Tag: Garage Door Replacement

Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Try DIY Garage Door Installation

Written by Jeffrey Sanford on January 30, 2019. Posted in Garage Door Services Indianapolis.

t is no secret that we have become self-sufficient thanks to the ease with which everything is available on the internet. With how-to videos for just about every task out there, people are more enabled to accomplish things right at home without needed to pay for a service. For the committed DIY crowd, garage door installation can potentially seem like a project that could be taken on without the help of a professional. Only a licensed, insured, and experienced garage door company should perform garage door installations.

If you are a homeowner considering attempting a garage door installation on your own, reviewing the following reasons will help you to see why it is best to leave this type of job to a trained garage door technician.

Complicated Job

Although you may be handy when it comes to performing minor repairs around the house, a garage door installation can be difficult and overwhelming for anyone who does not possess the proper expertise. Garage door systems are complex, to say the least. They have numerous parts involved, and this can make it easy to spend a lot of time on the job if you do not entirely understand what needs to be done.

Risk of Injury

The risk of injury is high when you attempt garage door installation without the proper training and experience. It’s important to remember that the installation process is physically strenuous and can be dangerous due to the parts that are involved. Garage doors are extremely heavy, typically weighing 700 pounds. Plus, handling the garage door springs improperly can potentially lead to serious injury. Garage door installation is by no means a do-it-yourself job, you need a professional to handle the work to prevent any injuries.

Garage Door Installation Requires Special Tools

In order to properly install a garage door, you need certain tools and equipment. And trust us when we say that you likely do not have the tools needed sitting around in your toolbox, and before you get any ideas, they can also be expensive to buy. The use of these tools also requires a great deal of mechanical ability, as it is not an easy, intuitive process. For example, most garage door installations require the use of a counterbalance spring system, which is needed to lift the garage door.

Creates a Safety Hazard

There is a very good reason why garage door installation is a job that requires intense training, education, and experience. If a garage door is not properly installed, it creates a serious safety hazard for members of your household and anyone who visits your home. If a garage door opener is faulty, it can cause the door to close on someone or fail to reverse, causing injury or death. Similarly, if the garage door is not installed correctly on the track, it can fall down without warning.

While you may feel that DIY garage door installation is a task you can achieve, it simply is not worth the risk and damages. Your garage door needs to be installed right the first time, which is why you should hire a professional garage door company to handle the work.

Helpful Tips to Prevent Winter Damages for Your Garage

Written by Jeffrey Sanford on January 17, 2019. Posted in Garage Door Repair Indianapolis.

Midwest winters are pretty unpredictable. It can seem to be warming up one day, then the next day we are hit with a blanket of snow. During the winter season, we take the extra precautions to rid our driveways, sidewalks, and vehicles of snow and ice, but what about our garage doors?

When the temperatures fall and the snow starts to fall, it can have an adverse effect on your garage door as its operation. At Garage Door Doctor, we have seen many cases where snow and ice lead to costly garage door repairs. Don’t let the winter conditions affect the convenience and operation of your garage door, follow the tips below to avoid garage door repairs.

How Does Snow and Ice Damage Garage Doors?

Protecting your garage from snow and ice is important, especially in Indiana, where winters are often cold and windy, as both can cause issues for your garage door system. Letting snow and ice accumulate around your garage, the following issues are more likely to happen.

Garage door tracks can bend and become misaligned
The weight of your garage door can shift and become imbalanced
Wooden garage doors absorb moisture
Rubber and vinyl may harden and crack
The garage door opener is forced to lift a heavier load

Tips to Avoid Winter Damages For Your Garage

There are some simple things you can do to help ensure that your garage is operating safely through the winter season. Consider trying the following this winter:

Avoid piling snow. Try to keep snow from piling up on your garage doors threshold. Too much snow piled up against your garage door can cause it to dent or have difficulty opening. Plus, the debris in snow can damage the integrity of your garage door threshold, which can mean a lapse in energy efficiency the risk of potential damage to the door.
Remove ice. Ice can cause a serious problem for a garage door. Ice often forms along the threshold of your garage door. When ice accumulates on the threshold, your garage door opener has to work extra hard to pull the door away from the ice. This can cause damage to your door or your opener, so clear away the ice first.
Clear before closing. If your garage door has been opened long enough for snow or ice to develop along the threshold, clear it away before closing. If you close your door on snow and ice, the automatic reverse mechanism may kick in. Or worse, your garage door may close and be stuck.
Get a weather-resistant garage door. Weather-resistant garage doors can withstand the harsh winter conditions. These doors perform better over the long term and help homeowners avoid expensive repairs that come with cheaper alternatives.
Plow carefully. Make sure your plowing service knows to leave some space in front of your garage door. While plowing services are doing their best to do a good job, they aren’t always mindful about the fact that their work and their snow plows could damage your garage door.

Following the above tips will help you avoid garage door damage from ice and snow this winter. Keep in mind, when you need help repairing or maintaining your existing garage door, or choosing a new garage door that can withstand the harsh Midwest winters, contact Garage Door Doctor and our team of experienced technicians.

4 Reasons Why Garage Door Replacement Services Are Worth The Investment

Written by Jeffrey Sanford on November 29, 2018. Posted in Garage Door Services Indianapolis.

Did you know that the average garage door takes up about a third of the front of your home? This means, more likely than not, your garage door is the first thing people see when visiting or passing by. However, with a faulty, worn, or old garage door your home’s curb appeal is negatively impacted. A quality, new garage door, on the other hand, has the opportunity to enhance the curb appeal of your home and increase it’s overall value.

Why A Garage Door Replacement Is A Good Investment

There are many reasons to get a replacement garage door, especially if you have a broken garage door that isn’t operational. The additional space a garage offers can’t be utilized without a way to get in and out easily. If you are wondering whether or not a garage door replacement is a good investment, there are both practical and aesthetic reasons to update the look of your garage. Let’s take a look at four good reasons why you should consider investing in a new garage door.

Enhances Visual Appeal

Garage doors are fairly large, both in size and visual impact. An old, worn, or damaged garage door that is in disrepair can make your home look dated. By choosing a garage door replacement service that installs the most modern garage door solutions, replacing your garage door can transform the curb appeal of your home. Whether you want a steel, wooden, or fiberglass garage doors, a new garage door will certainly enhance the visual appeal of your home.

Increase Home Value

Garage door replacements are one of the best ways to increase the value of a home. According to Remodeling Magazine, a new garage door installation offers the best return. It is not only affordable on the front end, but it offers 98 percent return on investment when factored into the resale value of the home. Unusable, worn, or broken garage doors deter prospective buyers away and suggest that there may be other issues with the home. A garage door that is new, aesthetically pleasing, and opens and closes with ease is a huge plus to house hunters!

Safety

A broken garage door puts safety at risk. They often become unbalanced, which can lead to the garage door falling off its track. Additionally, sensor issues can increase the chances of damage to your vehicles and increase the danger to pets and children. A new garage door system will ensure that your garage has the latest safety features.

Security

Security should be one of the main priorities for your garage, especially if it attaches to your home. Burglaries often occur in homes with the least risk to the burglar, so if your house has signs of easy access, such as a broken garage door, you are more susceptible to having your possessions stolen. Updating your garage door will deter thieves from targeting your home as new garage doors are often more secure than older, faulty ones. Today, many of the garage doors from leading manufacturers actually have built-in security features. With stronger industrial materials, code pad openers, or improved locking systems, your garage is more secure and therefore is much more likely to keep your vehicles and other stored items safe.

In Need of a Replacement Garage Door?

If you have a faulty or broken garage door, the reasons to get a replacement garage door far outweigh the reasons not to. Updating your garage is a great investment and a wonderful way to enhance the curb appeal of your home, increase its value, and make it safer and securer.

If you are in need of garage door replacement services, contact the team of garage door contractors at Garage Door Doctor. To receive a free estimate, contact us!

Helpful Tips For Fall Garage Door Maintenance

Written by Jeffrey Sanford 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.

Businesses That Are Using Commercial Garage Doors

Written by Jeffrey Sanford on October 3, 2018. Posted in Commercial Garage Doors Indianapolis.

Commercial garages can benefit a business in a variety of ways, from providing storage for inventory to providing a space to park company vehicles. Not to mention, many businesses that transport stock typically have a loading dock, which should have a commercial garage door installation for ease of unloading delivery vehicles. The reality is, a commercial garage is a great investment for various types of businesses. In this blog, we’ll explore certain businesses that are using commercial garage doors.

Commercial Garage Doors

Commercial garage doors are quite different from residential garage doors. Instead of only opening once or twice a day, commercial garage door systems are constantly operating throughout the day. This consistent use demands better hardware, a stronger opener, and stronger springs.

Businesses That Are Using Commercial Garage Doors

Many types of business are already experiencing the benefits of quality and reliable commercial garage doors. Here are five examples of the utilization of commercial garage doors:

Auto Body and Repair Shops

One of the most common commercial garage door applications is an auto repair facility. The commercial doors used in auto repair shops are most likely sectional garage doors, as they are more cost effective. Additionally, sectional doors can be insulated to keep the cold out in the winter, and inside during the summer.

Fire Stations

If you have ever driven past a fire department, you may have noticed the large commercial garage doors. The demands of needing to exit their station quickly in case of emergency demand the use of a commercial garage door.

Restaurants

More and more restaurants are adding commercial garage doors to their building to extend their dining room or allow for a nice breeze to be created during the summertime. Glass panel sectional garage doors allow the doors to close when the weather is unpleasant, and open when it is nice outside for patrons to enjoy open-air dining.

Retail Stores

Many retail stores often use loading docks to receive their times. Commercial garage doors are useful in moving goods from delivery trucks to the stock area of retail stores. Roll-up commercial garage doors are commonly used in retail loading dock locations for increased security and durability.

Commercial Garage Door Installation in Indianapolis and Central Indiana

For all of your commercial and residential garage door installation and repair needs, look to the garage door experts at Garage Door Doctor. We can install new commercial garage doors or repair your existing garage door. If you are in need of commercial garage door replacement, we have top-of-the-line doors for your application. To learn more, contact us!

The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Guide For Your Garage

Written by Jeffrey Sanford 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 Jeffrey Sanford 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.

Five Benefits of an Insulated Garage

Written by Jeffrey Sanford on January 4, 2018. Posted in Garage Door Services Indianapolis.

A garage door is an essential piece of your home, as it can have a huge impact in numerous ways. For starters, your garage door is one of the first things people will see when arriving at or passing your home. They say a lot about your home’s design and having a quality garage door can help improve the value of your home.

Most garages aren’t the area of a home where most people choose to spend their time, especially in the winter. Winter weather makes our garages a cold, wet, and unpleasant environment. Yes, they provide great vehicle protection, but that — as well as extra storage area — is what most homeowners use their garages for. T here are multiple ways that you can upgrade your garage to make it a more pleasant and enjoyable environment. One garage upgrade that can be beneficial, is the installation of an insulated garage door. An insulated garage door comes with many benefits, however, if you are unsure if an insulated garage door is right for your garage and home, we are going to review some key benefits that may help make your decision easier!

Five Benefits Of An Insulated Garage Door

As most of the benefits of an insulated garage door are mostly functional and improve our way of life, one great benefit of these garage doors is that they can be found in just about any size, material, and design. You can rest assured that you will be able to find a door that matches your style, and will bring out the aesthetics of your home. Once you choose to hire a professional garage door company to perform insulated garage door installation, you will soon begin to start noticing multiple improvements and benefits. Check out some of the best advantages of having an insulated garage door installed in your garage:

Benefit #1: Added warmth and convenience

Some people do use their garages for more than just vehicle storage as well as storage of other items, like holiday decorations or items we don’t use as often. Some people use their garages as a workshop, a repair garage, or even for arts, crafts, and hobbies. Even if you don’t use your garage often, you still spend more time in it than you think. Think about it, you likely take groceries, items, children, and pets through the garage and into your home on a daily basis. In the winter, especially like the ones we get in the Midwest, garages can become extremely cold and dreadful to be in. However, you can make this buffer area much warmer by taking the necessary steps to avoid losing heat, and an insulated garage door is one of the essential steps.

Benefit #2: Improved energy efficiency

By adding an insulated garage door to your garage, the area will become warmer than it was before. Due to the additional warmth that will be created, an insulated garage door will create a more energy efficient home if the garage is attached to the house. In fact, there are very few people who actually know that garages have different construction regulations than the rest of our home. They are usually one of the worst areas in a home for energy efficiency. This is due to air leakage and air gaps throughout the area. These leaks can allow more cold air to enter your garage and home, which will keep your heating system running constantly to maintain the set temperature. Installing an insulated door will help increase temperatures in your home, saving you energy and money.

Benefit #3: Improved durability

What most homeowners don’t know is that insulated garage doors are often more durable than standard residential garage doors. And believe us, garage doors need to be as durable as possible. Cars, children, pets, bad weather, and equipment are all responsible for causing dents and other imperfections and damages on the surface of your door. Having a damaged garage door can decrease your home’s value and curb appeal. And, it can even cause the door to function improperly. Due to insulated garage doors being made of multiple layers of steel, aluminum, and insulation, they are more durable and are more resistant to common types of garage door damage.

Benefit #4: Increased protection

The most common use of garages for homeowners is the storage and protection of their vehicles. When your car is parked in the garage, you are depending on it to offer your vehicle the protection it needs. During the winter, cold weather can affect your vehicle’s battery life, decrease tire pressure, cause wiring systems to malfunction, and affect the vehicle’s fluids even when parked in a garage. However, as mentioned before, an insulated garage door will add warmth to your garage, keeping your vehicle safe and running properly, reducing the risk of a breakdown.

Benefit #5: Better Noise Reduction

Garage doors and garages openers are notorious for being ignorantly noisy. This can become a problem if you work early or late hours and don’t want to disturb the others in the household. If you’re looking for a solution to this, an insulated door may be the perfect one. The insulation within the garage door works to reduce the vibration along the door, in addition to the noise outside when the garage door is shut. If the sounds your insulated door is making are noticeable, it is important to have a garage repair company come and inspect the lubrication on the hinges, track, springs, and other components of the garage door to look for signs of damage and assure that no repairs are needed.

Looking for insulated garage doors in Indianapolis, IN?

The winter season can bring some bitterly cold temperatures to Indianapolis. If you want to experience the benefits of a residential insulated garage door in Indianapolis, be sure to contact Garage Door Doctor! Why waste time searching Google for ‘garage door services near me’ when you choose the garage door company that Indianapolis and surrounding areas know and trust. Whether you’re building a new garage or are interested in garage door replacement, an insulated garage door is the way to go. The experienced professionals at Garage Door Doctor are ready to provide our customers with great customer service and quality garage door products. To learn more about our insulated garage doors, contact Garage Door Doctor today!

A Guide To Garage Door Openers

Written by Jeffrey Sanford on December 8, 2017. Posted in Garage Door Openers, Garage Door Services Indianapolis.

You may know that garage doors are one of the largest moving objects within a home. It is no doubt that electric garage door openers have been helpful to homeowners since they were first invented in 1926. However, as you can image, garage doors have come a long way since then. Today, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to garages. Doors come in different styles and colors and there are numerous choices for garage door openers.

Garage door openers, however, can be tricky when trying to decide which one is right for your home When trying to decide which opener is right for you, there are three factors that should be considered: maintenance, price and the level of noise. You can find the best residential garage door opener to suit your needs by finding a compromise between those three factors. To help you find out which is best for you, we are going to highlight some of the most common garage door openers available today.

A Guide To Garage Door Openers

Belt driven garage door opener

Belt driven garage door openers are perhaps the most popular residential garage door opener. Belt driven openers brought in new technology that has been seen in garage door openers, and there is no sign of the technology slowing down anytime soon. In fact, it was the belt driven doors that enabled us to wirelessly control our garage door openers from anywhere just by simply using our smartphones or laptops. They also introduced self-adjusting limits, reliable lifetime warranties on major drive components, automatic closing features, and so much more. Belt driven garage door openers feature a reinforced belt that handles the lifting of the door. These belts can be made from a variety of material, like polyurethane, steel-reinforced rubber, and fiberglass.

A main reason that belt driven garage door openers have become so popular is due to the decreased noise. Garage door openers are notorious for being noisy, but the belts allow for a quieter and smoother close. Plus, the belt driven openers have significantly less vibration than other openers. If a living space is adjacent or above your garage, you will not have to worry about belt driven doors disturbing you. Although they are a bit more expensive than other residential garage door openers, they are a great choice for homeowners.

Garage Door Doctor Tip: A belt driven garage door opener will not magically eliminate noise and vibration if you have an older garage door. If noise is a problem with your garage door, we recommend contacting a professional garage door company to inspect your current setup.

Chain driven garage door opener

Chain driven garage door openers are also a popular opener option due to their cheaper components and simpler construction. Chain openers were the original form of garage door openers, but have come a long way since then. Once the garage door opener became a trend, many homeowners began using their garages as much as — if not more than — their front doors. Although they are a simple design, the chain driven openers reliability has kept it around. Because the system uses a metal chain to lift and lower the door, a chain driven opener is the best way to ensure you have the power to easily open and close your garage door, especially if it is a heavier type. On the downside, since this style relies on a chain to push or pull the door along the tracks it tends to be much noisier than other types of openers. These openers are affordable and reliable, but the level of noise make them a better option for detached garages, where the noise won’t be as disturbing.

Screw driven garage door opener

The once popular screw driven garage door opener has already had its prime years. For about 20 years, these openers were the best available option for garage door openers. These were the systems that made the — then new — features so popular, like battery backup systems, safety sensors, and electronic force and limit settings. Instead of pulling the door up, like the chain and belt models do, these openers lift the garage door by the rotation of a threaded metal rod. Screw driven openers have been known to be offer reliability as they contain far less moving parts, which decreases the chances of breaking down. These openers do require some maintenance and care from time to time, but if you meet the maintenance requirements, screw driven openers will last for years. Plus, screw driven openers can generally lift a door twice the speed of a belt or chain opener. As far as noise, these openers are louder than belt garage door opener but much quieter than chain driven ones.

Jackshaft garage door openers

Jackshaft openers have recently gained some popularity and there are plenty of reasons that are making them a more appealing option for residential garage doors. Most garage door openers as we know them are mounted on the garage ceiling. But with jackshaft openers, they are mounted on the call right next to the garage door. Perhaps the biggest advantage of these openers is the increased amount of security. Since the opener is mounted so closely to the door, most models feature a deadbolt that activates automatically when the door is shut. This feature makes it far more difficult for thieves and burglars to enter your home through the garage door. These openers have a motor that drives pulleys and cables to turn the torsion bar and open the garage door. And if you are someone who is tech savvy, these garage doors have some of the most robust on-board computerization. Because jackshaft openers feature some of the latest technology and incorporate a lot of on-board computerization, they tend to be pricier than other styles of residential garage door openers.

Garage Door Doctor Tip: Jackshaft panels are no for single panel doors and can only be used on sectional garage doors. If you are unsure if a jackshaft opener is right for you, contact your local garage door service.

Direct drive garage door openers

Don’t get confused when it comes to direct drive garage openers. Originally, garage door openers that did not feature a chain or belt were separated into the direct drive category. However, in the recent years, a new style of residential garage door openers have launched and claimed the name ‘direct drive’ and is far different than most garage door openers that are available in today’s market. These openers can either feature a chain or a belt, but when compared to a chain driven garage door opener, the direct-drive uses a stationary chain that the motor moves along as opposed to a stationary motor that moves the chain. This unique change makes direct-drive openers extremely quiet during operation. Some customers have even stated that they are quieter than belt driven garage door openers. Plus, these models are very reliable and durable as the only moving part is the motor. Although these openers are more popular overseas, it will not be before long that they fill the shelves at hardware and home improvement stores.

Find Garage Door Opener Installation Service

Now that you know the different types of openers, you’re ready to pick which one is best for your home. One of the most important things when choosing a garage door opener is choosing a professional and reliable garage door opener installation company. Your garage door opener will perform correctly as long as it is installed correctly. Because of this, it important to find a leading garage door company to install your new opener. If you live in Indianapolis or the surrounding areas, there is no better choice for garage door opener installation than Garage Door Doctor! Contact the Indianapolis garage door installation professionals today and set up a free consultation! You can count on us for all of your garage door repair and installation needs.