Buying a new garage door and opener is not a decision that most home owners take lightly, and with many options available on the market today, choosing the right doors can be tough. To help you choose doors and a door opener that will suit your needs, here are some guidelines and pointers:
- Should you buy a garage door opener?
With most modern garage door openers having smart security linked to an app on your phone, you’ll never need to worry whether you’ve closed your garage doors, again. A message sent to your phone will tell you instantly when the door is being opened, and when it’s being closed, from wherever you happen to be. Another benefit of an electric door opener is that it enables you to get in and out of your garage in a vehicle without getting drenched by rain or covered in snow. Automatically opening to allow you entry, and automatically closing once you’ve exited, is super convenient. Garage door openers give you peace of mind and convenience, and once you’ve purchased one, you’ll never go without one again.
- Should I buy ready-to-hang doors or have them custom built?
A ready-to-hang door may meet all your requirements but having one customized means that you can match it up perfectly to your home and pay attention to smaller details that can make all the difference in the overall look of your new door. Some companies have a tool that enables you to customize your new door online, meaning that you can get your instructions to the door makers without even having to leave home.
If you’re buying ready-to-hang doors, you can usually choose from faux wood, grooved panel steel, classic raised panel steel, traditional styles or carriage house, modern or old-time, and your garage door supplier/fitter can talk you through the many options.
With customized garage doors you could even have windows fitted or buy a garage door screen to allow air to flow through while keeping bugs at bay.
- Maintaining your garage door:
Not all garage doors have the same springs fitted, and when one breaks, it’s important to get a professional to assess the damage and get a replacement for you. Never attempt to fix broken springs yourself, or any other damage that may have occurred, it simply isn’t worth the risk of you harming yourself and/or others, and you may even make the problem worse if you don’t really know what you’re doing. Most problems with garage doors can be fixed and don’t usually require the door to be replaced, but a professional assessment of any damage is a must.
For all your garage door needs, seek help and guidance from your local professional suppliers, and talk through your options with the experts. Garage doors are a big investment and for that reason, you should choose carefully and be sure to have them evaluated for safety and security purposes at least once a year.
