This video will show you how to align the safety reversing sensors on your garage door opener.
Monthly Archives: July 2014
Beat The Heat With Garage Door Insulation Kits
Ahh Summer! Having grown up in the deserts of south Texas, it’s my favorite time of year. I live a lot further north now, so it brings back memories.
But if you like to use your garage as a workshop, or an outdoor dining room for get togethers – summer may become a bit of an issue.
- Bugs – we would all like to leave the doors up, but if the skeeters are feeding, that won’t work. So down come the doors. And if they aren’t insulated, on goes the heat!
- Creepy crawly’s – we have snakes, and I bet you have something wherever you live. We don’t need these visiting – so down goes the door.
- The heat! My God, the heat! It has been over 100 here this week, and going outside is like stepping into a blast furnace.
- The neighbors – mine can smell hot dogs cooking from inside their houses. I don’t always want to share.
No if you have an un-insulated garage door, and it is down, it is going to feel like a radiator. The metal will be hot ot the touch, and you may as well be standing out in the sun.
But – take a few minutes to install an insulation kit, and that can all change.:
- You can close the door – no more mosquitoes!
- No more snakes and other critters – as long as your door seal is in place. A good way to test this is to close the door at night with the light on. Go outside – do you see light leaking underneath? If so, it is time for a new seal.
- Now the door is cool to the touch. You’re blocking outside heat, and keeping in the cooling.
Guys – we are talking less money than a dinner for two at Outback. Installation only takes an hour. The payback is immediate, and lasts forever. Every month you save a little more on your electric bill, and use your garage in comfort a few more times. It is totally worth it!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4652350
Safety First!
There’s one garage door repair job that most people shouldn’t even attempt to do without professional help. That’s to repair or replace the spring that operates the door. Since these springs are loaded with a lot of pressure, if you don’t handle them properly, they could basically explode. People have been severely injured or killed by garage door springs, so you should consider them very dangerous and handle them with care. If you have the right skills and tools, however, it can become a DIY project in order to save yourself a bit of cash.
There are two different types of springs that are used to operate overhead garage doors. These are torsion springs and extension springs, with torsion being the least common but the safest. There will be two of them, and you’ll find them located on a shaft over the door opening. Keep in mind that if one of the springs has already exploded, you’ll need to replace both of them, because the second one will soon follow. It will save you both time and money to replace them both at the same time. If your door operates on extension springs, there will also be two of them, but they’ll be located one on each side of the door.
The appropriate tools mentioned earlier are:
1. vise grip pliers in the proper size
2. winding bars, also in the correct size
3. socket wrench
4. adjustable wrench
5. ruler
6. rags
7. steady ladder
2. winding bars, also in the correct size
3. socket wrench
4. adjustable wrench
5. ruler
6. rags
7. steady ladder
You’ll be able to do the safest, most secure job as long as you have these tools. Never try to make do using the wrong size of type of wrench or winding bar, because you’re only asking for trouble if you do.
Another safety rule for working on garage doors is to keep in mind that a garage door is a very heavy item. Good, heavy-duty models can weigh several hundred pounds. At the same time, the springs that operate the door are under several hundred pounds of force when they let the door fall. Torsion springs are safer to use than the common extension springs are. They do not expand or contract, so they don’t move as the door operates. Torsion springs are recommended because they operate the door more smoothly and are much safer to have in your garage.
It’s never worth a human life to tackle a dangerous job without the proper skill level. If you have any doubt about your abilities, call a garage door professional who has been trained in the safest ways to handle the job.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristie_Brown
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7348790
Contemporary Garage Doors
Contemporary garage doors are one of the best ways to modernize the look of your home. They come in a wide array of styles, designs and colors that choosing one will be a great challenge for you.
When choosing a garage door, be guided with design and color compatibility. Many manufacturers are offering customized models so you would have no problem staining or painting them to match your house. Make sure also that your door carries an adequate amount of insulation to keep the inside of your garage warm and comfortable all year long. Online retailers (i.e hillcountrydoors.com and glassgaragedoors.com) have a large inventory of offerings at competitive prices.
Contemporary Glass/Aluminum Garage Doors:
Hill Country Garage Doors is proud of this full-view door which can be partnered with insulated designer glass to create a really modern overall home appearance. You have the option to order either a bronze or clear anodized aluminum and numerous power-coat colors. There are also several glass options for you to choose from, including hammered glass, frosted glass and reeded glass and you can them with many glazing options. The standard dimensions include 1 and 3/4 inches thick of 204R1 clear aluminum rails and stiles.
Glass Garage Doors:
This glass door from Bryce Parker Co. is an attractive replacement that would sure tickle your senses. The door models BP-350 and BP-450-HD have unique aesthetic appeal, durability and maximum light transmission without compromising your privacy. The door frames are built with extruded aluminum alloy, a material known for its durability and superior strength which is double that of a standard aluminum alloy. The doors are designed to withstand impact and extreme harsh conditions. Plus, they require less maintenance.
Contemporary Metal Doors:
Garage Door Enterprises’ metal models are constructed from a combination of elements, allowing the company to offer may style options. The steel versions are available in basic mediums of stainless steel, glass, copper or brushed aluminum. The copper will coat over time but you have the option to have it coat instantly.
Modern/Contemporary Garage Doors by Madden Door and Sons Inc.:
These doors fill the garage with natural light for a stunning visual appeal and energy efficient usage. They can add dramatic impact to the modern-like structure of your home. They come with custom-made powder coating and glass options. These doors can help you create a live-work loft within your garage.
Panelmasta Contemporary Residential Sectional Garage Door:
This steel sectional overhead door has three deep lines, approximately 5mm, across each panel. It’s designed in such a way that it offers a subdued yet contemporary appearance for modern homes. The rigid sections are hinged together and the door opens vertically and then horizontally moves along the ceiling. The movement is counterbalanced with springs and guided by tracks. Its key features are tongue and groove edge panel, galvanized steel hinges, hi-tensile stiles, nylon wheels for ease and smooth operation, long lasting springs and rolled edges on stiles.
The door is available in various sizes ranging from 1485mm to as high as 3050mm and from 1751mm to as wide as 6100mm. You also have a choice of COLORBOND colors and woodgrain or smooth embossed finish.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Wynn
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3307689
The Differences In Garage Door Openers
Type of Drive
There are three basic types of garage door opener drives, and they are belt, chain, and screw. A belt drive has a rubber belt that serves to open and close the door and they are the most quiet type of electric doors available today. Chain drive automatic doors are the oldest type made and continue to be a popular and relatively inexpensive choice. Screw automatic doors have very few moving parts and require very little maintenance compared to the other two. They are also the easiest of the three for a do-it-yourself’er to install in their garage.
The chain drive is the noisiest of the three types, belts make the least noise, and screw type falls somewhere in between the other two. If price is a big consideration, stick with the chain drive and shy away from the belt drive as they tend to be the most expensive of the three.
Power Options
If you have a one-car garage with a relatively light door, a motor smaller than the standard ½ horsepower that is used on two-door garages will get the job done. Heavier doors such as carriage doors will require a more powerful 3/4-horsepower motor. If you have any doubt at all, it is best to always go with more power as the difference in prices between them is minimal.
Light Options
Lights on automatic garage doors are often the primary source of light in the garage. Most standard units can support two 60-watt light bulbs. If you have a larger garage, you may very well want to consider a unit that can support two 100-watt lights.
Safety Options
A remote control entry device is standard on all electric garage door openers. However you do have a choice as to what the remotes can do. Standard openers have only one button and only serve to open the garage door on command. Others come with multiple buttons that can operate more than one door and do other tasks. You can also find roller garage doors that have keyless entry pads. These can be used to manually enter a code that opens the door or they can be programmed to recognise fingerprints for those looking for a more secure system that cannot be broken into easily by thieves.
Consider all of these options before you buy your electric garage find the right one to meet your expectations and needs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.co