How Fire Doors Can Save Lives in the Event of a Fire

Each year there are an average of over 350,000 house fires in the US. Thankfully, most result in only property damage, but many people are injured by burns or smoke inhalation and nearly 3,000 people die each year in house fires. 

Fire doors help keep the number of deaths low and using them properly can help get it even lower. Here’s how fire doors can save lives in the event of a fire.

They Starve the Fire

Fires thrive on oxygen. As a fire rages inside a building, the oxygen quickly burns up, but this usually isn’t a problem for the fire as it keeps pulling in a fresh supply of oxygen. 

However, closed fire doors help inhibit the flow of oxygen, helping to smother or at least weaken the fire.

They Slow the Fire

In many cases, buildings aren’t necessarily sealed enough that the fire will extinguish itself because of a lack of oxygen. However, limiting the oxygen does slow the spread of the fire. This offers anyone in the building extra time to escape. 

They Protect Escape Routes

The flames themselves aren’t the biggest danger to people trying to escape a fire. In fact, many people die of smoke inhalation before the fire ever reaches them. 

Fire doors help keep escape routes clear of the treacherous smoke and gasses that accompany a fire. Sometimes that’s all you need to safely make it outside.

Interested in Fire Doors?

While any door will offer a certain amount of protection, the big problem is that they might be open at the time of the fire. Then they become useless, except as fodder for the fire if they are wooden! 

Fire doors are designed to close automatically in the event of an emergency. Plus, they are made from materials that won’t burn easily, which does more to help slow the spread of the flames. 

Interested in installing fire doors in your home or business? That’s a great choice! Learn more from the experts here at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc!

How to Save Money and Energy with Storm Doors

A storm door is a second door usually installed to serve a number of protective and convenience purposes. But apart from their main functions, storm doors can also serve as money and energy savers. Below are some ways you can save money and energy when you install storm doors.

Weather Barrier and Lower Heat Conduction

Installing a storm door outside your primary entrance door can help save energy in a couple of ways. First, the storm door acts as a weather shield or barrier, thus ensuring that any impact of air leakage through the regular entrance door is significantly reduced. Secondly, a storm door establishes an extra layer of insulation that helps limit heat conduction through the primary door.

More Affordable Replacement to Primary Doors

A storm door is a great money-saving investment for anyone who has an old but functional primary door. This is because the cost of installing a storm door is lower than that of a regular door.

Protect Your Primary Door

The functions of a storm door include protecting your primary door all year round from adverse conditions such as snow, rain, ice, wind, and more. This protective cover can extend the lifespan of your primary door and help save you money on primary door replacement over time.

Safe Access to Energy-Saving Sunshine

A storm door can be a valuable asset for those who love the feel of mild sunshine, particularly during the summer and spring seasons. Moreover, adequate utilization of the natural energy provided by the sun can imply less dependence on electric power. This can also imply lower energy costs and more savings.

Closing Thoughts

Adding a storm door is money well spent because of the extra money and energy-saving benefits it brings. Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. offers a wide variety of storm doors for diverse residential and commercial buildings.

Why Choose Us?

• Onsite Professional staff
• Quality workmanship
• Honesty and integrity
• Fully-insured

Call us today at (724) 443-1437 for more information on all storm, entry, and patio doors.

Top 3 Benefits of Aluminum Awnings During the Winter

There are many benefits to aluminum awnings during the summer months. Have you ever wondered how an awning can help during the winter? Let’s discuss the top three reasons why you will be glad to have aluminum awnings on your home this winter.

Benefit #1: Aluminum Awnings Prevent Snow and Ice Buildup 

Winter snow and rain often fall during the day when the temperatures are slightly above freezing. Then, as night falls and temperature drops, this moisture can quickly form an invisible sheet of dangerous ice creating hazardous conditions, as well as a slip-and-fall liability. Aluminum awnings can shield your windows, stairs, and walkways from the snow and rainfall, preventing the buildup of ice around windows and in high traffic walking areas.

Benefit #2: Reduce Energy Bills with Aluminum Awnings 

During cold winter weather, savings on energy bills is often a consideration when making decisions about exterior or interior home improvement. There are many different ways to keep your home cozy and save on energy costs, and aluminum awnings can help. The design of the aluminum awning can prevent heat from escaping from your windows, as well as shield windows from icy blasts of wind. 

Benefit #3: The Durability of Aluminum Awnings  

Awnings are often installed with the objective of keeping the home cooler in the warmer months by shading your windows, patio, or entryways from direct sunlight. While retractable fabric awnings are very efficient at shading these areas during the summer, aluminum awnings are durable and long lasting, providing you with protection from the elements like rain and snow. Aluminum awnings also require little to no maintenance to stay looking great for decades.

Aluminum awnings are great for covering your porch, patio, deck, windows, or doors. Rust-free aluminum never rots, stretches, or rips. Additionally, there are many different colors and designs available to compliment the color and style of your home. Add to your curb appeal and reduce your energy bills year round with fixed aluminum awnings from Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. Call us today at 724-443-1437 to learn more.

Do Awnings Help Cut Down Energy Costs in Winter?

The cost of heating and cooling your home can add up over time. However, reducing energy usage and energy costs can make a big impact in the long run. A home’s carbon footprint can be significantly reduced by finding energy-efficient ways to heat and cool it. An efficient method of lowering energy costs is by installing window coverings or awnings. Awnings are not just good for summer savings, they can also help save money on energy during winter.

What are aluminum awnings?
Aluminum awnings or overhangs provide a secondary covering mounted to your home’s exterior wall. They’re smart solutions that offer sturdy protection from rain, snow, and sunlight, and they come in a variety of styles and colors. 

Benefits of aluminum awnings
1. Awnings result in a significant reduction in energy and utility bills during winter.
2. They deliver comfort and safety by providing all-weather protection.
3. Throughout different seasons, awnings are secure, dependable, and durable.
4. They shield exterior walls, paint, windows, and doors from harsh weather conditions.
5. They enhance and expand your outdoor living space for fun and relaxation.

Can aluminum awnings reduce energy costs in winter?
Yes, adding aluminum awnings to your house will improve its energy efficiency in winter as well as summer. Aluminum awnings can be used year-round due to their ability to endure wind, hail, and snowfall. By trapping heat around the windows, they can help to keep the area around the windows warmer. During the warmer months, your awning will not only keep the sun out of your home, but it can also reduce the amount of heat that enters your house – allowing your air conditioner to run at a lower setting.

Aluminum awnings or Fabric awnings. Which is better?
Aluminum awnings are weather-resistant, easy to maintain, and reduce energy bills drastically during winter. They provide protection against rain, snow, and wind, and they are capable of preserving heat inside your home as well. Because aluminum awnings are durable, they require little maintenance. It’s unlikely that they will need repairs or patching as often as fabric awnings during severe weather conditions. Luckily, Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. is your one-stop shop for garage doors and awnings installation. Call us at 724 443 1437 to know more about our services. 

4 Benefits of Having an Awning

Awnings are coverings that are installed over an outdoor space. Often used on patios or over a window, they help protect you from the elements and improve your outdoor areas. 

But they more than protect your space from rain. If you’re considering installing an awning, they might have more benefits than you previously thought. Here are 4 of the top benefits of having an awning.

Increase your outdoor space

One of the top reasons families choose to install awnings is to increase useable space in their homes. An awning can help provide shade in the warmer months and block out light rain on cloudy days. This way you can spend more time outside and enjoy time on your patio or in your yard.

A retractable awning can make your space more flexible by extending further or closer as necessary.

Make your home more energy efficient

Adding an awning to your residential property can help block direct sunlight in the summer months. By reducing sun rays, you can reduce the heat in your home – saving on air conditioning costs and reducing your carbon footprint.

Protect from UV rays

An awning that’s strategically placed over a window or doorway can reduce the amount of direct sunlight coming into your home. Not only are excessive UV rays harmful for you and your family, but they can also damage and discolor furniture and finishes over time. 

An awning can provide up to 80% SPF protection and increase the longevity of the interior of your home.

Improve privacy

If you have outdoor spaces that directly face neighbors, awnings can help block direct views into your home. While they don’t give complete privacy, like window coverings, awnings also don’t block out all the natural light. Giving you the best of both worlds.

Awnings can also improve the privacy of your outdoor spaces.

Get an awning for your home today

A professional can help evaluate your outdoor spaces and suggest an awning that will maximize the benefits for you and your home. From retractable to fixed awnings, Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. has a selection for everyone. Contact us today to explore our selection of awnings.

Understanding R-Value and Why It Is Important

You’re ready to shop for a new garage door and want to make sure you make the best selection. One term that you need to be familiar with is the door’s R-value.

Here’s what you need to know about R-value and how it relates to your garage door.

The Basics of the R-Value

A garage door’s R-value refers to how much insulation the door has. A higher R-value means that the garage door is created from materials that don’t conduct heat well, allowing it to provide high levels of insulation. An R-40 value is considered a high R-value by the US Department of Energy.

Lower R-values mean that the garage door is manufactured from materials that conduct heat well. This means that it does a poor job of providing insulation for your garage.

Why Insulation Matters

Your garage door encloses a space that would otherwise be a large hole in the side of your home.

A garage door with poor insulation qualities will allow the air temperature inside the garage to quickly change temperature, creating a space that’s uncomfortable and expensive to heat and cool.

Selecting a garage door with insulating qualities helps you keep the space at a comfortable temperature and use less energy to do so.

Is a Higher R-Value Always Better?

With R-values, you need to consider the price of the garage door and how much more efficient a high R-value is at insulating your garage.

Insulation R-values adhere to the law of diminishing returns. This means that as you increase the R-value, the amount of additional insulation gradually gets smaller and smaller.

For example, an R-16 garage door isn’t twice as effective at offering insulation as an R-8 garage door.

Instead, an R-16 door provides a 5 percent improvement in energy efficiency. An R-32 garage door is 7 percent more energy efficient than an R-8 product.

For garages that are heated or cooled, look for an R-9 to R-13 garage door. If a garage functions as a living space, an R-13 garage door is ideal.

Purchase Your New Garage Door

Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. offers a wide selection of commercial and residential garage doors, as well as installation and maintenance services. Contact us at 724-443-1437 or visit us online to get started!

5 Things to Know When Buying a Garage Door

A good garage door is an important long-term investment in your property. The right choice of garage doors enhances the appearance of your home, adds security and protection to your property, and improves energy efficiency.

In this article, we’ll discuss the top five things you need to know before buying a garage door. Let’s get started!

In-Person Quote Works the Best

Although we live in an era dominated by online purchases, don’t be tempted to order your garage door online. Remember, each garage is different, so the best way to handle this is to get a knowledgeable salesperson to check the details of your garage and advise on the best design decision. An in-person quote may be the best director for this.

Know Which Material Best Suits Your Needs

Garage doors are made of different materials, and you have the privilege of choosing one that perfectly suits your needs and complements your property.

• Aluminum doors work well for humid areas because of their rust and corrosion resistance.
• Wood is a popular option that looks fantastic in most homes but requires regular maintenance to keep it looking its best for years.
• Steel doors are another popular option and come in various colors, designs, and price ranges.
• Composite wood doors provide the attractiveness of real wood but with enhanced insulation and moisture resistance.

Garage Door Installation Isn’t a DIY Project

Regardless of how handy you are around your home, don’t be tempted to install your garage door on your own. Although handling the installation as a DIY project can help you save a few hundred dollars, it’s best if you let professionals handle it.

Professional installers are trained on the right installation procedure and have years of experience in the field, making them perfect for this job.

Garage Door Warranties

Some garage doors come with warranties so that if any repairs or replacements are needed, you won’t struggle with financing. Most warranties have limitations, so it’s important to know what the warranty covers before getting your garage door.

Garage Door Insulation

You should also know about garage door insulation and its benefits. Insulated garage doors are slightly more expensive than hollow doors but are worth the extra bucks.

Insulated garage doors improve energy efficiency, increase the value of your home, are durable, regulate temperatures in the garage, and act as a noise barrier.

Get Your Garage Door Today

For quality and affordable garage doors, contact Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. and start exploring the many designs available!

Benefits of Routine Maintenance for Businesses

Business owners have a lot of tasks on their to-do lists, but one item that’s essential to add to your schedule is preventative maintenance for your facilities.

Preventative maintenance will keep your doors, shutters, security grilles, and garage doors functioning correctly so that they don’t interfere with your operations or pose a safety hazard to your employees and customers. Here are a few benefits associated with routine maintenance for your business.

Minimizes Downtime Related to Unexpected Repairs

By scheduling preventative maintenance, you can schedule downtime when it’s ideal for your business. While some downtime is necessary to keep your business functioning properly, emergency repairs nearly always have more downtime than scheduled maintenance.

You won’t have to worry about losing hours of productivity because your security grille breaks or your garage doors won’t open when you have shipments to get out or inventory to process.

Instead, you can schedule garage door maintenance and other tasks when it’s convenient for you.

Regular Maintenance Keeps Your Employees Safe

Heavy doors, gates, and security shutters that don’t work properly are a safety risk for your employees.

An employee who’s depending on your security grille or door to remain open can suffer severe injuries if the door shuts on them.

Or, if you neglect to call a garage door company and a garage door malfunctions, this can potentially cause an accident that hurts your employees and damages your vehicles and equipment.

You Can Lower Your Overall Expenses

By budgeting for regular maintenance, you can reduce your need for costly emergency service calls. This helps you keep your expenses associated with maintaining your facilities at a reasonable level.

Regular maintenance also prolongs the lifespan of your doors, security grilles, and shutters, ensuring that they achieve their maximum lifespans and that you don’t have to prematurely pay for their replacements.

Get Started on Your Maintenance-Related Tasks

Want to make sure that all of your business’s maintenance is up-to-date? Contact Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. today at 727-443-1437 to schedule your service call.

How to Choose a Security Grille for Your Business

You’ve invested a lot of time, money, and resources into your business; you don’t want your company to suffer because thieves decide to target your facilities.

A security grille is an excellent addition for protecting your business’s inventory, supplies, and equipment, as well as keeping your employees safe. Follow these tips when choosing a security grille or gate.

Decide How You Want to Open and Close Your Security Grille

One detail to consider is how you prefer to operate your security grille.

Rolling grilles open and close vertically; you often see this type of security grille at stores in your local mall. It’s available as a manual grille and as a motorized grille.

A manual grille requires someone to open and close it, while a motorized grille will open with the push of a button. Rolling grilles are ideal for securing a business with a conventional shape.

Sliding grilles have a side-folding design that only permits manual operation. The design of sliding grilles is customizable, making them ideal for complex spaces that don’t have a conventional design (like a store with a semi-circle-shaped store entrance).

A sliding grille or gate is affordable and capable of accommodating wide spaces and curves.

Select the Appropriate Material and Design for Your Security Grille

Multiple materials and designs are available for your security grille.

A tempered glass security grille makes the interior of your business completely inaccessible while still allowing people to see inside of your business. If you want a security grille that won’t distract from your company’s aesthetics, a tempered glass alternative is a terrific option.

Open-style security grilles have space between the grille’s bars that allows air to enter your business’s space. It also allows people to see inside your facilities.

Security grills are also available in a solid design that uses aluminum. This design secures your space and prevents anyone from seeing inside of your business.

How to Add a Security Grille to Your Business

Ready to select your business’s new security grille? Contact Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. online or call 724-443-1437. 

The Importance of Proper Loading Dock Signage and Accessories

Loading docks are essential for keeping the nation’s freight networks running, but they also act as a potential source of illness and injury. Estimates indicate that thousands of accidents occur at loading docks each year; for every accident, there are many more “near misses” that could have easily led to an accident. Fortunately, adding proper loading dock signage and accessories is one of the most effective ways to make the dock a safer place to work.

How Loading Dock Signage and Accessories Make Loading Docks Safer

One reason that loading docks are so dangerous is that there are a lot of vehicles entering and exiting the space, making it likely that collisions or backovers occur. Signage that marks the flow of traffic can mitigate these risks. There should also be signage that specifies the speed limit and signs that define where loading and unloading areas begin and end. Traffic lights should be added to communicate to drivers when it’s safe to go or when a bay is open. They can also inform drivers when a bay is full or when the driver should stop. 

Dock levelers and lifts should be available to assist with safely lowering freight. Loading dock doors should have dock seals and bumpers that prevent unwanted access to certain areas and keep precipitation outside so that it doesn’t create a slippery surface. Truck restraints are an invaluable accessory that keep trucks and other vehicles from leaving the dock during the loading or unloading process.

Tips for Ensuring the Effectiveness of Your Signage and Accessories

To ensure that your signage and accessories maximize your loading dock safety, it’s important to have any electrical or technical components installed by a qualified professional. A professional will utilize the proper installation procedures to make sure that the components work and function properly. You should also confirm that your accessories have sufficient weight limits for the trucks and equipment at your loading dock.

Improve Your Loading Dock Operations

Visit Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. today to purchase the signage and accessories you need to encourage loading dock safety.