There are two different types of garage doors available to you; tilt-up garage doors and sectional garage doors that roll up. The tilt-up garage door style is comprised of a single panel which pivots out, then up when opened. The sectional roll-up style of garage door is made up of at least four horizontal panels which are hinged together, then mounted along with rollers so that the door can roll straight up, then back. Tilt-up garage doors tend to cost between 25% and 35% less than roll-up versions. Sectional garage doors are still generally preferred because they are both safer and easier to operate. Additionally, only roll-up garage doors can be opened with cars directly parked in front of them. Sectional garage doors fit behind, which allows them to be significantly more resistant to weather, as well as more secure simply because they cannot be pried open. There are a variety of materials used for both types of garage doors, and they can both be created in flush, recessed-panel and raised-panel designs. There are many design options that are also available, including the addition of windows, as well as electronic openers. You can order decorative accent window sections which will add daylight to a garage that would otherwise be dark. There are also options for snap-in frames and single or dual glazing for the window glass. In sectional doors, there is also an option for torsion springs. Extension springs are typically utilized for tilt-up doors which stretch and recoil, and torsion springs which are made up of a shaft spring and a drum assembly are typically much better for doors that are sectional. Torsion springs do a better job of distributing the door's weight evenly, and will not break or fly off in the same way that an extension spring can. Extension springs may be much more inexpensive, but torsion springs are a great deal safer. Today's garage door operators have strong, modern motors and warranties that last a life time. There are always new features available, including photoelectric safety devices, which stop closing doors if a light beam is broken, and transmitters that are small enough to fit onto a keychain. There are also transmitters that only operate based on a personal identification number that is specified by the home owner. Finally, there are remote controls with several buttons that have the capability of operating multiple appliances and lighting fixtures in addition to working the garage door itself. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/383317
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Before buying anything really the first thing to get clear is what you want it for. Does it have to perform certain functions, look a particular way, blend in with other things? In this respect, garage doors are no different to any other significant purchase. So the first thing to do is to ask yourself questions such as the following. How long do the doors have to last before they will require maintenance, repair or replacement? Do they need to match features already present in the rest of the property? Is it important that they can withstand intruders and/or storms? Is insulation or automation crucial? Next it might be a good idea to skip straight to the end of the process - installation. Any reputable garage door installation company will be able to guide you through various options to address your requirements. Also, since you would be very strongly advised to employ the service of professionals when it comes to actually fitting the doors (this can be both a difficult and potentially quite hazardous procedure) you might as well get them on board at an early stage. Probably among the first aspects you may wish to consider are what specific types of garage door to investigate further. As a gross generalisation the choice falls between metal (usually steel) and wood (typically oak or conifers such as cedar and redwood) as a base material for the door panels. But if your requirements are modest and you do not need to (or cannot) spend a lot of money then vinyl or fibreglass doors may suffice. Whether to opt for metal or wood is often a balance between cost (wood garage doors are invariably much more expensive then metal ones) and quality (there is little doubt that wooden garage doors look and wear much better). However, depending on what requirements you have set, you may discover that the choice has effectively been made for you with regard to materials. Wood doors are intrinsically more substantial than metal ones and offer better in-built resilience and insulation as a base option, but this comes at a price. Wooden garage doors are significantly heavier and require stronger opening mechanism, and although they can be reinforced (with internal steel bolts), there is limited scope for extending the amount of protection and insulation available. Steel panels however can easily be fitted with very heavy duty garage door insulation and strengthened to withstand even hurricane force winds. Being significantly lighter, they are also considerably easier (and cheaper) to install and to automate, which is a major consideration if you intend to use your garage doors extensively. Finally, bear in mind that a garage door is not just the door panel; there are all manner of components that hold it in place and allow it be easily opened and closed. These parts can, just like the panels, vary considerably in terms of quality and therefore determine how smoothly the door will operate and how long it will last. When considering the opening mechanism, ask how many cycles (how many times the door can be opened and closed) the parts are rated for. You can usually choose between cheaper parts that may wear out in a few years and more expensive versions that could potentially out live you. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3564730 The garage is a hectic spot in many houses. It's quite frequently used as the primary entry to the home so as to limit the wear and tear over the proper entry. The garage also functions as the storage facility for bikes, sporting goods, tools, and yard equipment. Thus, every member of their household heads throughout there on a fairly regular basis. Automatic garage door openers are excellent tools for obtaining this wonderful area in your property. Here are some safety tips to help keep everybody using your garage sound and safe. Keep Kids Off Never allow modest children operate the garage door. The automated opener isn't a toy and shouldn't be treated like you. The normal garage door is extremely heavy and shuts with substantial force. Together with an mechanical opener, it can lead to significant injuries. If you're buying a brand new automated garage door opener, then this security device ought to be standard. If your present automated door opener doesn't have this security attribute, replace it immediately. Daily Care Even in case you've got a automated door opener equipped with security features, it's crucial to examine them regularly to make sure that everything is functioning correctly. The detectors can get damaged over time. You also wish to start looking for any worn components and irregularities at the purpose of the doorway. If the opener to the doorway of your own garage needs support, contact an experienced technician. Professional Setup It's tempting to put in a brand new door opener or door yourself, however, the procedure can be somewhat overwhelming to the casual do-it-yourselfer. Hire an expert to make sure that your door is in great working condition, correctly counter-weighted, which every one the elements in the automated door opener are secured and installed in line with the manufacturer specifications. Assess before performing any work which may void a warranty. Conclusions With appropriate installation and care, your garage door will supply you with years of dependable (and secure) service. Previously gate automation was considered to be a luxury feature but the same doesn't hold true in the current scheme of things. In fact gate automation or garage door automation has become a relatively affordable option even for the average home owner. One can easily purchase garage door automation kits to install automated garage doors. Prices of such garage door automation kits have come down significantly and therefore even the common man can afford them. You can thus ensure that your premises are absolutely safe from any unwanted intrusion. There are several types of garage door automation kits available in the market. These include worm drive kits and swing gate kits. These are available in different shapes and sizes so that the user can choose one as per their convenience and requirements. This way you can ensure utmost safety and security for your vehicle, especially if you are on a vacation during the holiday season. It is necessary to call in the experts when it comes to the installation of such automated gates using garage door automation kits. There is no denying the fact that it is a specialist's job. Though people might think the installation of the gates is an easy task provided you have the right materials, it is advisable to employ the services of professionals who can take care of the entire installation process. Different types of gates have different installation requirements and garage doors are large and bulky. This makes it all the more difficult to install them. The installation of worm and arm motors is comparatively easier than underground motors. When it comes to the installation of the automation kits, there are a number of steps that need to be followed for proper installation: It is necessary to assemble the straight part initially instead of the curved part. At the time of installation, one should ensure that the two sides of the gates are in perfect alignment with each other. If the alignment is not done properly, then the gates will not operate properly. The installation of the pulley comes next in line. The different parts need to be bolted tightly. The wall panel controller for the gates should be kept out of the reach of children. It is necessary to check the various accessories that come with automation kits before you make your purchase. Everything should be in place, before you begin the installation of the gate. However, installation of the gates is not sufficient and it is necessary that you check them regularly and arrange for any maintenance work if required. Since these are automated gates, they require careful handling and additional attention in case of any damage. You need to call in the experts for any repair or maintenance of automated garage doors. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7347476 Many families use the garage door more than the front door. Armfuls of groceries and the kid's bikes and toys all go in through them. The potential for an accident is high with so much activity swirling around. That is why garage door safety needs to be a priority in every household. The first question homeowners need to ask is how old is the door and opener? If it's over 10 years old is due for an inspection by a qualified specialist. The specialist will test the springs for any weakness, inspect the opener, and track system for any signs of wear and tear. The homeowner should never attempt to adjust the springs or tension devices. The components are under a great deal of tension, and serious injury can occur. Safety is Everyone's Concern As a homeowner, there are tests that can be conducted to test the safety. First off, if it does not have a reversing feature it is recommended that it be replaced. New safety regulations require all new installations have this feature. To test the feature place a block of wood under it as it closes. The door should bump the wood and immediately reverse its self. This feature prevents anyone from being crushed under it. If your door has reversing sensors, the way to test them is to pass something in front of the sensor as it closes. The door should immediately reverse itself. These sensors prevent someone from ducking under the door as it closes, preventing personal injury. It is recommended that sensors be installed if the door does not have them. Sensors can be installed after the initial installation. All garage doors have a manual feature to disengage the door from the tracks if the opener malfunctions, the door can be disengaged and operated manually. Homeowners can use this feature if they feel there may be a problem with the door opener. The button to operate them from inside the garage should be mounted high enough to prevent small children from operating it. Five foot up from floor level is the recommended height for most situations. Make sure the door opener button is not mounted near steps where children can use the steps to access the button. The button to operate the door should be within sight of the garage door. It is important anyone operating the door is able to see if any pets or children are playing near the door. To insure garage door safety do not leave the garage door remote where children have access. Many homeowners have a keypad installed doing away with the need for a remote control. Homeowners should properly secure remote controls that are no longer needed. Homeowners need to remember that the garage door is the biggest door in their home, and many times the most used entrance and exit. Garage Door Safety Tips for Safety and Security: Check the garage door manual to see if the opener has rolling codes. In other words, is the code random every time the garage door is activated? If the code is fixed the code can be captured by certain devices, and used to operate the door. Codes can be changed or upgrade the door opener and or remote control. Remotes left in a vehicle can be stolen along with the vehicle giving someone access to the home. Homeowners that expect to be away for any extended period should unplug their door opener; this removes any possibility of the door being opened. Make sure your door can be locked if the door is manually operated. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6489037 |