Garage Doors, The Unsung Home Investment Hero

Is a new garage door a good investment?

For most of us, when we have a few extra dollars to spend, a garage door isn’t the first thing on our list. The pain of #adulting is real. BUT we’re here to propose that getting a new garage door is actually a great investment!

Here’s why:

The National Association of Realtors says the average garage door installation is $2,100 but when selling your home, you’ll recoup almost the full amount!

New garage doors also go a long way when it comes to curb appeal and impressing potential buyers. A survey found that 70% of realtors agree that a new garage door helps sell a house faster and can even increase the selling price by $8k-$14k!

But it’s not just about curb appeal, there are actual financial benefits too.

Energy

Well-insulated garage doors can keep your garage up to 20 degrees warmer in winter and that much cooler in summer. A well-insulated garage can translate to the temperature of your home! Ultimately, a new garage door affecting the temperature of your entire home translates to energy savings!

Safety

Garages are one of the first targets for theft. They are typically unsupervised and not alarmed. And older garages simply aren’t secure. A new garage door will increase the security of your home, which goes a long way in protecting you against potential losses, not to mention the savings on home insurance!

Reduced Maintenance

An old garage door will, in the long run, cost you more money in maintenance and repairs. Whether it’s minor repairs like paint or dents to more major repairs that may affect the safety or integrity of your home, getting a new garage door installed will be a better long-term investment.

Need some additional help? We’ve got you covered. Whether you need more convincing or want to look at options and pricing, our experts will give you all the details you need to know about making your home a safer, more cost-effective, curb appealing, investment! Get in touch with us today!

Pros and Cons of Glass Garage Doors

Choosing a garage door can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help. When it comes to making a choice on the variety of garage doors available to you, let’s focus today on glass garage doors. While most people would probably assume these types of doors would only work on a more modern and minimalistic home, the truth is there are a variety of customizable options to make it work in whatever space you need.

Pros of Glass Garage Doors

1. Natural Light – You really can’t beat the feeling of natural light in any home space. Whether you use your garage for working from home, exercising, or letting the kids play, glass doors let in light all day long so you can even save on your energy bill!

2. Curb Appeal – We talk about curb appeal a lot here on the blog, and that’s because it really makes an impact! Not only for making your house look great, but also to increase your resale value.

3. Durability – You might think that glass doors can’t take a beating, and while we don’t recommend you beat your garage door, we can tell you that the aluminum and tempered glass used in these doors can withstand the test of time. Plus, you won’t need to upkeep your door with new coats of paint or sanding.

4. Versatility – Glass garage doors can be used in a variety of ways, not just for your actual garage. You can use these doors to divide spaces and rooms or even in your house in areas that could use some outdoor/indoor living.

5. Design Choices – You can choose from a range of colors, finishes, and patterns that can accent your specific home style! So even if your home isn’t modern, you can choose a glass door that complements any style.

Cons of Glass Garage Doors

1. Expense – You can expect to pay about double the amount of a regular garage door for your glass garage doors. The materials and manufacturing plus the delicate nature of delivery and installation are where the extra cost comes into play.

2. Cleaning – While we mentioned that there is little maintenance when it comes to wear and tear on the garage door, you will most likely need to clean it more often as glass shows dirt and fingerprints more quickly than your average garage door. In most cases though, a simple rinse with soap and water will do the trick.

3. Insulation – Even though there are benefits of allowing natural light in, you’ll find that the lack of insulation is less energy efficient than traditional materials. However, this can be minimized by using a mirror or tint finish on the glass.

Champion Overhead Door is here to make your decision-making process a breeze! Our team of experts can help you pick the perfect door for your unique style, home, and needs. Get in touch with us today to get more information on glass doors plus the other doors we have available!

4 Ways to Deal with Garage Door Dents

Keeping your garage door in great working shape isn’t just about aesthetics. Practically speaking, it’s important for making sure your garage door is working properly.

Whether you accidentally backed your car into your garage door or playful children resulted in dents, it’s possible to repair garage door dents without the help of professionals. In some cases, after assessing the damage, you might decide that a professional should get involved. But for minor dents in your aluminum garage door, you can try a few different methods.

Hammer It Out

Aluminum garage doors are known for their malleability, which helps when minor dents are present.

1. Clean up the dented surface area with a simple soap and water mixture.
2. Get a block and mallet or something similar.
3. Go to the opposite side of the indentation and place the block over the dent.
4. Gently tap the section with your mallet until it sits flush with the rest of the panel.

Deeper dents may require using fine grit sandpaper and filler to create smoother results.

Suction Cups

If you have access to suction cups, this is an extremely efficient way to take care of minor dents on your garage door. Similar to car repairs, technicians can use suction devices to correct garage door dents.

Use Heat

Metal garage door panels shift back into place with rapid heating and cooling. This method requires more steps, but is relatively simple and inexpensive.

1. Clean up the dented surface area with a simple soap and water mixture and wait for it to dry thoroughly.
2. Place aluminum foil over the dented area.
3. Heat the aluminum foil with a lighter for about a minute and then quickly remove the foil.
4. Use compressed air to spray the dent for another minute and it should pop back into place.

Call A Professional

For major repairs, it’s always best to have a technician assess the damage and either fix it themselves or recommend a replacement garage door panel.

There are plenty of options when it comes to fixing dents and dings, and as always, Champion is here to help you! Whether you need recommendations, instructions, or a replacement, we’ve got you covered.

How to Level a Garage Door

An unbalanced garage door is not only an eyesore, but it can be dangerous too! Unbalanced garage doors can often close too quickly making it a hazard for pets and young children and can put stress on various related parts.

What’s the most common reason for an unlevel garage door?

Typically, the torsion springs (the overhead springs). Each spring is made of tightly wound metal to ensure the door can open and close properly. They wind and unwind to pull the garage along its track and if they are damaged will cause the weight to be unevenly distributed. If left unchecked, the problem could affect other parts and require a new door completely.

Signs Your Garage Door is Unlevel:

– The door looks uneven when opening or closing

– The door hangs slanted or sags when fully open

– The door makes unusual sounds when opening or closing

– The door takes longer than usual to open or close

– The door won’t budge at all

Here are a few tips to level your garage door so it looks as good as the day it was installed!

1. Keep the Garage Door Open
Take pressure off the garage door by using a stool or ladder to prop it open a few feet.

2. Adjust the Spring Within Track Hanger
Make sure the springs are free of any tension before you remove them. If the door is closing too quickly, move the spring over to the next hole that you see on the bracket. If it was opening quickly then you’ll move it to a lower hold. Do the same for both sides in the same way.

3. Make Sure the Door Closes Evenly
Close the garage door and use a level tool to make sure both sides are touching the ground evenly. If it still doesn’t, adjust the spring tension on both sides until it does.

4. Adjust the Lift Cable
Finer adjustments to alignment can be made by lifting the cable and not the spring. The cable can be found attached to the S-hook which attaches to the track support. Keep the door open, then take the S-hook out of the built-in support mechanism to tighten, or you can loosen the cable as required. You will want to do this in a very minor way.

If you need help aligning your garage door or if you think you might need a replacement, get in touch! Our experts will help you problem solve your way into the perfect solution.

5 Affordable Garage Door Upgrades

It’s no surprise that garage doors hold a key to curb appeal. They tend to be a major focal point of the home and even if your home has been freshly painted and remodeled, a forgotten garage door will bring the overall look down a notch.

If you need to give your garage door some love, but you’re not ready to purchase a brand new one, here are a few ideas!

1. Focus on the Trim

If the trim around your garage door is worn, give it a good sand down and new paint.

2. Add Accent Lighting

Lighting can accent the good and sometimes even disguise the old. Exterior lighting can be purchased for as little as $60 a light so you can highlight the garage door for minimal cost. Install lights above the doors, beneath windows, or alongside other accents.

3. Update Landscaping

Landscaping also plays a huge role in curb appeal and while you can certainly break the bank with a full yard remodel, it’s easy to grab a few nice plants to hide flaws or accent a walkway. Frame your garage with bushes, flower beds, or a nice potted tree.

4. Upgrade Garage Door Hardware

Hardware can make a powerful statement. Simply updated generic door handles or visible hinges can make a huge difference!

5. Add a Pop of Color or Fresh Paint

Make a bold statement or stick with something more subtle. But a fresh coat of paint can do your door a lot of good for a minimal investment. Check out this article on the correct way to paint your garage door.

Wherever you find yourself in your garage door journey, we’re here to help! From recommending the right doors to helping you safely maintain or upgrade an old one, our experienced team will help ensure your garage door curb appeal. Get in touch with us today!