Search This Blog

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Summer's Here, UPDATE the look of your Garage Door


A New Look for the Overlooked Garage Door

May 8, 2012
Finally after those long, blistery winter months spring is upon us.  This means warmer weather, baseball, cookouts and of course household projects. Now is the perfect time to freshen up your home and be creative.  Many of us may overlook the garage door as an area of the house that needs refreshed but there are little changes that can be done that will make a big difference to the appearance of your garage door.
Pergola – Pergolas placed above the garage door gives additional architectural interest to the home’s exterior. There are a variety of shapes to choose from and by using colored stains or paints the possibilities are endless as to the unique styles you can create.
A simple pergola adorned with perennial vines can add a burst of color, not to mention they will return each year.
Lights – Adding light to the exterior of the garage or updating existing lights creates a dramatic effect at night. 
Greenery –For an inexpensive and effortless way to create a fresh look to the front of your garage use planter boxes or decorative pots to add color and appeal.
Change out hardware – Changing out worn hardware with newer hardware can give new updated style to an older garage door.
Decorative accents – Look at flea markets and other unique shops for metal or wood décor that can be added above or around the garage door to create a unique, rustic look. 
submitted by C.H.I. Garage Overhead Doors

How to Choose the Best Type of Garage Door


How to Find the Best Garage Door
If you want to maximize the value of your home, you'll findgarage doors are an easy and affordable method to increase your home's curb appeal. A good garage door will distinguish it from the rest of the neighborhood. For something extra special, custom made garage doors can be designed to your specifications.
The most common types of garage doors are: Retractable, Canopy Side, and Hinged Sectional Retractable. Where limited space in your driveway is an issue, sectional garage doors are the right choice. They open and shut vertically, allowing cars to park very close to the door without keeping it from opening. Among the wide variety of designs, the most popular garage doors are sectional, upward acting, and self storing.
The Types of Garage Doors
Gone are the old manual doors. Today you'll find that remote controlled and motorized garage doors have produced a more usable garage. The most popular style is the overhead garage door.
The primary concern in planning your garage door is the material used. Selecting the best garage door materials for your needs will depend on a few things like the style of your home, and how warm you want your garage to be. There are 3 main materials for garage door construction: Wood, Steel and Fiberglass (GRP).
When you're planning to install a garage door, you must consider door type and materials. You can also incorporate into your plan such things as heated garages or unique window options.
The Most Popular Style is the Overhead Garage Door
Overhead garage doors are by far the most popular type of garage door available to homeowners. With automatic stop and begin features, people find overhead garage doors easy to use, with wonderful options and safety features.
Overhead garage doors work with a rolling system. The door rolls up and stores along the roof of the garage. Overhead door features to look for are that they are smooth, quiet and compact. Installing an overhead garage door is simple; do it yourself, or get help from the manufacturer. Popular garage door manufacturers include Garaga, Liftmaster, Raynor or DBCI.
The Appeal of Wood
Wood garage doors are preferred more for their appearance and affordability than for their durability.
You can select wood types like solid cedar for a durable garage door, which will last for years and look wonderful. Sections of roll-up wood doors may have either panel or flush construction. For panel doors, manufacturers fit several separate, rectangular panels into a wooden frame. Flush sections are made by fastening a plywood panel on top of a wooden frame.
The main disadvantage to a wooden garage door is that wood expands and contracts and can warp or crack as it weathers. It demands re-painting or refinishing every couple of years to keep it looking good and in top condition.
Steel Garage Doors Have Many Advantages
The main advantage to steel garage doors is that they won't warp, crack, or fall apart because of weather. With no painting or refinishing requirements, steel doors are a low maintenance possibility that will keep your home looking stylish. Nowadays most steel garage doors are made of hot-dipped galvanized steel that is vinyl clad or given a baked on polyester finish. They will not rust or require repainting like wooden doors.
Another important advantage of steel garage doors is that they achieve the look of wood without the maintenance. Some have grained steel skins that can be stained to look just like wood. A design mimicking carriage house doors has become quite popular for nearly a decade. Some manufacturers use composite or vinyl boards on the exterior of a steel door to make it look like an outward swinging door.
The only disadvantage to steel doors is that they dent and can be difficult to repair. A premium door is often 2 inches thick, filled with insulation, and clad in 24-gauge steel. Less-expensive doors are usually thinner and made of 28 gauge steel. So steel offers real benefits over wood; it costs less and it needs much less maintenance and with can look just like wood.
The Assets of Fiberglass
Fiberglass, sometimes called GRP, garage doors are chosen for locations where light is important or in salty ocean climates. GRP garage doors need only mild exterior cleaning to retain their quality finish. They generally they do not need to be stained or finished. The most popular style for a GRP garage door is the retractable garage door. Fiberglass is a tough and durable material which will keep looking good for years.
Conclusions
Each of garage door material has its own benefits: Steel up and over doors are sturdy and give great value for money; wood doors are insulated and have an appealing look, and fiberglass up and over garage doors are extremely low maintenance offering a timber effect without the maintenance of real wood. Which ever you pick you'll be sure that it will elevate the curb appeal and the value of your home, and increase your feeling of security.
submitted by All Door Services 

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Garage door opener technology makes life safer


Submitted by LiftMaster
As the American home has continued to evolve with the speed of new technology, so has the garage. In order to keep up with the everyday busy lives of homeowners and the need for these homeowners to spread out and utilize all the space within their homes, garages have become a new frontier for functioning space within the home.
The majority of homeowners use the garage as the main entranceway into their homes, making the garage door and its opener imperative to the security of the home, protecting the people and property behind it.
Before, garage doors only opened and closed to let your car in and out of the garage, and you had to be there to do it. But garage doors and openers have improved dramatically in the last decade to do more. If you’re interested in upgrading your home’s security and curb appeal, don’t forget to check out some of the newest high-tech features:
Control from anywhere around the world: Garage door openers are high-tech now, and at least one garage door opener brand now allows you to control your garage door – as well as other household items – from inside your house, while at the office or even from halfway across the world by using your computer or smartphone. This technology lets you monitor if the garage door is opened or closed and allows you the freedom to operate it from a remote location, perhaps to grant access to a family member or allow a delivery.
Electronic eyes: New garage door openers come with safety sensors that prevent the door from closing if something were to be underneath. If an object breaks the beam of infrared light spanning the width of the door, the garage door won’t close. And if something were to cross the sensor as the door is closing, it would cause the door to reverse direction and open up again. This can help protect small children and pets from being struck by the closing door.
Timers for closing: You’ve probably forgotten to close your garage door after pulling out of the driveway at least once in your life, leaving your home and property wide open to anyone passing by. New garage door openers allow you to customize the settings on your garage door opener to ensure that the door will close after one minute, five minutes or even 10 minutes of being open.
Power out? Not a problem: The harsh winter weather can leave many homes without power for extended periods of time. Some garage door openers are equipped with battery backup, which is very useful during a power failure in severe weather conditions, providing your family with reliable, uninterrupted access to your home and automobiles in the garage.
Shed light on safety: Exterior lights also have seen technology upgrades, and when placed next to your garage, can deter unwanted visitors. Save money with solar powered lights, or lights that are motion-activated to brightly shine when something approaches the garage. In addition to discouraging unwanted visitors, lights also give your family members a safer environment when arriving home after dark.
Using new technology in and around your garage helps you maintain security and safety and can improve your life in so many different ways.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

When you Garage Door Won't open


Tucson garage door repair
It can be a frustrating situation when your garage door won’t open or close. You can always open or close it manually…
Look for the  Red handle hanging from the cord from operator.
This cord will release the trolley from the door even if your electricity goes out or if your operator fails.
If you pull the Red Cord and the door still won’t lift, your spring is broken.
Do not try to fix a broken spring yourself!
Doing so can cause a serious injury.  If suspect that your spring is broken call your Tucson professional garage door specialists. 1-866-505-5625.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Safety Inspection Time!!

A properly operating garage door is a safe operating garage door. If a garage door spring or tension bar breaks it only takes a second or two for it to come crashing to the ground. So an annual or bi-annual inspection is a good idea.
Give All Access Garage Doors a Call at 1-866-505-5625 and we can have on of our trained, friendly, and professional service technicians sent out to you today to assess any problems you may be having with your garage door!
Garage door safety tips
  • Mount the garage door opener control button out of the reach of small children (at least five feet from the floor) and where you have a clear view of the door.
  • Do not let children play with garage door remote controls; explain that the remote controls are not toys.
  • Set a good example for children and discuss garage door safety with them; explain how to operate the door safely.
  • Test your garage door opener’s reversing mechanism monthly by placing a 2 x 4 board in the door’s path. If the door does not reverse after contacting the object, call us so we may send out one of our technicians to repair the opener. This is a serious safety issue and should be addressed immediatly
  • Know how to use your garage door opener’s emergency release feature. Your owner’s manual provides instructions.
  • Visually inspect your garage door each month. Look at the garage door’s springs, cables, rollers and pulleys for signs of wear. If any of these components appear damaged, contact us and we will send a technician out to inspect your door!
  • Do not attempt to repair cables or springs. These parts are under high tension and require special tools for adjustment. Improper handling or disconnection can cause breakage and serious injury. Leave this to the professionals!
  • To avoid damage to your door and/or opener, make sure you disable and/or remove any door locks, ropes, and/or cables prior to operating your opener.
  • Use the release mechanism on the garage door opener to manually open the door using its interior or exterior lift handles. The door should lift smoothly with little resistance and should stay open around three or four feet above the floor. If it is difficult to perform this task, your door may be out of balance, causing premature wear. Give us a call and we can perform maintenance on your door to re-balance it!
  • To prevent accidents when a garage door is closing, invest in a garage door opener that features photoelectric eye safety beams, which are mounted a few inches off the floor and send an invisible beam across the door’s path. If the invisible beam is broken, the garage door will automatically reverse to its fully open position. The invisible beam provides added safety to the auto reverse mechanism, as the door does not have to contact an object in order to reverse.
Garage door safety tests are an important part of maintaintence each month.
Garage Door Balance Test
Periodically test the balance of your garage door. Start with the door closed and follow these easy steps:
  • If you have a garage door opener, use the release mechanism so you can operate the door by hand when doing this test.
  • You should be able to lift the garage door smoothly with little resistance.
  • Once lifted, the garage door should stay open at approximately three to four feet above the floor.
  • If the garage door does not stay open, it needs to be adjusted by a qualified garage door technician. 
If your garage door is out of balance call us at American Service Center Garage Door Solutions so we can properly adjust your door safely.
Garage Door Reversal Test
Make sure your garage door opener has a reversing feature. If a reversing feature is not present, it should be replaced. All garage door openers manufactured after January 1, 1993, are required by federal law to have advanced safety features that comply with the latest U.L. 325 standards. Contact your manufacturer or installer at American Service Center Garage Door Solutions for additional information.
Test the reversing feature every month using these steps:
  • Test the garage door balance as explained above. If the door is properly balanced, then proceed.
  • With the door fully open, place a 1-1/2-inch piece of wood (a two-by-four-inch block laid flat) on the floor in the center of the door.
  • Push the transmitter or wall button to close the door. The door must reverse when it strikes the wood.
  • Note that the bottom part of one-piece garage doors must be rigid so that the door will not close without reversing.
If the door does not reverse, have it repaired or replaced by a qualified technician at American Service Center Garage Door Solutions. We can inspect the garage door and opener to determine whether it needs to be adjusted, repaired or replaced.

Garage Door Force Setting Test

Test the force setting of your garage door opener by holding the bottom of the door as it closes. If the garage door does not reverse readily, the force may be excessive and need adjusting. See your owner's manual for details on how to make the adjustment or call your local Dallas or Austin area Action Garage Door professional. Always test the reversing feature after any adjustment.

Garage Door Security

  • While on vacation or away from home for extended periods of time, unplug the garage door opener unit or if you have an Overhead Door® use a vacation lock on the wall console switch, which is an optional accessory for Overhead Door® garage door openers.
  • Consider purchasing a garage door opener with rolling code technology, which changes the access codes each time the transmitter is used to prevent code grabbing.
  • Wireless keypads, which activate the garage door opener with a personal identification number (PIN), allows family members to open the door without the use of a key or remote. Never disclose the PIN or leave it written down.
  • Never leave the remote control in the car or with a parking attendant. It should be treated like a house key.
  • Always lock the door from the garage to the inside of your home for greater safety and security.
  • Check to make sure your garage door is closed when you lock your entry doors at night.


Give All Access Garage Doors a Call at 1-866-505-5625 and we can have on of our trained, friendly, and professional service technicians sent out to you today to assess any problems you may be having with your garage door!
Garage door safety tips

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Teaching your kids about garage door safety.


Discuss garage door safety with your children. Explain the danger of being trapped under the door. Do not let them play with or use the puds button or transmitter.

When using the push button or transmitter, keep the door in sight until it completely closes. Teach children to never play under or near an open garage door. Do not allow children to run under a closing door.

Educate you Children on Garage Door Safty

With everyone's hectic schedule and constant overbooked days, it's important to remember the small details that may save a life. That's why it's important to have a thoughtful and serious discussion with your children about safety in and around the garage.

Discuss garage door safety with your children. Explain the danger of being trapped under the door. Do not let them play with or use the puds button or transmitter.

When using the push button or transmitter, keep the door in sight until it completely closes. Teach children to never play under or near an open garage door. Do not allow children to run under a closing door.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Tips on how to update the look of your Garage Dioor.

Painted garage doors

Nov 01, 2011 4:28 AM by 
Your garage door is exposed to the elements. Over time, it can fade, chip and rust. Painting the garage door can make your whole garage look new again. It's a cheap fix, and it doesn't take much time. These tips from SheKnows will make the process easier, and ensure you get it done right the first time.

1TIMING MATTERS

When deciding the date to paint your garage, choose wisely. In order for the paint to dry properly, you'll need temperatures that aren't too hot or too cold. You'll also need a few days without rain, so pay attention to the weather forecast. Start early in the day, so you'll have enough sunlight to get it all done in one day.
Paint color trends for 2011 >>

2PREPARE YOUR SURFACES

This is probably the worst part, but you have to prepare your surfaces if you want your paint job to last. First, sand off any peeling paint. If you have metal doors, look for signs of rust, and sand that away as well. If any metal is exposed, you'll need to cover it with a special primer to protect the metal from rusting.
Painting tips for your home >>

3CLEAN

You have to clean the door before you paint it. Use a power washer on a low setting, or just scrub it with a sponge soaked in detergent and water. Make sure to wash away all the dirt and grime, and pay special attention to the bottom, since this is where most of the gunk builds up. Let the door dry completely before you start to paint.
5 Paint trends to try >>

4PREP

Make sure you prep everything the right way before you get started. It might seem like a pain, but those few extra steps at the beginning will save you a ton of work later. Tape all the edges around the door to keep your siding from getting painted. Also, lift the garage door up a bit and lay down plastic, a tarp or cardboard before you put the door back down. This will keep both the floor of your garage and the driveway from catching drips and spills.
Paint trims: Home how-tos >>

5PRIME

If you're making a drastic change in colors or if you're starting with a dark color, you're going to need a coat of primer. Make sure the primer you pick is meant for outdoor use, and that it's suited for your surface.

6PAINT

Use a latex-based paint for your door. Paint in thin layers, and let each coat dry before you start the next coat. That shouldn't be a problem since you're painting such a large surface -- by the time you finish the first coat, the side you started on should be dry. Use a roller for the bigger surfaces and a small brush for edges or any details.
Wait at least 24 hours after you paint to open the garage door.

MORE PAINTING TIPS

Hot paint color trends for 2011How to use a paint roller10 Ways to decorate with paint

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

All Access Garage helps the Earth by choosing green vendors.

We use Northewest door as one of our main suppliers for new garage doors.  We are proud to work with them not only because of the high quality of work, but that their company is reducing their carbon foot print in a big way!

Monday, May 7, 2012

Garage door torsion spring replacement


Garage door torsion spring replacement will be required eventually, usually after one breaks. Before you attempt to try to replace these on your own, there are some words of caution.
Just because you may be handy with some tools and do a little tinkering around the house, doesn't mean you should just go for it when it comes to this particular job. These springs are under high tension, and even if the spring itself is broken, if you have a double garage door, the other spring needs to be loosened before you even attempt to replace the broken one.
Powered by Translate
Tightening the new spring is a delicate process, and not doing it right can cause serious injury.
Garage door torsion spring replacement is a little complicated, so if you think you want to try to replace it on your own, you should really do some online research first. There are DIY resources that can walk you through the process step by step, and you should find the three most comprehensive sites to walk you through the process.
Again, this is where you should really think about your skill level. You should read the instructions thoroughly, especially when it comes to the potential dangers and think about if this is something you want to do on your own. While it may cost to hire someone, unless you are absolutely sure you can do it, you should have someone who knows what they're doing (a professional) come in and take care of the problem.
One of the things you may have a bit of difficulty with is finding the torsions spring and the parts involved in order to do it on your own. You should really look in your owner's manual to find out what the parts numbers are for your particular model. If you own an older model garage door, or didn't get a manual when you purchased your home, then you are going to have to look over the spring and housing itself to see if you can find a number stamped on it somewhere. Of course you can always take a picture of it with your digital camera.
The real first steps to garage door torsion spring replacement is safety precautions. Look over your instructions carefully, and make sure that you have all the tools you need. It is never a good idea to substitute a torsion spring adjustment bar with a screwdriver; you could seriously injure yourself. Never use buckets to stand on, always use a ladder. Make sure that you have safety goggles, and use them.
If you can, download the DIY manual you have chosen off of the internet, print off a copy, and use it in the garage so you don't have to keep going back to your computer, and can get the job done faster. One of the most important tips you can have during garage door torsion spring replacement is to take your time, follow all the instructions to the letter, and remember to be safe.
Some excellent websites that provide comprehensive instructions arehttp://ddmgaragedoors.com/diy-instructions/replace-garage-door-torsion-springs.php, and http://www.ehow.com/how_4724496_replace-garage-door-springs.html. Both of these sites are completely free.

You can also always call the professionals at All Access Garage Doors.  1-866-505-5625.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Check out our deal on Yelp...

When you pay $155, you will get $200 worth of service! 
Click on the link below, to check it out.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/all-access-garage-doors-oakland-berkeley

Choosing a perfect garage door opener.


Author:
Almog B

Saturday, May 5, 2012

The costs involved with garage door installation



Choosing a garage door opener



What to do if you garage door does not work


I am sure when you got your door installed for the first time, the sales person must have told you that the one he has recommended (probably that is the one you purchased) is really robust and can withstand all sorts of weather conditions. Now, just after six months of use your door won't open! Was it a bad buy or a faulty piece that you got?
The answer is probably no. Garage doors are actually designed and made to last long and they do work fine in all extreme climatic conditions. Although garage doors repair is not very expensive, but before you call someone to fix it you should check on a few things that will probably make it work.
1. Check power: Most people tend to overlook the fact that there is a motor involved in the operation which needs electricity. Sometimes the fuse gets blown or a pet accidentally unplugs the power cable from its outlet which results in an inoperative mechanism. What you need to do simply check if the power cable is plugged in the socket. If there is a circuit breaker installed do check that. If it is tripped simply reactivate it. This will solve your problem.
2. Check cable: Although this is unlikely, you should check your power supply cable for any damage. The power cable is very robust and will not break easily. But in case of vandalism or a prank when someone physically cuts it the chances of it breaking up are very slight. If you can repair that yourself only then you should do it. All you will need are basic tools and some insulation to get the job done.
3. Check safety sensors: All garage doors installation come with a safety sensor which prevents accidents when a door opens and closes. This is an optical sensor which stops the door's operation if someone or something is in the way. The problem arises when the lens gets dirty or there is something that disrupts the signals by intervening. All you have to do is check if there is something blocking the signals. You can also clean the sensors with a soft cloth as dust can also cause disruption.
4. Check spring: garage doors always have a torsion spring which assists the motor in smoothly lifting the door. Although this is a robust part and usually lasts a long time. If your garage door has been there for a long time then chances are that the spring might have snapped. There is nothing that you can do about it other than leave the door the way it is and call a professional to replace the broken spring. Some garage doors have single spring while others have two. If your door has two and only one has snapped it's better to replace both so that they have similar tension, besides, the older one is likely to break soon.
5. Check remote battery: if you find that you are unable to operate your garage door with your wireless remote control but the door operates from its pad manually. This means that you need to replace your remote control's battery.
Copyright © 2012 AllAccessGarageDoors
Article by Almog - CEO of All Access Garage Doors - your No. 1 choice for garage door installations and garage door repairs and maintenance in the bay areas. http://allaccessgaragedoors.com/


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6961361www.AllAccessGarageDoors.com