How to Protect Your Garage Door From Hurricane Winds
How to Keep Your Garage Door Secure During a Hurricane Keeping your home protected and free from damage is paramount when a hurricane is about to strike the area where you live, and the garage door should be the first area you look to when attempting to ascertain how secure or otherwise your home is. You don’t want wind to get inside your home, as this could create dangerous pressure that could damage your house. The garage door is typically among the most vulnerable aspects of a house, as these doors can be crafted from cheaper materials or could be lesser in overall quality if you’ve had it installed in your home for more than ten years. Before a hurricane hits, consider the following guidelines when keeping your garage door secure and protected. Consider Upgrading Your Garage Door If your door is over 10 years old or has become damaged for any number of reasons, it may be time to consider replacing and upgrading your door. Some garage doors are outfitted with a wind pressure rating, which means that the door has been equipped with installation parts and materials that allows it to withstand high winds, increasing the chances that it will remain secure in its place. If the material on your door has weakened, you might also wish to consider changing to a door with more durable materials, such as a steel door or an aluminum door with a fiberglass overlay. Contact a Professional to Inspect the Structural Integrity of Your Door Before a hurricane arrives, have your garage door checked out in order to identify the current structural integrity of the door. A qualified technician will be able to evaluate your door as well as the track and springs within to see if any repairs or additional hardware is necessary. A weakened door could prove troublesome in keeping your home safe and secure during a hurricane, which is what a professional will be able to spot. Consider Using a Garage Door Bracing System Vertical bracing systems are made of durable materials, such as high-grade aluminum or steel, and are able to anchor to the garage floor as well as the wall above the door. Having several of these braces installed should help your door resist maximum winds. If ever your garage door has become damaged, consider making use of Henderson garage repair services to fix the issue.
Things to Avoid Storing in Your Garage
Three Things to Avoid Storing in Your Home Homeowners often don’t realize what an asset the garage is in their home. Until you have one of your own, you don’t realize how much more of the stuff you have accumulated over the years you can store successfully. Besides the obvious function of storing your vehicles, you can store seasonal items and stuff you don’t use that you just can’t bring yourself to get rid of. While the garage is a great resource for storage, things can get messy and even dangerous in a hurry if you aren’t careful. My friend is a home insurance agent and he has a litany of disaster stories when it comes to people’s garages and the attic above them. To avoid these types of situations, avoid storing the following items where you store your vehicle. Canned Food A lot of people think that storing their non-perishable food in the garage is a good idea. While this seems harmless, it can actually affect the food in a negative way. While this food is considered non-perishable, it still has a shelf life. That shelf life is much longer when the food is stored in a cool, dry place. Your garage can become the exact opposite of this during the summer months when the heat and humidity are extreme. If you are just storing them for a short period of time, this may not be an issue. If long-term storage of non-perishable food is your goal, it is a much better idea to store the cans in a temperature-controlled area in your house like the pantry. Propane Tanks The general rule for propane tanks is that they should never enter any doorway in the home, including the garage door. Propane tanks are generally safe, but the results can be legitimately disastrous if your propane tank leaks. When propane leaks, it gets into the air as well, meaning that the simple lighting of a match or a cigarette could lead to a fire or an explosion. Compound this with the fact that there is a gas tank in your car in the area and you could have a major disaster on your hands. Always store propane on the exterior of your home. Unused Furniture For a short period of time, it may be okay, but you should never store furniture in your garage for an extended period of time. If it is wood, the constant change in weather patterns could lead to warping. Furniture with upholstery and cushions can become a nice home for pests in your area looking for a warm place to call home. The most important step towards making sure your garage is a good option for storage is to ensure that it is secure and sealed. If your garage door has gaps between it and the floor when it is closed, contact a location for garage door repair Henderson has to offer. You may be surprised to find that many of the repairs you need are covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.
How Garages Can Keep You Safe, Organized, and Creative
Garages: More Than Just for Cars For some people, the garage is where real living takes place. More than just for cars — although it’s that, too — a garage plays a vital role in your family’s household management, offers a space for letting your creativity thrive, and even provides security. Where Did the Holiday Ornaments Go? Smaller houses are ideal for downsizers of all ages and situations, but there’s a lot to be said in praise of a big garage when you’re trying to find something. What happened to your child’s soccer trophy? Where did the needle-nose pliers go? A good organizational system in your garage is key. Whether you install wall or freestanding shelves, the garage is the place to do it. Imagine easily locating tools, memorabilia, photo albums, your lawn mower, emergency supplies, and yes, the holiday ornaments. Sewing Room, Sawing Room The versatility of a garage is an amazing asset. Once you’ve decided where your car will stay, the rest of the garage is the perfect space to get creative. Imagine being able to spread out your sewing project without competing with family dinner. The garage can become that oasis of creativity and experimentation where you can work on your brand-new jigsaw, your handy tinkering problem, or that magnificent Lego creation of the Death Star. Whatever it is, your garage makes a great craft room where no one cares if the place gets messy, and it won’t be a problem if you drop something. Home Safe Most of all, the garage is the first line of defense for your house and your family. Your valuables are precious to you, and your garage helps keep you, your family, and your belongings safe. Admit it — isn’t it satisfying to see that garage door come down like the iron gate on your family fortress? Obviously, it’s important to keep your garage maintained, especially the crucial garage door spring that’s responsible for helping raise and lower your garage door safely. Check at least a few times a year to make sure you don’t need a garage door spring repair to ensure that your home remains your well-guarded castle.
Pros and Cons of Fiberglass Garage Doors
One of the most important considerations when getting a new garage door is material. Everyone is aware of wood, steel and aluminum, but few people know much about fiberglass. While this material has lost some popularity throughout the years, it’s an interesting material that is uniquely suited for certain environments and preferences. Here are all the pros and cons so that you can decide if fiberglass is right for you. Advantages of Fiberglass Garage Doors Fiberglass is one of the lightest materials that you can get for your garage door. This means that it puts much less strain on the lifting parts, and it’s easier to manually lift. A steel core is often included in fiberglass garage doors, adding strength and durability while still allowing the door to be light enough to handle. One of the most affordable materials, fiberglass is generally much cheaper than wood and, depending on the door, can be more or less expensive than steel. It typically runs in the same price range as aluminum yet provides better insulation. With insulating layers sandwiched between fiberglass shells, a fiberglass garage door can have an even higher insulation value than wood, which itself is a great natural insulator. Polyurethane insulation layers do a great job at improving the energy efficiency of a garage door. Another advantage of fiberglass is it won’t corrode, making it ideal for those who live by the sea. It also won’t contract or expand from temperature changes. Plus, exposure to moisture won’t cause it to warp or rot, which is often a problem with wood. Fiberglass is a very low maintenance material, so you won’t need to invest much time or money in upkeep. Since fiberglass is semi-transparent, it will allow more light into your garage. If you don’t want more light, then you can always cover the fiberglass with dark paint. Not only that, but fiberglass is so malleable that it can take on many colors and designs. You can even add a faux-wood finish to create that classic look without the high cost and maintenance of wood. If environmental sustainability is a priority, you’ll be glad to know fiberglass garage doors require relatively little energy to produce. A high-quality door also has a significant resale value, so you’ll recoup most of the cost when selling your home. Disadvantages of Fiberglass Garage Doors Since fiberglass is light and semi-transparent, it does a poor job of insulating the garage by itself. You’ll have to invest in insulation or combinations of materials to improve the total insulating value of the door. It can also get fairly brittle if continually exposed to the cold, making it bad for areas with harsh winters. You’ll find that fiberglass performs better in warm areas, like Las Vegas, where it allows heat to escape the garage. Another potential problem is fiberglass’s susceptibility to damage in high winds, plus the noise that can occur which many people find irritating. You won’t get building code approval to install a fiberglass garage door in a windy coastal area. The material is light and can also easily become dented. Breakage is a greater risk especially during a cold spell, and fiberglass has a tendency to crack as it ages. Compared to wood or steel, fiberglass is brittle. Thieves can more easily break in and the door can be severely damaged if you accidentally hit it with your car. If a fiberglass garage door is dented or damaged in any way, it must be replaced as there are no options to repair it. And, as sustainable as it is to produce, it is not easily recyclable. Fiberglass may also yellow with age. Exposure to sunlight can speed up the process. This problem has largely been alleviated with newer formulations, but it may still occur in harsher environments. While you can add new paint to the garage after it yellows, this will only be a temporary fix. Fiberglass Garage Door Installation Composite fiberglass doors are commonplace today. They are stronger, less prone to cracking and freezing, and come in a range of styles and with numerous options. Since it’s so lightweight, fiberglass is easier to install than other materials. While this is certainly an advantage when getting a new garage door in Las Vegas, you should consider all of the pros and cons before making a decision. Accounting for all the considerations above will help determine if a fiberglass garage door is right for your home. At Precision Door Services of Las Vegas, we specialize in fiberglass garage door installation, replacement, and repair. We offer same-day service and are available 24/7 to address any garage door emergency. Our certified technicians can fix any problem and have undergone a background check, drug testing, and extensive training in the field. They also uphold our commitment to quality service, professionalism, and prompt and efficient installation and repairs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or free estimate.
Dealing With a Garage Door That Won’t Close
Reasons Why the Garage Door May Not Close One of the main reasons why people have a garage attached to their homes is because it provides a safe place to put a car or other items at night. However, if the door doesn’t close, it can make the garage and entire home vulnerable to unauthorized entry and theft. Let’s take a closer look into why the door may not close and how the problem may be fixed. There May Be a Sensor Issue If the garage door senses that something is on the ground, it may halt the process of closing. This is to prevent a door from shutting on top of a person, pet or car. However, if the sensor is faulty, the door may stop closing even if there is nothing that it could hit. Homeowners may want to check to see if there are any electrical issues or any debris that is setting the sensor off before calling for help. Call a Garage Repair Professional If a homeowner is unable to determine why his or her garage door is not closing, it may be a good idea to call a Las Vegas garage door repair professional. This person may be able to take a look at the door and other components to determine what the issue may be. If the homeowner does know what the problem is, a professional may be able to confirm what the homeowner has found and take action to fix the issue immediately. Garage Door Problems Should Not Be Allowed to Linger Problems with a garage door should be taken care of right away. Failure to do so could turn a simple and fast fix into an expensive project that could take an entire day or more to finish. If a door is not closing after the remote has been pushed, it may be possible to unlock the door and close it manually until help can arrive.
Follow These Tips to Avoid Expensive Garage Door Repairs
As a homeowner, you don’t pay an exorbitant amount of money repairing your garage door. But if you follow these helpful tips in this article, your garage door will operate as it should for years and years. It’s All About the Quality Yes, quality does matter. You almost never want to go for the cheapest option. When you pay more money, it’s because the materials that you get are of much higher quality. For this reason, choose your garage door technician carefully. Start with garage door companies that belong to a relevant professional association. Because these companies have to abide by a strict code of conduct, you can rest assured that the company and its workers are legit. You should also get references from friends, family, and neighbors. If your loved ones like the service they received, then you have a better chance of liking them also. Reputable companies will charge more than those technicians who cut corners. However, these companies care about properly training their technicians and performing garage repair jobs the right way. But just because you hired what you think is a reputable company does not mean that you can’t ask them questions. For example, ask questions about the insulation, the type of garage door they chose for their home, and why they picked different components over others. Do a Bit of Maintenance Now to Save Money Later While spending more money for quality garage door services is crucial, you will need to do more than that to maintain your garage door’s health. To ensure that your garage door works as it should, you will need to do some maintenance tasks. You won’t have to spend your whole Saturday working on your garage door. You shouldn’t do this as DIY garage door repair can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Instead, plan to invest about 15 minutes every few months for lubricating garage door parts and making your garage door works. Call the Experts ASAP If you experience problems with your garage door, call in the experts in garage repair in Las Vegas immediately. Some garage door parts can cause serious injury if you’re careful. You might think that you can handle that strange noise your garage door is making, but you should leave these problems to the professionals.
Choosing the Right Technician for Your Garage Door Installation
What to Look for in a Garage Door Installation Technician If you’ve selected a new door for your garage, the next step you’ll want to take is to have a technician install the door properly inside your garage so that it opens and closes without a problem. Given the fact that a garage door is a large investment, it’s essential that you choose a technician that you can trust wholeheartedly to have it installed. To do so, there is a variety of factors that you should be aware of when considering your many options. Reputation and Accreditation Whenever you’re considering a garage installation in Las Vegas, the first thing you want to identify among possible technicians is their reputation, which can be ascertained by talking with friends and family members who may have had a garage door installed by this company. You could also check for reviews online by going to the company’s website or searching for them on Google to look for customer opinions. Check to see if they are a member of the Better Business Bureau or have received accreditation with the International Door Association, which should help you understand whether they are reputable. How Much Experience They Have When it comes to the installation of garage doors, experience can go a long way towards making you feel comfortable with the person or company that’s installing your new garage door. Check to see how long the company has been in business and how many garage doors they’ve installed over that period of time. Even if they have many years’ worth of experience with the installation of garage doors, you might want to look at what they offer as a guarantee for the work they’ve done, as it might be pertinent to select a company that will go the extra mile if you’re not satisfied with their installation. Availability of Free Quotes and Same-Day Appointments The installation of a garage door is going to be costly, which is why it’s important that the company you select offers free estimates and quotes on how much the installation will cost before any work has been done, which will allow you to avoid spending too much for the job. Some companies and technicians will also offer same-day appointments, which can be beneficial if you want them to finish the job quickly.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Aluminum Garage Doors
Aluminum is a very popular choice for garage doors because it is unique among common metals. It provides reasonable strength and durability but is much lighter than steel and other hard metals. While these properties have both their good and bad sides, you’ll see why this metal is so popular. Here are the pros and cons of aluminum doors. Pros of Aluminum Garage Doors Perhaps the biggest advantage of aluminum is that it’s much lighter than steel and other metals. This makes it much easier to install garage doors in Las Vegas because the sections aren’t nearly as heavy. Not only that, but this improves the longevity of the entire garage apparatus because less strain is put on the springs and tracks. Aluminum is also naturally resistant to rust and corrosion. Steel must have inclusions that provide this protection, but aluminum forms a layer that keeps out oxidation and most corrosives. While this layer will not last forever, it improves the longevity of the garage door if you live around salt and moisture. Since it’s a little softer than steel, aluminum is easy to emboss and design, giving you more options for your home. This attribute makes aluminum easier to recycle. Cons of Aluminum Garage Doors While being softer than steel makes aluminum easier to emboss and recycle, it also means that it’s less resistant to hits. A good hit can cause a dent in the metal. These dents are difficult to fix without a specialist, meaning that you’ll either spend a good amount of money for repairs or live with that dent for years. Aside from stray balls from kids, be wary of high winds and heavy hail. Aluminum also becomes softer with heat. At 400 degrees it will be very soft, but you won’t be experiencing that level of heat. Harsh summers can reduce the durability of aluminum. Aluminum Garage Door Installation Aluminum doors are easy to install and cheaper than other metals. Not only that, but they are reasonably durable and resist corrosion and rust. While they do have drawbacks in terms of denting and hardness, this material is ideal for many homes.
How to Protect Your Garage Door in a Storm [Infographic]
Although your garage door is built to last, during the winter season it is susceptible to damage from harsh conditions and storms. Here are a few essential steps to take if you want to protect your garage door.