Why Fall is a Great Time to Replace Garage Doors

If your garage door is starting to show signs of wear and tear or it just doesn’t work properly, it may be time to replace it. While it might seem inconvenient to replace your garage door, fall is a terrific time for garage door replacement for a few different reasons.

You’ll Better Insulate Your Home Against Chilly Winter Temperatures

Your garage door plays an important role in insulating your commercial or residential space. A door with poor insulating properties or damaged areas will make it harder and more expensive to keep your garage at a comfortable temperature. This will also cause rooms beside or above the garage to be less energy efficient. 

It’s Easier to Install a Garage Door in the Fall

Replacing a garage door exposes the garage to outside temperatures during the replacement period. Installing your new garage door in the fall means that you won’t be exposing your garage space to ultra-cold temperatures. 

Winter is a less-than-ideal time to install a new garage door. Unexpected precipitation and frigid weather can affect your garage space, and unfavorable travel conditions can delay the arrival of your new door.

Fall is less likely to have weather-related delays, and if delays do occur, they’ll have less disruption on your home or business. 

You’ll Have More Convenient Access to Your Home

The fall and winter months are busy times for homes and businesses. You may have a host of holiday gatherings to attend or expect high customer volume. A new garage door makes it fast and convenient for you to open, close, and access your garage.

Thanks to smart garage technology, you can even open and close your gatrage door when you’re away from your home. If out-of-town holiday guests show up early or you need to allow employees unexpected access to the space, you can do so remotely. 

Get Started on Your Garage Door Replacement

Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. is ready to help with your residential or commercial garage door replacement. Contact us at 724-443-1437 to get started. 

Solutions for Loud Garage Doors

When you open or close your garage door, it’s worrisome to hear a lot of noises or screeching when it’s operating. If you have a residential garage, you may worry that the noise is disruptive to your neighbors. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to fix a loud garage door. 

Adjust the Chain Drive

If your garage door opener uses a chain drive, you should check that the chain is properly adjusted. Though chain-drive garage door openers tend to be a bit noisier than other alternatives, tightening the chain may reduce the noise that it makes. 

Replace Worn-Out Rollers

The rollers are attached to the sides of your garage door and sit inside of the track. They help your garage door move smoothly when you open and close it.

When the rollers start to wear out, they make more noise. If worn-out rollers are the cause of your loud garage door, replacing them will solve this issue. Consider replacing your rollers with nylon rollers; nylon rollers are the quietest roller option for your residential garage door. 

Check the Placement of Your Garage Door Opener

It’s normal for a garage door opener to vibrate a little when it opens or closes your garage door. If your garage door opener isn’t installed in the correct location, these vibrations will cause your garage door opener to rattle against your ceiling.

You can solve this issue by installing anti-vibration pads that stifle the vibrations. Another option is to reinstall your garage door opener so that it doesn’t come into contact with your ceiling. 

Lubricate Your Door

Without proper lubrication, your garage door’s components will rub against each other and cause excessive noise. Regular lubrication will help the hinges, springs, and roller bearings operate smoothly and quietly. 

Get Help with Your Loud Garage Door

Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. is ready to help you diagnose and fix the source of noisy residential garage doors. We also offer garage replacement. Contact us at 724-443-1437. 

Decorate Your Garage Doors This Summer

A garage door isn’t uncommon to have connected to a house. However, it can be a little outdated looking just being painted. What’s the best way to spruce up your garage door? How can you make it look amazing without overdoing it? We’ll go over some ideas to get you one step closer to having an eye-catching garage door area.

First Things First 

Renting- If you rent, you may need to get the owner’s permission and make sure they’re okay with you making the changes. They may have conditions to negotiate to ensure it’ll still look nice. They may only let you make changes to the surrounding grass, or say potted plants or decorations only.

Own- If you own your home, then this isn’t an issue to update your door. Now you just have to figure out if you want to plant flowers, pot plants, paint the garage door or change it completely. 

Plants and Flowers

Ivy- You can plant ivy to grow around your garage door. It looks beautiful and elegant as it drapes around it. However, you need to make sure the ivy you decide on can handle the amount of sun and shade the area gets. 

Potted trees- A small species of tree is always a wonderful look to arrange near your garage.

Hanging baskets- A beautiful way to delicately showcase your favorite flowers. Pair colors for a homier look, or choose bright, stand out colors.

Bushes- Rose bushes are a popular choice to dress up a yard. Especially a focal point like your garage door. 

Design

You don’t have to settle on just changing the color of your garage door. You can also consider changing it all together, especially if you’ve gotten some dings in it throughout the years. There are all kinds of designs with or without windows with different styles to choose from. Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc will make the changes for you if you decide to switch your door out. 

Color

There’s no limit to this unless your landlord gave you a specific color only. Matching a nice paint with the outside of your home can be tricky though.

With many ways to decorate around your garage doors, or designs you can decide on. There’s no reason to keep hating your current doors. Let’s get your garage door needs taken care of and your home looking even better.  

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!

Reasons to Upgrade Your Garage Door Opener This Summer

You’re arriving home after a long day and there’s a chilly torrential downpour. You use your electric garage door opener to attempt to park your vehicle and escape from the elements, but you quickly discover that it doesn’t work.

Until it stops working, most individuals give their garage door openers little thought. However, it’s more convenient to upgrade your garage door opener before it starts giving you significant trouble.

Here are a few reasons to upgrade your garage door opener this summer.

Your Current Garage Door Opener is Noisy

When you’re leaving for your early morning shift or arriving home after a late-night, you want to minimize any disturbance to your household or neighbors.

However, old electric garage door openers are prone to making a lot of noise; some even make a particularly annoying screeching sound.

Replacing your garage door opener with a more modern option will minimize any noise associated with opening and closing your garage door.

You’ll Have Better Control Over Your Garage Door

Updated garage door openers have innovative technology that makes it as easy as possible to open your garage door. New garage door openers have a better range and additional features that are a smart addition to your home.

Over time, garage door openers experience wear and tear. This makes them more likely to catch and refuse to open, causing you to have to manually open and close your garage door.

Or, the garage door may jam entirely and require an inconvenient emergency repair.

Newer Garage Door Accessories are More Efficient

New garage door openers use less energy than older models. Upgrading it helps you make your home more energy-efficient so that you can lower your utility bills and reduce your home’s environmental impact.

How to Upgrade Your Garage Door Accessories

Ready to learn more about garage door accessories that can enhance the functionality of your garage door? Contact Thomas V Giel. Garage Doors, Inc. at 724-443-1437 or contact us online.  

5 Reasons Your Garage Door Won’t Close

You leave your home and use your remote to close your garage door, only to see that your garage door refuses to close. While it’s frustrating when a broken garage door doesn’t work correctly, there are a few things that can impact its functionality. When you’re dealing with a major issue, it’s important to hire a garage door professional to fix the problem so that your garage door doesn’t incur additional damage.

Check out these five common reasons that your garage door won’t close:

1. You Have an Issue with Your Garage Door’s Sensors

Your garage door’s sensors prevent your door from closing on a vehicle or other obstruction. If your garage door refuses to close all the way, you might have an issue with the sensors.

Try wiping the sensors with a soft cloth to remove dirt and dust that can keep them from functioning correctly. If you observe that a sensor is blinking, it might need to be realigned. This is done by loosening the sensor and adjusting it until the light no longer blinks.

2. Your Tracks or Rollers Are Damaged

Damaged tracks and rollers are another frequent reason that a garage door won’t go past a certain point. If you spot components that are bent, a garage door repair professional can bend them back into place or replace them.

3. Your Trolley Isn’t Activating

The component that attaches from your garage door to the opening mechanism is the trolley. If your garage door isn’t moving at all when you try to close it, the trolley may need to be reactivated.

4. Your Door’s Limit Screw Needs To Be Adjusted

Your garage door’s limit screws are located on your garage door opener and tell it how far to open or close. If they’re too high up, adjust them downward with a screwdriver so that your garage door can fully close.

5. Your Garage Door Remote Has a Problem

Sometimes, the issue is with your garage door remote, not your garage door. Replace the batteries in your remote and confirm that it’s connected to your garage door. If it still isn’t opening, you may need to call a local garage door company for repairs.

Request a Service Call for Your Garage Door

Contact Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. online or by calling 724-443-1437 to schedule a service call for your garage door

How To Choose the Right Garage Door for Your Home

A garage door is an important functional item for your home’s exterior, providing you access to your garage while significantly impacting your home’s overall appearance. Here are a few things that will help you choose the right garage door.

The Material of the New Garage Door

The material for your new garage door affects its appearance, functionality, and durability. Some materials also require more upkeep to keep them looking their best.

A natural wood garage door is lovely, but it needs frequent refinishing. Composite is a more durable alternative that combines the appearance of wood with durability and longevity. Steel is a popular garage door material for many homeowners, thanks to its sleek look, multiple design options, and strong durability. Know that if you live on the coast, you’ll have to regularly wax your steel garage door to keep it from rusting.

The Garage Door’s Design and Style

Your garage’s door design and style should complement the architectural style and exterior details of your home.

For example, if your home has modern or Spanish-style architecture, a garage door with a barn door design will look out of place. However, if your home has a farmhouse or traditional architecture, a barn door-style garage door will complement its exterior appearance. Not sure which garage door will suit your home? Try out this tool to design and build your garage door.

The Specifications for Your Garage Door

You’ll want a garage door with specifications that can withstand your climate and weather conditions. If high winds are a frequent concern, you’ll need a garage door with a minimum level of wind resistance. Want to keep your garage at a more comfortable temperature and make your entire home more energy efficient? An insulated garage door will assist you with these goals.

Your Budget for Your New Garage Door

A gorgeous garage door with all the bells and whistles is of little use if it’s too expensive for your budget. Before you start shopping with a garage door company, decide how much you are wanting to spend and what features are most important to you.

Buy Your New Garage Door

Ready to explore potential garage door designs? Visit the Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. website to get started!

6 Garage Door Accessories You Need

Just when we thought our garage door systems couldn’t get any safer, any more automated, or any more sophisticated, leave it to the technology companies to prove us wrong. As every industry advances, the same is true of garage door accessories. Wireless technology is improving our safety and control of our garage door systems in unbelievable ways.

Depending on the model of garage door opener your home has, these are some of the must-have accessories that will streamline your life as never before.

1. Exterior wireless keypad – If you can’t find your controller, you can enter the four-digit code into the keypad to open the garage door from the outside instead of going inside the house.
2. Garage door monitor – If you’ve ever gone to bed and wondered if you forgot to close the garage door, your worries are over. This monitor can tell you the door’s status and allow you to close it from any location inside your house.
3. Laser parking system – This system provides a guide so that you park your car in the perfect spot every time.
4. Internet gateway – Using a Wi-Fi connection, you will be able to open and close your door from any location in the world. This comes in handy if you aren’t home and you need to let a delivery person or a repair technician have access to your garage or home. You can also use it to be certain that the door is closed when it should be.
5. Battery backup system – This will allow you to use your garage door opener even if there is a power outage.
6. Mini remote control – This garage door opener is small enough to carry in a pocket or a purse so you can always keep it with you when you are away from home.

Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc., is your premiere garage door company for all the latest garage door opener accessories. We employ only licensed, experienced, and highly trained garage door technicians to install the accessories you need to make your life easier. Visit our website or contact us today to learn more or to schedule an appointment.

How to Choose the Right Garage Door Company

Garage door problems and failures naturally occur over time, but they should not happen right after you’ve had a new garage door installed. Your garage door should last anywhere from 20 to 30 years with proper care. Issues with the operation of your new garage door indicate that you have chosen the wrong garage door company.

Your garage door was not installed correctly if any of these issues are occuring:

• Damaged springs resulting from poor quality or negligent handling
• Noises like rattling or squeaking due to misalignment or damage done at the time of installation
• The door doesn’t open or close or these operations are delayed.

Like any other industry, garage door companies have been infiltrated by scammers. They are often transitory and downright suspicious when you know what to look for. These are good indications of a scam garage door company:

• The company is new, meaning that it has no history in the community or the surrounding area
• The name is generic and gives no indication of who the owners might be
• There is no physical or permanent address or reliable contact information
• The prices are ridiculously low
• The vehicles and work attire are not professional or do not display the name of the company, or worse, display the wrong company name,
• You can’t trace the history of the company through the BBB or other online sources
• There are no reviews or the reviews sound generic and are not from local residents,
• There is no website or if there is, it is vague and provides no assurance or credibility
• The advertising is excessive or even intrusive.

A reputable local garage door business will present itself entirely differently. The owners and employees will want you to be able to contact them and ask questions. They will provide transparency as to their business practices and examples of past work to assure customers that they are making the right choice.

When you have found the right garage door company, the answers to all of these questions should be yes:

1. Do they carry insurance?
2. Do they guarantee their work and offer warranties on products?
3. Are their technicians experienced and have the proper qualifications?
4. Do they have good online reviews and positive feedback from friends, neighbors, and previous customers?
5. Do they provide estimates and disclose costs upfront?
6. Are they professional, friendly, and honest?

Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. can answer all these questions to prove that they are the right garage door company for all of your garage and entry door needs. Contact us or visit our website today to learn more or to schedule an appointment.

Should I Repair or Replace My Garage Door?

For most people, the largest investment they will make during their lives is the purchase of a home. It can be difficult to know when putting money into the place will produce a high enough return on the investment to be worth it. Garage doors fall into that category. If you are trying to decide if you want to replace your door or if repairs would be sufficient, keep reading for some information that might help you find your way.

These are some indications that your garage door only needs to be repaired:

• It is making noises – A garage door shouldn’t be overly noisy. Rattling or other noises could be signs of loose hinges or torsion springs, which can be replaced.
• The safety sensors aren’t working properly – If they are blocked or damaged, the door may not open and close properly.
• The door is off balance or out of square – A weakened motor or worn cables can cause the door to close unevenly.
• There is only one damaged panel – One panel can be replaced without the need to replace the entire door.
• The problem just started or has only occurred a few times – New problems are worth looking into and could be easy to fix.

Sometimes a little garage door maintenance can go a long way toward resolving an issue that could grow worse over time.

More serious issues can be used to determine that a new garage door is needed including:

• You consistently have to pay to make repairs to the door.
• The door hasn’t worked correctly for a long time.
• There are no safety sensors.
• The door is heavily damaged.
• It no longer matches or complements the exterior of your home.
• It has been broken into or could be easily.

With a return on investment of over 90 percent, investing in a new garage door is always a smart decision, but you may have other financial considerations or reasons for not wanting to replace your entire garage door system. If you aren’t sure what to do, there are some factors that you can evaluate that might be helpful.

1. How old is the garage door?
2. How much repair does it need?
3. What is the garage door’s overall condition?
4. Is the garage door opener still in good condition?
5. Is the garage door safe to use?
6. How much money can be devoted to it right now?
7. Is repair or replacement more cost effective?

Making decisions about garage door repair isn’t always easy, but you don’t have to make them alone. The garage door specialists at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc., are qualified to help you evaluate your current garage door and make the best recommendation for your budget and style of home. Contact us for more information.