Garage Doors That Pose Dangers

One functional part in your house is the garage. Some prefer an older style tilt-up garage door, while most homeowners today prefer a roll-up garage door. In the garage you place your car, your child’s bicycles, and your repair tools. Around the house, a lot of accidents may happen. It is possible to burn your hand while cooking in the stove, break your leg while falling down the stairs, or accidentally knock your head under the dining table while reaching for that fork you dropped. There is danger everywhere, and your garage is not an exception. Do you have an automatic garage door? If its garage door opener is non-reversing, your family may be in trouble.
Hundreds of years ago, garage doors were made of wood. Then from the old barn door-style, garage doors developed into steel doors and doors made of synthetic materials for better insulation and durability. Basically, a garage door may weigh hundreds of pounds. True, it isn’t a good idea if your child, or even you, get trapped under a garage door. So certain precautions are needed in order to ensure your family’s safety.
If you have an automatic garage door that does not automatically reverse, you should replace it with a new opener that can do reverse. Reports received by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) states that approximately 60 children between the ages of 2 and 14 have been trapped and killed under automatic garage doors since 1982. Other reports show that other children had severe injuries when the closing of garage doors almost crushed them. That is why non-reversing garage door openers should be replaced at once. Or, you may opt for a new residential garage door installation if you want a new door with a reverse garage door opener. Don’t be satisfied with garage doors that only stop whenever it hits an object under it. You should be pining for the reversing one.
Check your garage door for signs of malfunction and failure. Replace parts that needed to be replaced. To do that, you have to make sure that your door is balanced. It should stay in place when stopped in any partially opened position. If your garage door is unbalanced, it may just crash whenever somebody is under it or not. Never allow your child to be near the area of the garage when a door check-up is going on. In many reported instances, even professional garage door technicians have suffered serious injuries like broken bones in the process of replacing garage door springs. The tension spring and torsion springs are hard to replace because of the great force imposed by the weight of the garage door. That is why it is very important not to do it on your own or by a family member who is not also qualified to change or replace garage door parts. So never ever think that you can do garage door repair by yourself.
You have to maintain your garage door more often than maintaining your car. If your garage door fails to function it may crash to floor then probably hurt someone under it, which is more likely to be your spouse or your child. Therefore, it is a wise precaution to have regular maintenance and repair for your garage doors.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/700915

Cre8tive Hardware

Cre8tive Hardware provides magnetic decorative hardware that is easy to install on any steel garage door. Quickly add to your carriage house designs for an even more authentic look!

4 Tips to Select the Right Garage Door for Your Home and Budget

It may be the biggest feature of the front of your home. Even if it’s tucked to the side, it’s still big and very noticeable. When it’s time to replace your garage door, you’re not only making an investment in the security of your home; you can add a beautiful new look! Increasing the curb appeal of your home can even increase its value. Here are 4 things to consider.
Start with the material. Steel is the most popular material for garage doors. Steel is easy to maintain and can be insulated to be more energy efficient. Wood is another choice. You pay for a beautiful, natural look with increased maintenance. Wood doors need to be repainted or re-stained on a regular basis. Aluminum is the least expensive garage door in some instances and very expensive in others. It’s light which makes it easy to open manually and good for large openings. Today’s aluminum doors are sturdier than older aluminum doors and may have dent-resistant laminated panels. The least expensive aluminum doors may have panels made of other materials such as high-density polyethylene.
Match your home. Today’s garage doors come in many different styles. You can find a door that looks like the opening to a walled Spanish mission for your territorial home. Go architectural and modern with the look of smoked glass panels in a sleek frame. If your home is All-American and you want a traditional panel garage think about spicing it up with extra features.
Color. If you can match the color of your trim, go for it. It will give you a tied together look. If you want to be bold, paint your front door the same color as your garage door. Don’t go too bright – that garage door is big.
Windows. Don’t underestimate what the addition of windows can do to add a stylish look to your garage. Try to match the shape or design of the windows in your home for a very chic, tied-together look. A hint. Have the windows frosted because (choose one)
  1. You don’t want the neighbors to see your mess, or
  2. You don’t want a thief to see all the valuables you have stored in your garage.
Have fun. Take your time. Some garage door manufacturers have apps on their websites that let you upload a photo of your home and try different styles so you can get a clear idea of what looks good with your home. When you’re ready to buy, contact a locally-owned garage door company. They’ll know the most about your climate and can help you make good decisions on materials and insulation.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9039071

The Ups and Downs of Garage Exterior Wood Doors

Many view the garage as simply a place to park the car, store your stuff or hide out when your spouse is on the warpath. While all of these uses have merit, they merely scratch the surface of what is possible. Yes, the garage will store your car, but with the clever use of exterior wood doors and other design features, it’s also the perfect vehicle for sprucing up your home’s curb appeal.
By not tapping into that potential, you’re ignoring a facet of your home that can have a major impact thanks to its size and location. But take heart, because it to doesn’t have to be that way. It’s just a matter of changing your perspective and seeing exterior wood doors in a whole new light.
Strike a Match
Would you prefer to mix or match? If you’d rather not commit on that, or you’re a guy and thus incapable of committing, there’s good news: You don’t have to! By blending the two approaches with exterior wood doors, you can achieve much more than using either one on its own.
Where the home’s façade employs a light color like cream or beige with a darker toned roof, use that same dark shade for the garage’s exterior wood doors and admire the results. As well, if your property’s layout lends itself to this, you might try painting the garage and shutters in identical hues. The combination of mixing and matching will be striking and a real attention-getter as long as you commit to it. Yes, there’s always a catch.
Arch Your Front
The most famous arches may be golden, but your house can be almost as noteworthy if you incorporate the brick variety with exterior wood doors. Garages that are otherwise unremarkable lose the “un” when you surround them with classic brick arches. Sure, these arches can’t brag about “10 billion served”, but they CAN give your home front a look that’s one of a kind.
A High Pane Threshold
Maybe you’re happy with the style and color of your garage door, yet you still feel it needs “something”. That “thing” could take the form of glass panels inserted at the top of exterior wood doors. In addition to being inviting and unique, they treat your garage interior to some natural light without exposing it to prying eyes.
Make it a Double
Except where spouses are concerned, generally if one is good, two are better. Depending on your needs, double exterior wood doors for your garage may fit the bill. From a practical standpoint, it nicely accommodates two vehicles and extra storage, and it can also score high on aesthetics if you paint both doors to match the home’s exterior.
Read Between the Lines
If you prefer a look for your garage that whispers rather than shouts, subtle paneling on exterior wood doors can speak volumes about your knack for design. Even on a traditional style home dressed in muted colors, this approach makes a statement, stressing class over brash and providing an added touch without overdoing it.
The garage may not be the star of the show in this instance, but it’s part of a strong ensemble cast that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
Regardless of the size and structure of your garage, there are numerous ways to enhance its appearance and the contribution it makes to your home’s overall image. By simply changing the color, fashioning a classic accent or adding windows, you’ll be amazed at the transformation.
Just keep one thing in mind: If you still plan to use it as a hideout, lose the windows.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9061528