El Dorado Hills Garage Door Repair

Tag: new garage door

  • A Guide to New Garage Door Installation

    The truth is if your garage door is over 20 years it may be time to consider replacing it. The good news is a new garage door installation has one of the highest return on investments for all home improvements — nearly 97%, virtually dollar for dollar. The reason for this is because of curb appeal and what a new garage door does for your property value.

    If you decide to install a new garage door, we recommend hiring a professional to do the installation. This is the best way to get the most out of your investment — you ensure it’s installed properly and safely. It’s also worth noting you may indeed void the warranty of a new garage door if you decide to install it yourself. That’s because things can go wrong if you don’t have the tools and the expertise to install the door properly.

    But if you decide to install a new garage door yourself, here are a few things you should know to do the job correctly.

    Spring Safety

    Before you replace your garage door, you’ll naturally need to remove the old one first. You’ll need to release the tension in the springs. Otherwise the springs are capable of snapping with incredible pressure — potentially causing serious bodily injury. To release the tension, you’ll need steel rods, turned one quarter turn at a time. Once the springs are properly loosened, you can move onto the next step.

    Remove Existing Hardware

    You’ll need to remove the garage door opener and existing garage door. Disconnect the garage door opener. Remove each panel of the garage door, piece by piece. Start from the top and work your way down.

    Once the panels have been removed, take the door frame off the wall. Next, remove the old garage door opener if you plan on replacing it.

    Installing New Garage Door Panels

    Now it’s time to install your new garage door. Most garage doors have pilot holes drilled into the panels for easier installation. Start with the top panels — installing the hinges at the top of each panel as you go. You’ll need to attach axle supports to the top and bottom panels.

    Install the Garage Door Track

    Once you’ve got the panels in place, it’s time to install the track. Attach the correct brackets to the vertical track pieces. Place the brackets against the wall so the wheels are in the correct position. Attach the door cable to the bottom axle support, and then attach the bottom bracket to the wall.

    Installing Garage Door Springs

    Once the track is in place, it’s time to install the springs. Mark the center of the door. This is where you’ll put your spring support. The springs attach to the anchors and the spring locking cone. The cone will keep the spring from popping away under high pressure. Attach the springs to the main header bracket.

    Installing Other Garage Door Parts

    Finally, you’ll need to install the torsion rod, pulleys, and cable. Next, tighten the springs. This gives your door the tension it needs to open and close.

  • 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.

  • Want a Longer Running Garage Door? A How-To Guide to Smooth Operation

    Think about how much you depend on your garage door for security, safety, and convenience. It opens at the touch of the button so you can always store and access your car. It keeps your house secure from burglars and neighborhood thieves. It’s a several hundred pound object you use several times a day, roughly a thousand times per year, but if working smoothly you know your vehicles, kids and pets are always safe.

    That’s why maintaining a well working garage door is so important. It really is a matter of life or death. It’s also important for security and convenience. And the smoother your garage door operates, the longer it will last and the fewer repair issues you’ll have overtime.

    A Quality Door Is So Important

    That’s why first investing in a quality garage door is so important. If you are considering installing a new garage door, think of it as an investment — you get out what you put in. A higher quality door has intrinsic benefits. For one thing, it will last longer, so you get more use for your money. For another, it adds more value to your home. A new garage door can significantly improve the value of your home: The better the door, the greater the improved equity you’ll reap.

    Regular Servicing

    We strongly suggest you don’t ignore your door. Don’t wait until something’s wrong with it to pay attention to garage door repair. Get it inspected by a garage door professionally regularly. This can help spot potential repair problems ahead of time so you can deal with the problem before the door is broken. You’ll avoid repair issues, and your door will last longer.

    Fix Problems Immediately

    If you notice an issue with your garage door, have it fixed immediately. Don’t put it off. Always expect a problem to grow worse over time. A garage door repair issue will get more expensive, and maybe even end up causing serious damage to your garage door if ignored. Be proactive and try to spot garage door problems ahead of time with regular inspection. And if you should notice an issue, have it dealt with by a professional immediately.

    Go Easy on Your Garage Door

    Garage doors can seem indestructible until they aren’t. Go easy on it. Open and close it gently. Keep it well oiled and tighten it up occasionally. The better you take care of your door, the longer it will last.

  • How to Determine Space & Size Needs for Your New Garage Door

    Are you building a new garage? Or are you renovating an existing garage? Size matters, obviously. And not just the size of the garage itself, but the size of the garage door you install. Should you get a standard size door or would a custom option fit your needs better?

    Let’s take a look at standard sizes for garage doors according to vehicle type.

    Garage Doors for Standard Vehicles

    Most cars are between 6 and 6.5 feet wide, and just under 5 feet in height. That’s a good starting point when determining how large you want the entrance of your garage to be.

    A single garage door tends to be 8-10 feet by 7 feet — enough to accommodate most compact cars, sedans, small pickup trucks, vans, and smaller utility vehicles.

    Large Vehicle? Consider a Double Garage Door

    If you have a considerably large vehicle such as a hauling truck or a semi, you’ll need a double garage door. It provides extra space and allows enough room to store more than one vehicle in a garage. The height is roughly the same, though width can vary, depending on how much room you need. Standard widths include 12 feet, 16 feet, 18 feet, or even 20 feet wide by 7 feet. It’s certainly nice to have plenty of elbow room. What you don’t use for vehicle storage can always be used for other storage, motorcycles, or tractors or other lawn equipment.

    Options for Recreational Vehicles

    RVs are about as wide as your biggest truck, but are much taller. To adequately store an RV, you’ll need a garage door that’s at least 16 to 18 feet tall. That can be a mouthful, but there are advantages to storing your own RV. You don’t have to pay for storage, nor do you risk violating suburban zoning codes that are common in El Dorado Hills.

    Measuring Space for Your Garage Door

    You’ll need to determine how large a door you’ll need for the opening. Measure end to end, as well as the floor to the top of the opening.

    But if you want a garage door opener (which is critical since this door will be heavy), you’ll also want to leave enough room to accommodate the overhead opener itself. Measure the space from the top of the opening to the actual ceiling. You’ll also want to measure wall to wall inside as well as how deep your garage is from one end to the other.

    Custom Garage Doors

    For semi trucks or RVs, you’ll need a larger door than what’s standard on the market. This requires a custom approach. Fortunately, we offer all sorts of garage doors for the El Dorado Hills area, including customization.

    We can come out and visit your space, discuss your needs and ambitions, and give you a free estimate. We’ve been providing quality garage door service to the Greater Sacramento area for a long time.

  • Garage Door Styles For Your Business

    Whether you’re looking to renovate a new space or change up the vibe to a more industrial style, an overhead garage door can be the solution! There are many reasons as to why garage door installations for restaurants and other businesses alike has been a recent hype. Are you on the fence about this conversion? Read our points below as to why this would be a great addition to your business!

    Garage Doors Create More Space

    No matter where in the US of A, many businesses have incorporated glass garage doors for their gym, restaurant or brewery. These types of doors are especially useful for the brewery or distillery. The large opening makes it easy to transport large items or for vehicles to have access inside the property. As for the seasonal weather changes, you can definitely expect more people to come out during the summer months. A restaurant garage door comes in handy for more outdoor seating and for more air to circulate inside. Maybe you’ve opened a cross fit gym in the area? Garage style doors for the gym are great for air circulation and to market your business directly to the outside world.

    Trendy Overhead Garage Glass Door

    Not only is a garage door great for extra space at the bar or for a patio area in a restaurant, it’s also beautiful to look at. With more passerby’s having a chance to glance inside your establishment by way of the garage door opening, the trendier you’ll look. Plus, accommodating more people means more business. Well, what about the cold winter weather? Sure, you’ll have to keep those doors shut for months on end. But for the most part, you can decorate the glass for seasonal holidays and even add decorative lights all around to give it a cozy feel. Plus, with glass windows, the public can still peer in to see what your establishment is all about.

    Safety First, Inspect for Garage Repairs

    Sure, the business garage door style is an amazing idea! Although, safety should always come first. Make sure you have a professional install that frame and perfectly adjust the new overhead door. Well, you can have any type of garage door installed, but the most common is an overhead garage door style. The clear glass aluminum overhead door is hot commodity these days. Nonetheless, you want to make sure your customers feel safe and keep coming back! If you need a garage door repair in the Sacramento area, give us a call and we can schedule an appointment!

  • 4 Garage Door Styles Trending Right Now

    So, you’ve purchased a new home with awesome garage space. Or perhaps you’re a new business owner who needs some re-design ideas for the newly acquired property. A brand new garage door can be the perfect addition or renovation you’ve been yearning for. With so many options to choose from, what’s a modern garage door design that can remain both elegant and timeless that’ll increase both your property value and your curb appeal?

    A Style That Compliments Your Home or Business

    You can customize a garage door to be the perfect fit in size, paint color or wood stained; plus have additions like extra doors or windows added. Some property owners feel like adding some pop or vibrant color to the home by adding a bold paint color on an overhead style garage door. Others may wish to add a classic vibe with a wooden look. Business owners in particular often want to add an eye-catching and inviting overhead door to entice customers.

    Take the time to explore the options that are out there. If you see a particular design that catches your eye take a picture to some qualified garage professionals who can help you figure out the best way to get those results on your own property.

    Modern Glass Garage Doors

    For a sleek and modern new look, we recommend a glass garage door. Glass overhead doors are a good way to show off your store from the street during colder months. Or perhaps you want to show off that convertible car parked in the garage? Glass is glamorous, super sleek, and adds some class to any building with overhead doors. With a good security door and the high-tech, nigh-indestructible glass fabrications of the present era, glass garage doors are an excellent way to show off your space.

    Craftsman Style Faux Garage Design

    If you’re looking for instant curb appeal, at a low, low price, look no further. You don’t need to install a whole new garage door to up your appearance levels. You can purchase these vinyl decals at a low cost and change up the entire look and feel of an outdated or old garage door. Vinyl decals on your garage might not compare to the real thing a new professionally installed garage door can bring, but it’s a cute addition that can help cover up years of use.

    Tempered Frosted Glass Garage Windows

    Okay, so maybe you prefer some privacy after all while acquiring a glass garage door. If you love the style and the sunlight, but don’t necessarily want to deal with the upkeep of garage window cleaning and potential peepers, then you should go with the tempered frosted windows. Frosted glass looks great pretty much any house, and it comes in multiple levels of opacity. You can also opt out for the white laminate glass on the garage door windows instead. Either or, both of these will up your garage’s curb appeal without sacrificing your privacy like clear glass would.

    Rustic Wooden Garage Doors

    If you’re really looking to turn heads with your garage door’s style, and of course price is no concern, then a classic wooden look may be for you. Wooden garage door’s change the entire aesthetic of your house’s façade to a warmer and inviting look. Price-wise wooden garage doors can be quite expensive, and likely will require a whole new system to operate safely. However, if you’re looking to really make your home pop and give it a high-end look, then wooden garage doors may be right for you.

    We Can Help You Explore Options

    Looking to install a new garage door? Let the garage professionals show you what’s available. We can lend a hand exploring the myriad of stylish options on the market right now for garage doors. We have the experience needed to help you find a new door that is both logistically feasible to install, and add that much desired curb appeal you’re looking for.

  • New Garage Door? 3 Installation Upgrades to Consider

    Want to improve the performance of your garage door? If you are considering installing a new garage door, it may be worth upgrading and improving your game. Here are our top 3 upgrades for improved garage doors.

    Heavy Insulation

    You live in El Dorado Hills, California and don’t need insulation? Yeah right. The truth is that a well insulated garage door keeps out the heat in hot climates as well as it keeps out the cold in wintry conditions. This means that in the hot summer, your home will be easier to cool. This will help you save on your electricity bill.

    Get an Impact Resistant Garage Door

    Older doors just aren’t that impact resistant. They dent easily. Overtime, it really shows. (In fact, dented and banged up garage doors are the most common reason for new garage door installation.) Fortunately, newer garage doors are designed to be impact resistant. This is great if you’ve got kids. It’s worth investing in a higher quality door because it will be dent resistant and will last a lot longer.

    Battery Backup

    In El Dorado Hills, California, battery backup is required on all new doors. This became law this year in an effort to address wildfire concerns. This way, your door will open even when the power’s out. Honestly, it’s a great feature to have and worth installing as an upgrade even if you don’t get a new door. Whether you live in California where it’s required or you have an older door, battery backup is just a matter of convenience.

  • Purchasing a New Garage Door Opener? 4 Factors to Consider

    Thinking about installing a new garage door opener? It’s really only a matter of time. While most homeowners will only install a new garage door once or twice in their lifetimes, garage door openers are another story. Because they don’t last as long, say 10 to 15 years, they will likely need to install a new opener sooner than a new door.

    The thing you need to understand is that buying a new garage door opener is not as simple as it sounds, especially these days. There’s smart technology to consider (why not step into the 21st century?) You also need to pay attention to horsepower, drive chains, and other factors. Here are 4 factors to consider when choosing a new garage door opener to install.

    What Type of Opener Do You Want?

    There are a number of garage door openers to choose from. Chain drive openers are very dependable, fairly inexpensive, but tend to be noisy. Belt drive openers cost a little more but are much quieter. They are nice if your door is by a living area or bedroom, or you don’t want to drive the neighbors crazy.

    LED Lighting

    There’s nothing worse than a dimly lit garage when you come. Not only is it not inviting, but it’s a safety hazard. We highly recommend LED lighting. It’s very bright — providing your garage interior with practically a day light feel — and highly energy efficient. It’s the best of both worlds when it comes to garage lighting — especially if you plan to use your garage for recreation such as a TV lounge, yoga studio or personal gym.

    Smart Garage Door Openers

    If you are installing a new garage door opener, definitely make sure it’s a smart garage door opener. This technology connects your garage door opener to an app via WiFi that you can control with your phone, any mobile device, or computer. Forget to close your garage door? No problem — it’s right on your phone. You can also have package delivery contact you for access to your door to avoid package theft.

    Battery Backup

    Battery backup is now required by law in El Dorado Hills and California in general. The idea is to be able to access your garage when the power goes out, especially in the event of a wildfire. But it’s still a good idea regardless of the law or if you actually live in California. Aside from the safety issue, it’s just a matter of convenience. Power outages happen all the time. This way, you’ll still be able to open your garage automatically.

    Even if you aren’t installing a new opener, you can still install battery backup on your existing opener. In fact, we can help. We install battery backup, new garage door openers, and new garage doors on homes throughout the El Dorado Hills area.

  • Thinking of Installing a New Garage Door with Windows? Here are the Pros and Cons

    Thinking about installing a garage door? It’s an important decision with lots of choices. There are so many options available! Should you get a wooden door, a wood composite door or a steel or aluminum door? Should it be insulated? Should the garage door have extension or torsion springs? What color do you want it to be?

    And yet another critical question to ask: should your newly installed garage door have windows?

    There are advantages and concerns when it comes to getting a garage door with windows installed. Here’s what you might want to consider.

    Natural Light for a More Open & Welcoming Feel

    The primary advantage to windows in a garage door is the natural light. It makes your whole garage feel more open and inviting. You can work inside with the door shut and not have to worry about light. Windows are also nice if you plan on using your garage as a makeshift greenhouse to grow starter plants for your garden.

    The natural light can also warm your garage which can save on your heating costs in the winter — even in El Dorado Hills, California.

    Design & Aesthetics

    There’s a decorative appeal to windows that can really add to the design of your home and garage. What’s more, there are a number of beautiful styles available that can really add a sense of taste and class to your home. There are a wide variety of options and patterns depending on the look you are going for.

    Security Concerns

    The biggest drawback to windows on a garage door is the lack of privacy — which can also be a security issue. Neighbors can see in your garage — but more alarmingly so can thieves, especially when you are not home. If you are concerned, you can always choose tinted, frosted or mirrored windows that still allow natural light without the garage interior being visible from the outside.

    Efficiency Concerns

    Windows aren’t very well insulated which can affect your heating and cooling costs. They offer little protection against extreme temperatures.

    Factors to Consider

    If you should decide on windows in your new garage door, be careful of being too cheap. Higher quality glass and frames are worth it both from visual appeal and an energy efficiency concerns. These windows will have a tighter seal from moisture and temperature changes. Real glass is also important. It will be more scratch resistant than imitation glass.