Garage Door Complete Buying Guide
by mik vil on Aug 1, 2017
If your garage door has finally gotten to the point where you need to replace it, you may be finding that trying to sift through the incredible variety of garage door manufacturers, styles, features, and colors is a daunting task.
To help you make an informed decision, we've assembled a list of some of the more common garage door features and functionality you might want to look for in your next door.
Security
A frequent point of entry for burglars is the garage door usually because it's an old garage door that isn't designed with safety in mind. Many new doors now come with automatic locking functionality that locks the door once it is closed completely.
Safety
Garage doors typically operate by using torsion or extension springs to help balance the weight of the door. Doors that use extension springs may include a safety cable that runs through the springs, preventing the spring from breaking and sending broken pieces flying.
Additionally, many people have been injured by placing their fingers on the joints of a sectional door to pull it down. Many doors now include special pinch-resistant joints to help prevent this.
Weather
If you live in an area prone to hurricanes or strong winds, investing in a wind-resistant garage door may be a wise decision.
These doors are specially reinforced and include a locking mechanism that helps prevent the door from being torn off or destroyed during a hurricane, allowing the wind to enter your home and blow your roof off.
Insulation
If your door doesn't have insulation already, you have two options: Contact a local garage door service company near you, or you can install the insulation yourself. Installing insulation on your garage door can be done as a do-it-yourself job, but we recommend having it done professionally.
An experienced professional can install the insulation correctly and also make sure that your door is balanced correctly after the additional weight is added to the door.
Which Insulation Should I Buy?
There is a broad range of garage door insulation manufacturers including Owens-Corning. The main issue you should be concerned with is the insulation R-value. This is a term that indicates how resistant to heat flow a given piece of insulation is.
Heat moves easily from one area to another without anything to block it insulation acts to block heat and either keep it inside your home or outside of it. In simple terms, a higher R-value indicates a better insulator. Most garage door insulation kits range between 4 and 9 for the R-value whereas doors with insulation built intend to range anywhere from 5 to 17.5 depending on the door material used.
Insulated Garage Door
You can also consider purchasing an insulated garage door if you want to upgrade your door at the same time, rather than trying to insulate your old garage door. The major garage door manufacturers including Wayne-Dalton and Clopay all offer a range of insulated garage doors to meet the varying needs and budgets of homeowners.
The less-expensive garage doors with insulation built-in tend to be constructed from wood or wood-composite, and the R-value will be correspondingly lower (6 or 7), whereas the best-insulated garage doors on the market currently are typically constructed with steel and have an R-value range from 13 to 17.5.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
88312 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
69902 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
69565 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
48245 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
28993 Views
Latest Articles
Understanding Indonesia’s Real Estate Investment Laws for Foreigners
Indonesia, with its stunning landscapes, deep-rooted cultural heritage, and renowned hospitality, has emerged as a top destination for foreigners...
on Jan 25, 2024
Real Estate Development in Asian Cities
In many Asian cities, the rapid pace of urban development has led to the decline of historic districts, areas once teeming with cultural richness...
on Jan 25, 2024
Shower Envy: Elevating Your Bathroom with a Stunning Walk-In Shower
Are you tired of the same old routine in your bathroom? It might be time to consider a change, and one way to elevate your bathroom to a new level...
on Jan 22, 2024
Exploring Crowdfunding as an Innovative Approach to Real Estate Investment
The landscape of property selling has been transformed significantly due to the advent of property crowdfunding. This innovative approach,...
on Jan 10, 2024
The Rise of Co-Living Spaces in Asian Cities
Asia, home to 21 of the worlds 30 largest cities, is a significant player in the global economy, contributing 38% of the goods and services of the...
on Jan 5, 2024
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates
Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 263
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 240
- Real Estate / Finance — 200
- Appliance / Repair — 186
- Interior Design / Decor — 184
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 147
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 144
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 115
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
Avoid these 5 Mistakes when Operating a Circular Saw
Circular saws are quite versatile and efficient tools when used properly, but can pose a serious safety hazard if used incorrectly. Here are five...
Helpful Tips on Selecting the Right Contractor
Selecting a reliable contractor can be a difficult and time-consuming task, due to the fact the industry has a variety of terms, cost,...
How to Protect Your Home from Burglars
Burglary is one of the most common crimes in the world. It is also the easiest to prevent. In the US, statistics show that a burglary is committed...
Is It Illegal to Power Your Home With Solar Panels in Your State?
Contrary to rumor, it is not illegal to power your home with solar panels in Florida and other states! There are actually many solar incentives...
How to Fix a Broken Air Conditioning Unit
It is not that hard to find an emergency furnace repair contractor in your area. All you need to do is to Google the right keywords and you will...