Vacation Tips for your Garage Doors

• While on vacation or away from home for extended periods of time, unplug the garage door opener unit or use a wall vacation lock console security switch, which is an optional accessory to most openers.
• 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. It’s a small inconvenience for safety and security.
• If your opener doesn’t have a rolling-code technology system, be sure to change the manufacturer’s standard access codes on the operator and remote control. By using the standard factory settings, your garage is vulnerable to break-ins by anyone with the same brand of remote control. \
• 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), are available for most garage door openers. This allows family members to open the door without the use of a key or remote.
• Never disclose the PIN or leave it written down. Any mounting location for a keypad or wall button must be in direct line of sight with the door.

Steel Garage Doors

With energy costs continuing to rise, more and more homeowners are opting for garage doors that are manufactured out of steel. Depending on the specific type of door that you choose, many of them do provide a great deal of insulation. Steel garage doors are available with the single, double or triple layer construction method. These particular doors are stronger and longer lasting than almost any of the other materials; warping or denting is usually not a problem with them. They may require painting once in a while, but not as often as wood doors do.

Many look only at price when selecting a door, which leads them to a single layer door. Unfortunately, the single layer garage door does not have a layer of insulation included in it. This door is composed of a single sheet of galvanized steel. Needless to say, metal can be very cold and also very hot. Even though they are the least expensive of all of the models, think twice before selecting this kind; unless you garage is not connected to your home.

The double layer style has two layers - One layer of galvanized steel and the other layer is polyurethane. This material both insulates and limits outside traffic noise. Finally, there is also the three layer door. This is really a duplicate of the double layer except it has a second sheet of galvanized steel over the insulation. Consequently, the three layer door is a much better insulator and is able to provide a greater degree of security. However, it is also more expensive.

The choice is up the individual homeowner. Everyone, without saying, would prefer the best that is available. Consider your individual situation, and budget then carefully consider the future energy savings that are possible before making your final decision.

Photoelectric Eyes – Key to Garage Door Safety

Photoelectric "eyes" or sensors are a critical part of your garage door safety system and a key to your personal safety as well. Here are two simple tests to determine if the electronic eyes are installed and functioning properly.

The non contact reversal test:
Begin with your door fully open. Standing just outside the path of the door and using the transmitter, push the button to close the door. Wave an object across the path of the photoelectric eye beam as the door is closing. The door MUST reverse and return to the fully open position to pass this test.

Proper Location test:
Checking for proper location of the photoelectric eyes is perhaps the simplest test. If present, photoelectric “eyes” must be mounted at a maximum of 6 inches above the floor to detect an obstruction in the path of the door. Using a tape measure, confirm the device is no higher than 6 inches above the floor or make adjustments if needed. Additionally, the wall mounted control should be positioned at a minimum height of 5 feet.

A properly maintained garage will not only provide you with years of service, but will also ensure your safety. Schedule your annual maintenance with a professional garage door technician.