Benefits of Aluminum Awnings for Your Home

There are different types of awnings that have been used for hundreds of years. Fabric awnings date all the way back to ancient Egypt. Did you know that the first retractable awning was discovered during the time of the Roman Empire? Called a velarium, it sheltered the colosseum. In the United States, the first crude awnings began to appear over store windows in the mid-1800s.

While styles have changed, the purpose of awnings has not. They were always meant to shelter buildings, people, and goods for sale from the heat of the sun. Now, people can choose from fixed, retractable, motorized, and portable awnings. There are also choices of materials that include canvas, polyester, cotton, or metal.

The most common choices for metal fixed awnings are copper and aluminum. While copper is considerably more expensive, aluminum awnings present several reasons why they are a practical and sound choice to provide shade and protection for your home.

1. They are more affordable than awnings made of copper or other metals.
2. They can withstand high winds, rain, snow, and excessive heat without bowing, warping, or stretching.
3. Aluminum awnings can last as long as 50 years with proper care.
4. You can express your personality, because aluminum awnings can be crafted in a wide range of colors and styles including modern and traditional.
5. They can save you money on your energy bills by sheltering your home from the heat of direct sun. The rooms inside a home that are protected by awnings are generally 20 percent cooler than other parts of the house.
6. Aluminum awnings require very little care. All that is needed is the occasional brushing or rinsing off of dirt and debris to keep the awnings looking their best.
7. They increase your outdoor living space by creating a protected patio and lounging areas.

If you would like to explore awning benefits and the addition of awnings to your home, the experienced professionals at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc., can recommend the best styles for your home and provide expert installation. Contact us today for more information 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.

The Importance of Properly Maintaining Commercial Garage Doors

Commercial garage doors are designed specifically to offer maximum security. Commonly made with steel, they are sturdier, stronger, and more secure than residential garage doors. Your commercial garage doors protect not only your property but also your livelihood. Your business couldn’t operate without some kind of commercial door whether it’s high speed or aluminum garage doors, rolling security gates, rolling steel garage doors, or man doors. Keeping them in safe working order protects you, your business, and your customers.

Commercial garage doors can experience problems and even create safety hazards when they are not taken care of properly. These are some common problems that commercial garage doors experience:

1. Damaged or Broken Tracks – Gaps between the rollers and the tracks keep the door from operating evenly and closing completely.
2. Electrical Issues – Failure of the door to open or close could be a problem with the power supply.
3. Cable and Spring Damage – If torsion springs break, you won’t be able to open the door from a closed position and if it is open at the time, the door could fall dangerously.
4. Damaged Panels – A damaged panel could pose a security risk.
5. Wear and Tear on the Rollers – The rollers can experience heavy wear or if they aren’t regularly cleaned, it can be hard for them to operate smoothly.

Addressing these issues early through the use of a preventative maintenance program is key. Keeping your commercial garage doors in good working order is essential to:

• Keep Your Business Open – Unexpected closures drive customers away.
• Save Money – Fixing small problems before they lead to bigger ones can save you money.
• Protect You from Liability – A broken or malfunctioning door can be a danger to customers and employees.
• Protect Your Business – Make sure your business is protected against theft, burglary, or other crimes.

The biggest reason for performing commercial door maintenance is your peace of mind. The assurance that your property, employees, and customers are safe goes a long way toward making your business successful for the future. Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc., offers a commercial garage door maintenance program that can help you find and fix problems before they progress. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Does My Home Insurance Cover My Garage?

Insurance companies can be pretty good at throwing us curve balls. Just when we think something is covered, it might not be either because of a contingency or a point of coverage we didn’t know we needed. One example of this is our garages. It’s common to believe that our attached garages and their contents are covered by our homeowner’s insurance and for the most part, that’s true, but there are some exceptions that you should know about.

Your attached garage is covered by your insurance because it is considered to be an actual part of your home. Your insurance will pay for the damaged structure and contents, but from here on out it gets a little trickier. If you are planning to keep very valuable items such as an antique car in your attached garage, you should talk to your insurance agent about making certain that your policy is large enough to recover those costs if damage or theft should occur. Detached garages are another issue. They are usually only insured for one-tenth of the value of your home so if you will be keeping valuable or irreplaceable items in a detached garage, you should definitely contact your insurance agent for a better policy.

You will also need to contact your insurance agent if you are running a business out of an attached or detached garage. Your business will not be covered by a traditional homeowner’s policy and will likely need separate coverage.

Whether your garage is attached or detached, the following kinds of damage are covered by most homeowners’ policies:

• Burglary, theft, or vandalism
• Damage from falling objects like trees
• Lightning and fire
• Smoke damage
• Structural damage from the weight of ice or snow
• Damage from hail and windstorms.

There is also a list of things that most homeowners insurance policies won’t cover that includes:

• Some types of water damage
• Maintenance or wear and tear issues
• Equipment or mechanical breakdowns
• Power surges
• Rodent or pest infestations
• Damage from floods
• Damage from earthquakes or other uncontrollable earthly movements.

Insurance won’t pay for things like power surges that were caused by power companies, certain natural disasters without separate coverage policies, or things that occurred due to the negligence of the owner as in the case of infestations and wear and tear.

Maintaining your garage by keeping it clean and secured with strong garage doors and locks is a good way to be sure that your insurance will pay for damages if something unforeseen does occur. Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc., can help you with all your residential or commercial garage door needs. Contact us today to schedule a service or sales call.

10 Things You Should Never Store in Your Garage

Many people use their garage as a type of storage room. They run across something they aren’t using or don’t have room for, so they store it in the garage. This gets the unneeded items out of our way, but it also falls prey to the “out of sight, out of mind” principle. Fluctuating temperatures, rodents and pests, and humidity are some of the enemies your garage harbors that can damage your belongings. Other items just pose safety hazards regardless of the conditions inside the garage.

These are some of the things that should never be stored inside a garage.

1. Gasoline, Propane, or Other Combustibles – Propane should always be stored outside. You should store gasoline outside or in other outbuildings that won’t pose as great of a risk to your home.
2. Paint – Leftover paint is great to have when touch ups are needed but storing it in a garage can cause it to thicken and separate due to temperature changes.
3. Canned Food – Temperatures that exceed 85 degrees will cause spoilage while dampness and humidity cause cans to rust.
4. Paper Documents – Paper attracts chewing pests like mice and silverfish and varying temperatures can make books and paper curl and crack.
5. Photographs – Humidity and high temperatures can make photographs stick together causing irreversible damage.
6. Clothing and Bedding – Even though they may be tightly wrapped up, tiny insects, moisture, and exhaust fumes and other odors can still creep into and ruin fabrics.
7. Unused Electronics – Moisture from condensation or other pests can destroy circuit boards and other components.
8. Wood Furniture – Wood swells and contracts in response to changes in temperature and moisture can cause veneers to warp.
9. Spare Refrigerators – Higher temperatures make refrigerators work harder to keep food at lower temperatures. This extra effort causes an increase in your energy bill.
10. Firewood – While it would be convenient to only have to go out to the garage to get a few pieces of firewood, a stack of firewood can also harbor insects and mice that can invade other areas of your garage.

Regularly declutter your garage to avoid causing damage to your belongings. Removing debris and food particles from your garage will prevent rodents and other invaders from being drawn in.

A great way to protect your car, your belongings, and the rest of your house is to have a secure garage door that has been installed properly. If you need garage door repair or are interested in reviewing options for a new garage door, contact the experienced professionals at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc.

Why is Water Leaking into My Garage?

It’s normal to see small accumulations of water on your garage floor that were caused by strong rainstorms or melting snow. They are usually easy to clean up or evaporate with no issues, but there may be a problem if you are finding more than the occasional puddle. Water accumulation in corners or odd spots that are causing damage need to be attended to. While looking for a garage door leak is a good place to start, there are many other sources to consider.

Here are some areas to check for water leakage.

1. Damaged or Broken Door Seals – If the gasket, or bottom seal, of the garage door is damaged or torn, it will let in water, debris, and unwanted animal pests.
2. Garage Door Problems – Things like the door being off of its alignment or other damage could also be allowing water into your garage.
3. Rain Gutters – Water can pool and seep into the garage if there are no gutters to drain the water away from the house or if the existing gutters are leaking.
4. Surrounding Terrain – Gravity might be causing the water to flow naturally to its lowest point which might be the floor of your garage.
5. Deteriorating Seams – Seals around windows and doors may need fresh caulk to keep moisture out.
6. Sill Plate Deterioration – If the sill plates at the foundation of your home have been damaged by decay or termites, they could be the source of the problem.
7. Plumbing Issues – A leaky pipe or water heater can cause water damage.
8. Missing Shingles or Moisture Barriers – Damaged roofing or siding might be allowing the water to get into your garage.

Floor cracks and pitting can pave the way for more damage that occurs over time. Water that continually soaks wood framing and drywall leads to structural damage, the possible formation of mold, and very costly repairs.

Garage door repairs, such as replacing the gasket, may be the solution. An experienced, fully insured, trusted garage door company will provide trained experts who can identify the problem and guide you through the repair process to include choosing a new door if necessary. If you are having a water problem in your garage, contact Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc., for a consultation.

4 Benefits of Upgrading to an Insulated Garage Door

Garage doors serve many purposes. They secure our homes by locking out intruders, they keep animals out, and they create a protected space for our vehicles and other belongings by sheltering them from the weather. While just about any kind of a garage door can suffice, there are things that insulated garage doors do that go beyond protecting our homes and the possessions inside.

Here are some reasons to consider upgrading to an insulated garage door.

1. Insulated Garage Doors Make Less Noise – Non-insulated lightweight doors often  make the most noise. This can be an issue for people trying to sleep or work in rooms located directly over the garage or next to it. Insulated doors are heavier and the panels are made of tightly bonded materials, so they vibrate less when moving up or down along the track. They can also help to block more noise from the area surrounding your home.
2. Insulated Garage Doors Last Longer – Since the panels are constructed from layered materials, they are stronger and more durable than non-insulated doors. Older style garage door panels are made by wrapping thin sheets of steel over the panel frames, which makes them essentially hollow. They can be easily dented or damaged when hit by a car, a bicycle, or even a basketball or football. A dented garage door takes away from your home’s curb appeal and value. With an insulated garage door, you can ensure the value of that garage door for years to come.
3. Insulated Garage Doors Save You Money – An insulated garage door will hold more heat inside your garage and therefore, your home. This means that less heat is lost from your home through the garage and your furnace won’t have to work harder to compensate for it. Your insulated garage door will save you money on your heating bills each month.
4. Insulated Garage Doors Protect Your Car – Cold weather affects cars in adverse ways, such as decreasing the air pressure in tires, thickening engine and brake fluids, and causing the battery to have a harder time starting the vehicle. An insulated door can raise the temperature inside the garage to about 42° F when the temperature outside is 20°F. Car batteries work best at temperatures between 30 and 90° F. Upgrading to an insulated garage door protects some of your biggest investments, your home and your vehicle.

Choosing the right insulated garage door for your home involves knowing which materials would provide the best value and style. An experienced garage door installation company like Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc., can show you the available options and help you make an excellent choice.

Different Types of Commercial Doors and Their Uses

Function is key when it comes to choosing doors for your commercial business facility.  Aesthetic concerns aside, it can be difficult to choose the right door from among all the styles available. Factors such as the purpose, speed of operation desired, and heavy or light usage all help determine which door will best fit your commercial needs.

Let’s take a look at several available types of commercial doors.

1. Rolling Steel and Fire Doors – These kinds of doors are made of steel and are intended to activate automatically in the event of smoke or fire. The purpose is to keep smoke and fire from spreading into other areas of the building to allow for safety of personnel and extinguishment of the fire. They have intumescent coatings, which is a fancy way of saying that the linings around the door frames swell up in heat so that the fire can be contained. You will need extra guidance from a professional installer to determine the fire rating you will need for each door.
2. Sectional Garage Doors – These commercial garage doors are made of separate panels that are raised and lowered by a torsion spring system and can be operated by garage door openers or manually. They can be insulated and incorporate clear panels or smaller windows as needed.
3. High-Speed and Special Function Doors – The springless design of high-speed doors allows them to open and close safely and quickly to maintain speed of production, safety, and separation of work areas.
4. Security Gates and Grilles – Necessary for store fronts, kiosks, and other retail applications, security gates offer visibility and ventilation along with increased security. They can be motorized or operated manually and stored out of sight for convenience. A skilled installer can help you determine a curtain pattern and style that is right for your business.
5. Man Doors – Offering a wider range of aesthetic options, man doors can be made out of metal or fiberglass with an array of hardware and exterior coating choices.

Professional experienced installers from Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. not only help you choose the correct door but also any additional equipment and accessories. To maintain safety, security, and efficiency, loading dock areas need essential equipment including levelers and lifts, dock seals and bumpers, and accessories like fans, lights, truck restraints, and impact guards. You can also find door openers, keypads, card readers, and even parking arms and gate openers for your facility.

Your commercial doors can be functional as well as give your business a professional appearance.

Common Garage Door Terms You Should Know

Using a garage door is as much a part of our everyday lives as preparing food or taking showers. On average, garage doors are used three to five times per day or 1,500 times each year. Garage doors utilize different kinds of springs which are built to last between 5,000 to 20,000 cycles. A cycle represents each time the door is opened and closed. These figures mean that your garage door may remain problem-free for three to 13 years. Since more usage equals greater wear and tear, the need to replace or repair your garage door is inevitable. 

Being well-versed in how your garage door works and the components that make it possible is essential if you need to describe the problem to a garage door service professional. You may be interested in learning so you can make the repairs yourself, but as you read through this information, you’ll see why that isn’t recommended.

Garage door assemblies are complicated and there are many small parts and accompanying definitions, so we will introduce you to only the most essential working parts that you should know.

These terms have to do with how the garage door is raised and lowered.

1. Garage Door Track – also called the rails, these are the vertical metal tracks attached to the outsides of the garage door opening and the horizontal ones attached to the ceiling that hold the garage door in place.
2. Rollers – found inside the track and made of various materials, they allow the door to roll smoothly up and down inside the door track.
3. Cable Drum or Drum – also known as a spool, the drums are mounted above the door on each side and balanced using torsion spring systems. There will be one on the right side and one on the left side.
4. Pulley – these are located at the ends of the extension springs and mounted on the top corners of the track assembly
5. Lift Cable – the lift cable can be attached two ways depending on the spring system. For an extension spring, it will be found inside the pulleys. For a torsion spring, it will be attached to the cable drum assembly. The lift cable works with the spring system to lift the door.
6. Extension or Stretch Spring – this type is suspended over the horizontal track and is controlled by the lift cable.
7. Torsion Spring – mounted along with the cable drums and above the door on a pipe or shaft, it uses torque (twisting force) to balance the door weight as it is lifted and lowered.
8. Retaining or Safety Cable – used with extension spring systems, it runs through the center of the spring and helps keep the door from falling if one of the system components fails.

The next set of terms applies to how the garage door is assembled.

1. Panels and Hinges – the individual portions of the door are called panels and are connected with hinges that allow them to flow through the curved portions of the door track.
2. Top Fixture – just like it sounds, it mounts onto the top section of the door to attach it to the opener.
3. Bottom Fixture – these are mounted onto the bottom sections of the door and hold the lift cables. The lift cables are under extreme tension. That’s why they should only be removed or repaired by a qualified installer. A cut or loose cable can cause severe physical injury.
4. Astragal – this is the weather-stripping material that runs along the bottom of the door to seal gaps.

This final set of terms applies to the garage door opener. Whether your opener uses a screw, belt, or chain drive, it will operate in the same manner.

1. Circuit Board – the brain of the opener, it processes the commands from the controls to open and close the door.
2. Safety Beam or Photocell – these are mounted on both sides near the bottom of the door and complete the circuit that makes the door operate. It stops the door when a blockage is detected.

When your garage door is malfunctioning, it will be helpful to use these terms when describing the problem to a repair technician. 

If you need garage door parts or a new garage door, call a qualified insured repair service like Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc., to safely get your door back into top working condition.

Increase Your Home’s Value with a New Garage Door

When people are looking for ways to increase the value of their home, they often think of things like buying new appliances or remodeling the kitchen or the bathrooms. Some people don’t even consider the curb appeal of their home. Installing a new garage door can do more to boost your home’s value than some other kinds of improvements.

About 70% of realtors believe that a home sells faster when it features a new garage door, and 80% agree that the new door adds up to four percent of the home’s value. For example, a house priced at $200,000 with a new garage door will be able to sell for $8,000 to $12,000 more. Since the average cost to replace a double car garage door is anywhere from $800 to $1800 including installation, that represents an excellent ROI.

In addition to enhancing the home’s curb appeal and being a sound investment, there are other ways in which new garage doors offer benefits.

1. Accentuating the Style of the Home – You can really put the exclamation point on your home by matching the garage door to the style. For instance, a wood or steel carriage house garage door would be an excellent complement for a Colonial or Victorian house.
2. Saving Energy – Installing an insulated weather-sealed garage door blocks cold or hot air, which keeps your home at a consistent temperature, saving you money on your energy bill.
3. Increasing Comfort and Privacy – An insulated garage door can minimize noise and other disturbances to keep your home quiet and shielded.
4. Optimizing Security and Safety – New garage door features include photosensors that keep the door from closing on an object, person, vehicle, or pet that is in the path of the door. Security features like rotating security codes safeguard your home from intruders by changing the code every time the door is opened or closed. There are even apps that allow you to operate your garage door using your smartphone.

Whether you are planning to sell your home or to stay in it for several more years, investing in a new garage door is a wise investment. The garage door experts at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. can answer questions you may have about installing a new garage door.