Residential garage doors generally come in many different colors, sizes, and designs. However, two of the most common styles are single panel garage doors and sectional, panel-style doors. Either option can be a welcome addition to a home, especially when properly installed and maintained. Still, it never hurts to have a good idea of how these two common styles that may end up on your Pittsburgh garage stack up when compared.

Cost

At one time, single panels garage doors were widely considered to be cheaper in price than sectional ones. This isn’t so much the case anymore because single panel doors are harder to find and in higher demand among historically-minded homeowners. Sectional doors, on the other hand, are widely available in many price ranges, making it easier to shop around. However, due to their simplicity, one-piece doors tend to cost less to maintain and repair.

Appearance

The main appeal of single panel garage doors is their vintage look. And because there’s just one piece, the panel can be conveniently stained or painted to match existing exterior features without worrying about intrusive section gaps. Modern sectional garage doors can be just as versatile. Whether your prefer carriage house styles or contemporary flush panels, sectional doors can mimic many different preferred looks.

Insulation

If your garage is adjacent to your home, then you’ll definitely want a door that provides a strong barrier against indoor and outdoor air. Sectional doors generally have the advantage if insulation quality is one of your top concerns.

Ease of Use and Space

Both styles are fairly easy to operate because of spring systems that help with lift. Because there are no tracks, and springs and levers are along the interior edges, single panel garage doors have more headspace. Sectional doors require outward clearance when opened.

Safety

Extension springs on each side of single panel doors serve the same function as the torsion spring does on sectional garage doors. This only becomes a serious safety concern if springs aren’t properly maintained or upgraded to be in line with current safety standards. Also, one-piece doors can only withstand so much wind and they can’t be reinforced.

Ultimately, what’s best for your Pittsburgh garage will depend on several factors, such as how exposed your garage is to the elements, your available budget, and the overall size of your garage. When you turn to a company like Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors , you’ll benefit from additional assistance with your garage door selection. Added insights from experienced garage door technicians can help you make a confident decision when it’s time for a new installation or replacement.

Garage doors are designed to increase the level of security on a property. Over time, the products can begin to deteriorate, and the door will need to be replaced. Although you may want to save money, there a few reasons you should avoid installing the garage door without the help of a professional.

Risk of Injury

Without the proper tools and experience, it can be easy to put yourself or others at risk of an injury while installing a garage door. Professionals have the knowledge and training needed to perform the task. It’s important to remember that the installation process is physically strenuous and can be dangerous due to the parts that are involved. If you get injured during the install, your medical will certainly offset the potential DIY savings.

A Complicated Process

Although you may be handy when it comes to performing minor repairs around the house, a garage door installation can be difficult for anyone who isn’t a specialist. There are many different parts involved, and this can make it easy to spend a lot of time on the job.

Mistakes

Many homeowners who attempt to perform garage door installation Pittsburgh PA make mistakes due to the number of steps involved. Mistakes can be costly to repair and cause you to spend more money in the long run. Many errors lead to the garage door not being able to close. If the garage is left open for many days, this can put your personal belongings and family members at risk.

Special Tools Required

It’s important to hire a professional to perform a garage door installation Pittsburgh PA because special tools are required to complete everything correctly. Since you probably won’t have the necessary tools or equipment available in your home, you may have to spend a significant amount of money attempting to purchase them at a local home improvement store. If you attempt to perform the task without the right tools, there’s likely to be damage to the parts and your home. You’ll end up saving more money by hiring a professional to handle the project.

Although you may feel confident enough to install a new garage door, there are many reasons that the task should be left to an expert who is skilled and trained. You can avoid mistakes and save more money by hiring a professional. When you’re ready to start your installation, reach out to the specialists at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors .

The garage door is one of the most important components of your home. When it is not working properly, it can keep you trapped in your home or allow others to gain unauthorized access. If you’re trying to decide whether your garage door is ready to be replaced or if a simple repair will fix the problem, ask yourself the following questions.

How Much Damage Has It Incurred?

If you see that your garage door has chipped paint, significant water stains, or signs of a pest infestation, it is time to replace it. In most cases, you can schedule a garage door replacement for a time that is most convenient for you. This means that you could schedule an appointment for your next day off or ask someone to repair your door as soon as possible.

How Old Is the Door?

Garage doors can generally last for about a decade depending on how well they are maintained. Some doors may wear out sooner if they are exposed to harsh weather or not taken care of properly. However, if your door was installed 10 or more years ago, it is often better to get a replacement. In the long run, a new door could cost less to maintain.

Has Someone Tried to Break Into Your Home?

A thief may attempt to get into your home by damaging your garage door. If the structure has sustained any significant dents or cracks as the result of a home invasion, you should schedule a garage door replacement from a company like Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors immediately. Even if the thief doesn’t come back, a weakened door could make it easier for pests and water to get into your garage. Furthermore, a damaged door may not open or close properly.

Is the Door Simply Not Working Like it Should?

If you discover that your door is consistently not working like it was designed to, you should have it replaced in a timely manner. A new door will close properly each time you hit the button on your remote sensor. A new door may also do a better job of not closing when there is an object or person in its path.

Getting a new garage door can make your home look nicer and feel more secure at the same time. Instead of having to worry about whether something or someone will get into the house while you’re sleeping or at work, you can have the peace of mind that comes with an upgraded product.

With the cold winter months behind us, it is time to start thinking about summer and getting our homes ready for the warmer weather that lies ahead. Now is the time to start on some garage repair and maintenance to ensure that your door is in good working order.

Winter’s icy conditions and cold weather can wreak havoc on garage doors, which is why it is imperative you perform necessary repairs and maintenance now that the weather has warmed up. While you might be tempted to ignore your garage door, because at face value it looks good and so far you’ve not experienced any problems, you’ll want to inspect and repair now to save money on costly repairs later on. Here are a few general maintenance and repair tips to prepare your garage door for summer.

Clean the Door

Garages are often the dirtiest spot in your home. They are the place where you store your car, tools, miscellaneous boxes and yard supplies. All of these things can collect dust, dirt, and grease, and carry the grime indoors.

Your garage door is exposed to the elements 24/7, which means that it can be extremely filthy. This means that you are going to want to wash both the inside and outside of your garage door to remove the dirt, dust and anything else that has accumulated.

Lubrication

With the weather warming up, now is the perfect time to lubricate all the moving parts (rollers, tracks, hinges) on your garage door, along with the weather stripping. This will help to keep your garage door operating correctly and prevent any damage that might occur.

You’ll want to avoid using any oils like WD-40, and rather use oil and lubricants that are specifically designed for garage door use instead. You’ll also want to make sure that you do not use too much oil, as any excess oil will attract dust and dirt which can wear out the various parts of your garage door. For exterior weather stripping, you’ll want to use a lubricant that contains silicone.

Check for Wear and Tear on Your Door

Perform a general inspection of your door. Check for cables that might show signs of fraying or wearing. If your cables are starting to show signs of wear and need to be replaced, you’ll want to contact your local garage door company to perform the garage repair. Additionally, you’ll want to check the hinges, ball-bearings, rails, and supports of your garage door to ensure that they are in good working order as well. If anything is loose or breaking, you’ll want to address those issues sooner rather than later to avoid a hefty repair bill later on.

Check the Bolts

Checking to make sure that the bolts on the back of the track of your garage door are tightened and in place is not only a maintenance concern but a safety concern as well. The last thing you want is for your garage door to fall and damage your car or injure someone due to loose bolts on the track.

Check Springs

Garage door springs should be free of rust. Over time springs will ultimately break, no matter how well they are maintained, but keeping them free of rust will help to prolong their life.

When a spring does break it can shoot across the garage due to the high amount of tension that it is under. Some garage springs are contained in a tube, which means you don’t have to worry about maintaining them. If your spring does need replacing, do not attempt to replace it yourself. Instead, call your local garage door expert to replace the spring for you.

Weather Stripping and Insulation

Inspect all weather stripping and insulation on your garage door. You should clean and replace any that are damaged. Weather-stripping and insulation work to keep your garage dry, while preventing hot or cold air from entering and damaging items that you have stored in your garage.

If you find that your garage door needs more than basic maintenance to keep in working properly, contact Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors today! Our team of dedicated professionals can return your garage door to working order so that you never find yourself with a garage door that doesn’t work. Perform your basic inspection and call us for all the repairs!

There are various reasons as to why you might need to replace your Pittsburg garage door. It is important to remember that investing in a good garage door can last decades when you invest in the right door. Therefore, it pays to take some time and do your research to make the best decision possible. Here are 10 things that you should know before you go out and purchase the first garage door you find.

1. When possible, have an industry expert come out to your home or business to give you an in-person quote. When you order a door over the phone or online, you could potentially be setting yourself up for a costly mistake. An industry expert will know to check the overall size and opening, headroom, and side clearance. Additionally, since they have seen your home or business, they will be able to give suggestions regarding design choices. In the event that something does go wrong, when you’ve gone through a reputable company to order your door there is no question as to who is at fault.

2. Know and understand the maintenance requirements of wood doors. Real wood doors look great when they are brand new, but unless you are willing to devote the time and money to maintenance and upkeep, they won’t look great for long. If maintenance is put off for too long, you’ll end up sanding down your doors and starting over. If you like the look of wood but don’t want to invest in the maintenance required, you can get the same look for a fraction of the cost by investing in affordable alternatives that look like wood.

3. Invest in higher quality insulation. If you want to save money on energy cost, you are going to want to upgrade to an insulated door. The insulating effectiveness is represented by its R-value, the higher the number the better insulating factors it has. When you invest in upgrading from 2-inch polystyrene to Intellicore (polyurethane), the R-value raises from R-9 to R-18!

4. Spend more to get beefier springs. The springs on your garage door are what help it to open easily and come down slowly. Generally, garage doors are equipped with coiled torsion springs. The standard torsion spring is rated for 10,000 cycles. While 10,000 might sound like a lot, it can add up quickly, especially if you open and close your door multiple times a day. Spend the extra money up front and invest in springs that are rated for 20,000 that will last you a lot longer.

5. Replace your garage door opener at the same time as your door. If you are going to be replacing your garage door, think about your garage door opener as well. Is it starting to show its age? Is it loud? Or do you want to invest in one that has more options? Regardless of the reason, if you are wanting to replace your opener, consider doing it at the same time that you are replacing your door. You can possibly save money on labor by doing both at the same time.

6. Invest in features that help to make your door quieter. Not only will the higher-quality insulation help to reduce noise, but nylon rollers will also help. The insulation works to dampen the vibrations from the door opening and closing that are generally amplified from an uninsulated door. The nylon rollers are quieter than metal ones. You can also install a belt driven opener, as they are quieter than other types of openers.

If you are looking to invest in a new Pittsburgh garage door, contact Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors today! With a wide selection of doors and features to select from, you will find the right door that will fit your needs.

When shopping for a new entry door Pittsburgh , there is a multitude of styles to choose from. One of the biggest differences between doors is not the style, but the material that the door is made of. While most doors do perform equally well for the most part, each material—fiberglass, steel, or wood, has their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Below we’ve outline each type of door and what makes them a great selection.

Steel Doors

• Generally, have tighter-fitting frames and an energy-efficient core insulation
• Some styles use double or even triple-pane glass units to cut down on heat transfer
• Completely weather-stripped and resistant to shrinking, swelling, and warping
• Require little maintenance in harsh weather conditions
• Typically, have more insulating value than wooden doors

Fiberglass Doors

• Easy to install
• Great in extreme weather climates and high-traffic entrances
• Similar energy-saving qualities as steel doors
• Generally, have the longest warranties
• Made of high-quality composite construction, resist all sorts of weather, scratches and dents

Wooden Doors

• Heavy and sturdy with a traditional look
• Can be painted or stained
• Optimal when installed in protected or shaded areas
• High-end doors can measure more than one-inch thick
• Best wooden doors are generally more intricate and thicker

Each type of door has its own set of characteristics that make them the right choice for different homeowners. It is best to determine what your needs and wants are and make the right choice when selecting a new entry door for your home. A new entry door can add curb appeal to your home, without breaking the bank. No matter what style of door you are looking for to complement your home, you can find the right entry door Pittsburg at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors .