The Internet has made it easier than ever to spread all sorts of information to people who you may not have had contact with before. While tons of excellent information is shared among people, some of it is deceptive and untrue. It might seem surprising that myths about garage doors persist, but it is the reality. Some of the things being touted as truth have been passed around for decades while others are new. New or old, it can be troublesome to get rid of myths once the world hears them.
If you are in the market for a new garage door or you simply want to know more about the one you have, knowing what is true and what isn’t can go a long way. We’ll share some of the most common false statements about garage doors but remember that if you have questions, a garage door expert can help.
Every single garage door is essentially the same thing
Garage doors may have some things in common with each other, but that doesn’t mean that you can swap one out for another and it will have the same features. The material chosen to construct a garage door can vary from aluminum to wood or mother metals. Each of these choices has a set of pros and cons. Aluminum is known for being the most lightweight option, while all‑glass doors are going to let in the most light. Wood doors are considered the most beautiful while metal is practical and strong. You have to decide which of the materials is right for your needs.
Material isn’t the only way that a door can differ from another; many come in different thicknesses, too. For example, those who have double garage doors, which might 16 x 7 ft in size, will often choose a thickness of 1 ¾ inch along with injected polyurethane foam. Why is this the common choice? When this sort of door is left open for a long time, such as when you’re outside doing yard work or playing with the kids, both of those aspects make a door that is strong and robust.
There’s no reason to worry about insulating a garage door
The idea behind a garage door is that when it is closed, it acts as another wall to your garage. You might wonder why insulation is so important for that. The truth is that it doesn’t always have to be. Do you have a detached garage far away from your home? Do you only keep items inside that you could stand losing? If that’s the case, insulation might not be needed. However, if you own an attached garage and keep valuables inside, insulation is a must. If you happen to have a bedroom over the garage, it’s best to install a weathertight insulated garage door. Another perk of doing so is that it can cut down on your regular energy costs. With thermal breaks and weatherstripping on your door, your garage will stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter months.
Professionals aren’t required for garage door repairs
This is another myth that is hard to stomp out, but that needs to be. You might think that repairing your garage door is simple and saves you money, but going through with it can be dangerous. In the same way, as you wouldn’t hand off your broken laptop to someone at random to fix it, because you would want a technician, the same applies to your garage door. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do some things to make sure the door is in great shape. You can do a visual inspection of the door, take some time to tighten up any of the loose bolts, and pay attention to strange sounds coming from the garage door. However, when it comes to real repairs, you can contact us at Doors & Things to find out what’s wrong and let an expert handle the repair.
Maintenance isn’t needed for a garage door
Many people think that there is no need to maintain a garage door so long as it keeps doing what it’s supposed to do. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Even if your door is working well, you are going to need to care for it regularly. Those who use the garage as the primary way into their homes should be even more sure that this maintenance occurs. The garage door located in your home is a large mechanical object, and you need to respect it for what it is. Not sure where to start with maintenance? Refer to this guide to learn more about what steps you should take.
All garage doors are really noisy all the time
A garage door is going to make some noise by virtue of all the metal parts it uses. Most of the components of your garage door are metal, which makes the entire system more durable and stronger than it would otherwise be. However, paying attention to the noises from your electric door opener and all its parts, such as the lifting springs, rollers, and tracks, is very important. If you notice that the noises have changed and seem off, you need someone to check things out. You should not wait when contacting us.
Garage doors are entirely safe
Most people don’t think a lot about their garage doors and the idea that they might be dangerous doesn’t come up a lot. However, you should be aware that garage doors malfunction and can be hazardous in some situations. Based on information from the US National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, more than 10,000 cuts, crushed fingers, and other incidents occur every year with the use of a garage door. This is something you should be aware of.
As far as safety goes, the most attention should be turned to the two automatic reverse mechanisms, of which one is mechanical, and the one is photoelectric. Thankfully, testing these systems a couple of times a year is enough, and it doesn’t take much time. To test the mechanical system, take a large piece of wood like a 2x4 and place it on the threshold of the door where it would normally close. Close the door, and you should see it touch the wood and immediately reverse to go back up. With the photoelectric system, you can close the door while waving your foot or an item in front of the sensors found a few inches from the floor on either side of the door. The door should also start to reverse. If either of these things does not happen, get in touch with us.
Repairs for garage doors cost too much
Nobody wants to spend hundreds of dollars on repairs, especially when you have a budget. Sometimes bills can be high depending on what you need to be fixed with a garage door. However, there are a couple of ways to avoid those high bills which we’d like to share:
- Lower your bill by ensuring you do regular maintenance on your garage door at least twice a year. If you don’t want to handle it on your own or don’t have the time, we offer a tune‑up program and can handle the maintenance for you.
- Before you hire someone to handle your repairs, ask for an explanation of what needs to be done and get a quote. This can be done while you make the call for service, but it’s also crucial that you confirm what you were told when the technician comes out. Every professional who is good at their job will be able to explain what needs to happen and how much it will cost.
An inexpensive electric garage door opener is just as good as the more expensive ones
Are you questioning spending $100 or even $200 for a garage door opener that comes from a specialized dealer? Less expensive options are indeed available on the Internet, but there are a few things you should know before going for the bargain. Think about how often all the members of your household use the garage to get into your home. Then think about whether you care about everyone’s safety. We’re relatively sure that the answer to the last question is yes, which is also why a more expensive garage door opener can be worth the cost.
What makes up the reason for the price difference? In many cases, the least expensive door openers use a three‑part trolley. This is less sturdy and tends to need more bolt tightening as time goes on. This is especially the truth if you have a double garage door that measures 16 x 7 ft. In addition to that, most of the less expensive door openers have no wall unit which can be used for programming your remote. All there is on the remote is a button. Some of the less expensive options also don’t come with very many accessories. While some people are fine with that, others are not. It’s best to ask some questions and make sure the choice you make is right for you.
Learning more about garage doors and door openers…
Are you located in or near Midland? If so, you can get in touch with us at 705-322-0136. We know everything there is to know about garage door systems and are happy to help you choose the one that meets your specific needs.
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