After Henry Ford’s horseless carriages became a hit in the early 1900s, owners needed a more spacious way to store them than the cramped carriage houses where they kept their smelly horses. That’s when the garage door was invented.
Garage doors come in many styles and colors; homeowners can customize them to fit their tastes. However, they also need to be maintained properly to ensure safety and longevity. Contact Patriot Garage Door now!
While most homeowners view garage doors as useful, they can be a powerful design element that adds personality and style to your home. Customization options are endless, from simple paint colors to elaborate window options. However, it is essential to understand the scope of your project to budget for materials, labor, and additional features accurately.
To create a cohesive aesthetic, choosing a garage door color complements your home’s overall look is important. You can use color visualization tools on home improvement websites to help you experiment with different hues before making a decision. It is also advisable to consider longevity and maintenance when selecting a color, as some will fade faster than others, while certain finishes may require more frequent touch-ups.
In addition to color, the choice of decorative hardware can influence the appearance of your garage door. Iron hinges and handles can evoke a rustic feel, while contemporary styles offer an elegant, modern appeal. Similarly, the placement of decorative straps can dramatically alter the visual impact of a garage door. For example, hanging them higher or lower can change the way a door opens and closes, and arranging them in a horizontal line can enhance the height of a garage door.
Other customization options include windows, which can allow natural light into the garage and brighten up your home’s exterior. You can choose from various glass types, including insulated windows that increase energy efficiency. Alternatively, you can choose simulated lites, which incorporate one large window with grilles that divide the door to appear as multiple windows.
Security is another important consideration for many homeowners, and customized garage doors can be fitted with advanced security features. These features can deter intruders and prevent break-ins, while also increasing your home’s safety and security.
In addition to aesthetics, security, and insulation, other customization options include smart technology, which can improve your home’s automation. These features can make your home more efficient, while also allowing you to monitor and control your garage door remotely. They can also help reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a sustainable lifestyle.
Energy Efficiency
Insulated garage doors can increase your home’s energy efficiency, reducing heating and cooling costs. An insulated garage door also provides a buffer from outside temperatures, stabilizing the temperature of your garage and any living spaces attached to it. This can help prevent fluctuating temperatures that can strain your heating and cooling systems.
Energy efficiency is important for any residential space, but especially for your garage and the spaces that connect to it. An insulated garage door keeps cold air from seeping in during the winter and hot air from escaping in the summer, helping to keep the overall climate of your home stable and comfortable.
Compared to non-insulated doors, an insulated door can be more than twice as energy efficient. This is because insulation provides an effective barrier to heat transfer, minimizing the amount of energy needed to maintain a desirable temperature. This can significantly reduce your utility bills and carbon footprint.
In addition, insulated garage doors are typically made of thicker, heavier-gauge steel than non-insulated models, which helps to increase their durability and resistance to dents. This increased strength also contributes to improved structural integrity and reduced warping over time, making them a long-term investment that can save you money on maintenance and repair costs.
An insulated garage door can also benefit you by adding to your property value. Potential buyers will be able to appreciate the added insulation and energy savings, which may help them justify a higher purchase price or lower mortgage rates.
You can look for a garage door with a high R-value, which indicates how well the insulation resists heat flow. This can be a helpful indicator of how effective the insulation is, although it’s important to remember that R-value only measures a material’s effectiveness at preventing heat transfer; it doesn’t factor in other factors such as air leakage or infiltration.
For a more complete picture of a garage door’s energy efficiency, you can also consider its U-factor, which is the opposite of R-value and indicates how much heat is transferred. U-factor values should be as low as possible to maximize the benefits of your insulated garage door’s insulation.
Security
While some people may think that a garage is not a significant entry point into a home, burglars often use garages to gain access to the main living areas. This makes the garage a valuable target, and it is important to keep it secure. There are several ways to do this, including installing a smart door lock and security cameras.
Wood garage doors are an excellent deterrent for thieves because they are usually much harder to break into than other materials. This is because they are stronger and heavier, making them more difficult to move quickly or quietly. Adding a security camera to your garage is also a great way to monitor activity around the garage and can help with identifying suspects. Many of these cameras are designed to sync with smart home systems and even your garage door, making them easy to set up and control.
When choosing a new garage door, opt for one that is made from steel or aluminium. These materials are stronger than GRP, making them a better choice for high-security applications. Additionally, consider a door with no windows. A window can be a temptation to a would-be burglar, as it will allow them to see that there are valuable items inside the garage. If you do have a garage window, make sure to keep it closed at all times.
Another way to increase your garage security is to install a slam shut feature. This feature automatically closes the door after a specified period of time. It can be useful when you are expecting a delivery or are going to be away from home for an extended amount of time. You can also sync your garage door with smart home systems so you can open and close it remotely.
Always keep your garage door remote in a safe place, and never leave it in your car. While it may be convenient to clip a remote on your sun visor or stow it in the glove box, these are the first places a burglar will look. Instead, consider buying a keyfob remote from your security provider that can be locked in your home’s keypad or synced with your smartphone.
Maintenance
There are many benefits of having a maintenance plan in place for your garage door. Some of these include reducing noise levels, optimizing energy efficiency and improving the look of the door overall. These plans can also save you time and money by identifying problems before they become major issues. These services also help prevent damage to the door and its components by keeping them clean and lubricated.
Garage doors are complex systems that have many moving parts that can be prone to wear and tear over time. A maintenance plan helps ensure that all of these components are working properly. This can save you a lot of money and headaches in the long run, as it will reduce the need for significant repairs and replacements.
Regular lubrication is one of the simplest maintenance tasks you can perform to ensure your garage door operates smoothly and correctly. This is important for minimizing friction between the different moving parts, which can cause them to break down more quickly. Regular lubrication can be performed by using a garage-door specific lubricant to treat the hinges, rollers and tracks. These simple steps can help extend the life of your garage door for years to come.
Visually inspecting the door for signs of damage is another important part of maintenance. If you see any cracks or tears in the track or cable, it may be time to call a professional for a repair. It is best to avoid touching the cables, as they are under high tension and can present a safety hazard.
Rust is one of the biggest enemies of garage doors. It not only looks bad, but it can also damage the structure and weaken the materials. Regular cleaning and lubrication of the moving parts of the door can protect them from rusting, making them last longer and giving your home a more attractive appearance.
If you don’t have a maintenance plan in place for your garage, now is the time to get started! Contact a trusted and reliable garage door company to schedule routine maintenance services. They can help you keep your garage door in top condition, protecting your investment and providing security for your family.