Garage Door FAQ’s

Q. Why should I use a professional installer?

A. We firmly believe that the installation of a garage door is not a do-it-yourself job. A garage door is the largest moving object in your home and because of the large number of small parts, its installation is highly technical. Connecting the springs can be particularly dangerous and proper installation is critical to the performance of your door. One of the other services a professional installer can provide is the disposal of your old door, if you are replacing a door.

Professional installers can typically install a door in a few hours and are careful to make sure safety requirements are met. Installations by most homeowners typically span several days and cause much frustration. In addition, incorrect installation can void certain warranties, so we recommend a professional handle the job for you.

Q. What are the benefits of a steel door over a wood door?

A.
1. Steel doors are low maintenance. Typically a wood door needs to be painted as frequently as the
wood trim on your home due to weathering.
2. steel doors have longer warranties than wood doors.
3. Steel doors can be insulated, making them far more energy efficient than wood.
4. steel doors are pre-painted and most are available in your choice of three colors.
Wood doors are unfinished or primed, both of which need to be finish painted upon installation.

Q. Do I need a lock on my garage door?

A. If an electric garage door opener has been installed on your door, it may not be necessary to have a lock. Newer electric openers function as the lock, making it improbable that an intruder would be able to lift your door from the outside. If you have an older opener, check to see if your door can be lifted from the outside.

DASMA, the trade association for the garage door industry, discourages homeowners from attaching a lock when an opener has been installed, because too frequently, a child or other family member will accidentally lock the door. If someone then tries to open the door using the electric opener, the opener will pull against the lock causing the door to be damaged.
If no opener is installed on your door, you should certainly have a lock installed.