with windows?

For some companies, having windows on a commercial garage door is not necessarily a high-priority. However, for some businesses, having a commercial garage door with windows can add style and value, as windows can act as a promotional display. For example, large, full view, aluminum doors are great for fire stations, auto dealers, modern restaurants, and leisure spaces — perfect for utilizing dual-side viewing and natural lighting.

Are break-ins a concern?

Depending on the industry your business is in, and the area of the building’s location, it is essential to consider the security risks your business may face.While most commercial garage doors are designed with standard security features, businesses who are vulnerable to break-ins may want to consider a door with a better security rating.

Does the door need to be insulated?

Depending on what a business’s garage is used for, temperature regulations may be required for employees or inventory, and buying an insulated door is a great choice. In addition, thermal garage doors will help businesses conserve energy as inside temperatures are less likely to escape.

Are you purchasing the door from a reputable company?

It is important to ensure that your commercial garage door installation is being done by a fully trained, certified, and professional garage door service. With commercial garage doors weighing so much, experience is always necessary.

Do you have a garage door repair plan?

It’s one thing to have a commercial garage door installed, but as a business owner, you’ll want to establish a maintenance and repair plan. It doesn’t matter how durable or high-performing a commercial garage door may be, friction, tampering, and wear can cause a garage door to become vulnerable. Planned garage door maintenance and repairs/ can ensure that a business’s operations are safer and more efficient.

Call Garage Door Doctor

For businesses that need a commercial garage door in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas, Garage Door Doctor Can help you select the best commercial garage door for your business. We have been providing businesses throughout Indianapolis and the surrounding areas with professional garage door services. To receive further information, or to receive a free commercial garage door quote, contact our team today!

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Preparing Your Garage For Winter

Written by jsanford on October 4, 2017. Posted in Garage Doors Indianapolis.

Autumn has officially begun! The leaves are changing, the temperature is cooling down, and our weekends may be filled with football. While fall is a fun and exciting time of the year it won’t be long before it is over. That’s right, the winter season is right around the corner. If you live in the Midwest, you know that winters can be unpredictable. Without warning, a random foot of snow can easily ruin your plans by making you stay inside due to the tundra-like conditions.

As winter creeps closer, homeowners will begin preparing their home to withstand the cold, snow, and wind that accompanies the lengthy season. While homeowners spend all this time and money getting their homes ready for the upcoming cold, they often forget to get their garages ready, too.

Winter Preparation For Garages

Yes, you read that right. Maybe you have never heard of getting your garage ready for winter, but the truth is, this space needs as much care as the rest of your home and property. While most homeowners don’t spend their spare time in their garage, especially in the winter, there are several things you can do to make your garage a more comfortable space and ensure that it is in great condition when Spring arrives.Check out a few tips for getting your garage ready for winter.

Garage Door Maintenance

Most people aren’t concerned with their garage door openers until it stops working. And, the last thing you want is for your opener to stop working in the middle of a snowstorm, leaving you stranded in the cold. Before it gets too cold, perform a quick inspection of your garage door opener. Check to ensure the following:

The track is clean and lubricated properly
The springs show no signs of wear, rust or damage
The automatic reversal system works efficiently

Unless you really know what you’re doing, you should only perform a visual evaluation of your garage door and opener. The adjustment of springs, repair, and the replacement of a garage should be left to a professional garage door service.

Keep the cold out

Keeping outside air out of your garage is important, especially during the winter. If you have an older garage, there is a good chance there is nothing stopping the cold air from getting in. And, if you have an attached garage, the cold air could be constantly altering the temperature of your home, causing energy bills to skyrocket. Before the cold arrives, be sure to check your garage door’s seals to ensure there are no tears or other signs of damage. If they aren’t already, consider weather-stripping and caulking the windows and entry doors within your garage.

You can also replace your old garage door with a new, insulated one. An insulated garage door will help create a more comfortable and energy efficient garage. Insulation will keep the warm air from escaping, and the cool air from entering. These doors also offer quieter operation as well as increased durability.

Waterproof Flooring

As we mentioned, winters are unpredictable and can bring unplanned accidents. A harsh winter can cause snow and ice to build up outside of your garage, and when the snow or ice melts, the water could end up entering your garage causing a flood. To be safe, you can waterproof the floor of your garage. While waterproofing won’t stop floods from happening, it will help mitigate some of the damages caused. Plus, when the snow and ice on your car melts in the garage, you can rest assured knowing it won’t cause any damages.

Heat things up

While an insulated door will help keep the heat in and the cold air out, if you really want to keep warm from the frosty Midwest winter, you may want to consider adding a heater to your garage. If you solely use your garage for vehicle and clutter storage, then heating might not be a worthwhile investment. However, if you use your garage as a family space, workout room, or man cave a heater might be a nice addition as it will maintain a comfortable and stable temperature.

Professional Garage Service Indianapolis

If you live in Indianapolis or the surrounding areas, you know that our winters are not very pleasant. Be sure you start getting your home and garage ready for the cold. If you want to schedule garage door maintenance, contact the professionals at Garage Door Doctor. Our team specializes in the repair, installation, and maintenance of residential and commercial garage doors. We also carry and install reliable, insulated garage doors that will help keep your garage warm this winter season. For more information, or to receive a free consultation, contact Garage Door Doctor today!