• 4 Benefits of Installing a Storm Door

    storm doors pittsburgh

    As a homeowner, you only want to make additions to your home that will increase its energy efficiency and provide a return on your investment. One of the simpler changes that you can make is installing storm doors Pittsburgh to the exterior of your home. With a relatively low up-front cost, installing a storm door is a generally inexpensive option that can provide homeowners with a number of benefits.  

    Storm doors are typically made out of either aluminum, fiberglass, or wood. As an added feature, many are equipped with interchangeable glass and screen inserts. When a storm door is newly installed, it can be expected to last anywhere from 25 to 50 years, depending on the material it is made out of and the quality.

    Here are four ways a storm door can enhance your home.

    Protect Exterior Door

    For most homes, the exterior door is more expensive than a storm door. This is because most exterior doors have special stains or paints on them and include decorative glass. These doors can benefit from having additional protection against the elements and wind-blown debris. Storm doors provide extra protection, ultimately saving homeowners money on maintenance costs and prolonging the life of the exterior door.

    Increase Energy Efficiency

    Even though you might have an energy-efficient exterior door on your home, adding a storm door will provide your home with an additional layer of protection and energy efficiency. This added layer of protection places an extra buffer between you and the summer heat or winter cold. Storm doors that are equipped with low-emissivity glass, known as Low-E, can cost an additional 15 percent up front. This additional up-front cost can result in reduced energy loss by up to 50 percent. However, the U.S. Department of Energy doesn’t recommend a storm door with glass, if your exterior door receives several hours of direct sunlight throughout the day. This is discouraged because the glass can trap heat between the storm door and the exterior door, resulting in damage to the entry door.

    Keep Bugs and Insects Out

    Storm doors provide a barrier, keeping what lurks outside from getting inside your home. On days when you want to let in a breeze from outside, you can safely and confidently open your exterior door to get a breath of fresh air without letting outside bugs and insects enter your home.

    Provides Additional Home Security

    A good way to discourage burglars from entering your home is to place an additional barrier between them and your precious belongings inside. Adding a storm door between you and those unlawfully attempting to enter your home can provide you with an added sense of security.

    If you live in an HOA neighborhood or condo, be sure to find out what rules they have concerning storm doors Pittsburgh. Some neighborhoods require approval before you can have a storm door installed. Once you have the approval and the door picked out, Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors can professionally install your new storm door.

  • How to Prepare for a Garage Door Installation

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    Congratulations, you have ordered a new garage door to be installed. But there are a few things that you can do to help ensure your door installation Pittsburgh goes as smoothly as possible. Many of these steps are simple and can make the experience easier for you and the professionals who you’ve hired to install your new door. Here are a few things you can do to prepare for your garage door installation.

    Clear Out Garage

    The first thing you can do before having a new garage door installed is to make sure your garage is clear. This means parking all vehicles outside before installation. As a courtesy, try to park your vehicles in such a way that allows the installation professionals to park their vehicle with the necessary tools and materials as close as possible to the garage.

    In addition to removing vehicles from the garage, be aware of any yard equipment, sports equipment, garbage cans, and any other items that might be located near the garage door and tracks. Any items that are located near the opening should be moved to the back of the garage prior to the installer’s arrival. A good rule of thumb is to have a minimum of one-foot on each side of the track and fourteen-feet back into the garage; this will allow the installer to set up ladders, removing the existing door, and set up a new door system easily.

    Keep Track of Pets and Kids

    If you have pets at home, be sure that your pet is kept in a safe place away from the garage throughout the duration of the installation. Far too often, homeowners allow their pets to roam freely during an installation, which is dangerous not only for your pet but for the installer as well. Even if pets are friendly, it is best to keep them away, as it is easy for installers to trip over pets and drop something. Pets may even end up chewing on something they shouldn’t.

    Along with pets, children should be kept away from the garage while installers are working. It is natural for children to be curious and want to watch, but children need to be kept away for their own safety as well as the safety of the installer. The installation process requires working with heavy items, overhead items, and items that are under spring tension. Because of this, only those who are trained to work on garage doors should be allowed in the garage during installation.

    Consider Location of Wall Consoles or Keyless Entry Pads

    Spend some time thinking about where you want to have your wall console or keyless entry pad located. As a general rule, most wall consoles are located next to the personnel door that enters the garage from the house, on the garage side of the wall. Most keyless entry pads are located on the left side exterior jamb of the garage door, roughly five feet off the ground. If you would like either one to be located somewhere different, be sure to talk to your installer before they begin working.

    If you need residential or commercial door installation Pittsburgh, Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors can meet and exceed all your garage door needs. Whether it be repairs or a new installation, Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors can do it all!