Category Archives: Garage Door

Spring Cleaning Your Garage Door



Spring Cleaning Your Garage Door


Everyone does some form of spring cleaning at their home, but has it occurred to you that the doors of your garage could also use some sprucing up each year? Garage door maintenance is important because it keeps the doors in working order and prevents major safety and repair issues. And let’s not forget about the curb appeal of a clean and attractive garage door!

Inspection

The first and most important part of garage door maintenance is inspecting all the separate and moving parts of the door. You should be looking for any damage, but also for signs of wear and tear that you can remedy before they become a bigger problem.

Checklist for inspection:


1. Door – look for any damage and listen for unusual sounds when opening. Check weatherstripping

2. Hardware – closely inspect the hinges, rollers, cables, and tracks to see if lubrication is needed or parts have to be replaced

3. Belt or chain – this is the heart and soul of your electric garage door. Tighten the chain, if there seems to be some slack, and lubricate using lithium grease (or a similar product)

Maintenance Servicing

After your careful inspection, it’s time to do the general yearly maintenance as part of your garage door upkeep.


1. Replace the batteries and bulbs in the main door unit. Replace batteries in all garage door remotes.

2. Add lubrication to any moving part that wasn’t greased during inspection

3. Check all safety features of the garage door. This includes all sensors and the auto reverse feature, if your door has it. It’s also important to check the balance of the door to prevent unnecessary accidents


Clean and Wash

It may seem obvious, but many people don’t wash their garage doors regularly. Grime and dirt can build up and even mildew will appear if you have bushes, grass, and sprinklers nearby. Even if you use a power washer on your house, it’s best to wash the garage door by hand because it is much thinner than the walls of a house and can easily be damaged. Soap and a soft scrubbing brush will work fine on any wooden door, then rinse gently with a hose. If your garage door is made of steel or fiberglass, use whatever cleaner is recommended.

Repaint or refinish

This certainly won’t be needed every year, but during spring cleaning you should inspect the door closely, looking for stains or small signs of damage. Small holes can be fixed with wood filler, then painted. Stains should be scrubbed, and a stain remover used if necessary.

Inspection

Cleaning and maintaining your garage door can be done any time of the year but including this task in your spring cleaning list is great because you can effectively get rid of the dirt and salt damage that has accumulated over the winter (especially in colder climates). Performing these simple techniques yearly will lengthen the life of your garage door and boost the curb appeal of your home. Happy spring cleaning!!!

A Brief History of the Garage Door



A Brief History of the Garage Door


Rarely does one find a garage these days without a door, but that certainly hasn’t always been the case. The history of garage doors is actually quite interesting! The very first garage doors are thought to date back to the Roman empire, when steel gates were used to protect chariots.

In the early 1900’s, car owners began to keep their vehicles in carriage houses, which were like small wooden barns. The carriage house doors were effective in protecting the horse and buggy that used to be the main form of transportation, but they were “swing out “style, which took much effort. These old style garage doors worked adequately for cars, but were handmade and built onto existing sheds. This caused some issues, as the doors didn’t hold up well, especially in colder climates. Ice and snow would often prevent them from even being opened in the winter. Wear and tear would take its toll quickly and could even make the carriage garage doors dangerous to open.

An early solution was sliding tracks to make safer doors. However, the problem was that in order to have a sliding garage door, the shed needed to be twice the length of the door. The solution was to create hinged folding garage doors that could be bent around a corner in sections.

In 1921, a man named C.G. Johnson created the first overhead garage door. He recognized the need to save space and have a garage door that could be protected from the elements. His invention was very timely because more and more people were able to afford cars with the production of the Ford Model T. This car was manufactured to be accessible to the general public and as a result, more Americans wanted to store their cars and have functioning garage doors.

A few years later, Johnson also invented the electric garage door opener and from then on, the overhead garage door became the first choice for homeowners.

These days, consumers have a variety of choices with the garage doors, from material to architectural styles, to added sensors, and extra storage. Many are also opting for “smart” garage doors that can be opened and closed with the touch of a finger on their cell phone. With all of these options, modern garage doors are a far cry from the steel gates and wooden shed of yesteryear, and it’s always great to have choices!

Three Garage Door Trends for 2022



Three Garage Door Trends for 2022


Garage doors continue to remain one of the top home improvement projects that can improve not only curb appeal but home value. It’s a relatively simple fix that can go a long way. If you’re looking to upgrade your garage door in 2022, we have the top 3 trends to keep an eye on while you’re looking for the perfect garage door for your home.

Tinted Glass

Tinted glass is a great way to take a simple, modern design and add a unique look. Whether you have a fully glass door or just a few accent windows, adding a tint can create a look that complements your style and home.

Faux Wood

Wood garage doors look incredible and are always one of the more popular styles, but many people are understandably wary of the maintenance and upkeep of wood. Problem solved with faux wood! Faux wood garage doors give you the look of grainy, unique wood without the upkeep.

All In The Details

Some very simple ways to make the front of your home look like it stepped out of a design magazine is by focusing on details. From the hardware to lighting, to uniquely shaped windows, paying attention to the details of your garage space can make all the difference! Plus, if it’s not in your budget to completely replace your garage door, it’s a more affordable way to upgrade slowly.

Thinking of upgrading your garage door this year? We can help! Get in touch with us today to discuss your vision, options, and make your dream a reality! Our team of experts can help you find the perfect solution for your home.



Garage Doors, The Unsung Home Investment Hero



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



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!