Tuesday, August 16, 2011

4 Hot Tips for Replacing a Garage Door


What Kind of Garage Door should I buy?


Recent restrictions on ingredients in paint have limited the availability of oil based paint. Exterior latex paint may be used to paint garage doors, but is more prone to bubbling and peeling, especially on metal doors. If appropriate exterior oil based paint cannot be found, consult with the local hardware store to find the best alternative. Many garage door services also offer painting, and using such a service may ensure that the finished results will last for years and added beauty and garage door protection.Once the door is clean and dry, use an oil based exterior paint primer to prepare the door for the color coats. Follow the directions on the primer label carefully to avoid problems like tacky paint that never dries properly, peeling, or bubbling. The primer can be applied with a roller and brush that are designed for oil based paint.Steel is far and away the most popular material for new garage doors. It ranks first in durability and provides a safe and secure barrier between your home and the outside world. Steel doors stand up to weather and wear and tear better than any other material. Since new technologies have come forth in recent years when it comes to laminating coverings, your door can look like it is made out of anything, including wood, but actually still be constructed of steel. Assuming you pay to have your steel door installed, you can expect a cost of anywhere between $700 for a small garage to $1,300 for a larger door.Just like any other exterior surface on your house, your garage door will need periodic maintenance to keep it working smoothly and looking as good as the rest of your house. You�d be surprised how the look of your garage door not only affects the overall look of your house, but the perceived value of your house too.Garage doors, both tilt-ups and sectional roll-ups, are primarily made from wood or steel. Of these two materials, wood is the cheaper and � arguably � more attraction option. If you decided to get a wooden door please keep in mind that just like your deck, a wooden garage door will be more easily damaged by the weather than a steel door. If you live in a particularly hot or cold climate, you may find your self with a warped or damaged garage door.When looking for a garage door, you notice that there are two major designs: tilt-up doors and sectional roll-up doors. Sectional roll-up doors are more expensive than tilt-up doors, but the extra cost is well worth it.Allow the primer to dry according to manufacturer directions. Once the primer is dry, apply even coats of oil based paint in the selected color. Use this opportunity to add curb appeal to the house by choosing a color that coordinates well with the existing color scheme while adding some excitement. Allow each color coat to fully dry in between coats, and follow manufacturer directions on finishing and cleaning up.WOOD---------------------------------No matter how good the latest laminate might be, it can't replace the incredible beauty of a wood garage door. Wood blends in perfectly with any style home and garage you may have. The cost normally associated with wood doors runs from $800 for a basic model all the way up to $2,000 if you have your heart set on hardwoods. A wooden door does require a bit more in the way of maintenance than steel, but many homeowners agree that the extra work is worth the beautiful look.Garage doors are also occasionally made with aluminium or fibreglass. While both of these materials are less expensive than steel doors, you should be careful when using them. Neither material is as strong as steel so they will not hold up to the usual wear and tear of a garage door. And once again depending on your climate, they will not be as energy efficient as a steel door if that is a concern to you.How do I look after my Garage Door?Tilt-up doors consist of a single panel of material. To open the door, you have to pull it out and pivot it up to slide it along the roof of your garage. Sectional roll-up doors, on the other hand, are made of a number of horizontal sections. Each section is hinged to the next section, allowing the door a certain degree of flexibility. Because the door is mounted on rollers, to open a sectional roll-up door you just have to lift the door and it will roll into place along the roof of your garage.If you are looking for a bargain basement choice, aluminum is it. These doors won't rust, they won't warp or fall victim to a harsh winter, and they won't give out when you need them most. On average, a set of aluminum doors will run you as little as $400. Many of the laminate coverings that are available for steel doors are also available for aluminum doors, so if you want that natural wood look, you can have it. The only real drawback with an aluminum door is the ability to dent easily. They are also a bit less secure than other types of doors.Steel garage doors are more expensive, but you will not face the same problems that you would encounter with a wood door. If you decide to get a steel door the main thing to check is that it has been properly prepared to prevent rust.

Every year, children are seriously injured from accidents involving garage doors. To avoid these preventable accidents, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that you should only use automatic garage door openers if they have an automatic reverse function. This will reverse the closing of the garage door if an obstacle is encountered.




Author: Steve Dolan


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