How old is your garage door opener? I know mine is over 15 years old. If you have one that is that old, older or even 10 years old, it can give thief’s an easy entry point to get into your house. They can even park in your garage and shut the door. No one will see them rob you blind. It really is not hard to do this. A laptop computer and some software is all that is necessary to gain access. The brands may be different, but the insides are the same. The garage door openers made 10 or 15 years ago were made to last. There are a whole lot still in use by people today.

To get the code for your specific garage door can be done with software that anyone can have access to just by downloading it from the Internet. You have no way of knowing if your door was opened while you were not home unless a neighbor happens to see it. If you are home when it opens, most people will think one of their kids or spouse is coming in. It could be a person or persons that you do not want in your house.

You would never know who it was. There are steps you can take to keep yourself and your family safe. Garages that are part of the house usually have a door to access the house. Keep this door locked at all times. Especially when on vacation and when everybody is at work during the day. Do not let your garage door remote opener be taken from your car. All the thief has to do is take it, look at your insurance or registration information in the glove compartment to get your address and then go on a shopping spree, Inside your house while you are at work. You could also replace the dinosaur remote opener with a newer one.

It will have a better set of security features on it, like code scrambling. You can tell if your remote is old. It will have little plastic sliders inside that are numbered. If you have an old garage door opener, think about upgrading. How much longer is that old one going to last anyway. It will be safer for you and your family to. They are not hard to put in yourself and do not cost that much. It is really easy if there is already one installed. If you decide to replace it, you may be overwhelmed by the variety of choices. Just ask the guy or girl in the department and they should be able to tell you what you will need. If you like the one you have and do not want to get rid of it, there is something else to look for on your old garage door opener. A few older models may have a setting whereby the remote will not work. You will have to push the button in the garage to get the door open. If yours does not have this. Just disconnect the door from the opener track. This is very easy to do. Usually all it takes is pulling on a rope to disengage it. Then lock the garage door. There you have it. You can spend a little money for a new one or take steps and keep the old one. Just do not do nothing. Keep your family safe and the contents of your home safe.

How to Find the Best Garage Door

If you want to maximize the value of your home, you’ll find garage doors are an easy and affordable method to increase your home’s curb appeal. A good garage door will distinguish it from the rest of the neighborhood. For something extra special, custom made garage doors can be designed to your specifications.

The most common types of garage doors are: Retractable, Canopy Side, and Hinged Sectional Retractable. Where limited space in your driveway is an issue, sectional garage doors are the right choice. They open and shut vertically, allowing cars to park very close to the door without keeping it from opening. Among the wide variety of designs, the most popular garage doors are sectional, upward acting, and self storing.

The Types of Garage Doors

Gone are the old manual doors. Today you’ll find that remote controlled and motorized garage doors have produced a more usable garage. The most popular style is the overhead garage door.

The primary concern in planning your garage door is the material used. Selecting the best garage door materials for your needs will depend on a few things like the style of your home, and how warm you want your garage to be. There are 3 main materials for garage door construction: Wood, Steel and Fiberglass (GRP).

When you’re planning to install a garage door, you must consider door type and materials. You can also incorporate into your plan such things as heated garages or unique window options.

The Most Popular Style is the Overhead Garage Door

Overhead garage doors are by far the most popular type of garage door available to homeowners. With automatic stop and begin features, people find overhead garage doors easy to use, with wonderful options and safety features.

Overhead garage doors work with a rolling system. The door rolls up and stores along the roof of the garage. Overhead door features to look for are that they are smooth, quiet and compact. Installing an overhead garage door is simple; do it yourself, or get help from the manufacturer. Popular garage door manufacturers include Garaga, Liftmaster, Raynor or DBCI.

The Appeal of Wood

Wood garage doors are preferred more for their appearance and affordability than for their durability.

You can select wood types like solid cedar for a durable garage door, which will last for years and look wonderful. Sections of roll-up wood doors may have either panel or flush construction. For panel doors, manufacturers fit several separate, rectangular panels into a wooden frame. Flush sections are made by fastening a plywood panel on top of a wooden frame.

The main disadvantage to a wooden garage door is that wood expands and contracts and can warp or crack as it weathers. It demands re-painting or refinishing every couple of years to keep it looking good and in top condition.

Steel Garage Doors Have Many Advantages

The main advantage to steel garage doors is that they won’t warp, crack, or fall apart because of weather. With no painting or refinishing requirements, steel doors are a low maintenance possibility that will keep your home looking stylish. Nowadays most steel garage doors are made of hot-dipped galvanized steel that is vinyl clad or given a baked on polyester finish. They will not rust or require repainting like wooden doors.

Another important advantage of steel garage doors is that they achieve the look of wood without the maintenance. Some have grained steel skins that can be stained to look just like wood. A design mimicking carriage house doors has become quite popular for nearly a decade. Some manufacturers use composite or vinyl boards on the exterior of a steel door to make it look like an outward swinging door.

The only disadvantage to steel doors is that they dent and can be difficult to repair. A premium door is often 2 inches thick, filled with insulation, and clad in 24-gauge steel. Less-expensive doors are usually thinner and made of 28 gauge steel. So steel offers real benefits over wood; it costs less and it needs much less maintenance and with can look just like wood.

The Assets of Fiberglass

Fiberglass, sometimes called GRP, garage doors are chosen for locations where light is important or in salty ocean climates. GRP garage doors need only mild exterior cleaning to retain their quality finish. They generally they do not need to be stained or finished. The most popular style for a GRP garage door is the retractable garage door. Fiberglass is a tough and durable material which will keep looking good for years.

Conclusions

Each of garage door material has its own benefits: Steel up and over doors are sturdy and give great value for money; wood doors are insulated and have an appealing look, and fiberglass up and over garage doors are extremely low maintenance offering a timber effect without the maintenance of real wood. Which ever you pick you’ll be sure that it will elevate the curb appeal and the value of your home, and increase your feeling of security.