What Should You Consider Before Buying a Garage Door Opener?

A garage door opener is a motorized device which functions on electricity to open and close the door. Its functions are controlled by switches which are either placed on the wall or on the remote control. Some studies reveal that the maintenance of a garage door opener is often an overlooked scenario. Ensure you are not hindering it from your regular maintenance schedules and checking the entire garage door system periodically.

Before Buying the Opener

Cheap is ok, but, if your door opener is incapable of delivering basic power requirements, then it is of no use to you. You may not know what power, safety features, extension kits, etc. you need in your door opener so that you everyday requirements can be fulfilled without any hassle. Consider the below points before buying an opener:

1.       Horsepower- The strength of horsepower depends primarily on how heavy and large your door is. For instance, if the width of your door is above 20’, then you will need an opener with at least 1/2 horsepower. The below table distinguishes 1/2, 3/4, and 1 horsepower:

Horsepower	1/2	3/4	1
Features	It is one of the most popular power ratings for door openers. It possesses the capability of lifting the majority of garage doors.	It is ideal for lifting heavy insulated doors. It is said to be comparatively more efficient and fast than ½ horsepower. Also, it has a long life.	It is considered great for solid wood doors and extremely hefty garage doors. It has best ratio of power to efficiency and speed.

2.       Extension Kits for Tall Doors- Known as garage door rail extension kits, these are used for doors which are higher than 7 feet (standard height of a common garage door). If you have a tall door, then do not forget to buy an extension kit because it helps you handle the door appropriately.

3.       Laser Automation- Automatic garage doors offer great convenience, but, experts believe that these doors are potentially dangerous. Standard door openers are laced with lasers on each side of the garage door opening. When an object breaks the connectivity, the door automatically stops. Hence, keep the safety on priority and buy a door which offers maximum safety features.

San Antonio Garage Door Opener Repair

Since garage door is a machine, it can malfunction with improper maintenance. If this is a case with you or if your door's maintenance had been up to the mark, still its opener is not working as expected, then connect with technicians of R & L Overhead Door Inc, San Antonio. They are into repairs of doors and are well versed with door's potential problems and its solutions.

Insulated Garage Doors and Their Benefits

The extreme weather conditions in the US have been continuously increasing the heating and cooling costs of residential and workspaces. Homeowners are deriving new ways to prevent outside air from entering the house. The smart idea is to get an insulated door installed in the garage, else with a non-insulated door, every time you roll it up outside air rooms inside the garage. It was still fine if the air was just confining to the garage space, but, actually, it does not. The small spaces around the edges of the adjacent doors serve as a channel to let garage air in and it changes the temperature of the inside of the house. 

What are the Benefits of Insulated Garage Doors?

·         Durability- Insulated garage doors are stronger than single layer doors because they are made of aluminum or a steel frame with solid core insulation panel. They suffer fewer dents and hence, require less maintenance. Insulated doors which contain multiple layers of insulation, steel or aluminum panels are likely to experience less damage.

·         Less Energy Consumption- Saving energy? It makes sense! Garage doors without insulation transfer cold air to the rooms adjacent to the garage. Insulation moderates temperature inside the garage and helps in reducing the amount of energy consumption in the nearby attached rooms.

·         Quiet Operation- The construction of insulated doors involve sandwiching different layers of varied materials together. Hence, the design dampens the outside noise. Moreover, because these doors are heavier than non-insulated ones, they vibrate less on the track.

·         Temperature Control- Extreme hot or freezing temperatures can bring a difference to materials stored inside the garage. If you have locked your car inside a non-insulated door, then it is likely to suffer short battery life, the low air pressure in tires, thickened brake fluids and a few other issues.

Which Materials are Energy Efficient for the Construction of Garage Doors?

·         Steel- It is one of the widely used materials for doors because it incurs fewer maintenance costs. You'll find a wide variety of designs and durability in steel. It accounts for moderate insulation.

·         Aluminium- Its light weight feature makes it suitable for everyday use, and it accounts for a modern look. However, aluminum is not regarded as a good insulator.

·         Wood- It is preferred over other materials for its appearance and classic look. But, it is a weak insulator.

·         Composite Wood- Like wood it also doesn't provide much insulation. However, it can be clubbed with steel in a few multiple layers to bring substantial insulating properties.

Overhead Door Company in San Antonio

If you are looking for an overhead garage door in SanAntonio, then R&L Overhead Door Inc is a place for you. They are professionals of commercial and residential overhead door in San Antonio.

Sensitive Parts of Commercial Garage Doors

Is the garage door installed in your commercial space malfunctioning? If yes, then this is a serious issue which demands immediate attention. You must have been handed over the door's manual when you purchased it. Look for doing it yourself ideas to repair the door by yourself if the fixes are minute one and described in manual, otherwise, seek an expert's attention. It is strongly recommended not to deal your door with complexities because it is a significant investment you've made regarding money as well as weight. The following are a few main problems associated with such types of doors:

Troubles with Torsion Spring- These function to lift the door up and bring it down in by working in close connection with the opener. Good quality doors are laced with strong springs to assist the smooth functioning of the door. The maintenance of a door's springs is quite necessary because if it gets jammed it can affect the operation of the entire system and be fragile in worst cases it can break and unshackle the door.

Damaged Rollers- This part of a door wears down quickly due to dirt and debris. Also, every day's harsh wear and tear can affect the functioning of rollers. Using good quality lubricants and proper cleaning can maintain its life for long.

Worn Cables- Doors with torsion or extension springs work with a variety of cables. Cables connected with torsion springs are known as torsion spring cables, and these are attached with the cable drums (at the end of torsion springs) as well as with the brackets at the bottom of the door. With the extension, springs cables are installed to prevent the door from sailing in case of breakage. Similar to tension and extension spring's maintenance, these cables also demand a regular replacement.

Damaged panel- If you observe that your door's particular panel or section is damaged, then don't work of complete door's replacement because it is possible to repair or replace just the affected portion. 

Improper alignment- Commercial garage doors operate on metal tracks, and in cases when these tracks wear out, the door may not get open or close appropriately. Stay attentive to wear and tear of these tracks because initially, just a simple adjustment can fix the alignment issue. In worst cases, the entire track may need a replacement.

Commercial Garage Door Repair in San Antonio

For commercial garage door service in San Antonio, connect with the specialists of R & L Overhead Door Inc. They are into door repair, service, and installation business since 1999. One of the most helpful facts is that they are available 24/7 to assist.