The Benefits of Steel Garage Doors
When it comes to choosing a garage door for your home, there are many options to consider. However, one material stands out above the rest: steel. Steel garage doors offer a range of benefits that make them the best choice for homeowners. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of steel garage doors and why they are a smart investment for your home. Durability and Strength One of the most significant advantages of steel garage doors is their durability and strength. Steel is a tough material that can withstand harsh weather conditions, impacts, and wear and tear. This makes it an ideal choice for homeowners who want a garage door that will last for many years without needing frequent repairs or replacements. Low Maintenance Steel garage doors require minimal maintenance compared to other materials like wood or aluminum. They are resistant to rust, corrosion, and fading, which means you won’t have to worry about repainting or staining them every few years. A simple cleaning with soap and water is all that’s needed to keep your steel garage door looking great. Energy Efficiency Steel garage doors are also energy-efficient, which can help you save money on your energy bills. They are insulated, which means they can help keep your garage warm in the winter and cool in the summer. This can help reduce the workload on your HVAC system, which can save you money on your energy bills. Security Steel garage doors are also very secure. They are difficult to break into, which can help deter burglars and keep your home and belongings safe. Additionally, many steel garage doors come with advanced security features like rolling codes and keyless entry systems, which provide an extra layer of protection for your home. Aesthetic Appeal Finally, steel garage doors are available in a range of styles and finishes, which means you can choose a design that complements the look of your home. From traditional to modern, there is a steel garage door to suit every taste and budget. If you’re in the market for a new garage door, consider investing in a steel garage door from ADS Garage Doors & Gates. Our team of experts can help you choose the right door for your home and provide professional installation services.
Automatic Entry Gates and Side Gates Need Maintenance Too
Automatic Door Specialists, we take our gates, and gate servicing, very seriously. It is not unusual for us to match the design and materials for the driveway and side gates with the garage door, especially if they are all custom installations. The effect can be striking and sophisticated and enhance both the attractiveness and ROI value of your home. Even standard gate models that are selected to complement the garage door or architectural styling will give a finished look that greatly enhances your curb appeal. Beyond their appearance, gates are critical to the security of your home, especially automatic gates, and they should get the same care and attention you give (or should be giving) to your garage door. Whether we’re talking about simple, latch-operated wood side gates, or high-tech driveway entry systems with keypads, remotes, and even motion or voice activation, gates need regular service. This includes inspecting for problems, basic cleaning, maintenance of hardware and moving parts, and, if needed, repair. Here are four basic things to remember: Keep It Clean Any object kept outdoors gets dirty. Sometimes a quick hosing is all that is needed, but a more careful cleaning is a good idea regularly, such as after the rainy season. Posts planted in damp soil are susceptible to termites and dry rot. A more attentive cleaning, especially for hardware or electronic components, is more than cosmetic, as cobwebs, dry leaves, or even an accumulation of dust and dirt can potentially damage the mechanisms. Ants are known to nest in electronic components, leading to corroded wiring. Keeping gates in good condition with fresh paint or water sealing is important as well. Basic cleaning is probably the simplest way to help maintain your gates, but don’t take it for granted. As you are cleaning, you are also observing, which can help you find little problems and correct them before they become big problems. Listen to Your Gate Mechanical objects make noise, and when they start to wear out or show damage, that noise changes, usually by becoming louder and harsher. Think about all those screeching and groaning gates and doors you’ve heard in horror films. Often, quieting a gate down is a simple matter of lubricating the hinges and latches. Be sure you know which lubricants are recommended for your gate model. On more complicated and precisely balanced entry systems, there are more things to watch for, and these will often require professional inspection and maintenance. That’s where ADS Garage Doors & Gates excels; providing regular inspections and maintenance, and completing any needed adjustments, thereby avoiding major repairs and the disruptions they may create. A Lot Hinges on Good Balance The basic engineering of a gate depends on having excellent balance. If a gate is used frequently, the balance must be maintained by regular service. If a swinging gate drags or scrapes, or if it is off-vertical (from ground settling, erosion, pressure from tree roots, or simply bad construction), it needs adjustment or repair. If a rolling or laterally sliding entry gate veers off track, stutters, or snags, you should deal with it promptly. If a gate works too hard to perform its essential task of opening and closing, it may well mean you have a big repair or replacement waiting to happen—so don’t wait. When Your Garage Door Receives Regular Servicing, Include Your Gates This applies to all your gates but is especially important if you have an automatic gate that operates electronically. The same kinds of pro-level needs ADS Garage Doors & Gates deals with day-in and day-out with garage doors apply, generally, to automatic gates, and our highly trained specialists can make their annual garage door service a perfect opportunity to keep your gates running smoothly as well. We make annual inspections easy, convenient, and affordable, assuring you not only efficient and reliable operation but important safety checks as well. For example, many electronic gates, like all new garage overhead doors, have an auto-reverse function that needs to be tested regularly. If you want to learn more, call us today at 858-533-1583. Remember, we’re ADS Garage Doors & Gates —San Diego’s premier garage door and Gate specialists.
What to Do When a Garage Door Spring Breaks
What Happens If a Garage Door Spring Breaks? Garage spring broke? The first step in understanding how to fix it is understanding how it happened in the first place. When the incredible energy bound up in a heavy steel torsion bar reaches the inevitable limit of its materials, it fails – dramatically. Sometimes with a startling cracking sound, your garage door spring loses its ability to function – totally, and more quickly than you can snap your fingers. At this point, there is only one option: replace the broken spring. Most standard garage doors come with two springs; it is, as you probably realize, more efficient and cost-effective to replace both garage door springs at the same time, assuming they are the same age and bearing the same number of cycles (openings and closings). A high-quality spring will be rated at 10,000 cycles. There are signs of metal fatigue to watch for as well – a spring that sags or has a “relaxed” length much over 25 inches, is losing its tensile strength and may be close to failure. The remaining question is simple but serious. Who is going to do it? Yourself, as a DIY (do-it-yourself) project, or an experienced, properly trained and equipped specialist? Since you’re reading this on our website, you’re probably expecting us to point emphatically to the second choice – use a pro. Well, you’re right. We do, and you should. But the reasons may need a little clarification, and the explanation made a little more fully, and that’s why we are posting this blog. How to Tell If There Is a Broken Spring on the Garage Door? Despite the “all-at-once” failure described above, many times a broken spring will go unnoticed until you next go to open the garage door. The first major clue, and one that should never be ignored: The opener will struggle mightily, and the door will rise slowly and haltingly, perhaps grindingly. In a word, it will feel “heavy”. Even if only one of the two springs is broken, the difference will be unmistakable. A garage door, especially a glass or wood door, might weigh several hundred pounds, and losing the torque in the steel springs puts the whole system at stress levels beyond its designed capacity. How Do I Open a Garage Door with a Broken Spring? If the spring is broken, then it’s best to leave your garage door closed. However, if you need to open your garage door, make sure you do it manually. You should: Get help. Garage doors can be extremely heavy, and a second person will both help get it open faster, as well as protect you from injuries. Disengage the door from the garage door opener. There should be a handle on a rope connected to the opener. Pull on it to disengage the mechanism. Be extremely careful opening the door. Treat it like lifting any other heavy object – don’t lift with your back, watch your fingers, and don’t drop it on your feet. Carefully lift the door until it settles in place on the horizontal rails. It’s extremely important to note that you should never, ever use your opener to open your garage door if the spring is broken. This can lead to serious problems, including: Causing the door panels to crack or crumble Bend the rails Strip gears in your garage door opener Break off parts of the opener carriage Strip gears in the opener In the most serious situations, the opener might be ripped off its mounts entirely Never (Repeat Never) Do This: When a garage door spring breaks, NEVER disengage the opener from the door while the door is open. There are circumstances when you may well need to disengage them, such as during a power failure. This is usually accomplished by pulling the red emergency release handle hanging from the track. But in this situation, when the spring has snapped, it is inviting serious damage to your garage door or other property in its pathway, and injury (or worse) to you or someone who might be standing too close. When the door is released and nothing is holding it up (which is one of the functions of the spring) the door will come crashing down, with its nearly full weight in free fall. We are not exaggerating the risks in this scenario. While you should never close the door by releasing the red release handle, you can’t leave the door standing open, either. Why not? Aside from the obvious security risks posed by an open door, someone might try to close the door without realizing the consequences, either by attempting to use the automatic door opener or the emergency release handle. Further, the remaining spring may suddenly fail, and the door will crash on its own. Until proper repairs and replacements can be done, it’s best to block the door track – on both sides – so the door is relatively stable, like a car lifted on a jack. To avoid any unintended use of the garage door opener, unplug it from the wall. If you feel you must, you can cautiously attempt closing the door with the automatic opener, but make sure there’s nothing in its path, as it may put a strain on the opener beyond its capacity, with unintended consequences. If you feel especially lucky or desperate, you can have a couple of strong-backed helpers hold the door in place while you disengage the opener (you will recall we advised you to never do this) and carefully lower the door to the ground by muscle power alone. It will be heavy, so watch all fingers and toes. Or, call us at 858-533-1583 for quick service. Types of Garage Door Springs: Torsion Vs. Extension Simply defined, there are two kinds of garage door springs: torsion and extension. The more common torsion springs are heavy-gauge springs mounted on a heavy metal rod. These are mounted parallel to the door roughly a foot or so above the top of the door on the
The Dangers Of DIY Garage Door Repair
Garages are an important aspect of many homes. You can use them to protect your vehicle, as personal storage, and for many other purposes. However, to safely access your garage and whatever you keep inside it, you have to pass through a garage door. The more you open and close your garage door, the more it deteriorates until it may need to be repaired or replaced. Hearing a strange noise or realizing the door is not functioning as intended can be a sign that it needs to be checked. Unaware of the risks you expose yourself to, you may be tempted to take a look and try to fix it yourself in order to save a few bucks. Here is why you should avoid DIY garage door repair. 1. Further Damage If your garage door has an issue and you decide to fix it yourself, you will only be working on the immediate problem. For instance, when the door is not fully opening, you may check to fix the door springs, but there may be a bigger underlying issue. A temporary solution will only give you temporary relief, and as you continue using the faulty door, the core problem will become worse. By the time you notice the extent of the issue, your door will have incurred more damage. This means you will spend a lot of money to hire a professional to do the repairs anyway. To prevent future inconveniences and the costs of unexpected breakdowns, always call a professional to thoroughly examine the situation and find the root problem instead of doing it yourself. 2. Physical Hazards Garage doors have many moving parts that are extremely heavy, some weighing up to a few hundred pounds. DIY repairs can put you at risk because the door could accidentally fall on you. The impact of this force unleashed from overhead could result in very serious injury. The springs designed to lift and keep the doors elevated are also full of tension. If one of the springs were to break and release the stored energy, it would come off at a very high speed. The path would be unpredictable, and it could severely injure you if you were in a vulnerable position. This can result in broken bones, internal bleeding, and other serious trauma. Hiring a professional garage door repair company such as ours at ADS Garage Doors & Gates will ensure the job is done safely. 3. Electrical Hazards Most modern garage doors have electrical components such as motion sensors and motors. DIY repairs can lead to improper wiring if you don’t have adequate training. This can cause electrical shocks which can be much worse than just unpleasant. There is also the risk of accidentally starting an electrical fire. For example, you may try to repair a part of the garage door like the opener and end up short-circuiting the system. This could easily cause a fire, putting you and your loved ones in danger. The fire could even spread to the rest of the house, putting your entire residence at risk. It is simply not worth it. Professional garage door repair specialists are trained to handle electrical components safely and reduce the risks of electrical hazards. 4. Unreliable Tools Garage doors are complicated, and fixing them requires specific tools. If you do not have access to the right tools, you probably cannot resolve the problem correctly. You can try to work around this by buying new equipment, but you will still lack the skills to do the job effectively. Additionally, you will spend more money on buying the tools than you would have by hiring a professional repair expert. Besides, repairing a garage door requires using a ladder at some point. According to the Home Safety Council, home-related falls cause roughly 6,000 deaths annually. Ladders are responsible for 500,000 injuries and 300 deaths that occur during DIY home repairs. So, before you consider looking for a ladder to do a garage door repair, remember that safety should always be the priority. 5. Voided Warranty Garage doors often come with a manufacturer’s warranty to cover repair costs if you encounter any major issues. A DIY repair could ruin your chance of having the door fixed without additional costs. Also, the repair will likely go wrong somewhere and you could void your warranty entirely. Therefore, before considering DIY garage door repairs, remember that a warranty is only valid if a professional company like ours at ADS Garage Doors & Gates does the work. Without your warranty, you will have to pay for repair services with your own money. 6. Limited Workforce A limited workforce means you may not have enough people to help you with DIY garage repairs. With fewer inexperienced people to work with, you may not be able to fix all the issues at hand. This strains the available workers and increases the risk of accidents. Our professional garage door technicians are trained to identify safety concerns and rectify them accordingly. We can install safety sensors and emergency release mechanisms to ensure a safe working environment. We will also follow the rules and safety guidelines to meet the required standards. Therefore, hiring us to do the job will save you time and money. 7. Incomplete Results Starting a DIY garage door repair project may get you stuck halfway. This can be frustrating and inconvenient, especially if you are unable to find and solve the problem. Incomplete repairs are usually due to a lack of knowledge and understanding of how garage doors work. Incomplete repairs may reduce the general functionality of your garage door. It lengthens the repair time and compromises the security of your home. The longer your garage door stays inoperative, the higher the chances are of a thief or burglar breaking into your home. Additionally, an incomplete repair would expose the contents of your garage to harsh weather conditions like rain or snow. This can cause damage to your vehicle or other things inside your garage. Hiring experienced
Garage Door Maintenance and Longevity
An automatic garage door is a great convenience to have at home. Push a button, and the door opens and closes when needed. Without the automatic function, you’ll have to open and close the door by hand. So, how do you keep your garage door working as it should? The key to proper function is routine preventative maintenance by a professional garage door technician. Through this maintenance, the technician can identify damage and excess wear and tear. The technician will also perform tasks to increase the safety and longevity of your automatic garage door system. With professional help, you can get the most life out of your automatic garage door and ensure safety while operating it. The Steps to Garage Door Maintenance Professional maintenance involves many steps to ensure your automatic garage door continues to operate as it should. As part of the annual maintenance plan, the following are steps the technician will take to check for damage and increase the longevity of your door system. Perform Safety Tests Pulleys, springs, and rollers contribute to the ease of opening and closing your garage door and may make the door seem very light. However, the door itself can weigh up to 200 pounds. Without safety mechanisms in place, the door could cause serious injury or damage should it fail. Two simple tests are performed by your technician to ensure safety. The first test involves making sure the door stops. The technician will disconnect the power to the door and roll it up. Without power, the door should stop when the technician stops and stay in place without falling back down. The other safety test involves checking the safety reversal of the door. To test this, the technician will place an object on the ground where the door closes. When the door reaches this object, it should automatically reverse direction and open back up. If either safety test fails, the technician will make repairs immediately. Do not use your garage door until repairs have been made and the door is deemed safe. Motor Adjustment A motor for your automatic garage door is hardwired into your home’s electrical system. You may also have a battery for backup power. The motor works alongside the other parts of the door system to open and close the door safely when you push the button. If your garage door opens or closes very quickly or extremely hard, your technician should make adjustments, finding the right settings for the ideal operating speed. If you have problems getting your door to open and close and have replaced the batteries in your remote opener, you may need to look at the motor. Manual Adjustment of the Springs Springs in your garage door system work to balance the weight of your door, providing smooth and steady opening and closing. Over time, the springs may become loose or worn. As part of the maintenance appointment, your technician inspects the springs. The technician checks to see that the springs are tight and makes adjustments as needed. If the springs are overly worn, the technician will replace them. These springs are under high tension and should not be handled by anyone other than a trained professional to avoid damage and injury. Lubrication of Moving Parts Garage doors require moving parts for operation. These moving parts may create friction as they act. This friction causes wear and tear and can damage the parts over time. Your garage door technician lubricates certain moving parts as part of the maintenance plan. Parts requiring lubrication include the rollers, springs, and hinges. Failure to lubricate these parts may cause premature failure. However, it is important to remember that only certain parts should have lubrication. For example, you should never use lubricant on the tracks of your automatic garage door. The lubricant will attract dirt and debris, causing a gunky mess in the tracks and causing opening and closing to become difficult. Lubrication is one of the only points of maintenance on your garage door that you can tackle on your own. Your technician will lubricate the parts during your annual maintenance, but you may need additional lubricant throughout the year. Service the Chain or Belt A chain or belt works with other components of your garage door system to move the door up and down. The technician inspects this chain or belt, assessing for signs of damage or deterioration. The belt is subject to cracking or loosening with time and requires replacement occasionally. A damaged chain or belt could lead to faulty operation and safety hazards. Examine All Hardware Bolts, rollers, fasteners, springs, and lift cables all require inspection during your annual garage door maintenance. Each piece of hardware directly relates to the safe and sound operation of your garage door. Bolts and fasteners should be tightened as needed to keep the system on track. With time, nylon rollers may crack, and steel rollers are subject to rust and worn bearings. Springs and lift cables should also be inspected for signs of rust or corrosion. Any part deemed damaged or excessively worn needs to be replaced before the door can be used again. Inspect Seals and Weatherstripping A weatherstrip attaches to the bottom of your garage door. This strip keeps dirt, debris, and moisture out of the garage. The strip may also help with temperature regulation by blocking excessive cold and hot air. Your technician inspects this seal for cracks or breaks. Over time, the rubber strip may become brittle under cold temperatures and come apart, providing a weakened barrier. Dirt and dust will start coming through your door where the strip has worn or is missing. You may also see wet spots from rain and snow if the weatherstrip is damaged. Talk with your technician if you notice signs of the weatherstrip failing. Check and Replace Battery and Bulbs Many automatic garage doors have a backup battery that provides power should the electricity fail. This battery serves as an emergency backup so that you can still open and close the door
Common Signs It Is Time To Replace Your Garage Door
A garage door ranks among a home’s most crucial elements. Aside from safeguarding your car and possessions, it enhances the overall appearance of any residence. If your garage door is not operating smoothly due to issues like jamming or odd sounds emanating from its operations or merely being outdated, replacing it may be necessary for optimal performance and aesthetic appeal. 1. Broken Springs or Cables Springs and steel cables on your garage door are among the components subjected to a lot of stress. They may wear off over several years of usage until they finally give way. If the system in your garage door has broken springs or cables, it cannot be considered safe and has failed. However, the process involved in replacing these broken springs or cables might end up being more expensive than simply replacing the entire door itself. 2. Difficulty Operating the Door Manually Garage doors are designed to reliably open and close with the push of a button or pull of a hand cord. Over time, several factors can make it increasingly challenging for the door to operate by hand when the power goes out. Grit and debris build up in moving parts, and aging lubricant, misaligned tracks, and worn rollers or hinges are common culprits. Those components show signs of deterioration if it takes significant effort to lift or pull the door up a few feet. Manual functionality is vital for emergencies like power outages. Constant repair attempts will only become a temporary fix as other neglected issues develop. At a certain point, a complete garage door replacement by an expert such as ADS Garage Doors & Gates will deliver smooth and balanced manual operation once more. 3. Damaged Panels or Wood The primary material that makes up a garage door’s visible surface will inevitably sustain some wear and tear. Wood panels or metal/composite skins can only endure dents, cracks, and other impact damage for so long before replacement is needed. Water intrusion through split or chipped wood accelerates underlying structural decay as well. Peeling or flaking paint also indicates the protective barrier has been compromised, exposing the substrate to corrosion. While cosmetic blemishes may be acceptable, advanced stages of panel damage compromise integrity and weather resistance. Although replacing damaged sections is possible, extensive issues typically mean the whole door needs to be replaced for a unified aesthetic and complete protection. 4. Dents, Rust, or Worn Paint Minor surface marks like light scratches or small dents alone may be cosmetic and not impact functionality too severely. However, rust spreading from unaddressed dents is a telltale sign of compromised metal. Major dents or creases in either the panels or underlying door frame structure point to excessive impact damage beyond simple repair. Peeling, bubbled, or completely worn away paint should also raise red flags even if the underlying material appears solid still. That protective barrier is gone, allowing corrosion to set in rapidly from exposure to the elements. Initially, this may seem a purely aesthetic concern, but rust or deterioration unseen behind failing surfaces will undermine integrity. Refreshing the paint or treating rust is only temporary; the damage can only be fully repaired or prevented from worsening with replacement of the entire garage door. 5. Gaps Around the Edges of the Door Over time, the garage door panels may slowly pull away from each other, creating unsightly gaps along the seams. This issue develops as hinges wear out and mounting brackets come loose from constant opening and closing vibrations. Large visible gaps allow light to penetrate and compromise security and insulation. They also indicate underlying mechanical weaknesses that could develop into more severe problems; garage door replacement is recommended to fix the problem. 6. Misaligned Panels or Tracks The precise alignment of a garage door’s panels running smoothly in their tracks is vital to proper function. Misaligned or cockeyed panels create friction and gaps that degrade performance and integrity. Likewise, tracks that shift out of level over time result in doors that don’t close or open fully. Realigning panels and tracks requires dismantling and replacing the entire system, which is often more involving than a replacement of the whole garage door. 7. Squeaking or Grinding Noises Over time, the rollers and hinges supporting a garage door deteriorate, resulting in loud squeaking or grinding sounds during operation. While not structurally critical, excessive noise is a symptom of degraded components like bearings, brackets, and screws. Continued noise indicates further deterioration, leading to more significant mechanical faults if not addressed. Replacing worn parts often requires disassembling the entire door, which makes a replacement of the whole door more practical. 8. Enhanced Security for Prized Possessions Over time, you might consider storing precious possessions like classic vehicles in the garage only to realize that it does not have adequate security precautions for protecting these items. By replacing your garage door with one that has enhanced security features like an automatic lock, you can effectively hide prized possessions from nosy individuals and ensure they remain secure. 9. Worn Rollers or Hinges Rollers and hinges are low-cost components expected to be replaced periodically for routine maintenance. However, when these essential items require constant repair or replacement in quick succession, it is an omen of further deterioration. Severely grooved, pitted, or wobbly rollers and hinges now loose in their fittings mean other issues exacerbate the normal wear process. Frequent repairs become expensive, and problems persist until the root causes are addressed through targeted repairs or complete replacement. At a certain point, it’s better to upgrade to a new door engineered with heavy duty rollers and hinges meant to last much longer through heavy usage cycles. Endless minor fixes could be more cost effective in the long term. 10. Insulation That Is Falling Out or Compressed Insulation provides thermal protection and noise dampening inside garage doors whether as spray foam filling, rigid board inserts, or batts. Over years of opening and closing, compression takes a toll on even the firmest insulation, leaving it bunched, torn, or
If Your Garage Door Is Grumbling, Pay Attention
A misaligned garage door has worn parts, or simply needs a good lube is probably telling you so. Listen carefully. If your automatic overhead garage door is making grinding or screeching noises when being operated (or even milder noises), don’t ignore them. Like those paranoia-inducing noises, your car produces that may be a symptom of problems requiring prompt action, your garage door and opener may be telling you things you need to hear. Such noises are most commonly caused by worn rollers, loose hardware, or parts that need lubricating. These problems can usually be confirmed by visual inspection, and you can often deal with them yourself if you are so inclined. Another common source of noise is vibration from a loose or poorly-seated opener – something you may be able to pinpoint yourself by simple observation. Often the best recourse for this is the installation of anti-vibration pads. There are other more serious reasons a garage door may grumble, from misalignment of the door or tracks to damaged or bent doors that are not gliding normally. You may have fatigued torsion springs near the end of their cycle life (see our blogs specifically addressing torsion springs). These larger problems, left unattended, can lead to door failure. Since you are a responsible homeowner (why else would you be reading this?) you don’t want to go down that road. Regular inspection and simple maintenance, supplemented by annual professional servicing, will keep your automatic garage door system functioning optimally. That’s where the specialists at ADS Garage Doors & Gates can make all the difference. Keep It Tight! Garage doors are large, heavy objects that operate under significant strain, and the hardware mountings will naturally be subject to loosening. This means they are susceptible to losing their tight grip over time, which can lead to damage to the door and tracks. Taking the time to check and tighten the nuts and bolts on your door’s hinges and other hardware (if you have the tools) and carefully looking for signs of wear are things you should be including in a quick monthly inspection (we have another blog on that, as well). If you want to tackle these simpler fixes yourself, start by carefully tightening all the door and track hardware, preferably with a deep socket and a ratchet. Remember (especially when using a power screwdriver) that over-tightening can easily damage the door, whether steel or wood. Keep It Rolling! Again, you may opt to buy and install replacement rollers yourself. If you go “DIY” (do it yourself), you should look at online videos that demonstrate the correct steps. An important cautionary note: If your door has torsion springs mounted on the header above the door (and most will), leave the rollers in the bottom brackets alone. That step is best left for the specialists from ADS Garage Doors & Gates –those brackets are under high constant tension, and you are at genuine risk of injury if you pull out the bolts holding them in place. If you find this a little confusing, we’ll gladly review all your choices. Loose or worn hinges may be especially noisy. In this case, “noisy” equates with “damaging”. The tongue-and-groove joints at the door sections will grate and cause uneven wear, and over time you may be looking at a new door and not simply replacement hinges. While some minor flex in the hinge is to be expected, grooved indentations around the pin and a build-up of metal filings are signs the hinges are spent. Don’t ignore this. An important final step: inspect the garage door opener chain, especially if you hear a series of muffled banging noises and the door is moving with a jerky, bouncing motion. These are signs of a loose opener chain, which can lead to all kinds of bigger problems. If you want to attempt tightening it yourself, the owner’s manual should be helpful. If you want to deal with this as part of a more comprehensive inspection and servicing, call us. Grease = Silence With all due respect to WD-40 (not to mention butter), there are many kinds of lubricants, and some are specific to the use for a reason. There are, in fact, garage door lubricant sprays, and as simple as you might expect lubrication to be, please do your homework first. A track drive opener will need to be lubricated differently (the opener track gets the grease) from a screwdriver opener (in this case, the screw threads). You should spray the hinges, unsealed roller bearings, and torsion springs/bearings with a garage door lube product (Prime Flo garage door lubrication kit is a good example). A garage door lube product will penetrate, in viscous form, into the seams and joints to reduce abrasion in mechanical motion but forms a non-tacky surface when dry that won’t easily mix with dirt and dust. You may be tempted to use a cheaper oil, grease, or spray-on (like WD-40) but don’t – they won’t resist the abrasive contaminants like a product specific to garage doors. Any pivot points where surface-against-surface friction occurs should be lubricated. A six-month lube schedule is recommended. Factors to consider: The quality of the hardware, the skill of the installation, and matching the right hardware to the size, weight, and materials of the door are all important. The entire door system works best when all the parts, no matter how seemingly minor, are well-matched. That is where the pros at ADS Garage Doors & Gates can help extend the life of your door and provide you with the most security and safety. Forget About “Good Vibrations” Most motorized door openers are ceiling mounted, and their correct installation can be tricky. An opener that is mounted with a solid, reinforced footing should be adequately resistant to vibration. If not, the tug of the chain plus the natural humming vibration of the powerful motor in operation can pull the mountings loose over time, causing problems for the opener, track, and door. If you want to address unwarranted
The Best Types Of Driveway Gates For Your California Home
Driveway gates add a special aesthetic to properties around southern California. However, they also serve as a needed safety and security device and deterrent. However, getting the best gate for your property can be a little confusing. Use this guide to learn about the varieties of gate construction and material and how to evaluate which is best for your home. Gate Construction Gates are not all made the same but come in various construction types. Each type available provides different benefits ranging from security to ease of installation and operation. Sliding Gates Sliding gates slide out and back from the attached fence. One of the major benefits of this gate style is that it doesn’t require the amount of space needed compared to a gate that swings. The way they’re constructed makes them sturdy and difficult to force open because of their horizontal movement and the track the gate slides on. Swing Gates Swing gates open by swinging out or in from the hinge. Most driveways are wide enough to necessitate a split swing where the gate is two pieces and each swing open to allow access to the property. One of the challenges faced with swinging gates is the space they require to open. Whether the gate swings out or in, there must be enough room on the opening side of the gate for the length of the gate door. However, swing gates are often considered to produce more curb appeal because they don’t look as industrial as many sliding gates do. Swing gates can come in a variety of options, including solid designs that offer more privacy but also more artistic options like unique wrought iron designs. Bi-Fold Gates Bi-fold gates offer some of the same benefits as swing gates but aim to solve the space issue. Rather than swinging the length of the entire gate, bi-folds have another hinge about halfway between the end of the gate and the end hinge. Depending on the gate size, this can allow a single motor to operate an entire gate allowing it to fold rather than swing two independent halves open. These kinds of gates typically open faster than other options, usually 3 to 7 seconds compared to most swing or sliding gates. They are trackless, so they require less maintenance than sliding options. Automatic Gates Most people think about automatic gates that are opened by a swing motor or a chain, but manual options are available for those who prefer physical locks. Automatic gates come with a variety of integrated access control mechanisms to gain access to the property, including keypads, RFID, remote control and smart access systems. Gate Material Beyond construction type, material is a major factor affecting the look, function, and cost of a gate. The most common materials include wood, metal, vinyl and composite. Metal Gates Metal gates are among the most popular for property owners concerned about security. Metal is very durable to both intentional damage and natural elements, making it ideal for offering reliable security. Metal gates are low maintenance, taking years to corrode and requiring little work to keep them looking good and functioning well. There are many design options with metal, allowing the property owner to bring an artistic flair to what could otherwise be a mundane part of the house. The challenge of metal is that it’s often more expensive to install than other options. Common metal options include steel, wrought iron, cast iron and aluminum. Wood Gates Wood is a beautiful option, bringing a natural aesthetic to the front of the property. These are especially appealing if you live in a well-landscaped area and want to embrace the natural tone. Wood is also easy to repair if it’s damaged, often allowing you to replace a portion of the gate rather than the entire thing, depending on its design. On the opposite side of that coin, wood is more easily damaged and worn in normal weather. It also requires more frequent maintenance than other options to keep it sealed and to protect it from the elements. Wood also offers a lot of versatility in the gate construction with designs ranging from solid privacy to slat wood and many options in between. Vinyl Gates Vinyl gates are made from a similar material to the siding installed on some homes. Property owners who gravitate toward vinyl are often more concerned about privacy than hardened security. They also appreciate the relative minimal maintenance and the environmental resistance, as vinyl often suffers less damage from normal weather and insects than wood alternatives. Vinyl can be more expensive than wood gates to install and may fade and crack from UV exposure if the vinyl isn’t a high enough quality. It’s also more susceptible to extreme weather events like hail or fire. Composite Gates Composite material is material that’s a blend of synthetic material, natural fibers like wood, and binders. Composite material looks similar to wood but often makes maintenance easier and is stronger than vinyl options. They often have a longer life than wood gates because of their resistance to weather and insects. Composite is often more expensive than wood alone and can warp in extreme heat, either solar heat or from fires. They are also more expensive to install than standard wood because they use metal reinforcement and require more installation labor than other options. What’s Best for Your Home? Now that you have an idea of the breadth of options, how do you choose the best one for your home? Three factors will generally affect that choice, including safety and security, climate and your budget. Safety and Security Most people who want a driveway gate want an increased sense of safety, security and privacy. Work through your security and privacy goals with your installer to determine the options. If privacy is your major concern, a vinyl or wood gate may be a good option. However, if you want the best protection against someone forcing their way through your gate, nothing can beat a
Driveway Gate Ideas To Enhance Your Home
Curb appeal is so important in the San Diego, CA, area. Not only does a driveway gate enhance the appearance of your home from the street, but it can also protect your property from unwanted visitors. There are many different types of driveway gate designs available that vary in price, material, and style. Minimalist Approach If your home is simple on the exterior, you likely don’t want to install an elaborate gate at the end of your driveway. A large gate with all kinds of intricate details could diminish the look of your home. A minimalist approach is ideal in this situation. Using sleek materials and simple lines will provide an aesthetic appeal without going overboard. Consider a wrought iron gate with vertical bars, attached to simple brick pillars on the sides. Stay away from a wide variety of colors. Try to match your choices to what is already featured on the exterior of your home. Rustic and Timeless Since the investment in a driveway gate can be expensive, many homeowners in San Diego opt for a very rustic design. This is timeless and classic, often featuring wood or faux food as the main material. Wrought iron or metal may also be part of a rustic gate, adding charm to the final product. If you have an older home or have built a home featuring a farmhouse look, rustic might be a perfect match. Natural Focus If you want a natural and beautiful look, a driveway gate can be made entirely of wood. It may have the appearance of a stockade fence, which might already be on your property. If you already have a lot of wood features on your property, this can help everything flow nicely together. This option requires a bit of maintenance. You may need to have the gate stained or cleaned every few years to protect the integrity of the materials. However, it’s nice to have the option to change the color of your gate as needed. A wood gate can easily remain on your property for a few decades when proper maintenance is utilized. Incorporating Natural Elements If you live on a large plot of land, you have the option to incorporate some natural elements into your gate design. For example, opt for a simple gate as the main structure and skip an elaborate pillar design by choosing shrubs and plants as columns. This can promote a natural and storybook-like look. Again, this can increase the maintenance needed to keep your entryway looking nice. Like any other landscaping on your property, you’ll want to keep the gated area neat. This not only adds to the curb appeal of your home, but it can also allow for optimal visibility as cars pull in and out. Artistic Elegance If you have a large home with a hefty price point, you want your driveway gate to complement that look. The installed gate can feature curving designs and even some sort of icon or logo in the gates themselves. It’s not uncommon for expensive homes to have the family’s last name initial woven into the metal of a gate. If you live near the water, seashells or wave designs are also an option. Large scrolls and sculptural features can also be considered. This is your opportunity to add a very personalized look to your property that is seen from the road. Zen Oasis To give off the impression that your home is serene and peaceful, you may want to turn to a more Asian-inspired look for your driveway gate. Very minimalistic lines and materials are used to provide privacy without going too overboard. Wood is commonly used, and you may even utilize a water feature or flowers as an accent. Modern For a very modern driveway gate, expect something made of metal with very straight lines. To add a little bit of unique charm, you can opt for something that features different geometric patterns on different quadrants of the gate doors. Modern gates are usually black, dark gray, or silver. However, this is usually a durable driveway gate design that requires very little maintenance throughout its lifespan. Glass Gates Not quite as fragile as you may think, glass driveway gates are usually made of strong, tempered glass that will withstand the elements. The glass is frosted to add to the privacy of your property. This is a modern but very sophisticated look that is bordered by strong metal framing. It doesn’t necessarily completely close off your yard, allowing for a slight peek into what’s inside. If you pride yourself on neat landscaping, this is a great option for a driveway gate. High Technology Features Technology is a great way to add value to your driveway gate while also adding to the overall function of the gate and your property. Several technological developments are now being paired with driveway gates, including: Keypad Access A keypad can be installed on your driveway gate for convenience and protection. To unlock the gate and allow it to open, a code of your choosing would have to be entered. You can change this code whenever you want. It’s recommended that you do so every 6 to 12 months. Intercom Connection You can have an intercom installed at your gate and inside your home. If someone approaches your gate, you can press a button inside your home to unlock the gate. You can also choose to deny access at your discretion. Remote Control Access A simple remote control can open and close your gate when you’re in proximity to your property. This feature works similarly to a garage door opener. Motion Sensors If you leave your gate unlocked, a motion sensor can be used to open and close the gate whenever a vehicle approaches. This is a great feature if you don’t want to get out of the vehicle to unlock the gate or if you don’t have a remote control. Before opting for multiple technological features, you should consider a few things. For
Next Generation Glass Overhead Doors—Transforming Restaurants, Pubs and Bistros
The rapid rise of glass overhead garage doors as versatile partitions for both exterior and interior commercial use is perhaps most commonly observed in the eatery business, with the now-familiar aluminum frame glass garage doors (firehouse doors, as they were originally called) replacing fixed windows and walls across the fronts of urban restaurants, large and small. ADS Garage Doors & Gates has been at the vanguard of this transformation and continues to meet new challenges with ingenuity and an experienced sense of urban design. There are now, however, some new approaches on how to make this trend even more of an advantage for COVID-19-stressed businesses that rely on being attractive gathering places for people wanting to socialize around a dining table or bar—and do so safely. This is part of what some expect to be a long-term shift in how people socialize, especially in public places. ADS Garage Doors & Gates is again at the forefront of these important innovations. A wide choice of ceiling-to-ground glass doors allows foot traffic directly into the restaurant, providing a seamless interface between indoor and al fresco dining. This opens up the floor (and sidewalk or patio) space both literally and subjectively, and, critically, provides a strong flow of fresh air that is so vital for COVID-19 safety. These can be creatively used to expand the dining area into a new patio that can be closed off in inclement weather or lifted fully open on multiple sides with overlapping overheads. Another glass overhead door can open up the main dining area, creating yet another passage of clean, purifying air through the restaurant. Some restaurants are creating interior greenhouse-like rooms-within-rooms, with the “walls” constructed of overhead glass doors. For bistros or shallower venues like lunch stands, a halfway-down overhead door, and replacing a fixed window will seal the counter facing the sidewalk when the stand is closed or raised for a European-style open-air experience. Another trendy option: A unique frameless glass overhead design provides a more sophisticated, next-generation look that is garnering a lot of attention. Expect to see many more of these shortly. All of these options can be combined in various ways, depending on your floor space and layout, for the optimal balance of relaxed, social dining in a casual, free environment and the heightened, and perhaps permanent shift, in public awareness of the pandemic health risks that will continue through, at the minimum, most of this year. The aluminum frames and the glass can be selected to match the color scheme and reflect the overall look and character of your establishment. ADS Garage Doors & Gates, with its years of front-line experience, can help you turn pandemic challenges into long-term assets. With careful planning, combined with informed imagination, good solutions are awaiting your discovery—all as close as dialing 858-533-1583.