How to Choose the Perfect Garage Door to Match Your Home

Choose the Right Garage Door for Your Home

Garage doors take up a large space in front of your home, so how your garage door looks matters a great deal for your home’s curb appeal. However, there are other aspects of your garage door you should also consider. Let’s take a look at the factors you should consider to choose the right garage door for your home.

Think About How You’ll Use Your Garage

You might park your cars in your garage, use it as a workspace, have family nights in your garage or use it as a living space. Regardless of how you use your garage, it’s a good idea to have adequate door insulation to avoid heat from entering your garage during the warmer months and prevent heat escaping during the colder months.

The R-value you choose for your garage door determines the amount of insulation you have. Even if you don’t spend a significant amount of time in your garage, your garage door’s insulation can affect the temperature of your home. If you spend a significant amount of time in your garage, you might want to consider getting a door that has windows.

Garage Style and Material

There are a number of styles and materials to choose from. You want to find one that matches the style of your home, but you also want a door that stands out from the rest of your home. For instance, if you have vinyl siding, you can choose a door that is made from vinyl. To make your garage door stand out, you can choose a door that is a different color from the rest of your home, which can match the trim of your house.

If you want to choose a different material on your door than the rest of your home, make sure it is painted the same color or a complimentary color. Wood, steel and faux wood are the most popular choices for garage doors. Steel garage doors typically have a higher R-value.

Get started choosing the right garage door for your home by contacting Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc.

Everything You Need to Know About Torsion Springs

What are Torsion Springs in a Garage Door?

Torsion springs are what make it possible to open and close your garage door. Therefore, it’s essential to be familiar with what they are, how they work, and when you may need garage door repair services for a broken spring.

What Are They?

Torsion springs are placed on the pulley wheel of your garage door, and they’re designed to tighten when the garage door is raised. As the door is lowered, this tension is released. The force is transferred into the wheels of the garage door, which makes it easier for you to guide the door down the track.

There are significant differences among products in terms of the amount of tension that can be stored in the springs, the material that they are made from, and the specific system that they are designed for. That is why it is important to choose a replacement that is designed for your specific garage door system.

What Are They Made From?

Torsion springs are made from dense materials, which allow them to store more energy than conventional springs. While multiple types of materials are used in garage door openers, they all fall into one of a few main categories. In most cases, the spring will be made from stainless steel. This is considered to be one of the best materials for a garage door torsion spring. However, the springs can also be made from any of the following materials:

Non-steel Alloys

Chrome Vanadium

Chrome Silicon

Titanium

Beryllium Copper

Phosphor Bronze

How Many Times Can a Torsion Spring Be Used?

The average torsion spring will last around 10,000 uses. However, this will vary significantly from one product to another. It’s important to be familiar with the signs of torsion spring failure. These are a few things that you’ll notice if the spring is failing:

In some cases, there will be squealing or groaning sounds coming from the spring. This is a very strong sign that it could fail very soon.

The door will not open and close at the same speed each time.

The door may open only a few inches due to a safety mechanism that keeps it from going up and down more than a few inches if the weight is not distributed correctly.

If the spring has failed, you will hear a loud popping sound.

If your garage door spring has broken or is on the verge of failure, be sure to contact Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. to get it repaired or replaced right away.

Benefits of Investing in a Pergola System for Your Deck or Patio

Advantages of Installing a Pergola in Your Yard

Pergolas are striking outdoor structures that provide numerous benefits. You can transform your home’s deck or patio by installing a pergola system that perfectly matches your existing aesthetic. If you’re interested in renovating your home, raising your property value, and increasing your comfort, check out these four benefits to a pergola system:

Protection From the Wind

Pergolas made from durable materials can generally withstand harsh weather conditions. Pergolas will also help shield your deck or patio from damages caused by rain, snow, and storms. A pergola system by Equinox or Sunair can be built as an attachment to the house, providing even greater stability and further protection.

Greater Landscaping Opportunity

If you enjoy gardening, you will be excited about all the possibilities a pergola offers your backyard. In addition to greater protection for boxed and potted plants, a pergola can support flora such as vines, ivies, and climbing followers. A trellis can add extra shade and cover one side of your pergola to create a nature-inspired design that’s both inviting and beautiful.

Shade During Summer Months

You love spending time outdoors, but it can be difficult to avoid sun exposure without adequate protection. Pergolas offer shade that encompasses your entire outdoor seating area, so you and your family can stay cool, avoid sunburns, and spend more time outdoors during the summertime.

However, if you want to enjoy some of the fresh air and sunshine, a retractable pergola system may be the solution. You can retract the canopy whenever you want sunlight and extend it when you need shade and protection.

Hundreds of Design Options

You can custom design your pergola to reflect your design. Your backyard is an extension of your home, and it should naturally flow from the aesthetic you’ve worked hard to establish indoors. You can choose from various styles, such as attached and free-standing models, louvered, and sun-only designs.

At Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc., we offer different frameworks, canopy shapes, and fabric options that give you complete control over the final look and style of your pergola. If you would like a free estimate and more information about our residential pergola systems, contact us today.