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Basics on Garage Doors
Your garage door may have a high
impact on the energy efficiency of your garage or even of your
home - if it is attached to the garage.
To attain thermal comfort, or to improve your
house energy efficiency, an insulated garage door is
crucial.
Types of garage doors
Wood, steel, aluminum, fiberglass
or vinyl garage doors involve different prices and also different
insulation performances.
See, for more information:
Steel garage doors
Wood garage doors
Aluminum garage doors
Fiberglass and vinyl garage doors
Choosing a garage
door
If your garage is a mere car parking and item
storing place, detached from your home, where you do not
pass much time, then a simple and cheap door, based on a
single sheet of galvanized steel can be a good option.
But if your garage door is contiguous to your
home’s living space and is used as a workshop or for family or
social uses, then you need a much better door.
In case of sectional roll-up doors, be aware with the hardware.
There are spring systems of poor quality (demand a torsion
spring system) and cheap cable (prefer 1/8 inch cable); be also
aware of bad
plastic rollers and bad hinges.
Garage doors
prices & quality
Simpler steel, aluminum or wood garage doors
can cost you something around $750 to $1500. But prices may vary a lot,
mainly for wood doors...
See:
Garage door
prices and Custom and Standard
Garage Doors
Insulation kits for garage doors
Insulation provides thermal comfort and
soundproofing capabilities to a garage door. If you intend to
buy a good new garage door, an insulated one will represent good
energy savings. If you want to add insulation to your
existing garage door, there are several standard insulation kits
that may respond to your needs.
See, on these issues:
Garage Doors
Insulation and Kits
Garage doors &
maintenance
Maintenance performed on an annual basis is common. Take into
account the manufacturer’s instructions.
As a rule, steel doors can be painted with
quality exterior paint. Wood doors – often available primed - should
be painted or should be stained prior to installation. They also
should be re-painted every 1 to 2 years.
Garage Door
Repairs & Installation.
Unless you have the tools and are
particularly skillful, replacing springs, door sections,
operators or tracks should be done by professionals. And the
same is valid for installation: it may not demand very specific
tools (just “C” clamps, hammer, screwdrivers, tape measure, level) but it requires some experience and know-how.
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