How to Purchase New Torsion Springs

Perhaps the most common garage door problem they average homeowner faces is a broken spring. If you've had it happen you either heard a loud bang one day or tried to open the door and nothing happened. 

So... How should you go about replacing your garage door torsion springs?

First, some basics. DO NOT attempt to replace them yourself!

• Yes you can find springs on-line and give it a try.. just remember this... 30,000 people end up in the emergency room every year attempting this repair. 
• HIRE A PROFESSIONAL!

OK.. so what do you need to know and ask when you call a professional garage door repair company. 

Again some basics will help:

How many cycles the springs are rated for?

• Garage door Springs are rated in “cycles” where a cycle is a single opening and closing action. The number of cycles that might occur each day will clearly vary since some seldom use their garage door while others might use extensively, especially if it serves as an alternative main entrance. 
• A reasonable approximate average is 3-4 cycles per day which equates to about 1,100 -1,500 cycles each year. The standard cycle life in the garage door industry is 10,000 cycles. Which means your springs should have an average lifespan of about 5-9 years before repairs will be required..
• Note: Cheaper Springs (rated under 10,000 cycles) are considered overstressed and are not recommended for use.
• By simply insisting on having only parts tested for a higher number of cycles you should expect that your new garage door will operate flawlessly for literally a lifetime. Precision Garage Door uses only commercial grade springs rated at a minimum of 33,000 cycles. 

 What else should you ask?

• Are the springs powder coated? - Powder coating costs a bit more.. but the springs will be virtually rust free their entire life cycle and rust is a major cause of breaking springs. 
• Are the Springs New? Yes, there are companies that recycle springs - Never buy a used spring!
• Should I replace both Springs if only one is broken?
• Any reputable professional will recommend replacing both springs. Both springs have the same life-cycle and if one breaks the other is close behind. Replace them both!

How much should Springs cost?

• New torsion springs will typically fall in a range of between $100 and $200 per spring. 
• No one can properly price a spring over the phone... sizing the proper spring for your door requires a full inspection and weighing of the door. 
• Ask if that price includes Installation?

OK - you're armed and ready... now call a professional - get high cycle, powder coated springs - replace both of them and make sure the cost includes installation.  Problem solved!

The 7 Questions to ask when hiring a Garage Door Company

You have a wide range of choices when it comes to purchasing a garage door. Choices range from huge home supply stores to the local handyman. Consider the following questions when selecting your garage door company: 

1.     Selection
a.      Do they have a wide selection of products to fit your needs?

2.     Experience
a.      Are they specialists?  Is Garage door installation and repair all they do?

3.     Professionalism
a.      Who will do the work? Are they employees or sub-contractors?
b.     Are they trained, certified professional installers and technicians?  

4.     Flexibility
a.      Are they there when you need them? Do they offer 24/7 emergency service and appointments that meet your schedule?

5.     Warranty
a.      Do they stand behind their work with a Warranty on parts and labor?

6.     Reputation
a.      Are they a reputable company that is local, licensed, bonded and insured with a track record of providing the best in products and customer service?

7.     Quality
a.      What is the quality of their work and materials?


Find all your answers in one place when in Seattle - San Diego - Salt Lake - Spokane

How to Check the Balance of your Garage Door

Door Balance is an important indicator of the condition and safety of your garage door system.
With that in mind, it's a good idea to test the balance of your garage door a couple of times a year.
It's quick and it's easy. In fact you've probably done it without even realizing it.

Start with the garage door closed. If you have an automatic garage door opener, use the release mechanism (usually a red cord and handle). This will allow you to operate the door by hand.

With the opener released; you should be able to lift the door smoothly and with little resistance. It should stay open around three or four feet above the floor. If it does not, it is out of adjustment and you should have it adjusted by a certified technician.

Garage Doors – Know the Benefits of a Steel Garage Door

The garage door is an important and well used moving component of a house. It is used to open and close the garage repeatedly throughout the average day, protects the family vehicles, yard tools and a majority of a home’s storage. It is exposed to the elements and generally has a pretty rough and tumble existence. Let’s face it; this piece of a house must be durable, sturdy, and downright tough.

Garage doors come in a variety of materials such as steel, aluminum, wood, and vinyl. Aluminum is relatively inexpensive and fairly lightweight. Although it is metallic, it is thinner and therefore dents more easily.

A wood door is lovely and rich looking, but in order to keep it that way, there is regular maintenance that needs to take place. Annual repainting or re-staining is required in order to keep the wood from rotting or warping. A vinyl door is basically made of a hard plastic. It won’t dent like a metal, but it certainly isn’t as durable in terms of its brute strength.

Some benefits of a steel garage door include:
- Strength: steel is an exceedingly strong metal made from iron. The harder the metal, the less denting that there will be.
- Durability: this hardy material enables a long life for your door, at times calling for a lifetime warranty. It can handle the weather with ease.
- Low Cost: it is relatively inexpensive to purchase, especially in comparison to some of the fancier doors such as those made from wood.
- Low Maintenance: often arriving from the factory pre-painted and ready to hang. Will not warp or rot.
- Energy Savvy: this type may be insulated, providing the homeowner a way to reduce the use of high amounts of energy and the expensive bills that accompany the energy consumption. More than anything it is environmentally friendly.
- Attractive: a good looking product! They even come in wood grained surface patterns in order to provide the rich look of wood without the corresponding outlay of maintenance time.

The garage door is not only an important functional item that needs to be able to withstand quite a bit of wear and tear. It also plays an integral part in the visual scheme of a home’s exterior. It is often at the front of a house and therefore highly noticeable. A high quality door made of an appealing and durable material is a smart investment in that most important asset of the family home.
For more info please visit our site @ www.garagedoorsaltlake.com

Garage Doors and Curb Appeal

Real estate agents like to say that the three things that determine the value of a house are location, location and location. But they also talk about "curb appeal"—the impression a house gives when you first approach it. It also helps determine value and makes a house feel like home. While the garage door may not be the first item you think of improving when you're putting your house up for sale, but realtors say it's worth giving it some attention.

Your garage door is the single largest moving part on a home and, because it often faces the street, it plays a large part in your homes’ overall appearance. Curb appeal is a critical factor in selling a home. If a prospective buyer doesn't like the view from the street, chances are he won't waste time going inside.

In a recent study 300 realtors nationwide were surveyed to determine if garage door appearance made a difference in the listing price they would assign to a house. Nearly all of the agents interviewed agreed that a new garage door enhances curb appeal and 75 percent believe it adds value to a home. In fact, most realtors have recommended that a homeowner replace their garage door when listing their house for sale because of the condition of the door. Nearly half said appearance was a big reason because the age or style of the door detracted from the home's curb appeal. Check out how homes look before and after new garage doors were installed.

When it comes to adding value to a home's list price, the right garage door does make a difference. Depending on the style of the door, and how it fit in with the architectural style of the house, realtors increased the list price anywhere from one to four percent. On a $350,000 home, that's an increase of somewhere between $3,500 and $14,000 just because of the garage door. This doesn't mean that a home has to have a designer garage door but the door has to enhance the overall appearance.

The average price for a new garage door ranges from $800 to $5,000 depending on the size of the door and the material it's made from. The most popular look in garage doors right now is the carriage-house style door. The doors look like old-fashioned swing-out doors but function like modern roll-up doors with an electric garage door opener. The choices for design, color and materials are virtually endless.