Hiring a professional saves you time and hassle. They know exactly what needs to be done and how to do it quickly. They also provide a warranty on their services, saving you money in the long run.
Garage doors are heavy, and specific components like springs are under high tension. Tinkering with these parts can lead to severe injuries.
Safety
Garage door accidents cause 20,000 ER visits every year. Children are especially susceptible, and if the closing door hits them it can cause permanent brain damage and death. Fortunately, federal law requires all openers to feature a safety mechanism that will automatically reverse the doors path if something is in it’s way. If yours doesn’t have this feature, it’s time to upgrade.
The photo eye sensors are a critical component of the auto-reverse system, and they need to be clean and aligned for optimal function. In addition, the opener’s force settings and entrapment protection features should be tested in a safe manner each month. You can do this by placing a two-by-four in the track to block the path of the opening door and then testing each of these functions. You can also use a smart home app to assign entry passcodes to family members, guests, and service providers for enhanced security. These apps can also help you keep track of the operation of your garage door from anywhere. You can also choose an insulated steel door to save energy and regulate the temperature in your garage.
Convenience
The latest garage doors have built-in features to make your life easier. These include safety sensors that prevent the door from closing and crushing a vehicle or person. They also allow you to monitor the door through a smartphone app. Other smart features include the ability to assign unique access codes to family members, guests and service personnel.
Garage door manufacturers have software on their websites that allows you to upload a photo of your home and try out different garage door styles. This saves you time and guesswork when shopping.
Most homeowners would prefer to avoid the cost and hassle of installing a new garage door themselves. However, hiring professionals like PDS Garage Doors for installation ensures a quick and easy process. Plus, it’s safer than attempting to wind a spring (which requires special tools and lots of arm strength). You’ll also get warranty coverage and peace of mind
Aesthetics
Garage doors are no longer just functional necessities – they’re prominent features of homes that complement their architectural style and evoke a sense of luxury. However, even the most well-designed garage doors may require occasional maintenance and garage door repairs to ensure they continue to function smoothly. Homeowners are embracing a variety of aesthetic options, including repurposed and sustainable materials like recycled steel and wood composite that offer an eco-conscious solution with enduring beauty.
Modern and contemporary homes feature clean lines and sleek finishes, and work well with door designs that incorporate large windows for a dramatic effect. Doors incorporating glazed aluminum and metal are a popular option for these homes.
Traditional homes are characterized by decorative half-timbering and stucco exteriors, and suit door styles featuring arches that create soft silhouettes. They’re also suited to doors that utilize leaded glass in small windows for an elegant look.
Adding insulation and full-view windows to garage doors increases energy efficiency and offers a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. These upgrades can enhance the architectural integrity of a home and add value to it when reselling it in the future. They’re also great for boosting curb appeal.
Reliability
Whether your garage is attached to a home or serves as a work shed, it should be durable and reliable. It should also provide security and insulation, especially if it’s used as a living space. These features are especially important if you have young children and pets.
A garage door can be made from many different materials, but steel and wood are the most common. You can get insulated or non-insulated doors and a wide range of colors and styles. Insulated models have a Styrofoam or polyurethane core sandwiched between two thin layers of steel (or sometimes vinyl) on the inside and outside of the garage.
One popular style, custom-made roller doors, a roll-up door, has horizontal hinged sections that are rolled up and back along the garage ceiling by a spring-balanced motorized door opener. It’s a good option for limited headroom, but it doesn’t offer as much weatherproofing as other options. One disadvantage of this type is that it’s difficult to open manually and requires more maintenance than other types. You’ll need to lubricate the tracks and springs twice each year
Insurance
Homeowners insurance typically covers garage doors that are damaged from a variety of perils, including fire, wind and natural disasters. However, it’s important to note that these claims are usually subject to a deductible that the insured party must pay out of pocket before receiving any compensation.
Home insurance typically also covers garage doors that are damaged due to a break-in or vandalism. However, it’s important to note, that if the damage occurred due to general wear and tear (which can be easily avoided with regular maintenance) insurance will not cover it as the insurer is expecting the homeowner to take care of these repairs out of their own pocket as they are considered preventable.
It’s also worth noting that garage door repair services provided by companies that carry insurance tend to adhere to higher standards of professionalism and quality. This is because a company that must hold insurance in order to operate often requires a higher level of training and skill. This in turn can result in a more efficient and professional service.