Benefits of A New Garage Door

Many people have begun working on home renovation projects now that spring has arrived. You may be planning to upgrade your backyard patio area or spruce up your bathrooms, but there’s another home improvement project you should consider — getting a new garage door. Installing a new door offers one of the highest rates of return on your investment! If that’s not enough to convince you, there are plenty of other benefits that come with investing in a new garage door.

Increase Your Home’s Value

If you think you might be selling your home in the near future, you should definitely consider replacing your old door with a new one. Potential buyers could see an old door and think they will have to replace it themselves in a few years. If they see a new door, they could feel comfortable knowing they won’t have to spend more money on an extra project.

Enhance Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Your garage door is often the first thing people see when they approach your home. A new garage door adds personality and flare to your home, while an old door could make your home seem out of date or dingy.

Save Money on Your Energy Bills

Many newer garage doors have the option of being insulated to keep cool air in your home during summer and warm air in during winter. If you have a living space above your garage or use your garage as a workspace, having an insulated door can help keep your energy bills low.

Reduce Maintenance

Older doors require more work to maintain. If you skip out on maintenance, you’re going to end up needing a new door sooner. A new garage door requires much less maintenance (and less money) to keep up. If you think about it, the money you spend on all your older door maintenance could be spent on a new door anyway.

If you’re tired of pulling up to see a drab garage door sitting at the end of your driveway, invest in a new one! But don’t settle for the other guys. Garage Door Center can craft you a custom garage door that matches the function and aesthetic of your home. Visit our showroom, or call us at 203-255-3033.

Buyer’s Guide to Garage Door Openers

A garage door opener adds convenience and safety to the entry and exit of your garage. With so many options and add-on features available, how do you decide which one to add? There are several factors you should take into consideration when choosing a garage door opener.

Types of Openers

• Chain-Drive: These use a metal chain to drive the trolley and open and close the door. While these are usually cheaper, they do tend to create more noise, so they aren’t the best option for doors that sit below living spaces.
• Belt-Drive: These work the same way as a chain-drive but use a belt to move the trolley instead. They are slightly quieter and smoother, so they are a good option for homes with living spaces near the garage.
• Screw-Drive: These openers use a rotating steel rod to move the lifting mechanism. They are usually quieter than chain-drive units and also have fewer moving parts, so they require less maintenance.
• Direct-Drive: The unit’s motor is the trolley and travels on a track to open and close the door. Since it’s a single moving part, this opener offers reduced noise and vibration as well as less maintenance.

Horsepower

The level of horsepower you should look for depends on your garage door type and size. Ratings range from ½ horsepower to 1 ½ horsepower for most residential garage door openers. If you have a sectional double-car garage door, you should be fine. However, an opener with more horsepower will require less energy to run and cause less wear and tear on the motor.

Add-Ons

• Remotes: Having a remote for your garage door opener allows you to enter and exit your garage without having to get out of the car.
• Smart Device Compatibility: Some openers allow you to sync them to your phone, so you can operate the door from your mobile device.
• Locks: These give you the option to stop remotes from opening your garage door.
• Motion-Sensing Lights: These operate automatically to provide safety and security in your garage.

Garage Door Center  can help you choose from our variety of garage door openers in Fairfield! If you want to add an opener or just upgrade from your current one, call us at 203-255-3033 or visit our showroom today.

Save Green on Garage Door Repairs

There’s no denying that everyone likes saving green – especially when that green is money. Sure, you can find ways to save a few dollars on your energy and utility bills, but how about on your garage door? A lot of people think repairing their garage door is always costly, but there are some preventative measures you can take to avoid spending your pot of gold on repairs.

Invest in Maintenance

Maintenance is the best way to avoid costly repairs. If you keep up with your door, there won’t be any problems to fix in the first place. The best call is to have your garage door inspected by a trained professional at least once a year.

Take Care of Problems Right Away

If you do end up needing a garage door repair, get it done sooner rather than later. Don’t wait to get the problem fixed, as this will only cause it to get worse as time goes on. Plus, the longer you wait to get it fixed, the more expensive the repair will be. Once you notice a problem, call the pros to come help.

Choose an Experienced Garage Door Repair Company

The last thing you need is to spend money to have your garage door fixed, only to have the problem arise again because of poor workmanship. You need to hire an experienced, reputable garage door repair company to properly assess and fix the damage on your door.

Pro Tip: Some jobs are better left to the professionals. While you may fancy yourself a handyman, remember that garage doors are very heavy and have complex mechanisms. To avoid potential injury, skip the DIY project if your repair is a bit more complicated.

Garage Door Center of Fairfield has been providing garage door repairs for decades. Our technicians are trained to identify the real problem with your door and safely and efficiently repair it. Don’t settle for the other guys. If you’re in need of garage door repairs, call us at 203-255-3033.

Why Won’t My Garage Door Open?

How many of you have basically replaced your front door with your garage door? What happens if it doesn’t open one day? If this ends up occurring, make sure you know the common reasons why your garage door won’t open.

Your Opener’s Power Source is Disrupted

This may sound silly, but make sure your opener is plugged in – you might have unplugged your power source without realizing it. You can even check to see if the outlet is the actual problem by plugging another device into it. Also, check your circuit breaker and fuse box to make sure the power is on.

Your Torsion Springs are Broken

You’ll know if your torsion spring breaks if you hear a sound similar to that of a firecracker or gunshot. If the spring is broken, don’t try to open the door. Instead, call the professionals since they will have the proper tools and skills to fix the spring.

Your Cables Have Snapped

Often when the tension spring snaps, the garage door cable will also break under the pressure of the door closing. This will not only prevent the door from opening, but can also cause damage to cars, walls, and even people who go near it. It’s safest to call the pros so they can repair the cable and get your garage door working again.

There’s little point to having a garage door that doesn’t open. If you find that this is the case with your door, choose the professionals at Garage Door Center to help. We offer garage door repair services in Fairfield, CT and the surrounding neighborhoods. Call us at 203-255-3033 for more information.

What To Look For in A New Garage Door

While a lot of thought goes into deciding what light fixtures to use in your bedroom or what faucet looks best in your bathroom, one of the biggest home improvement deliberations you will have to make is picking a new garage door. Are you making this home improvement upgrade this year? A garage door is one of the first things anyone sees when they come to your home, so it makes sense that you want to spend a good amount of time thinking about its design. If you’re in the market for a new garage door, here are some features you should keep in mind.

• Insulation: Many homeowners don’t bother with their front doors anymore and simply use the garage as the main entrance to their homes. Constantly opening and closing the door will let precious heat out of your home if it’s attached to your garage. That being said, if you use your garage as a gym or spend a good amount of time in it, you’ll want to have an insulated door that holds in heat and is energy efficient.
• Low Maintenance: It’s true that some garage door materials require more maintenance than others. Wooden garage doors require sanding and repainting. However, if you don’t have the time for this time of upkeep, you may want to choose a steel model instead.
• Style Consistency: You should always choose a new garage door that fits with the architectural design of your home. If you live in a contemporary home, buy or design a new garage door that has clean lines.
• Customization: Customizing your garage door is a great way to add beauty to your home while including a touch of your own personal style. You can customize everything from the material to the decorative accents used.

Why fit in when you can stand out? Don’t settle for having a garage door that looks like every other one on your block. At Garage Door Center, we allow you to create a fully customized garage door to meet every detail you desire for your home. Call us at 205-255-3033, or visit our showroom in Fairfield to get started designing your dream door.

Converting Your Garage

As time goes on, your home gets packed with more people and possessions. At that point, you may be thinking of adding a new addition to your home. Did you ever think of converting your garage into a new space rather than building something from the ground up? If not, you should!

Why Convert Your Garage

Since your garage already has a foundation, walls, and a roof, you can save a ton of money in comparison to building an entirely new space. Renovation is a much easier project compared to building framework for a new extension. Converting a garage into a living space also adds significant value to your home and can serve many purposes, such as:

• A close-by living space for aging parents.
• A more private space for your college graduate who’s not quite ready to move out yet.
• An apartment you can rent out to gain a new income.
• A man cave – because we know every guy wants one.

How to Convert Your Garage

Even though it’s easier to do than a full-scale addition, converting your garage is still no simple task. The project could take between four and six weeks to complete since there are many steps to making your garage a livable space. You’ll have to:

• Raise the floor in order to install insulation over the concrete.
• Completely insulate the walls and ceilings.
• Set up heating and cooling for the new space. (This can be done either by connecting to your home’s main system or adding an independent HVAC unit.)
• Upgrade the electric to accommodate heavier use.
• Add stud walls, windows, and doors.

Converting your garage has a plethora of benefits, including adding space and value to your home. Until the day you do decide to renovate that space, keep your garage looking spiffy with a custom garage door from Garage Door Center.

Don’t settle for the selection “they” offer. Call The Garage Door Center at 203-2558-3033, and start designing your dream garage doors today.

 Steel v. Wood Garage Doors

Picking out a new garage door can be tricky. What style do you like best? Do you want windows? What material should it be made out of? The experts at Garage Door Center can help answer that! Here are the pros and cons of two of the most popular garage door materials: steel and wood.

Steel

Steel doors are usually a homeowner’s choice if he or she needs a faster, more convenient installation. If you think you’re leaning more towards a steel garage door, consider these pros and cons.

Pros:

• Less Expensive: Steel doors tend to be cheaper than wood and can save you a decent amount of money during construction.
• Easy Maintenance: The only maintenance steel doors require is a power wash from time to time, so you’re left with little work.
• Lighter: Steel is a much lighter material than wood and is easier to open.

Cons:  

• Rusting: Over time, steel doors will likely rust. If you live in a humid climate, steel is probably not your best option.
• Denting: This material is more easily dented than wood, so you’d have to watch out for it during your kids’ soccer season.

Wood

Wooden garage doors are a great way to add a flare of elegance to your home’s curb appeal. If you think a wooden door is for you, know the pros and cons.

Pros:

• Customizable: The style options for wooden doors are endless. You can choose a wide variety of colors, designs, and sizes to fit your needs.
• More Attractive: This material is considered more elegant and luxurious than steel doors.
• Dent-Free: Wood doesn’t dent like steel does, so you won’t have to worry about knocking into your garage door with a lawn-mower.

Cons:

• More Expensive: The combination of more expensive materials and the customization of wood doors will cost you more than a steel door would.
• Maintenance-Heavy: Wooden doors can chip, warp, or rot without good care. You’ll need to sand, stain, or repaint the wood to keep it in good condition.

No matter what material you decide to go with, Garage Door Center of Fairfield will work with you to design a custom garage door that fits your needs and budget. Don’t settle for what the other guys offer. Call us at 203-255-3033, or visit our showroom today.

Common Garage Door Repairs

You probably wish everything in your home would stay in the pristine condition you bought it in. Unfortunately, weather, time, and wear-and-tear can take their toll on your home. One thing that can take the biggest hit is your garage door. Do you happen to notice any problems with your door that could use some repairs?

Problem: My garage door won’t open or close.
First, check the sensor on the base of your opener’s track. If something is blocking it, your garage door will not operate properly. If there’s nothing in the way of the sensor, check the opener itself. If you press the button near the small light on the opener, and it doesn’t light up, you’ll need to replace the battery. Lastly, check for wheel track obstructions and dents on your door.

Problem: My garage door moves unevenly.
The likely culprit of this problem is an issue with your spring mechanism. Roll-up doors commonly have a single torsion spring mounted in their center which creates great tension. Uneven movement could also be a result of problems with your tracks. If you notice either of these issues, you should call a professional in order to avoid getting injured.

Problem: My garage door closes very quickly.
If you notice that your garage door falls more quickly than it used to or bounces when it hits the ground, you most likely have broken chains or cables. The cables will need to be replaced to stop the door from closing so fast. This repair will require professional attention.

Garage door repairs can save you time and money from having to replace your door sooner than necessary. Since it’s the largest moving object in your home, garage doors need to be repaired very carefully. While you may want to take a crack at the repairs yourself, we highly suggest calling professionals so you don’t risk an accidental injury. At Garage Door Center of Fairfield, we offer garage door repairs to maintain the quality of your door and keep you and your family safe.

For more information or to have problems with your garage door repaired, call us at 203-255-3033.

Garage Door Maintenance Tips

It’s pretty easy to forget about garage door maintenance, but you really shouldn’t. Your garage door is your home’s largest moving object and is probably opened and closed more than 1,000 times a year. Make sure yours operates efficiently and safely by performing garage door maintenance regularly.

• Look around. Visually inspect your door and its components. Do springs look rusty or broken? Are the tracks or hinges worn down? Are the roller wheels crooked? All these problems require maintenance to keep your garage door from deteriorating or becoming unsafe.
  
• Test the automatic reversal system. By law, all automatic garage door openers are required to have a feature that will stop the door’s closing if something gets in its path. When your garage door is closing, place an object, such as a cinder block, in its way. If the system is working properly, the door should reverse when it touches the block.
• Test the infrared motion system. Many garage door openers now come equipped with a motion sensor that reverses the direction of the door if an object moves within range of it. The sensor is usually about six inches off the ground and should cause the door to open if you place an object in its path.
• Test the emergency manual release. You’ve probably noticed a bright red handle hanging from a rope on your automatic opener. In the event that your door was to malfunction or the opener should lose power, the manual release is meant to allow you to open and close the door on your own. If the door won’t open or only opens partially, call a professional to solve the problem instead of forcing it.

Performing routine garage door maintenance will keep your door working properly for longer, and more importantly, will ensure safety for you and your family. If you find that your garage door isn’t up to snuff, Garage Door Center of Fairfield, CT offers garage door repairs to help. We are able to fix your weather-stripping, door opener, and more in order to keep your door in good condition.

For more information or garage door repairs in Fairfield, CT area, call Garage Door Center at 203-255-3033.

How Do I Keep my Garage Secure?

You check the locks on all your doors and windows, and install security systems to keep your home safe while you’re away. However, you may be forgetting to secure one important part of your home – your garage. Many homeowners overlook their garages when
it comes to safety, but that is one of the easiest places intruders can enter through. These are the best ways to secure your garage and keep your home and family safe.

1. Secure the Emergency Releases: By law, automatic garage door openers have emergency releases, usually a pull rope with a red handle. What most homeowners fail to realize is that this release can be easily unlocked from the outside with a coat hanger. Secure the emergency release with a zip tie to increase your garage’s security.
2. Cover the Garage Windows: If your garage has windows in either the walls or door, intruders can scope out your home and identify valuables or easy entrances to your home itself. Cover your windows with one-way film or cover them completely to eliminate the threat of illegal entry.
3. Lock All Pedestrian Doors: Make sure to lock any and all doors that provide entry into your home, including those connected to your garage. Installing a double-keyed deadbolt lock is the best way to keep the doors shut to anyone without a key. Additionally, do not leave spare keys hidden in obvious places. If you must leave a hidden key, place it in an inconspicuous spot several feet away from the door.
4. Hold onto Your Remote Openers: Garage Doors with remote controls are especially vulnerable to intruders since many people leave their remote in their cars. If possible, opt for a remote that is small enough to be kept on your keys. If you cannot get one that small, carry the remote with you so it isn’t at risk of being stolen and used to break into your home at a later time.
5. Never Leave Your Garage Door Open: If you want to avoid someone stealing any valuables from your garage or home, don’t leave your garage door open when you’re not physically there to watch the surroundings. Even if you’re just running inside for a quick lunch or taking a short trip to the store, close and lock your garage door so no one has access to your home.

Another good way of securing your garage is making sure your garage door is in good condition. Dents or cracks in the door or weather stripping can make it easier for intruders to enter your home. The Garage Door Center offers garage door repairs for your home in the Fairfield, CT area. Call us at 203-255-3033 for more information about repairs for your garage door.