Though you might think differently, commercial garage doors are not very different from residential garage doors. The only differences between commercial and residential garage doors are the styles and available sizes. Commercial doors are generally less ornate, and are available in larger sizes. When it comes to Pittsburgh commercial garage doors , there are two main types of doors: coiling roll-up doors and sectional garage doors.

Coiling roll-up doors, also known as service doors, are made from horizontal metal slats, usually steel. When the door is opened, the slats are rolled up into a coil above the door, just like their name implies. They can be manually operated by lifting up or pulling down the other options for operating include, chain hoists and electric motors. Service doors are generally found in industrial buildings, stores, and other commercial buildings. They are appealing to most business owners, because the metal slats serve as a great protection against break-ins and harsh weather elements.

Coiling roll-up doors, can be built to custom sizes, up to 24 feet wide, and are perfect for buildings that don’t have the required amount of backroom needed for a traditional-style garage door. The term “backroom” refers to how far back the wall is from the opening of the door. Service doors provide the perfect compact option for those who have limited space available, because of how the door coils above its opening. Even the operational components, such as the motors and chain hoists, are compacted into the same area as the door when it is rolled up.

Unlike coiling roll-up doors, or service doors, sectional garage doors do not roll into a compact coil. Sectional doors are similar to what you will typically find on most homes, just lacking the design and style aspects. Large sectional doors are operated by a motor, whereas smaller sectional doors are often hand-operated. They open with a system of springs and cables, moving the door upward, and then horizontally across the ceiling. This is where having adequate backroom space is essential, so that your door has somewhere to go when opened. The garage’s ceiling must also be strong enough to support the full weight of the garage door.

The advantage of having a sectional door installed rather than a coiling roll-up door is that sectional doors are significantly cheaper and are available in more styles. There are more options to customize your sectional door, including being able to add windows.

When looking for new Pittsburgh commercial garage doors, Giel Garage Doors offers a wide selection of commercial garage doors to fit your specific needs and budget. Contact us today about your commercial garage door needs, and we’ll make sure you get the right garage door for your business!

Probably one of the last things on your to-do list is garage door maintenance, and maybe it’s not on your list at all. Garage doors are an often easy to overlook item. Your garage door is the first thing you see when you get home and the last thing you see when you leave for work. We just assume that it’s always going to be in working order, but that’s not always going to be the case. There are a few maintenance guidelines that can keep us and our garage doors on track. Most of these are quick fixes that should be done at least once a year, and now that it’s summer, you have the perfect opportunity to check and fix your garage door before the snow and rain of fall and winter come back! Doing a few simple maintenance acts can prevent you from having to hire garage door Pittsburg experts for more costly repairs later on in the year for the life of your garage door.

1. Clean it out

Your garage door is one of the largest pieces of mechanical equipment that you use regularly, and it does need a tune-up every now and then. Give the door rollers, tracks, hinges, and latches a thorough cleaning with a citrus solvent and remove any built-up grime and dirt. Pay special attention that the tracks on both sides of the door are clear of leaves and other debris, and that they are evenly aligned. If you notice that the tracks need to be adjusted, this must be done by a professional garage door Pittsburg technician.

2. Lubricate it

The constant up-and-down motion that is required for garage doors day after day can take a toll on the pulleys, wheels, and tracks of your door. Make sure to check and regularly lubricate the door’s hinges, springs, and bearings with a non-silicon based lubricant. Most technicians recommend that if you aren’t sure what lubricant to use, motor oil is a standard garage door lubricant that is easily available. Make sure that you don’t oil the actual roller tracks on your door, as direct lubrication of the tracks can make the door become unbalanced, triggering the door to slip and causing injury or damage.

3. Weather-strip it

Check the rubber weather seal on the bottom of your door. If the seal is brittle, cracked, or ripped, replace it! Weather stripping can not only protect the bottom of your garage door, but it can keep the elements out of your house. Weather stripping is usually sold by the foot at hardware stores. Just simply measure the length of stripping you need and replace it yourself, easily!

Don’t let one of the biggest parts of your house go forgotten. Make sure you keep your garage door maintained and at peak performance. And when there are fixes or problems that require more than a cleaning cloth and lubrication, garage door Pittsburg experts Giel Garage Doors have the experience to get it working perfectly.

Having a garage attached to your home is a wonderful thing, with the extra storage space and covered parking for your car! While having a garage is a nice addition to a home, a garage door can also be a huge safety concern when proper garage door safety is not adhered to. Keeping a garage in proper working order will not only protect the contents of your garage, and your household, but it will also keep members of your family safe. Here are 10 Pittsburgh garage doors safety tips that everyone should be aware of.

1- Keep Garage Door Opener Out of Reach of Children

Keeping your garage door opener out of the wrong hands is the most important safety tip. Don’t let young children play with remotes. Keep remotes where children can’t find them and be tempted to play with the buttons.

2- Prepare for Emergencies

Should you need to open your garage door quickly during an emergency/accident, make sure you know where the emergency release feature is located on your door. Find out before it becomes urgent. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for all types of emergencies.

3- Be Smart Around Garage Doors

Never step, walk, run, or play around a garage door that is opening or closing. Teach young children to not play around garage doors. Garage doors are not a toy.

4- Inspect Door Components

Every month, take the time to inspect the components of your garage door to ensure they are working properly. Components to check include: springs, cables, rollers, and pulleys.

5- Test Auto-Reverse

If your garage door is equipped with an auto-reverse function, be sure to check it regularly to ensure that it is working. Placing a roll of paper towels in the door’s path is an easy way to check and make sure the feature is working properly. If your door does not have the auto-reverse feature, consider investing in a new garage door that comes equipped with the feature—it can prevent serious accidents!

6- Watch your Fingers!

Placing fingers in between door sections can result in a severe injury. Teach children to keep hands and fingers away from garage doors as well. If you are concerned about children getting hurt on your garage door, look into investing in a door with non-pinch panels to help prevent injuries.

7- Don’t Leave Door Agape

Leaving your garage door even partially open can be a safety and security issue. A partially open garage door can allow unsolicited entry into your garage, and ultimately your home. Someone trying to go underneath a partially open door could get pinned and seriously injured if the door is reactivated.

8- Unplug Your Garage Door when You’re Away

If you are going to be away from your home for an extended period of time, consider unplugging your garage door, or locking it so that is unusable until you return home.

9- Change your Garage Door Code Regularly

Regularly change the standard codes on the garage door opener and remotes to enhance security from unsolicited opening of your garage door. Another option is to get a rolling code that changes the access code every time it is used.

10- Prevent Invasion

A garage door is the first step in securing your home while you are away, but always be sure to lock the entry door from your garage into your home. If someone should get ahold of your garage door remote, it could mean access to both your garage and your home if the door is left unlocked. Keep tabs on your garage door remotes—don’t leave your remotes with parking attendants or others you do not know. Consider putting your garage opener on a key ring so that it stays with you at all times.

If your Pittsburgh garage doors are needing repairs or maintenance to ensure the safety of everyone, contact Giel Garage Doors . Equipped with the latest and safest garage doors on the market, Giel Garage Doors can outfit your home with a beautiful new garage door that will be both functional and provide the latest safety features to protect your home and family.