Norman Garage Door is a major part of a home’s overall look and style. Many manufacturers offer design options that allow homeowners to create a custom look.
When choosing a garage door, consider climate conditions, maintenance preferences, energy efficiency and safety features. Accurate sizing is important to ensure the door fits properly.
Garage doors have gone from simple, functional barriers to key parts of a home’s design and energy efficiency. Today’s doors are made from robust materials, automatically lock when shut and can easily plug into your home security system. They can also be controlled by a smartphone app to let you know the door’s status and even give access to service providers like delivery drivers. These advanced systems allow you to control your garage door from anywhere in the world, which can improve both safety and convenience.
While some garage doors have a traditional look, others are more modern and offer an array of design elements to match your personal style. You can add windows to your garage door for natural light and visibility, or choose a translucent door that provides curb appeal without sacrificing privacy. These doors often feature a sturdy foam core that makes them stronger and more energy efficient than traditional roll-up doors, which can have gaps between the slats and make it easier for intruders to enter.
In addition to aesthetics, the materials and construction of your garage door can have a big impact on how much it costs to operate. Steel doors can be inexpensive and available in a wide range of finishes, while wood doors are generally more expensive but require more maintenance. In terms of insulation, steel and aluminum doors typically have higher R-values than wood, which reduces the amount of heat or cold that passes through your garage and into the living space.
The track system, a set of vertical tracks on either side of the opening and horizontal tracks overhead, facilitates the opening and closing of your garage door. The tracks can be constructed from various metals, but galvanized steel is a standard. The lower the gauge of the track, the thicker it is.
Most garage doors use torsion springs instead of extension springs to counter-balance the weight of the door. Torsion springs are coiled around a shaft, and they are secured with a safety cable to prevent broken parts from being propelled throughout the garage if the spring breaks. Older garage doors may use extension springs, which are prone to breaking, and they require containment cables to prevent them from falling on people or cars if they break.
Design Options
When choosing a new garage door, it is important to consider the overall style of your home. You want a garage door that blends well with the architectural style of your house while adding personality and appeal. Many different design options are available to enhance your door’s look and performance.
Some of the most popular options include clavos (nail heads in decorative shapes), strap hinges, and latches. These can be hidden or displayed for a unique look that catches the eye. A variety of colors are also available for the door’s hardware and hinges. Some are more durable than others, which can help protect your investment.
Sectional doors are the most popular type in the United States. They consist of panel sections that connect with hinges to bend over a curved track on each side of the opening. This allows them to open and close without blocking the driveway or requiring excessive headroom. These doors are also more energy-efficient than a traditional swinging door, reducing heat loss in the winter and air conditioning costs in the summer. They are often made of steel or aluminum for long-lasting durability and security.
Other design options for a garage door include windows and insulation. Window choices include clear, frosted or obscure fake or real windows in a variety of shapes and sizes. These can be added to a single panel door or to a carriage house door for a more elegant look and greater privacy. Some doors are insulated for increased energy efficiency.
The amount of insulation a garage door has is indicated by an R-value, which measures its thermal resistance. R-values range from zero to 20, with higher numbers indicating better insulating properties. The climate in your area can affect how much insulation you need.
Some garage doors are available with optional features, like a programmable remote control that opens and closes your door at the push of a button. Other features that can be installed include a keypad or keyless entry, which allow you to enter your garage without having to use a garage door opener, and weather seals to prevent drafts and water damage.
Safety Features
Whether you’re raising a family or looking to enhance the security of your property, you can’t afford not to invest in garage door safety features. These systems safeguard vulnerable individuals by ensuring that the garage door cannot close on them, even if they’re accidentally in its path. In addition, they prevent potential property damage caused by the garage door slamming onto objects or furniture.
One of the most basic safety features that should be in place for all garage doors is a manual release mechanism, usually a cord hanging from the electric opener with a red handle at the end. This function is important because it allows you to disengage the garage door from the opener during a power outage or malfunction, preventing the door from closing and trapping you or your loved ones inside. In addition, it can also be used to open the door manually if an object gets stuck under the door.
Another safety feature is motion detection sensors, which utilize infrared technology to detect movement near the garage door and stop the closing process when it’s detected. This can prevent accidents and injuries that are often caused by rambunctious kids or skittering pets. This is a vital feature for homes with young children, especially.
A newer garage door can also be equipped with pinch-resistant hinges and panels, which are designed to limit the space between the hinges where a finger or hand could get caught. This feature is especially helpful for homeowners with children, as it can prevent serious injuries that could occur if a child or pet were to become trapped underneath the garage door as it’s closing.
It’s a good idea to test these systems periodically to ensure that they are working correctly. This can be done by placing a roll of paper towels or other object in the path of the garage door when it’s closing, and seeing if the sensor recognizes the obstruction and reverses the direction. It’s also a good idea to regularly lubricate moving parts to reduce friction and make the system operate more smoothly.
Maintenance
No part of a home can function properly indefinitely without routine maintenance and occasional repairs. Garage doors are no exception. In fact, many people find that proactively taking care of their doors saves them money in the long run by preventing expensive and potentially dangerous problems from arising.
Some maintenance tasks can be done by a savvy do-it-yourselfer, but others require the assistance of an expert. For example, adjusting the springs on the garage door, which are under high tension, should only be undertaken by a professional who has been trained to do so. Doing so improperly can cause serious injury or property damage.
Other maintenance tasks that can be performed by homeowners include regularly cleaning the tracks, rollers, and hinges, and lubricating them. This reduces friction and helps your door operate smoothly and quietly. A silicone-based lubricant is best, but white lithium grease can also be effective. Avoid using oil-based lubricants, which can attract dirt and cause buildup and damage to the components.
When conducting a visual inspection of your garage door, look for loose screws and bolts, as well as signs of wear and tear. Tightening loose hardware keeps your garage door in good condition and may help it last longer.
If you have a door with windows, make sure the weatherstripping is in good shape and not damaged. This seals the gaps around the garage door, keeping drafts and moisture out of your garage and your home.
If you have a sensor safety feature on your garage door, periodically test it by placing an object in the path of the closing door when it is at its lowest point. If the sensors detect an object, the door will reverse course and open back up. You can also test the photo-eye system that is attached to each side of your garage door opening by passing something in front of it when it’s closed. If the lights flash or the system isn’t functioning at all, call a professional. They can inspect, repair, or replace your garage door safety features to keep you and your family safe.