How to Insulate Garage Doors

How to Insulate Garage Doors

Insulating your garage door is an effective way to manage the temperature inside your garage. It can reduce outdoor noise as well. If your garage door is uninsulated, you don’t necessarily have to replace the entire door. The existing one can essentially be retrofit if you have the right materials and tools; here’s a look at how you can complete a DIY garage door insulation project.

What you Need to Insulate Garage Doors

 The first thing you need, not surprisingly, is insulation. Various types of insulation kits are sold at home centers. Options include vinyl-faced fiberglass batting kits or precut expanded polystyrene panel foam.

An important consideration is R-value. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulating material is at providing climate control and promoting energy efficiency; it varies based on the type, thickness, and density of the material and can be increased by stacking insulation in layers. Depending on your garage or garage door, here are some R-values you may need:

  • 0-6 for a detached, non-heated garage.
  • 7-9 for an attached, non-heated garage.
  • 10-13 for a heated garage.
  • At least 14 for a garage with living space above it.
  • Better insulation for wooden doors (steel doors are naturally insulated).

Foam board is best for insulating a wooden frame-and-panel garage door. While fiberglass insulation batts are best for metal doors, you could use any type of insulation for them. An insulation kit is convenient in that it has pre-cut materials, fasteners, or tape. Some kits even include utility knives and gloves.

Steps to Insulating Garage Doors

To get started, you’ll need some pencils, pens, or other marking implements as well as a tape measure, utility knife, safety glasses, and work gloves. The materials you’ll need include adhesives and tape, fasteners, a garage door seal, and the insulation itself. Next…

  1. Mark where you’re going to place the fasteners for the insulation. Two marks, about 12 inches from each side, should be made on each door panel; make sure each mark is centered vertically.
  2. Apply double-sided tape to the pre-marked spots and attach the retainer clips to the tape by pressing them firmly onto each piece. Each panel should have two retainer pins installed when you are done.
  3. Measure each door panel and write down the size of each panel (there may be differences between panels). Next, cut pieces of insulation individually. Each piece should be 1- to 2-inches longer than the measurements for the door panel. If there’s any excess material, peel it off.
  4. If using vinyl batting, roll it out with the vinyl side down. Mark lines for cutting and then place the batting on plywood. Using a straightedge, compress the door panel and make your cuts with a utility knife.
    • Fiberglass and other insulating materials can be irritating to the skin and eyes; wear gloves and safety glasses for protection.
  1. Attach the insulation by tucking it into the door panels, with the vinyl side facing outward; for material with a reflective radiant barrier, face the reflective side outward. Line up the insulation until it’s centered. Push it against the retaining pin; when the pin punctures the vinyl facing, push the retaining cap to secure it to the pin.

If using retention clips, push the insulation flat against the door. Note the location of the clips and cut ½ inch slits through the insulation. When the clips pass through, secure the front pieces of the retention clips to the back parts to hold the insulation panels in place.

  1. Install the doorstop weather stripping. It should be temporarily secured against the top and side jambs by hammering in nails partway. Next, push against the door to simulate strong winds and move the doorstop inward. If the gap along the sides differs from one place to another, readjust the doorstop.

When you’re sure there is a good seal, tack the weather stripping to the top jam, then the sides, and hammer the nails in all the way. Install spring-loaded hinges if there’s too much play in the door to adjust the doorstop or you see light through the weather stripping.

Contact Mesa Garage Doors

Serving customers across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura Counties, Mesa Garage Doors can help you select and install a new garage door. Our installers and repair technicians are factory trained and we never use subcontractors. Whether you need advice or assistance regarding garage door insulation or prefer to replace your old system with a brand new insulated garage door, book service online or call 800-893-1107 today!

What to Do When Your Garage Door Won’t Close

Garage Door Won't Close

Garage doors are designed to do one of two things—open or close. So, it can be quite frustrating when your garage door seemingly refuses to close, whether it won’t respond to your commands or reverses midway. There are many reasons this can happen. Sometimes the solution is simple, such as replacing a battery or cleaning a sensor. Here are a few troubleshooting tips to help you fix the problem or determine whether professional repair is necessary. While the causes can be varied, here’s what to do when your garage door won’t close.

Look for Garage Door Safety Sensor Issues

Modern garage doors have two sensors near the bottom. Located six inches above the ground, these devices are located on either side and detect when something, whether a child, ball, container, or pet, is in the way. The door will not close if the signal is broken. Sometimes, it may not be an object causing this, but a misalignment of the sensors or dirt on the lens or transmitter.

Therefore, you can fix the problem by wiping the sensors with a clean, soft, cloth. Even dust or a spider web can block the signal. If a sensor isn’t aligned properly, loosen it and adjust its position until the blinking light becomes steady.

Adjust the Limit Setting

If the sensors seem okay, check the limit settings, or travel limits, which tell the opener how far the door must travel before fully closing. This is a safety feature to ensure it doesn’t crush anything. Too high a setting fools the door into thinking the floor is an obstruction, causing it to open. Fortunately, the issue can be easily fixed with a screwdriver, the limit settings knob on the garage door motor, or other means indicated by the instruction manual. Just be careful not to over-adjust the limit, as this could cause the door to slam the ground or move too quickly.

Check the Garage Door Opener’s Remote Battery

A common reason the garage door won’t open or even respond to the remote is a dead battery. Replacing the batteries is an obvious first step. If this doesn’t work, the remote might need to be reprogrammed. To do this, press the “learn” button on the opener, using a ladder to access the unit. When the light flashes, press a button on the remote; it should then work normally again. The garage door transmitter battery may need to be replaced as well.

Check Track Alignment

If the garage door tracks are misaligned, the door won’t be able to run normally. It can get stuck in position or reverse automatically. Gaps between the rails and rollers, or bent rails, should be fixed by a professional. Also check for damage such as warped tracks or even obstacles blocking them. Garage door tracks wear over time and can also be damaged by the weight of the garage door.

Look for Broken Springs or Cables

Tension springs and cables help your garage door move slowly and evenly. They are a major safety feature. If a spring fails or a cable snaps, it can be an extremely dangerous situation. The door can break loose and hit the ground hard, or broken pieces can be flung at high speeds and hurt someone. So, if a cable looks frayed or a spring is rusted or has a gap, call a repair technician right away.

Refer to the Manual

The garage door is indicating a problem if it won’t close and there’s a blinking light. The color or number of times it blinks is telling you something. Check the manual’s troubleshooting guide or find trouble codes for your door model online, for reference to what the problem may be.

Get to the Root of the Problem

Once your garage door won’t close, take a visual look at what may be wrong. Then you can decide to fix a simple issue on your own. When you’ve addressed the problem, place a box or board underneath and close the door. If you can’t resolve the situation, call a professional as moving forward on your own can be dangerous. A garage door repair professional at Mesa Garage Doors is trained and equipped to correct any problem quickly. To get started, book service online or call 800-893-1107 today, or contact us for a free no obligation estimate.

How to Match Your Garage Door to Your Homes’ Style

Match Garage Door to House Style

A garage door has a major impact on curb appeal. It can take up a third of the front façade, so therefore has a profound influence on aesthetics. For this reason, you want to choose a garage door carefully based on style. But matching it to your house improves ease of operation as well.

To start, here are the most common types of garage doors on the market:

  • Raised Panel: This is pretty much the standard and what most people associate garage doors with. Modern raised panel doors are typically solid. They’re molded into the classic shape rather than having floating panels in a rail-type frame, and can feature wood, aluminum, steel, or fiberglass.
  • Traditional: Most traditional-style garage doors feature the standard roll-up configuration. Horizontal, hinged panels bend at the seams, but at the same time create a seamless design. The door easily rolls up on overhead tracks, while most can be ordered in your choice of materials and colors to match the style of your home.
  • Carriage: Suiting many different house styles, carriage-style doors replicate the look of older garage doors but can be made to match the look of contemporary homes. While traditional carriage doors swing open manually from the middle, modern units can fold open and incorporate automatic garage door openers.
  • Contemporary Slab: Match a home that has clean lines and high-tech materials. You may want to go with materials such as tempered glass and painted aluminum frames if such a design works with your home. Doors that fold up as a single-panel are increasing in popularity again, but require a specialized opener to operate.

What Material Should I Choose?

If you are going for a contemporary look, a glass-paneled garage door works, while vinyl is fade-, dent-, and rust-resistant, which makes it suitable for coastal homes. Wood is still preferred for classic styles. However, your options are always open to make a statement. Specialty garage doors are available in practically limitless combinations; some have scrollwork and unique finishes that can enhance the look of your home. Steel is common with classic carriage house doors, which are often multi-layered and coated with a composite material to increase durability and efficiency.

Matching a Garage Door with Your Home

There are many styles of homes and not every type of garage door will work for each one. Here’s a look at different home types and what doors you might consider:

  • Ranch: A popular home style with a modest façade that usually demands a classic, subtly designed garage door. A Planks door can add dimension to a more contemporary-style home, while carriage house and raised panel doors often suffice.
  • Contemporary: Eye-catching and often asymmetrical, contemporary homes can allow for creativity, so you can choose from industrial-style aluminum, sleek/minimalist Sterling, or textured Planks to customize your garage door.
  • Tudor: The late Medieval and early Renaissance stylings of Tudor homes, with stucco exteriors and numerous decorative elements, are best complemented by overlay garage doors. Faux or natural wood, or steel, are often preferred, generally in the form of carriage house or recessed panel models.
  • Craftsman: Often featuring stone and brick exteriors, tapered columns, and a front porch, craftsman homes are quite versatile when it comes to garage door styles. Raised panel, stamped carriage house, and recessed panel doors can provide the look that you need.
  • Modern Farmhouse: Is usually all-white and has abundant windows. Carriage house doors most suit this architecture, but some homeowners prefer solid-color, steel garage doors or natural wood. Aluminum-glass doors have been installed as well.
  • Colonial: Symmetrical and rectangular, colonial homes are best accompanied by a garage door that reflects these traits. A classic style is best, with raised panel, steel overlay, or stamped carriage house doors the most common for colonial residences.

Contact Mesa Garage Doors

There are many variables to consider when choosing a style of garage door for your home. At Mesa Garage Doors, we specialize in a wide range of styles, and can customize residential garage door installation just for you, based on your vision and the architecture of your home. Call 800-893-1107 for help choosing a new garage door or to receive a free estimate.

How Much Does a New Garage Door Cost?

cost new garage door

While garage door costs can vary greatly, the national average for replacing a garage door is $1,134, according to HomeAdvisor. Typically, the price range is between $757 and $1,562. On the high end, you may spend up to $2,300 or more for garage door replacement.

There are many factors to consider in terms of cost, beyond the garage door itself. A basic garage door model may cost a few hundred dollars, but replacing the one you have can easily come with additional costs. Upgrading from a manual to an automatic garage door is a situation in which you’ll likely pay extra for the work.

Here is a look at other factors that may determine the final price:

  • Removing/Disposing Materials: The price may be included in the initial quote, but this step can cost up to $100.
  • Structural Modifications: If you need to resize the opening, even just add height, key structural elements may need to be removed, braced, and replaced, costing anywhere from $500 to $5,000.
  • Hardware: Garage door springs, nuts and bolts, hinges, pulleys, wires, and other hardware can cost up to $350, which is usually part of your estimate.
  • Locks: A lock helps protect any valuables you keep in the garage, but it can cost anywhere from $100 to up to $350 to install a specific brand lock for your garage door opener.
  • Location: Garage door installation tends to be higher where the cost of living in a particular area is higher. Geographic location is a factor too, as there are price differences from one region to another and local building codes, such as those requiring reinforcement against high winds.
  • Labor: Replacing a garage door can cost you up to $500 in labor, per HomeAdvisor estimates.
  • Customization: You can spend anywhere from $800 to up to $10,000 to customize your garage door with windows, trim and panels, and shatterproof glass; add multiple colors; or install a barn style door. 1

Garage Door Type and Cost

While labor costs are generally the same between different garage door types (a wooden, steel, or aluminum door is installed in the same amount of time), the design is a factor. For example, a manual single-panel garage door can cost from $400 to $1,200, while a sectional model costs anywhere from $750 to $2,500. Space-saving roll-up doors cost $400 to $1,500 on average. A tilt-up canopy door can cost up to $1,500 while a tilt-up retractable door ranges up to $2,000 for installation.

As for garage door material type, expect to spend up to $2,000 for steel, $1,800 for wood, $3,700 for wood composite, or $4,100 for faux wood, on average. Aluminum doors can cost a few hundred to up to $2,000, while fiberglass can cost up to $2,100. A vinyl garage door can go as high as $2,600 but if you’re investing in a high-end wood or composite installation, it can go as high as $10,000.

Trimming the Cost of Garage Door Replacement

You can avoid overspending on garage door replacement by:

  • Installing a standard model door without customization.
  • Purchasing directly from the manufacturer and hiring an independent contractor for installation.
  • Choosing only add-on features that you absolutely need.
  • Ensuring the door comes with a warranty to cover potential defects later.
  • Maintaining the door properly to avoid unnecessary repairs or replacements.

Request a New Garage Door Estimate Today

Mesa Garage Doors offers a range of garage doors, garage door openers, and other products in Southern California. We specialize in many types of doors and all kinds of repairs. For residents in Los Angeles and Orange County areas schedule a new door or repair estimate online or call us at (844) 473-2866 today.

Pest Proofing Your Garage Doors

pest proof garage door

Pest proofing your garage doors is an absolute must. Your garage is the gateway the cleanness of your humble abode to the outside world, it’s a heavily utilized space and it functions best when pest free. If you’re like most homeowners, you use garage space for storage rather than only storing a car. According to a Home Innovation Research Labs study: of 900 homeowners surveyed, 93% used their garage for storage and 84% used it for their vehicle, while on average 30% of garage space is utilized for something other than parking.1

Therefore, you probably cringe at the idea rats, mice, roaches, and other pests may have no problem seeking harborage in your garage space.

Small pests need little space to get in. Rats, for example, need only a finger width of space in the garage door to get inside. If you can slide your finger under the gap near the ground, it’s time to take preventative action. But rats and other bests can also get in through vents, openings around pipes and wires, and drains. They can also dig under the foundation or climb up to the roof, into the eaves, and in your house.

Why Do Pests Love Garages?

Rats, and most pests, are animals looking for shelter where they can find protection. A garage protects them from the elements and predators. There typically aren’t any birds or other creatures to fear in a garage. As people tend to use their garage as an impromptu food pantry, rats can often find a multitude of store pet foods, snacks, and other edible items in packages that are easily chewed or clawed through.

How to Keep Them Out

Effective ways to pest-proof your garage door include:

Establish a Perimeter

Start outside your garage door and move any plants, firewood, and other pest-friendly items away from your garage door. Tree branches should be trimmed back so small pests don’t have easy access. Also, consider hiring an exterminator to treat your lawn and/or yard.

Organize Your Garage

Behind your garage door, cleaning up a cluttered space can make it less hospitable to pests. Try to store items above the floor. Cabinets, shelving, and baskets provide storage and organization. It’s less of an advantage for pests to settle in when items are stored in tightly sealed plastic totes rather than chewable cardboard boxes. Ceiling storage racks help move things off the floor as well.

Replace the Weather Seal

A worn weather seal at the bottom of your garage door is the easiest entry point. Install a rubber seal if you don’t have one. Bottom seals are often made of foam, vinyl, or felt, which rats and other rodents can chew through. Some seals melt if the pavement gets too hot and most simply wear out with regular use. One type of durable seal is made of metal and another is made of rubber reinforced by steel wool in the middle.

Also install seals at the junction of brick and siding, around doors, and windows. Consider vent covers as well if you don’t have them and/or replace plastic vents with metal ones.

Contact Mesa Garage Doors

Homeowners throughout Southern California rely on Mesa Garage Doors for installation, repair, and sealing services. We service all types of garage doors and have an extensive product line representing single- and double-car models and numerous styles, materials, and finishes. In addition, numerous colors and window options are available. To book service or request an estimate, contact us online or call 800-893-1107. We are available 24/7.