El Dorado Hills Garage Door Repair

Author: Tony M

  • What are the Benefits of Insulating My Garage Door in a Mild Climate?

    Insulation is not just for cold Midwestern winters. Its use in keeping out the cold works the other way around, as well (it’ll keep out heat). But it’s not really about fighting the outside temperatures – it’s more about keeping your indoor temperatures controlled without racking up a crazy electric bill. Here’s why having an insulated garage door is smart:

    With Less Cooling or Heating Needed, Your Bills Should Go Down

    One of the primary benefits of an insulated garage door is its ability to enhance the energy efficiency of your home. The insulation helps to mitigate the loss of heating or cooling from your living space. It creates a thermal barrier between the interior and exterior of your garage. By preventing the exchange of air from outside, an insulated overhead door reduces the need for temperature adjustments. It maintains a more stable indoor climate. This translates to lower energy consumption and reduced utility costs.

    With The Extra Layer, It Makes Your Garage Door More Sturdy

    Insulated garage doors feature strong frames and dense centers. They’re more durable and longer-lasting compared to typical single-panel doors. The insulation materials contribute to the door’s structural integrity. They provide support and resistance against impact, wind, and other external forces. The robust construction of insulated doors ensures they can withstand daily use, harsh weather conditions, and wear and tear. Garage doors with insulation are often more reliable than those without.

    Insulation Prevents the Outside Noise from Coming In

    Insulation in garage doors offer superior sound insulation properties compared to non-insulated alternatives. The tight fit and solid construction of these doors reduces the transfer of sound between the interior and exterior of your garage. This means that noises from outside, such as street traffic or neighbors, are reduced. You’ll create a quieter and more peaceful environment inside your garage. 

    You Don’t Need Electric Temperature Control

    By insulating your garage, your door helps regulate the temperature within the space. This is particularly beneficial if you use a portion of your garage as a workshop, gym, or recreational area. The insulation helps maintain a more reasonable temperature. It prevents heat from building up in the summer or excessive cold during winter months. By creating a comfortable environment, you can use your garage comfortably. You won’t need other temperature control measures, keeping down costs.

    Keeps Whatever Noise You Make Inside

    In addition to noise reduction, insulated doors also provide sound isolation properties. This means that the sounds generated within your garage, such as tools or music, are less likely to escape and disturb the surrounding areas. The insulation materials help absorb sound. This creates a quieter atmosphere both inside and outside the garage.

    Investing in an insulated garage door offers advantages beyond temperature control. By considering the benefits of insulating a garage door, you can make an informed decision. One that could help enhance your home’s efficiency and improve your garage’s functionality.

  • In Our Dream Home, We Want it All… But can we Really Get it?

    It’s difficult to make your home stand out in a sea of new construction. And while people love the luxury of newer kitchens, bathrooms, and just generally the low maintenance of a new-build house, people also love a house with character. It seems like those two things conflict, but there’s a way to have both. It’s definitely an investment, but the return you’ll see on your home’s value will totally be worth it.

    Reface Your Home with New Materials and a New Garage Door:

    REMODELING magazine does a Cost vs Value Report each year on home renovations, nationally and regionally. In 2020, renovations involving curb appeal took the #1 and #2 spots in best ROI.

    • #1: Manufactured Stone Veneer
      • Average Cost: $9357, Average Return: $8943 -> 95.6% cost recoup

    Everyone loves the historic vibe and solid, sturdy look of stone on a home. But you can’t just cover your home in stone – it’s way too heavy for a modern home to hold up, and it would be exorbitantly expensive. Not to mention no sane contractor would do this for you. Manufactured stone veneer comes in a lot of styles, qualities, patterns, etc., and can give you the same effect. For instance, some manufacturers use this really cool technique of making shallow molds with shapes that mimic hewn limestone blocks, then fill the molds with a concrete mix that includes dyes that mimic the look the minerals in limestone cause. You end up with concrete “bricks” only about 1” thick that, when installed on your home, look almost exactly like limestone, but without the weight, cost, and weaknesses of limestone (depending on the quarry and the depth, the irregularities of minerals and fossils in limestone can make it difficult to withstand decades of weathering).

    • #2: Garage Door Replacement
      • Average Cost: $3695, Average Return: $3491 -> 94.5% cost recoup

    When refacing your home, you need consistency. If you’re going for a look of historic charm, a stone veneer refacing will just look weird and poorly thought out next to a typical modern garage door. But, thankfully, there are trends in garage doors right now that have made options for styles pretty much unlimited. You can choose a carriage house style, or 2-sectioned doors that bend inward to raise. There’s always the barnhouse style, too – people are loving that look right now.

    Bringing it All Together:

    So, there you have it. You can have a new, modern home that is also unique and has some (faux) historic character. You’re going to get an almost even return on your investment, and your house is going to stand out in a new-construction neighborhood, where it can sometimes seem like you’re in a sea of cookie-cutter houses.

  • Garage Doors Aren’t as Simple as They Used to Be

    If you live in or have ever seen a garage on an historic home, you know that back in the day there was one choice for garage doors: wood. Not so anymore; now you can choose from aluminum, steel, vinyl, wood or composite wood. But what are the differences and why do we need so many choices? Different materials offer varying durability, appearance, cost and lifespan: factors you should be familiar with before making that big purchase of a brand new garage door.

    Aluminum:

    • Pros
      • Affordable: Aluminum is one of the most affordable materials for garage doors.
      • Durable: It is a strong material and can hold up well against wear and tear.
      • Corrosion-resistant: Aluminum is resistant to rust and corrosion, making it a great option for homes in wet climates.
    • Cons:
      • Dents easily: One of the downsides of aluminum is that it is prone to dents, especially with heavy impacts.
      • Poor insulation: Aluminum is not a great insulator for doors, meaning it can be less energy efficient. This can result in higher heating or cooling bills. It’s important to insulate aluminum garage doors to prevent this issue.

    Steel:

    • Pros:
      • Stronger than aluminum: Steel is stronger than aluminum and can withstand heavier impacts.
      • Budget-friendly: Steel is also a more cost-effective option.
      • Low maintenance: It is easy to maintain and requires little upkeep.
      • Many style and strength options: There are various styles and strengths available in steel garage doors. They have both single-layer and double-layer options.
    • Cons:
      • Prone to rust and corrosion: Steel is vulnerable to rust and corrosion, which can be problematic in wet climates.
      • Dents easily: Like aluminum garage doors, steel is prone to denting.
      • Poor insulation: Steel is not a good insulator, so it may lead to higher heating and cooling costs.

    Vinyl:

    • Pros:
      • Sturdy: Vinyl is a sturdy material that is resistant to dents and scratches.
      • Rust-proof: It is also rust-proof and can hold up well against harsh weather.
      • Low maintenance: Vinyl garage doors are easy to maintain and don’t require painting or staining.
      • Impact-resistant: Vinyl is more impact-resistant than other materials. They’re a great option for homes located near busy streets or prone to small accidents.
    • Cons:
      • Costly: Vinyl garage doors tend to be more expensive than other materials.
      • Limited colors and styles: There are fewer color and style options available for vinyl garage doors.

    Wood:

    • Pros:
      • Timeless look: Wooden garage doors have a timeless look and add warmth to a home’s exterior.
      • Unlimited style and color options: There are virtually unlimited style and color options with wood garage doors. You can paint or style your garage to match the rest of your house with ease.
      • Self-insulating: Wood is a natural insulator, which can help reduce heating and cooling costs.
      • Stands up to time if cared for: With proper care and maintenance, wood can stand up well against time.
    • Cons:
      • High maintenance: Wooden garage doors require regular maintenance, including painting or staining.
      • Fluctuation with Weather: Wood expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity. This can unfortunately cause warping or cracking.
      • Will rot if exposed to too much water: Wood is vulnerable to rotting if exposed to too much moisture. This can be problematic in wet climates. Wooden garage doors are better in dry environments.
    • Another, less common option is composite wood, which has all the cosmetic benefits of wood but without the risks of rotting or cracking.

    Choosing the right material for a garage door depends on several factors. This mainly includes the climate, style, and budget. While each material has its own pros and cons, selecting the best option for your needs can help ensure a long-lasting garage door. Still wondering what the best option for your new garage door installation is? Ask your local experts at EDH-Serrano Garage Door Repair for advice!

  • Important Things to Check to Diagnose Your Noisy Garage Door

    • Lubricate all moving parts: Look at the infrastructure of your garage door and identify the moving parts, like the rollers, trolley carriage, hinges and springs. Any time you have metal moving against metal, it needs to be lubricated every so often to lessen friction and slow the degradation of the metal. There’s nothing wrong with using WD-40 for this, but there are petroleum-based lubricants that are specifically for garage doors as well. (Note: Never use a petroleum-based lubricant on your rollers if they are nylon- it will break them down faster.)
    • Identify any rusted, bent or degrading parts: As you move around your garage door lubricating things, it should be easy to spot any places there may be rust or degradation of the metal, like the hinges, springs or rollers. If a part is looking worn, you should have it replaced before it becomes a larger issue.
    • Check the garage door’s springs: Specifically, see if the springs are rusted, stretched out or bent. If your garage door makes noise or seems to hit the ground really hard when you close it, you likely need your springs replaced. This is not only a damage hazard to your door but a safety hazard to you as well.

    Whatever your issues end up being, make sure that from now on you regularly check, lubricate and maintenance your garage door and all its parts to keep it running smoothly for a long time. And as always, call us at EDH-Serrano Garage Door Repair with any questions, concerns or repair needs! We are the best garage door repair service in the El Dorado Hills area and we pride ourselves on making your garage door repair or replacement experience as quick and easy as possible!

  • How To Keep Animals Out Of Garage

    You walked into your garage to head to work this morning, only to see a mouse and some kind of bug with way too many legs scurry out of sight as you stepped in and turned on the light. Chances are, bugs and rodents are not your favorite creatures, and they certainly are not ideal roommates. And if you find them pesky and kind of gross just like many other people do, there are actually legitimate reasons for you to feel this way.

    Bugs are a Nuisance and Mice Carry Disease

    Field mice and white-footed mice are particularly prone to carrying diseases that have the ability to pass to humans. So besides the unsanitary factor of mice droppings, and the damage they cause by chewing through things like insulation or power cords, they’re also a health risk. Bugs are more of an issue purely because of damage they can cause. Any bug that can burrow through wood is a risk for your home’s structure, whether it’s termites, carpenter bees, or wood borers. But there are some simple steps you can take to seal off your garage and prevent these guys from entering your home.

    Things to Check and Remedy to Keep Vermin Out

    • Clean out your garage and check for signs of any creatures currently inside. Remove them yourself or call a pest control company to eradicate them for you.
    • Inspect the garage for cracks, especially near the ground where the foundation meets the walls. Definitely include your garage door in this inspection- the weather stripping might be loose and leaving gaps between the door and the wall.
    • Lay traps and take preventative measures. There are ant traps, bug sprays you can do around the perimeter of your garage and home, and mice traps. And if you feel bad about killing the mice, don’t worry. Not only are there humane mouse traps easily available, but there are also little units you can plug into an outlet that emit a frequency that mice don’t like, keeping them away for as long as that unit stays plugged into the outlet.

    Make sure to keep your garage clean so you can regularly inspect and prevent any further pest issues.

  • Chamberlain Has Designed a Special Garage Door, Just For Your Dog

    In previous blogs, we’ve discouraged you from installing a pet door inside your garage door, because ultimately the risk for mishaps is too high. Your dog can become overly comfortable with your garage door, and might not know to get out of the way when the door is engaged. Because of how these are arranged, the photo-eye designed to sense obstructions and cease motion might not prevent your pet from getting hurt. There’s also the security risk of having an old-fashioned doggy door. You’d be surprised at how easily certain people can shimmy through a small door.

    Fulfilling Need for Safe, Separate, Secure Doggy Door

    Chamberlain discovered that only 34 percent of pet owners have a pet door, meaning that 66 percent of pets have to wait for their human to let them outside. With a boom in pet adoptions during the pandemic, coupled with the complications of owners going back to work, Chamberlain saw a need for a better option.

    The result is the myQ Pet Portal, which began taking preorders in January 2021. Jam-packed with features, it includes twin 1080p cameras that beam encrypted video to your phone, no matter where you are. It has safety sensors to avoid pinched tails, microphones and speakers so you can communicate with your pet, and a bluetooth beacon that goes around your pet’s neck.

    The New Doggy Door Design

    Instead of the typical swinging flap of old-fashioned doggy doors, Chamberlain sought to design a door you won’t even know is there. The promo video shows a white door with a bottom panel that parts in the center, sliding open as a golden retriever jumps through. The name “portal” is fitting, as the slick feature would be right at home in a spaceship of some sort. The construction is weather-sealed and secure.

    How It Would Work and How Much It Costs

    Technology that connects you virtually with your pet is nothing new, as the Furbo treat-dispensing cameras have been around for awhile. But imagine being out at the bar with friends, as the myQ Pet Portal promo depicts, being alerted that your dog is waiting by the door, and having the ability to authorize the door opening and letting your dog outside. Chamberlain hopes their invention will eliminate the common barrier of dog ownership, “not being home enough.” With a base price of $3,000, the gadget might not be that accessible to anyone who couldn’t afford a dog-walker to begin with, but Chamberlain asserts it could save by replacing a pet-sitter budget in the long run. Find out more about this smart home “pupgrade” here.

  • Sectional Overhead Garage Doors Aren’t Your Only Option

    When choosing a new garage door, all the options can be overwhelming, especially if this is the first time you are replacing an overhead door. If you want to keep things simple, you can go for the most popular option for residential homes, which would be a sectional overhead door, but there are other garage door constructions to consider that can set your home apart. A new garage door is an opportunity to upgrade your home’s curbside value and security. So, before moving onto the next step, which would be choosing your garage door material (steel, wood, wood composite, aluminum, fiberglass or vinyl), take note of the various types of garage doors available.

    Sectional Garage Doors

    The “sections” being referred to are the horizontal panels that compose a typical residential garage door. The panels are connected by hinges, and fitted with rollers. These can be lifted manually, but are typically operated by a motorized garage door opener. The door rides on two parallel tracks, opening vertically, and gathering the panels within the ceiling. How much headroom your garage offers is something to consider when choosing whether you want an overhead door. Using a side-mounted opener can free up space, but you can also avoid an overhead door completely and choose one that slides to the side, or opens with a side hinge. Sectional garage doors are the most common on the market and can be made from a variety of materials, including glass for a modern-look or wood for a throwback. 

    Side-Hinged Garage Doors

    You might be surprised to know that all garage doors used to swing out before the invention of the automatic overhead door opener. Side-hinged garage doors open like normal, overhead doors. Old-fashioned, carriage-style doors used to open this way, but contemporary carriage doors have been adapted to open overhead. Swinging out via hinge is still an option though, and one that’s becoming popular if homeowners to free up headroom. Those who opt for swinging side-hinged garage doors will be pleased to know that they can open automatically as well. 

    Slide-to-Side

    Slide-to-side is another earlier method of operating garage doors. They work as the name suggests, by sliding or bending to one side of the garage and sitting parallel to the wall. They can be flexible to follow a curve, or straight. Slide-to-side garage doors are perfect if you want the largest entrance to your home to have a uniform look. You might assume this style is manual, but slide-to-side garage doors can be automatic with a built-in motor. These garage doors are especially useful if you want to make use of your garage’s ceiling space to sort extra boxes or sporting equipment.

    Other Overhead Styles

    Other operating styles that are considered “overhead” include roll-up doors and tilt-up garage doors. Roll-up aluminum grill doors are what you typically see used for commercial businesses, retail shops and storage units. Tilt-up doors are not sectional, but are composed of one solid piece. When open, the door sits parallel with the garage ceiling and floor.

    Found Your Garage Door Style? Here’s What’s Next

    Once you’ve determined the garage door style that works best for your home, it’s important to find the right material that compliments your home’s aesthetics. Once you’ve found the perfect door, it’s worth your while to upgrade your overhead garage door opener. A new door opener will come packed with the latest technology and will have a warranty attached to it, meaning your new garage door won’t have any problems on the opening front. After that, get your old garage door replaced by a certified professional and enjoy your new door.

  • EDH Garage Door Repair Can Also Fulfill Your Locksmithing Needs

    Not only is El Dorado Hills Garage Door Repair the best garage door repair company in town, we also offer a variety of other services around the clock. You might not think about it, but problems with accessing and securing your home can often call for urgent assistance. If your garage door won’t close, you certainly don’t want to head to work with it hanging wide open. Similarly, if you’ve lost your key, or it breaks inside a lock, you’ll want instant assistance accessing your home. EDH can extract broken keys from locks, change and repair locks (on doors and gates), and install electronic/smart lock systems.

    Electronic/smart lock systems are great for having a backup when a key is misplaced, and are also a practical option when multiple family members or employees need access. No need to worry about keys floating around, and if a code is compromised, it can easily be changed. If you’re the forgetful type, these systems can be a lifesaver, and with some of the smartphone applications, you won’t even have to memorize a code.

    Another advantage of electronic lock systems is that they offer greater flexibility. If you need to change the access code or grant someone temporary access, you can do so easily and quickly. With some of the smartphone applications available, you can even control the lock from your phone. I’m sure anyone can appreciate leaving behind the need to remember a code.

    Electronic/smart lock systems offer convenience, flexibility, and security. For people who are forgetful or prone to losing their keys, electronic lock systems can be a real lifesaver. You won’t have to worry about getting locked out of your garage if you have your phone or remember your door code.

    We also offer cabinet lock services, mailbox services and make copies of keys. We are on call 24/7 at 916-965-5766 as a trusted resource to solve just about any issue involving garages, doors, gates, security, intercoms, keypads and smart/electronic systems. If you’re the type of person to frequently lose keys or lock yourself out of your home or car, be sure to save our number in your phone.

  • Refresh Your Garage Floor to Match Your New Door With Stain, Epoxy or Paint

    Installing a new garage door might motivate you to update the interior of your garage as well. Even if you haven’t converted your garage into a lounge, there’s no reason you can’t have an attractive finish on the floors, or a fresh coat of paint on the walls. There are vinyl flooring options, peel and stick tiles and carpet, but those options could be limiting if you’d like to maintain a multi-use space.

    Paint

    Painting the floor is an inexpensive option, and you won’t need many extra supplies. You’ll want to clean your floors well and repair cracks with concrete filler before you begin. Using a long-handled paint roller, apply primer and a latex acrylic paint specially made for covering floors. It is a labor intensive task (but a good ab workout). Just be sure not to paint yourself into a corner. This is the least durable option, and you might have to repeat every three years. This DryLok Latex Concrete Floor Paint at Home Depot is a good choice.

    Epoxy

    If you’d like to take it to the next level, epoxy is a durable option that resists oil stains and easily wipes clean. You will again have to make sure any cracks in your floor are filled and that the surface is thoroughly cleaned. You’ll also want to check the weather and work on a day where the temperature falls between 70 and 80 degrees, although most coatings can be applied when temps are between 55 and 90 degrees. Humidity should be below 85 percent. You’ll want to follow manufacturer’s instructions and be sure to use the proper tools and supplies. A detailed supply list and how-to guide can be found here: HOW TO APPLY AN EPOXY GARAGE FLOOR COATING – A DIY GUIDE First you will mix colored resin with a hardening solution, then apply immediately by pouring in ribbons across the floor and rolling out.

    Concrete Stain

    The downside to staining concrete is that it is not an opaque cover-all to hide oil stains and imperfections. The upside is that instead of sitting on the surface of the concrete like paint, stain seeps deep into the floor and is longer lasting. If you’re at the beginning of a build, there are fancier methods involving pigment being added to wet, uncured concrete, but most likely you will be staining cured, hardened concrete. Once again, you’ll want to clean the floor thoroughly, perhaps using a degreaser at medium strength. You might need to lightly sand the surface to open the “pores.” While you can apply the stain with a mop or roller, experts recommend using a sprayer similar to what you would use to dispense herbicides. The true color will take time to develop. You will need a concentrated enough solution for the chemical reaction to take place, which can take up to eight hours.

  • Is Your Garage Still a Disorganized Mess? You Need These Shelves

    In our recent blog, “Never Store These 8 Items in Your Garage,” we went over which items would be better off elsewhere, (hazardous materials, electronics, wooden furniture). There are still plenty of items: tools, toys, garden supplies, camping equipment and such, that are perfectly fine to store in your garage space. It can be easy for your garage to become a catch-all, however, where all the items you can’t find a spot for inside tend to congregate, collect dust, and clutter your garage to the point of pushing your cars to be parked in the driveway. Not ideal.

    Professional organizer Lisa Woodruff, founder of Organize 365, has a solution to prevent your garage from becoming a hot mess, and it’s simple as can be: shelves. Nothing groundbreaking, everyone has shelves in their garage, you might think. But we’re talking about a specific brand and model of shelves that anyone can assemble (without tools), that are easy to move and easy to clean.

    Best of all, the specific model and size she recommends easily accommodates large plastic bins, instead of being a tad too short or shallow. At the edge of your seat? OK. They are (drumroll please): the Gray 5-Tier Plastic Garage Storage Shelving Unit (36 in. W x 72 in. H x 24 in. D) by HDX, which fortunately or unfortunately can only be found at Home Depot. Be sure to purchase the model that is 24 in. deep, not 18 in.

    With so many people redirecting their focus to home remodeling and organization projects this year, due to the pandemic, these shelves have been flying off the … shelves. One Home Depot employee said their weekly shipments of these specific shelves are gone within a day. No problem, since you can easily have them shipped. (The cost of shipping is worth it, if you are itching to get organized.)

    If you are an avid gardener, these shelves are especially helpful when hosing things down. You can stack two out of the three levels and use them as a platform for spraying and disinfecting pots, saucers and tools. You can use the taller stack as a drying rack, and when you’re finished, remove the heavy items, drag back into the garage, restack and stock them back up.

    A few other tips: Lisa recommends decluttering and grouping like items together before analyzing your space and purchasing organizational items like shelves and bins, but these shelves are a bit of an exception. They’re perfect for sorting items until you figure things out. She also suggests choosing clear bins so that you can quickly take inventory or find what you’re looking for. Listen to her podcast on tackling “hot mess rooms” here: How To Declutter Your Hot Mess Room 2020