Garage Sales

Garage Doors asked:


I would like to talk about a couple of home improvement products that not only make your life easier but can also add significant value to your home – everyone is a winner.

Today I would like to discuss Garage Doors and what automated garage doors are available on the market.

These really are good – perhaps you have a disability, perhaps you feel vulnerable getting out of your car in the dark winter nights or maybe you are just plain lazy and looking for the easy life!

If any of the above applies to you then an automated garage door could significantly improve your life and add value to your home.

These garage doors come in many different shapes and sizes. You may choose to opt for a roller door – this is a slatted door that is quite attractive in appearance. It rolls up into a casing. These doors are generally quite quiet and provide good insulation for your garage.

The negative point about these doors is that you need the headroom above the opening to fit the box in the first place. If you do not have this then the box will have to sit within the opening – this could leave you with a vastly reduced opening height, which is a huge issue for smaller garages or owners of large vehicles.

There are solutions to this issue – doors are available that rather than rolling into a coil they continue on a track on your ceiling roof – this allows to very little headroom requirement. Generally though these doors can be a lot more expensive than the traditional roller door.

Another quite attractive door is the same as mentioned above but the slats remain vertical and the door slides to the left or right wall of the garage. Of course here you need the depth of the garage to be available and if you have a side door or windows it may not be a practical solution

Options are available other than the slatted roller door. Sectional doors are similar but they have much larger panels. These can be very attractive but they come with added complications.

Finally the typical up and over doors are also available with an automatic operation. These tend to be the noisiest of doors so bear this in mind if you have a bedroom above and need to use the door when people may be sleeping. Kits can be purchased that allow you to motorise your existing door. These allow for quick and easy automation at low cost.

All the above operate on the same principle. You have a remote control in your car or on your person. As you approach the door you press the remote. The door should be pretty much open by the time you reach your garage. Dive in and press the button again and the door closes.

A few points to be aware of when considering using a garage door of this kind – What will you do in the even of a powercut – or even a breakdown? There are several options available today including manual override systems and battery backups.



NEIL

Garage Doors asked:


A garage door is one of the most important apparatus of your garage. It not only provides protection but also can be a design statement for the rest of your property.

Before you build a garage or decide to give existing one a facelift, it is indispensable for you to determine the style, shape and size of your garage door. This will give you a fair idea on how much drive through width you require and also so you don’t end up compromising on a mannered garage entry.

Select The Material Wisely:

The most important apprehension in setting up your automatic garage door is the material used. Selecting the best automatic garage door materials for your needs will depend on a few things like the style of your home, and how warm you want your garage to be. When you’re planning to establish a garage door, you must think about door type and materials. You can also incorporate into your plan such things as heated garages or unique window options.

Automatic garage doors are by far the trendiest type of garage door available to homeowners. With automatic stop and begin features, people find automatic garage doors easy to use, with wonderful options and security features. Automatic garage doors work with a rolling system. The door rolls up and stores along the roof of the garage. Automatic door features to look for are that they are smooth, quiet and condensed. Installing an automatic garage door is simple; do it yourself, or get help from the manufacturer.

Walk With The Upcoming Trend:

Automatic prefab garage doors are becoming progressively more fashionable because of the economy. Everyone wants to have a beautiful garage door and still purchase within his or her budget. By purchasing a automatic garage doors you can have the beautiful home and not worry about the stress of building or paying several businesses to make your home look great. By purchasing an automatic prefab garage door, you still get to choose your options and most places allow you to personalize your home so that you feel like you build it. You get to have control on what it looks like, but you get it for a fraction of what it would cost for you to build.

People who procure automatic prefab garage door from all of the social classes have different interests. There is no specific group of people who purchase prefab doors. Automatic doors are usually associated with rednecks since most automatic prefab garage door are like trailers, but that is not the case. Don’t stereotype prefab doors because even people who are well to do have a prefab home.



SHAUN

Garage Doors asked:


Retractable doors are solid, one-piece overhead garage doors that swing out and up when opened, coming to rest entirely inside your garage. Retractable doors provide a little more of an antiquated feel to them, thus are often more popular for those looking to install a new garage door to match an older home. On the downside, retractable doors need quite a bit of space to open (you’ll need to be sure you don’t park any cars too close), don’t insulate as well as some of the other options on the market, and are easier to break into than other door types.

Canopy doors are similar in design to retractable doors, but don’t require as much room to swing open, which one of the main headaches of retractable doors. In order to achieve this, a canopy door does not retract all the way into the garage, instead leaving about 1/3 of the door exposed outside of the house. They are a little more secure than retractable doors when closed, and they are the easiest type of garage door to fit with a garage door opener.

Sectional doors are by far the most popular type of overhead garage door on the market today. Built of several hinged sections that rise up and then back along a system of rails, sectional doors provide you with the highest amount of security, come with varying degrees of insulation, and take up very little space in your garage. Because of their popularity, going with a sectional door will also provide you with the largest range of design possibilities.

Roller doors are garage doors made of a “curtain” of narrow slats that actually wind up onto a roller when retracted. On the positive side, they don’t require any of the tracks or frames that other garage doors do since they simply roll up. As for downsides, they don’t provide much in the way of design possibilities since features such as windows and panels generally don’t fit with the narrow slat design.



JAMEL

Garage Doors asked:


Choosing a garage door needn’t be painful, but as with any other home improvement project you should keep your wits about you and take all the advice that is available. In that spirit, I suggest you keep an eye on the following five secrets of choosing the right garage door. They’re particularly applicable to garage doors in Perth, but the same principles apply just about anywhere in the world.

Thinking about space

The space within your garage is a valuable asset. Land use costs in the Perth can get pretty steep, and Perth’s garage doors often waste more real estate than they need to. Be wary of garage doors that rob you of that space - it is usually not worth saving money on cheaper doors, if they will rob you of valuable cubic feet of usable space. Hinged doors opening inwards tend to take up more space inside. The standard sectional design is best - most of the space sectional garage doors need to operate is above your head, where it is not used much anyway. These sectional doors take up hardly any space inside our outside, and as such they can justify a higher price-tag. If you house is in a high-density area of Perth, sectional garage doors are therefore the ideal choice for you.

Let there be light

A second secret: you should be thinking about your garage door not just as a door, but as a window. So many of Perth’s garages end up as needlessly dingy rooms, lit by bare light bulbs - but there is no reason for it to be that way. If you’re ever going to work in your garage, you’ll really benefit from getting some natural light in there. Adding windows to your garage door doesn’t add much expense, but it will make your garage a much more pleasant place to spend time. So garage tinkerers should get windows in their garage doors: Perth’s sunlight is far easier on the eyes than mediocre garage lighting.

Keeping safe

‘Badly installed garage doors can injure your children’. Yes, it sounds like I’m trying to scare you - but I’m afraid it’s true. I don’t know of anybody who has been injured by garage doors in Perth, but if the city has escaped so far, it’s only a matter of time. The risk is reduced enormously if you take sensible basic precautions. Employ a trustworthy, safety-conscious firm to install your garage door, and get them to explain what precautions they are taking. Demand that the doors meet appropriate safety standards. For instance, they must reverse if they hit an obstacle in their path - because that obstacle could be you.

Then once you have the garage door, you will need to keep them safe by checking and maintaining them properly. Keep your garage doors well-oiled and clean, and above all well-balanced. Have them serviced regularly (once a year is appropriate): it won’t take long or cost much, and easily justifies itself through your increased peace of mind.

Locks and keys

Garage doors need to be just as secure as every other entry point to your home. If you are installing a remote-controlled set of automatic garage doors, you need to be sure that the security mechanisms in the remote control are at least as reliable as the physical bolts protecting your front door. The security of electronic devices is an area where it is notoriously easy to be hoodwinked by impressive-sounding jargon, so I would advise you against trying to understand the ins and outs of the system yourself. Instead, look for a reliable business selling garage doors, one which has been in business for some time and has satisfied customers. Check out the models of doors they suggest on the Internet or with knowledgeable friends, looking to see if there have been reports of security problems with them.



JONATHON

Garage Doors asked:


If you want to maximize the value of your home, you’ll find garage doors are an easy and affordable method to increase your home’s curb appeal. A good garage door will distinguish it from the rest of the neighborhood. For something extra special, custom made garage doors can be designed to your specifications.

The most common types of garage doors are: Retractable, Canopy Side, and Hinged Sectional Retractable. Where limited space in your driveway is an issue, sectional garage doors are the right choice. They open and shut vertically, allowing cars to park very close to the door without keeping it from opening. Among the wide variety of designs, the most popular garage doors are sectional, upward acting, and self storing.

The Types of Garage Doors

Gone are the old manual doors. Today you’ll find that remote controlled and motorized garage doors have produced a more usable garage. The most popular style is the overhead garage door.

The primary concern in planning your garage door is the material used. Selecting the best garage door materials for your needs will depend on a few things like the style of your home, and how warm you want your garage to be. There are 3 main materials for garage door construction: Wood, Steel and Fiberglass.

When you’re planning to install a garage door, you must consider door type and materials. You can also incorporate into your plan such things as heated garages or unique window options.

The Most Popular Style is the Overhead Garage Door

Overhead garage doors are by far the most popular type of garage door available to homeowners. With automatic stop and begin features, people find overhead garage doors easy to use, with wonderful options and safety features.

Overhead garage doors work with a rolling system. The door rolls up and stores along the roof of the garage. Overhead door features to look for are that they are smooth, quiet and compact. Installing an overhead garage door is simple; do it yourself, or get help from the manufacturer. Popular garage door manufacturers include Garaga, Liftmaster, Raynor or DBCI.



TRISTAN

Garage Doors asked:


There are hundreds of garage door openers to choose from but before you can do that there are two key considerations concerning your garage door itself.

Before deciding on an electric garage door opener check that an able bodied person can effortlessly open the garage door manually as a motor will not do what they can’t.  If the door works smoothly and effortlessly, then adding an electric operator should be straight forward.

You will also need to check that your door balances at around chest height to ensure you have the correct spring tension for the operator to lift the door.  If the springs are broken or the door is not balanced properly the electric operator will not work effectively.  You may need to service the door by lubricating the moving parts or replace the door springs and other moving parts.

The other consideration is to know what type of garage door you have.  This is because it is essential for you to choose the correct device to suit your door mechanism to ensure the safe and smooth operation of your garage door.

There are four main types of garage door mechanism: retractable door, canopy door, side hinged door, and sectional door.

Up & Over - Retractable Garage Doors (Tracked)

These are identified by a single door panel with springs either side or horizontal ceiling tracks which support the door in the open position.  When the garage door is fully open, the bottom edge of the door is flush with the garage door frame

If you have a retractable up and over garage door then you are in luck, as these are ideal for automation and you can safely use any type of operator.  Your main considerations must be the noise (AC or DC motor) and the material, width and weight of the door to ensure you choose an operator powerful enough to lift the door.

Up & Over - Canopy Doors (Trackless)

This door type is not recommended for safe automation although there are options available; I would never recommend or safety and reliability.  If you don’t want to replace the entire door and mechanism you can purchase a retractable door mechanism and replace the canopy door gear.

An up & over canopy door is identified by the large spring which runs over the head of the door and when the door is open the garage door panel protrudes by approximately 600mm from the opening.

Side Hinged Doors

These garage doors can be automated using a conversion kit with most operators.  You will need to check the operator can be use for side hinged doors so that the auto-reverse safety feature functions normally.

Sectional doors

Sectional Garage Doors are identified by hinged panels that allow the door to rise vertically without swinging out as the door opens.

They are perfect garage doors for automation as no additional parts are required and you can use any type of AC or DC operator.  To ensure the operator will fit it’s a good idea to check the clearance above the door during its opening cycle then check the minimum clearance requirement for the operator as they vary.

Again your choose an operator powerful enough to lift the door.



GUS

Emily Siliwon-Curb Appeal CSI Garage Doors asked:


Many people have had their garage door openers for 10 years, or more. What they may not realize is that it offers a discrete and easy access point for anyone with a laptop and a remote transmitter. Take a look at the following video to see just how easy it is.

Everything is pretty simple. The remote used in the video is one of the most common older models in use. Many different brands used the same technology as this one. Most of these units are over 10 years in age, but there are plenty still in use out there. Code cracking software is easily obtained by anyone with an internet connection.

The people in these homes may not realize their door is going up or down. Even worse, people in the home may hear it opening, but dismiss the event as a family member arriving home. Using a method like this, an intruder could enter and exit your home without your knowledge.

You can still protect your home with a few common sense measures. Always keep the door from the garage to the interior of your home locked. This should be something everyone does at night and when away. Since your remote is usually clipped to the visor, make sure to lock the car when parking in the driveway. It may also be time to consider a new opener if yours is outdated.  Newer models usually have more up to date security and safety features.

In order to determine whether or not your model is using old school technology, take a look at the manual that came with it. (Many manufacturers offer an online version of their owner’s manuals.) Make sure it has some type of “rolling code” technology. For example, LiftMaster brand units use Security+ rolling code technology. Any models with this newer type of remote control will not open using the system used in the video. Most other manufacturers will have a similar technology in their models.

If you do have an older model garage door opener, you may consider replacing it. They can usually be installed professionally starting at around $250, or can be purchased at a local retail store. If you do decide to start shopping, prepare to be impressed by the abundance of motor sizes, drive types, warranties, and various types of accessories that are available. You may want to call a few reputable installers in your area to get an idea about which of the many types would be right for you. Most companies will provide you with an idea about pricing over the phone, as well.

Even if you can’t afford to replace your old opener, there are still steps you can take to make the garage more secure. Some models have a “Lock” function which blocks any remotes or keyless entry from being used. Enabling this option will cause nothing but the wall button to function.  Worst case you can always dis-engage the motor. Usually this is accomplished by pulling the red cord that hangs overhead.  Just remember to lock and unlock your keylock on the garage door, especially before re-engaging and using the opener again. If you don’t have any kind of manual lock available, a simple lock for this purpose can be purchased at most hardware stores. Of course, last but not least, always keep the door from the garage into your home locked.

For more information, including links to manufacturer sites, please visit our website.



DION

Garage Doors asked:


And you should not worry about the capacity of for your garage door. Its practical design means that the door retracts discreetly in the roof of garage occupying minimum space. An appropriate garage door fits at the even handy and compact garage and the remote control combines the effectiveness of long range with the separate opening of the garage door; there are some extra buttons for closing the door for the safety and some additional facilities of use.

Simply push a button and your garage door opens, then it is closed automatically, while you remain safe, in the warm interior of your car. There is also an additional internal switch to give you the possibility to actuate the door independently. Affordable devices that ensure the safety of your garage include an automatic door with a high level closing system; there are no external handles or projections to prevent the non desired entry.

You will draw benefit also from a system of integral lighting time-delayed to use your automatic garage door during the night; you can also have a device for manual operation in the event of a current failure.

Built inside deeply, the goods, enameled furnace, the plates filled with foam of aluminum box, an automatic garage door of high quality provide the excellent insulation and a safe, worry-free life. There are inscriptions on all our automatic doors of garage that means that quality and safety come as a standard.

Moreover, they come in a range from attractive colors, you will never will to paint; your automatic garage doors are practically free from maintenance. The garage doors have the quality conform to all the legal rules.

For your own safety, we strongly advise you to check your garage dimensions before ordering. It is not difficult to see how quality can increase your garage value and the value added to your house during years to come; with its excellent qualifications of installation and service there is not no need to find another house.

Very few garages are identical. They can have various widths, lengths and sizes; they are made in various building materials; the floors and doors are also different.

This is why our range of the automatic garage doors is made to suit your situation and particular conditions.

Type of trimmings used with the method to hide the mechanism of roller in the roof, there are many factors important to consider by installing your final door of garage. You can even choose of a pallet of colors so that your garage doors coordinate with the model and the color of your house and an impressive range of the devices of door including rolls up doors.

But that whatever are your conditions, a high quality garage door of garage with automatic garage door opener guarantees an operation without clash and rapid, a total safety and good operating conditions without breakdown, for a lifetime.

To start, the teams of experts must guide you in your options. They will help you to obtain the best value for the money, the electric door for automatic garage of high quality and the most adapted to your needs.

Then, our team will professionally install your high quality garage door effectively in day, leaving you to the advantage of the increased safety of household, a greater intimacy, more excellent heat and insulation for a life time. Thus the next time that you drive to your garage, you will enjoy the benefits of a quality remote-controlled automatic garage door, from comfort of your own car using the compact electronic remote control



SIMON

Garage Doors asked:


The remote control is highly important in order to protect your garage; for instance, you can provide yourself with garage door remotes in order to make sure you will close and open the doors as you wish. Even installing these remotes is likely to be quite easy and you may consider having them in order to provide your garage with the latest and affordable safety features.

But few homeowners are likely to know how to install the garage doors; therefore, they should access the online stores in order to provide themselves with the necessary and detailed information. These sites can also provide them with the necessary and qualified professional help and they will be able to learn how to use the garage door remote control. But before installing the appropriate device, you should make sure that the garage door remotes are suitable for your use.

The door will have to function in the proper manner thus keeping your property safe; the spring tension is also to be verified in order to take full advantage of the parts of the entire assembly. The garage door remote control was designed in order to provide the homeowners with all the rolling code technology; therefore, you should be perfectly aware that the code is likely to change on a constant basis. This code is going to change each time you will be using the garage door remotes in order to protect your garage.

The code grabbers will thus be prevented from acquiring the new codes and your property will remain safe from them; the grabbers can actually acquire only the already used codes and these old codes are not likely to work anymore. Therefore, the garage door remote control is to be installed because it can protect your garage for good; these safety measures are to be considered because they can be changed according to your own needs.

The factory default settings can actually be changed in order to keep the thieves away from your garage; the garage door remotes are mainly based on the current rolling code technology; therefore, you may rest assured that the codes will be changing every time you use the remote and this is actually the most important features that should count when planning to install a new remote control for your garage door.

You will also rest assured that the same code is not likely to be used twice thus protecting your property for good; for instance, when accessing expressgarage.com, you will see that all the code setting instructions and installation are likely to be included in your purchase. Therefore, you will not have to worry about how to install the remote control for your garage door; on the contrary, you may rely on the manual that will come along with your online purchase because you will be provided with all the needed instructions.



HUNG

Garage Doors asked:


Many of us forget that a garage is an easy entry point into your home. Here are some tips to protect the valuables stored in your garage (your car, for example) and to prevent criminals from using your garage as an entry point into the rest of your home.

Thieves love to hit garages because they are often filled with cars, bikes, lawnmowers, and other expensive equipment. Garages are rarely occupied at night, giving thieves freedom to break in without being detected. And once they break into the garage, it’s an easy step to break into the house through a flimsy connecting door.

Garage Security: Have a Good Garage Door Opener

A good garage door opener is your first defense against criminals. Electric garage door openers make it difficult for a criminal to force the garage door open. However, criminals are wise to the factory-set combinations that come with garage door touch pads. You must change the combination as soon as you install it to prevent criminals from breaking the code.

Garage Security: Change the Garage Door Combination

1) Take off the lid and examine the set of switches inside. You will see a row of 10 to 12 switches. If all the switches except one of them are facing in the same direction, the combination is unfortunately easy to break.

2) Choose a more complicated combination by flipping several switches to the opposite direction. Match the switches in your receiver to the switches in your main garage security system box. It’s easy to change the combination code on your garage security system.

Garage Security: Inspect the Door

Of course, make sure the door itself is sturdy, with no loose panels, broken panes, damaged corners, or rusty chains. Ensure nobody can pry their way in at a weak spot on the door.

Garage Security: Secure Windows and Doors

Sometimes garages have windows. They should always be securely locked or even have bars on them to keep criminals out.

Garage Security: Secure the Door to the House

Attached garages always have a door to the house. This is a common entry point for criminals, as homeowners carelessly think, since it is an interior door, that it doesn’t need a very sturdy lock. This is not the case. The door from your garage to your home should be as secure as your front door: deadbolt it, chain it, even arm it with an alarm. Criminals often target this door thinking homeowners have overlooked it.

Garage Security: Keep the Door Closed

Always close your garage door, even if you are only running up to the supermarket for a gallon of milk. You should also keep it closed when you are outside, because criminals can observe what you have inside and come back later for the goods.

Garage Security: Arrive Home Safely

When you pull into garage, make absolutely sure that nobody slips in with you before you close the door, or you may lock yourself in with a criminal. Look around all sides and close the door as soon as you know it is safe, then immediately go into the house, and lock the door behind you.

Homeowners often overlook garage security, but a garage is still another room in your house and should be secured as such. After all, you keep your most expensive possession in there: your car.



WILL