Frequently Asked Questions
How can an insulated garage door improve my home?
An insulated garage door helps reduce the amount of outside heat and cold that enters through one of the largest openings in your home’s exterior. That can make a noticeable difference in a garage that is attached to the house or used often throughout the year. By helping regulate temperature more effectively, an insulated door may also reduce the amount of energy needed to heat or cool nearby interior spaces. Another benefit is noise control, since insulation can help soften sounds coming from outside.
What kind of routine maintenance should I do for my garage or overhead door?
Regular upkeep can help your garage door operate more smoothly and may reduce wear over time. A few of the most helpful steps include:
- Lubricating the track and other moving parts using the method recommended for your specific door
- Cleaning the weatherstripping and conditioning it every couple of months to help keep it flexible
- Inspecting the rollers about twice a year and replacing any that look worn or broken
- Maintaining painted exterior surfaces so they stay protected from weather and exposure
More advanced repairs, adjustments, and replacement work are best handled by a trained professional.
What should I know about garage door durability?
How long a garage door lasts often comes down to the condition of its moving parts, how often it is used, and whether it receives regular care. Spring life and general system wear both play a major role in long-term performance.
Garage door springs
Garage door springs are measured by cycle life, meaning one full opening and closing of the door counts as a single cycle. Standard torsion springs are commonly rated for a minimum of 10,000 cycles, while upgraded versions can reach up to 100,000 cycles. With typical use, springs often last between 7 and 12 years. If a door uses multiple springs and one fails, replacing the full set is usually the best way to keep the door operating evenly and safely.
Garage door failure
Premature breakdowns are often tied to neglected upkeep or accidental damage, especially from vehicles. Ongoing care can make a big difference. That includes lubricating components such as rollers, bearings, pulleys, and springs once a year, cleaning painted steel surfaces several times annually, refinishing wood when needed, and checking the counterbalance system to keep the door properly adjusted. When a garage door is balanced correctly, it should stay in place around mid-travel during manual operation instead of drifting up or dropping down.
What safety habits are most important when using a garage door?
Garage doors should never be treated like something to play around with. No one, including children or adults, should try to race under a moving door or use the system carelessly, since serious injury can result. Remotes and transmitters should be kept out of children’s reach, and the wall control should be mounted at least five feet above the floor and away from moving parts. It should also be positioned where the person using it can clearly see the door while it is moving. It is a good idea for everyone in the household to know how the emergency release works in case the door needs to be operated manually during a problem or emergency.
Why would my garage door opener remote suddenly stop responding?
The most common cause is a dead battery, so that is usually the first thing to check. If replacing the battery does not solve the problem, the next step is to review the opener’s manual for model-specific troubleshooting. In some cases, the issue may involve programming, signal problems, or another opener-related malfunction that needs further inspection.
Do you keep garage door and opener parts in stock?
Absolutely, a variety of parts and accessories are kept on hand for the garage doors and openers sold by the company. Because replacement parts can vary from one system to another, bringing in the old part can make it much easier to identify the correct replacement. That helps prevent guesswork and improves the chance of getting a part that fits properly the first time.
How long should I expect to wait after ordering a new garage door?
Special order garage doors usually take 3 to 5 weeks, but the exact timeline depends on the design selected and current availability. We’ll help make the process easy and keep you updated from start to finish. Stock doors may be available for installation as early as the next day, depending on our scheduling. For the most accurate timing, please contact us.
What is the best way to prepare a garage door for winter and check it afterward?
Seasonal maintenance is a smart way to help prevent cold-weather problems. Before or after winter, it helps to lubricate and tighten hardware and bearings to reduce rust and wear. Cables should also be checked for fraying or other visible damage that could lead to breakage. A maintenance visit can also be useful for a more complete inspection of the system and to make sure the mechanics are prepared for seasonal changes.
If one garage door spring breaks, should both be replaced?
Yes, replacing both springs at the same time is generally the recommended approach. When one spring breaks, the other has usually gone through the same amount of wear and may be close to failing as well. Replacing both together helps restore proper balance and can reduce the likelihood of another service call soon after.
Why won’t my garage door stay closed?
A door that starts to close and then goes back up is often reacting to the photo eye safety sensors near the bottom of the opening. If something is blocking the beam, such as dirt, debris, or even gravel, the system may treat it like an obstruction and reverse the door. The sensors can also cause problems if they are dirty or slightly misaligned. Checking that both photo eyes are clean, clear, and pointing directly at one another is a good first step.
What can I do if I need service but cannot get my garage door to shut?
If the opener is preventing the door from closing, you may be able to lower it manually by pulling the red emergency release cord attached to the opener rail. This disconnects the door from the opener so it can be moved by hand. Because garage doors can be heavy and awkward, lowering the door should be done carefully. Once released, the door can usually be opened and closed manually until a technician arrives.
Do you provide same-day and after-hours garage door service?
Yes, both same-day service and 24/7 emergency service are offered. That means help is available not only for routine issues that need quick attention, but also for urgent problems that happen outside normal business hours.
Can a garage door be painted without causing problems?
Yes, but proper surface preparation is important before repainting. The existing finish needs to be prepared correctly so the new coating performs as it should and does not interfere with the door’s protective finish. Following the manufacturer’s repainting instructions is the best way to get good results and protect long-term performance.
How can I match my garage door color to trim, entry doors, or other exterior details?
For Haas doors, matching is made easier because the company uses Sherwin-Williams paint colors. That makes it possible to coordinate the garage door with trim, entry doors, and other exterior features more accurately. Printable color codes are also available to help guide the matching process.