The Untold History of Garage Doors
The overhead garage door has been an integral part of our culture for generations. From its inception in the late 1920s to today’s all-electronic models, there have been countless innovations and improvements developed to make life easier and to keep our homes more secure. Let’s take a look back at the long history of garage doors and some of their untold secrets. The Untold History of Garage Doors While the first overhead garage door didn’t take shape until the 1920s, garage doors, in their most stripped down and archaic forms, date back thousands of years. Since 3500 BC or possibly even earlier, the first wheels appeared. From the first wagons to donkey or horse-drawn carriages, humans have been using wheels for different modes of transportation long before automatic garage doors first appeared. Surrounding the evolution of the wheel, people have been trying to find ways to store their antiquated vehicles for safekeeping. In the 18th and 19th centuries, gatehouses and carriage houses were the first of many different storage spaces used for vehicles. Much like a barn, these structures were rarely attached to homes or businesses and owners would have to contend with inclement weather to get to their wagons and horse-drawn carriages. These buildings had heavy doors that swung outward and hung on hinges. Due to the extreme weight of the materials used for the first version of garage doors, these carriage doors often included steel crosshatches in Z or X-shaped formations to reinforce them so as not to sag. The Introduction of the Automobile As the 1800s came to a close, automobiles slowly began to replace the 4-legged fueled transportation of decades past. Henry Ford officially introduced the first line of cars in 1903 and called them the Model A. It donned the iconic blue oval logo that is still used on Ford Motor automobiles to this day. They were equipped with features like a safety glass windshield. Even with all of these advancements in transportation, since the Model A didn’t have a proper roof, they needed to be stored somewhere away from the elements when not in use. The first automobiles were also expensive. Those wealthy enough to acquire one at that time wanted a way to protect their prized investment. This is when traditional garages started to appear. Fun fact, the word “garage” was added to the English dictionary in 1902 and is derived from the French word “garer”, which translates to shelter. Makes sense, right? The Evolution of the Overhead Garage Door As automobiles evolved and the population grew more Americans began moving into urban areas, they needed designated places to park and securely store their cars. And in 1921 a man named C.G. Johnson answered their calls by inventing the first overhead garage door, replacing the cumbersome carriage doors that had to be manually opened and fastened shut. By the 20th-century homeowners began to desire convenience, and architects started designing homes that had attached garages. As cars grew in popularity and in size after World War II, many households owned two vehicles instead of just one and needed even larger attached garages to store them. And with this demand, the garage door went through multiple transformations until it became what we know today. Now you can purchase garage doors in all shapes, sizes, and in just about any material. Homes now prefer to have a multiple-car garage that matches the exterior of their home. They are outfitted with advanced sensors, are able to connect to your smartphone, and can even be programmed to open and close at certain times of the day or night depending on your schedule. The sky’s the limit when choosing a garage door that best suits your needs and style. Interestingly enough, in recent years, some homeowners have opted to bring back the style of the old-school carriage house doors but with the modern conveniences of today’s garage door technology. Today garages are used for far more than just to store your vehicles. Nearly 80% of homeowners use their garage for something other than automobile storage. They have been converted into workshops, game rooms, and art studios, to name a few. Whatever your needs may be, in today’s world of garage doors, you can find material and finish to satisfy your lifestyle. Contact Precision Garage Door of Las Vegas Are you in need of a new garage door installation or need to repair your existing garage door? It’s time to call the professionals at Precision Garage Door Las Vegas. Don’t get trapped in your garage or in a situation where you’re unable to open and close your garage door. We can send a technician out immediately to repair or replace your broken garage door springs. Our technicians are trained to handle all kinds of garage door, opener, and sensor issues and fix the problem. Call 702-637-2700 for same-day service.
The Hidden Benefits of a Glass Garage Door
The garage door has changed a lot over the years, going from manually operated to motorized and now you can control your garage door opener with your smartphone! Over the last two decades, the materials that garage doors are crafted from have also evolved. Today, you can choose from a whole host of aesthetically pleasing finishes to increase curb appeal and enhance the look of your home. Let’s focus on the benefits of glass garage doors and how they could be the right fit for your home and family. The Hidden Benefits of a Glass Garage Doors Once you have seen a glass garage door, it’s difficult to see the glamour of traditional garage doors. Glass garage doors are not only stunning to look at but have a wide variety of other perks, some of which you may be unaware of. Curb Appeal & Property Value As mentioned above, glass garage doors are especially pleasing to the eye. They absolutely enhance curb appeal but also bring increased value to your overall property. Due to their modern and contemporary aesthetic, installing a glass garage door on your home can make it more appealing to a future buyer should you want to sell your home in the future. Multiple Design Choices While you typically see glass garage doors on more modern homes, it’s beginning to not be the case. Nowadays the glass garage door is made to be more versatile by design. Manufacturers are making them in all different configurations with different tiny choices for the glass itself. This makes them even more appealing to homeowners that want to install them on older homes to update the overall appearance of a property. Added Natural Light Instead of having to install additional lights in your garage, why not rely on some natural light? Traditionally, most garages are dark spaces, but that isn’t the case when you have a glass garage door. With tinted and frosted glass options to choose from, you can allow the light to pour in without sacrificing privacy. The Appearance of More Space This goes in line with the natural light idea. Installing glass garage doors gives the appearance of a more open space, which is a much nicer environment to exist in. Glass garage doors offer a brighter, warmer, and more versatile space to create a home gym, a home office, a workshop, or just generally a nicer garage space. Energy-Efficiency Some would think that glass wouldn’t retain the heat as well as more traditionally aluminum garage doors but that simply isn’t the case. Glass can actually help with climate control in your garage space. With new, updated glass features that are now being used in the manufacturing process, you can heat your garage without it costing you a lot of money on your utility bill. Enhance Security From tempered glass to bulletproof glass options, you know you’ll be safe with glass garage doors. And when you incorporate sensors and other security-rich options on your garage door, you couldn’t really ask for more enhanced security to keep you, your family, and your belongings safe from would-be marauders. Minimal Exterior Maintenance Traditional garage doors need to be painted over the years. The most you have to do to maintain the exterior of your glass garage door is properly clean the glass. You can accomplish this with mild soap, glass cleaner, and a soft cloth. However, as with all garage doors, the internal components need some upkeep. That means ensuring that all springs, rollers, and garage door opener are maintained to extend the lifespan of your entire garage door system. Contact Precision Garage Door Service for Glass Garage Door Installation When in doubt, call the professionals at Precision Garage Door Las Vegas! We can send a technician out immediately to repair or replace your broken garage door springs, or to install a new glass garage door on your home or commercial property. Our technicians are trained to handle all kinds of garage door, opener, and sensor issues and fix the problem. Call 702-637-2700 for same-day service.