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 Safe is Your Garage Door?

As a homeowner and the head of your household, it is your responsibility to make sure all the inhabitants of the home are safe and out of harm’s way. Whether it is black mold or stray wires, keeping up with hazards can become exhausting. But one danger that tends to be forgotten is your garage door. From faulty sensors to aging garage doors, these household staples could create serious problems. Here are some questions you can ask to determine how safe your garage door really is. 

Is it Time for a Garage Door Replacement?

There are a lot of moving parts that must work together perfectly for a garage door to function properly. If the pulleys, track, cables, etc. are not working, it is time to replace your garage door. If you procrastinate, this can cause potential harm to you or your loved ones. 

Are My Garage Sensors Operating Correctly?

It is always a good idea to periodically check your garage sensors for problems. If for whatever reason it has complications opening and closing or is behaving erratically, be sure to check the photo eyes for issues. More times than not the problem needs a minor fix that can be completed easily. But sometimes it is mandatory that a garage door installation professional visits your home and fixes the malfunction. In situations like these, it is often better to be safe than sorry. While homeowners may believe they’re saving money with a DIY project, if done incorrectly, these seemingly harmless projects can be dangerous for your home’s residents and vehicles. 

How Do I Know if My Garage Door is Safe?

One easy way to test your door to see if it is working properly is to frequently place an object in front of the sensors to see if the garage door is shutting and opening the way it should. A garage door balance test can also be a beneficial way to determine the safety of a garage door. Release the emergency lever and lift the door, it should stay even and steady, but if it were to fall, it is time to get in contact with a Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. technician to come and take a look. 

There should be no higher priority than that of keeping your family safe from potential dangers. Your home should be a place of safety and peace of mind, this is why it is so vital that you continuously check your garage door to ensure it is safe. For more helpful information, visit the Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. blog. 

A Guide to Changing Your Garage Door Remote Batteries

Man by using remote garage opens in a cloudy day

From the outside, garage doors are typically opened using either a keypad or remote. The remote is an especially convenient way to open the garage door while remaining in the vehicle. Over time, remote openers may begin to require several presses in order to open the door. In such instances, the solution may be as simple as replacing the battery. Below are three simple steps for changing your garage door remote batteries.

Step 1: Remove the Battery Cover

On many remote garage door openers, the battery cover is often located on the back of the device. In this case, the cover may be opened by pressing the back piece of the device and sliding it back. Other remotes have covers with no discernable battery covers. These can usually be opened by splitting the remote into two pieces. A small screwdriver will assist with battery covers attached with a screw.

Step 2: Identify the Battery Type and Obtain a Replacement

Remove the battery from the remote. Most may easily be pulled or popped out of the remote. Many remote batteries are small, round, silver in color, and flat on the top and bottom. Such batteries come in specific sizes. The battery will have the type and size identified on the side as a series of numbers. A safe option is to simply take the exhausted battery to a store where the staff will provide the appropriate replacement. 

Step 3: Replace and Reprogram

Place the replacement battery or batteries in the remote, facing them in the correct direction as indicated on the remote. Replace the cover using the reverse process which was used to remove it. Once the battery has been replaced, the remote may need to be reprogrammed to operate correctly with the garage door. The manufacturer of the remote provides instructions for reprogramming, which can be accessed online.

Garage door remote openers can often be rejuvenated by inserting a new battery or batteries. This process can be accomplished by removing the cover, replacing the battery, and reprogramming the remote. Following these steps as listed above, batteries can be replaced quickly and easily, allowing the user to enjoy the remote as it is designed to function: consistently opening the garage door on the first attempt. 

For more information about how to maintain your garage door and opener, visit the Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. blog.

5 Types of Mounted Garage Door Openers

Spring is an ideal time to replace worn-out or outdated garage components. While painting walls and installing shelving may be more exciting updates, it’s important to be proactive about the maintenance of the most functional feature of your garage: the mechanism that operates your garage door. The following is a user-friendly guide to select the right garage door opener for both your budget and lifestyle.

General Considerations

Lightweight aluminum doors are a good match for ½ horsepower openers at home, while larger, heavier, or single-piece doors may require ¾ – 1 ¼ horsepower openers. Larger motors last longer, although they may have a higher initial cost compared to smaller motors.  In addition, consider how much noise is acceptable.  For example, will the opener be used in an attached garage next to a bedroom? Lastly, decide how much maintenance you’re willing to put into its upkeep.

Wall Mount (Jackshaft)

For garages with vaulted ceilings or for homeowners seeking additional overhead space, a wall mount (or “jackshaft”) opener is a good option. One benefit is that no overhead electrical sockets are required because it is mounted on the wall at eye level and can reach standard outlets nearby. These garage door openers require professional installation, and the use of belts means they will require regular maintenance, similar to a belt drive.

Screw Drive

This low-maintenance design is a good choice for heavy or large doors. The lift mechanism is attached to the door and slides up and down a threaded rod.  Due to the small number of working parts, screw drive garage door openers require less maintenance than other styles, such as the belt drive. Since this style has more horsepower than belt drive or direct drive openers expect it to create more noise due to the larger motor which typically runs on AC power. 

Chain Drive

These are budget-friendly openers that use a system similar to a large bicycle chain.  These generally run on AC power and are a good choice for consumers who don’t mind a little added noise and understand that some regular maintenance will be required.

Belt Drive

Belt-drive openers are known to be the quietest type of garage door opener. This belt-drive opener generally runs on DC instead of AC power, making it quieter than other varieties. It uses a steel and rubber belt. The pliability of the rubber helps it to run smoothly. The rubber, however, means it will require some regular maintenance.

Direct Drive

Comparable to the belt drive, the direct drive is an alternative that produces slightly more noise while requiring less maintenance. The direct drive may use AC or DC power, rendering some models quieter than others.  Employing a stationary chain in a steel rail, the direct drive requires less maintenance than the belt drive.

There are several types of garage door openers, many of which have specific applications for many types of doors. After considering noise, horsepower, and maintenance, this list should give a general idea of which type of opener will be most appropriate for your home. Selecting the most appropriate garage door opener will ensure the garage continues to function optimally. Contact Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. for more information or to schedule an appointment.

A Guide to Buying a Garage Door Opener

If you need to purchase a new garage door opener because your current one is too old or broken for garage door opener repair Pittsburgh PA, there are a few things you should know. You have many options when shopping for a new garage door opener, so how do you know you are getting the right one? Here are a few features that the best garage door openers will have:

• Low Noise Levels: Garage doors are inherently noisy, which is why if you are sensitive to sound or have living spaces located directly above or adjacent to your garage, you’re going to want to invest in either a belt-drive, direct-drive, or screw-drive model door opener.
• Remote–Control Reliability: For those who live in densely populated areas, your garage door signal can become mixed with those of your neighbors’ garage door openers. The best way to combat this is to invest in a garage door opener that offers dual-frequency. What this feature does is automatically switch between two different frequencies to minimize the chance of interference from your neighbors.
• Rolling–Code Security Technology: As an added level of security and protection, rolling-code security technology selects a new, non-repeating access code from billions of possibilities every time you use your remote control. This technology prevents would-be burglars from figuring out your access code and it also prevents your neighbor’s remote from accidentally opening your garage door.
• Keypad or Touchpad for Remote Entry: This feature is standard with some models, but not all. If your unit doesn’t come standard with a keypad or touchpad, generally you can add it on.
• Battery Backup: During power outages, you won’t be able to use your garage door opener unless it is equipped with a battery backup option. This feature, which is typically only included on a few, higher-end models, allows you to keep using your garage door opener during power outages. A battery-backup door should still be equipped with a manual release that allows you to manually open and close your garage door by hand.
• Overhead Lights: Lights are a standard feature on all garage door openers. Specifically, look for lights that you can control independently of the door’s opening and closing.

There are plenty of options available when you need to replace your garage door opener. As with most garage door opener repairs in Pittsburgh PA, you shouldn’t attempt to make the repairs yourself. Hire professionals, like those from Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors to make the repairs or install replacements.

3 Interesting Facts About Garage Door Openers

Nearly every new home has a garage door opener Pittsburgh and many older homes have been remodeled to include one. This seemingly simple piece of technology is actually a device that is equipped with several different abilities, all designed to make your life easier. Garage door openers are capable of handling different sizes and weights of garage doors. Newer models are equipped with safety features that provide optimal safety and convenience. Here are three interesting facts about garage door openers that you might not know about.

Increase the Value of Your Home

When it comes to adding value to your home, many don’t think about installing a garage door opener. When homes are equipped with the right garage door and garage door opener, it can make a huge difference to the value of your home. One of the biggest reasons why this is true is that they provide your home with added security. Automatic garage door openers not only keep your family, home, and belongings safe; some models are even equipped with built-in safety features, such as rolling codes and vacation mode protecting your home while you’re away. Along with built-in security features, many garage door openers are quiet, energy-efficient, low-maintenance, and affordable.

Garage Door Openers Have Improved

Over time, garage door openers become outdated, worn down, or misaligned. As a result, the vast majority of garage door accidents result from faulty openers. The garage door industry is working hard at constantly improving the technology found in garage door openers and sensors. When considering a new garage door opener, it is important to get the opinion of a garage door expert. While openers that are equipped with all the bells and whistles might be attractive, it isn’t necessarily the right fit for your garage door.

New Openers are Safer Than Ever Before

To prevent children, vehicles, and pets from getting trapped beneath a garage door, safety sensors should be built into every garage door opener. If your sensors are damaged, broken, or not working properly, you don’t necessarily need to invest in a whole new unit. Often, this type of damage can be repaired or replaced. But, if you live in a home with an older model it might be in your best interest to invest in a newer one. Especially if your unit is missing any safety sensors, it could potentially be putting your family, pets, and vehicles in unnecessary danger. Even if your model is in working condition, it still might be worth looking into an upgrade for the safety features.

Whether you are looking for a new garage door opener Pittsburgh, or are in need of some repairs on your current model, contact the experts at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors today. With years of experience, trained technicians, and professional knowledge, you won’t find a better garage door supplier than those at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors.

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