10 Things You Didn’t Know About Your Garage Door

garage door facts

Here’s a simple garage door fun fact — did you know that garage doors are typically the largest moving object of any house? Most people if asked that question would probably guess ‘garage doors’ but would you know the following 10 facts regarding garage doors highlighted below?

  1. Over 70% of homeowners say their garage door, not the front entry door, is the main access point to their home. (National survey)
  2. In addition, over 71% of homeowners use garage door openers to get into their homes every day. (National consumer survey)
  3. A typical garage door can command up to 6 times more space than a front entry door.
  4. Garages are getting bigger. Roughly 23% of new one-family houses completed in 2014 had a three-car (or-more) garage. This compares to only 11% in 1992. (U.S. Census Characteristics of New Housing)
  5. Garage doors, on average, can take up more than 30% of the front view of the house.
  6. Replacing your current standard garage door with an upscale garage door can increase the appraised value of your home by 1 to 4%. (StrataMark national study)
  7. 92% of all garage door manufacturers offer online garage door designers on their websites.
  8. Due to high spring tension, installing or repairing a garage door can cause serious injury or death.
  9. 73% of homeowners who recently replaced their garage door believe it increased the value of their home. (Nationwide online survey)
  10. Lose the garage door, lose the home. When hit with high winds, a home’s destruction often starts with the garage door, especially a double-wide, non-insulated, non-reinforced door. (FEMA report)
/0 Comments/by

When Should You Consider Replacing Your Garage Door?

garage door replacement

Garage doors are often times taken for granted when it comes to home improvement projects, which is a shame because as we’ve pointed out in several articles (Garage Doors Los Angeles, Garage Doors San Diego, Garage Doors Orange County), garage door replacement ranks at or near the top when it comes to increasing the value of your home. But other than for pure economic reasons, what are the top signs that it’s time to replace your current garage door?

The Noise Factor

Your garage door should not create a lot of noise when opening or closing. Technological advancements in garage door design over the past decade allow for newer garage doors to operate in very smooth and quiet manner. If your garage door tends to be noisy, for the benefit of your family and neighbors, you may want to consider replacement.

Constant Maintenance Required

If you haven’t been diligent in following these simple maintenance tips over the years, you may have found yourself calling to have your garage door serviced more often than you expected. Money spent on service calls, labor, and parts associated with garage door repair can add up over time. If this describes your situation, you may want to consider spending your next dollar in purchasing replacement garage doors instead of investing any more money into your current garage doors.

Garage Doors Slowing Down

Have you noticed a significant change in how rapidly your garage door responds when you try to raise or lower it? It should take only a moment between hitting the opener button and your garage door beginning its operation. If there’s any sort of delay, especially a lengthy one, it’s time to have your door examined by a professional who can identify any issues or take it as a sign to replace.

Lack of Safety and Efficiency Features

Unlike older garage doors, more modern garage doors typically provide great insulation to keep the cold out and heat inside. This can make a serious dent in your monthly energy bills, potentially making up the cost of garage door replacement over a few years. New garage doors also include the latest in safety technology, including automatic reversal if the door comes into contact with an unexpected object. If your aging door does not provide the safety and security you want, it’s time to consider a new garage door.

/0 Comments/by