3 Common Garage Door Scams and How to Avoid Them

When you think of fraud, you probably imagine identity theft or hackers. Unfortunately, many scams still occur offline, and one type you may not know of is garage door scams. While most people in the garage door industry are honest, some of them aren’t. 

Key takeaways:

• Homeowners in need of emergency service are common targets for scammers
• Garage door scammers perform unnecessary repairs with unneeded parts and charge expensive fees
• Garage door scammers prey on the homeowner’s lack of knowledge of garage door parts

How can you tell when someone is trying to scam you? Keep an eye out for these common garage door scams:

1. The Rebuild Package Scam

Asking people to overpay for something or making promises that aren’t delivered on are both common scams in any industry. In the garage door business, rebuild package scams occur when a repair company says you need a “hardware overhaul,” which involves replacing everything from your torsion springs to the bearing brackets. 

In reality, nothing is wrong with your equipment — most garage door hardware lasts 10 to 15 years. However, you might not initially realize that. You will get a rude awakening when you receive the bill because dishonest technicians mark up the hardware and the installation costs. Then, you pay an arm and a leg for new hardware you don’t need. 

2. The Lifetime Guarantee Scam

When you hear someone talk about a lifetime guarantee, you probably think you’re set for as long as you own your house. However, that’s rarely the case. A lifetime guarantee often covers parts but not labor. Your technician can charge an exorbitant fee for labor for the simplest task, such as changing a light bulb. 

By installing cheap parts, the technician ensures your hardware will break down. Then, you’ll call them to fix it again, enabling them to charge an astronomical labor fee. The cycle repeats when the broken hardware is replaced with another shoddy item, setting you up to need more help shortly down the road. If you consider a lifetime guarantee, ask the technician several essential questions: 

• What does the guarantee cover? 
• Can you walk me through the contract? 
• What brands do you source your parts from? 

Your contract only guarantees coverage for the hardware it mentions. Even if you speak to a technician about adding extra coverage, it will only apply if it’s in the contract.

3. The Unidentified Technician Scam

You only want experienced, certified professionals working on your garage door. While a company may present the impression that its technicians know what they’re doing, they can pull a last-minute switcheroo by contracting the work to a subcontractor. The person may not live up to the high standards set by a legitimate business. 

The company you contracted with will pay the subcontractor a low rate, and the original technicians will have no investment in the outcome because you are not their customer. They aren’t counting on you using their services again for a job well done. You have no way of knowing if the person who comes to your door is certified or what their garage door repair history looks like. You also have no one to call if the repair is mishandled. Here are some things to look for to avoid this situation: 

• The technician arrives in an unmarked car.
• The technician avoids introducing themselves or saying who they work for.
• The technician shows no signs of direct employment by the company you contracted with.

How to Avoid Garage Door Repair Scams 

When you know what to look for, you can avoid garage door repair scams. Here are some questions to ask during the vetting process:

• How do you identify your company?​
• What company am I speaking with?
• Can you provide me your business’s address?
• Do you have any recent customers I could talk to about your services?

If you are not satisfied with the answers you receive, play it safe and avoid hiring the contractor. Always trust your gut. If something seems fishy or “off” with the company, it’s better to err on the side of caution than get caught up in a scam. 

Instead of relying on a business with shady practices, ask your friends and neighbors for recommendations for garage door repair companies they have used and liked. Getting a testimonial from a trusted source is always better than trying a company you aren’t sure about.

How to Report Garage Door Scams

If a suspected garage door scammer has approached you, or you have fallen victim to a scam, you can report it. Contact the International Door Association (IDA) by emailing [email protected]. You can explain the details and include any documentation from your case. The organization may follow up with you for more information.

Scammers may also face criminal charges depending on what they did. You can contact your local police station to report the interaction. At the least, the police may warn others in the neighborhood that a suspicious person is making false claims. 

Other Garage Door Safety Resources

• Garage Break-In Prevention Tips
• Garage Maintenance Checklist
• Importance of a Certified Garage Door Technician

Enjoy Quality Garage Door Service With AAA Garage Door

For reputable garage door repairs, contact AAA Garage Door. We have provided many people in the Fremont, Nebraska, area with dependable service at affordable prices. 

The Importance of Insulating Your Garage Door

A properly insulated garage door prevents warm air from escaping your garage during the cooler months and hot air from entering during the warmer months. The increased insulation helps decrease your energy usage and provides many other benefits for your garage, home and wallet. Since your garage door is the largest opening to your home, it must have sufficient insulation, or you’ll experience drafts, extreme temperatures and energy loss. 

You have a few options available if you’re looking to insulate your garage door. You can choose to go the DIY route with an insulation kit, contact a professional garage service to upgrade your current door or replace your old door with an energy-efficient replacement. If you opt to get a brand-new door, you can compare many options to add insulation and style to your home. Modern garage doors add significant curb appeal and value to your home. 

Older or poorly insulated garage doors can lead to various problems in the home. For example, water can build up in your garage after a rainstorm or high-humidity days. The water trapped inside your garage struggles to evaporate, and it can cause mold to develop throughout your home and your possessions. A buildup of water in your garage can also lead to condensation forming in your vehicles’ crevices and electrical circuits, leading to faster deterioration over time.

Are insulated garage doors worth it? Keep reading to learn more.

6 Benefits of Insulating Your Garage Doors

Why insulate your garage door? Doing so brings many advantages and allows you to recoup your initial investment through increased energy savings and protecting your home and belongings. Here are six of the most significant reasons to insulate your garage door. 

1. Increase Energy Efficiency 

Is your garage cold in the winter and hot in the summer? Even if you have insulated your garage’s walls, your garage door may be causing a significant energy drain. An insulated garage door will help seal your garage off from the outside temperatures that sneak into your home through your garage. You should notice a decrease in your heating and cooling costs when you insulate your garage doors. Hot or cold air can enter the rest of your home when your garage is at a higher or lower temperature, which results in your A/C and heating units having to overcompensate and operate more often. 

Insulating your garage door will help keep your garage at a moderate and comfortable temperature — not too hot and not too cold. Another benefit is that you can work in your garage year-round, due to the more comfortable temperature.

2. Notice Quieter Operation

Older and uninsulated garage doors can make loud noises when you operate them, while insulated garage doors are much quieter. You can resolve the abrasive creaking and rattling by insulating or replacing your garage door. For many uninsulated garage doors, the sounds you’re hearing may be from the panels on the door vibrating and creating noise. Panel vibration can be worse for more lightweight garage doors. Solve this problem by insulating your current door or replacing it with a new, high-quality one. The insulation prevents the tiles from rattling and will cut down on the noises you hear when operating the door.

3. Boost Door Strength and Durability 

Is insulating a garage worth it? Insulated garage doors consist of more durable materials than uninsulated ones, making them suitable for long-term investment in your home. Insulated doors should require less frequent maintenance and repairs. The materials’ strength also makes the doors more resistant to damage like dents or warping. The constant opening and closing of garage doors can wear them down over time, but an insulated garage door will long outlast an uninsulated one. Many insulated garage doors have a steel or aluminum frame with solid insulation on the interior, making them sturdy, lightweight and durable enough to withstand the elements.

4. Protect Your Car and Belongings 

Installing an insulated garage door is vital if you want to protect your car and other belongings you keep in your garage. Extreme heat, cold and humidity can damage your possessions, leading to costly repair bills or permanent damage. Your garage will stay at a relatively consistent temperature throughout the year if you have an insulated garage door. Keeping your car in a controlled environment will help prevent wear and tear from temperature fluctuations. 

Insulated garage doors are also helpful in keeping water from coming into your garage. Water struggles to evaporate once it enters your garage because it has nowhere to go, and the lingering water increases the humidity levels. High humidity and condensation can make your tools rusty, damage your vehicles’ electrical components and cause mold to develop in your walls or on items you store in the garage. An insulated garage door will form a tight seal with the garage floor, which will prevent water from entering. 

5. Reduce Noise

Insulating a garage door helps keep external sounds out and internal ones in. The thick insulation will do wonders for noise reduction if you live in an area with nearby neighbors or a busy street. Working in your garage can be noisy, and an uninsulated garage door doesn’t do much to prevent loud noises from leaking out. You can avoid irritating neighbors with loud power tools because the insulation will keep the noise contained. 

6. Increase Curb Appeal 

You can replace your garage door with a modern, insulated door that will elevate the appearance of your garage. Your garage is one of the most visible aspects of your home, and a high-quality garage door can elevate the curb appeal. An appealing garage door will also boost your home’s value, and you’ll see a return on your investment, whether you’re planning on living in your house for years to come or are considering selling soon.

Does Insulating a Garage Door Help You Save Money? 

Installing an insulated garage door will generate immediate savings due to the increased energy efficiency of insulated vs. non-insulated garage doors. Insulating a garage door makes the most difference for your savings if you live in an area that experiences extreme temperatures and have an attached garage. Attached garages pose the most significant energy drain because your home probably shares at least one wall with the garage. 

Freezing and scorching temperatures that enter your garage through uninsulated garage doors will leak into the rest of your home through the walls and house doors, which causes your home’s internal temperature to fluctuate. Your cooling and heating systems will have to compensate to restore the correct temperature, causing higher energy usage and mechanical strain.

Ultimately, the amount of money you save on your energy bills will depend on where you live and how much heat loss occurs from your garage door. Living in an extremely hot or cold climate makes insulated garage doors worth it.

Types of Insulated and Energy-Efficient Garage Doors 

The type of insulated garage door you choose depends mainly on your climate, aesthetics and how much you’re looking to spend. If the garage door has the necessary amount of insulation for your environment, any insulated door should suit your needs. Most insulated garage doors are multilayered and have a thick layer of insulation within the frame. Here are the most common types of insulated and energy-efficient garage doors. 

• Steel insulated garage doors: Steel insulated garage doors have an insulating layer inside the steel frame. The steel results in a very durable door that is dent-resistant, long-lasting and able to withstand the effect of the elements. Steel doors can corrode and rust in coastal climates due to the high salt content in the air, so it’s vital to treat them properly and have the paint refinished if any chips occur.
• Aluminum insulated garage doors: An aluminum garage door is a great, lightweight option that requires little maintenance. Aluminum will hold up against weather and won’t rust in coastal climates as steel doors may. Aluminum’s lightweight nature makes it particularly helpful for older adults who may struggle to lift a manual garage door.
• Fiberglass insulated garage doors: Fiberglass garage doors are another reliable and lightweight option with low maintenance requirements. The finish on most fiberglass doors looks like natural wood, so it’s an excellent option if wood fits your home’s aesthetic. 
• Wood insulated garage doors: Wooden garage doors tend to be the most expensive, but they offer a luxurious look and add value to a home. Wood requires more upkeep than other options because you need to reseal it to prevent mildew, mold and pests. However, you’ll enjoy wood doors’ durable, long-lasting nature if you follow the maintenance schedule. 

View Our Residential Garage Door Styles

Other Factors Affecting a Garage Door’s Energy Efficiency

The type of door you choose is less of a factor than garage door insulation ratings, windows and the door’s size. Let’s dig into what this means.

R-Value

An R-value is a measurement of how effective insulation is at preventing heat loss. The “R” stands for the resistance a material has against heat flow. A higher R-value means the material limits more heat than one with a lower R-value. A lower insulation R-value will result in more garage door heat loss than a higher-value one. 

Some garage door manufacturers measure the R-value in different areas than other companies, making it challenging to accurately compare the insulation value of different branded garage doors. When a manufacturer provides an R-value based on the entire door, the values will be lower than those measured from the center panel. 

Because the R-value doesn’t have a consistent measurement method, it’s not a reliable indicator of the insulation’s thermal efficiency. 

U-Value 

The U-value — sometimes referred to as U-factor — is a helpful alternative to the R-value because it measures the entire garage door’s insulation. This form of measurement is much more reliable because some parts of the door, such as the frame and seals, can’t have the same degree of insulation as the panels. Insulated garage door U-factors account for this and provide a consistent figure across all manufacturers. 

U-values range from zero to one, and lower numbers indicate better insulation than higher ones. 

Garage Door Insulation: Polystyrene vs. Polyurethane

There are two main insulation types found in garage doors.

• Polystyrene: Polystyrene is similar to Styrofoam, but it’s more condensed, so it offers superior insulation properties. Garage door manufacturers typically glue sheets of polystyrene to the garage door panels. Gluing the insulation causes some areas like the panels’ corners to have air pockets, which reduces the insulation. Polystyrene can deteriorate if exposed to chemicals such as bug spray or gasoline.
• Polyurethane: Polyurethane, another form of garage door thermal insulation, gets sprayed directly inside the garage door frame, resulting in a much more thorough application of the insulation and higher U-value. Polyurethane is very fire-retardant and won’t melt if exposed to fire. It can withstand temperatures up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit before it begins to char. It’s also resistant to all chemicals, oxidation and sun damage. 

Both materials will age well and not deteriorate over time if the door remains in good external condition, but polyurethane will hold up better when exposed to stressors. While polyurethane offers better insulation, it also costs more on average than polystyrene. 

Windows

Windows in a garage door can add visual appeal, but glass is a poor insulator. If you’re in a climate that gets very hot or cold, you should consider getting a garage door without windows. Garage doors will have energy-efficient windows, but they’re still not as insulated as a standard insulated garage door will be, and heat will transfer through the glass. 

Correct Garage Door Size

It’s vital that the garage door fits correctly and forms a tight seal against the ground and the sides of the garage to prevent wind and cold air from entering. If there are any gaps, your insulated garage door will be much less effective because the air will still have a place to escape. 

Contact AAA Garage Door for Replacement and Repair

Does an insulated garage door make a difference? After reading this post, we think you’ll agree it does. At AAA Garage Door, we’ve been in this business for over 25 years. Count on us to provide you with garage door repair, inspections, regular maintenance and even replace your current garage door with a fully insulated one to increase your energy savings and keep your home comfortable. 

We have a range of garage doors for you to choose from that look modern and provide insulation against our harsh Nebraska winters. 

Fill out our online form to schedule garage door services or request a free estimate for your garage door opener today!

Other Resources for Weather’s Impact on Garages

• How Cold Weather Affects Garage Doors
• Garage Door Weatherproofing Tips
• Weather Seal Maintenance

Agricultural Door Buying Guide

Nebraska can have extreme temperatures throughout the year, leaving your farming property vulnerable to water, ice and sunlight damage. Hungry pests may also try to find a way into your property to snack on your produce. Your barn, grain store or livestock stable should protect your resources from these weather conditions.

A sturdy, energy-efficient door can help guard your harvest and animals against the elements by providing an additional barrier around the structure. Explore the custom options available for farm doors to find the right product for your property. This guide can help you discover the advantages of having a reliable, aesthetically pleasing door for your agricultural property and how to choose one that works for your business.

Benefits of Agricultural Doors

A sturdy, long-lasting door can enhance your structure’s aesthetic and guard it against harsh weather conditions and pests. Here are some of the ways the right door can add value to your agricultural buildings.

1. Keep Your Agricultural Building Safe

You probably built your barn or warehouse to protect your farming equipment or produce from harm. Durable steel garage or entry doors can withstand weather damage and maintain their integrity, enhancing your property’s barrier against outside influences. Any gaps in your door can leave your property vulnerable to pests and intruders. When you have a new entry free from cracks or openings, you can be confident that you’ll keep out unwanted visitors and preserve your valuable resources from unpleasant weather conditions.

2. Control the Temperature in Your Agricultural Building

Keeping your livestock or crops in a space with a controlled temperature can help them last longer, so they’re ready for your customers. Insulated doors act as a protective barrier against the outside temperature and humidity. As a result, you can create an environment in your barn or storage structure where your livestock and vegetation can thrive.

Consider enhancing your door’s insulation qualities by investing in additional layers of polyurethane or polystyrene. You can also request an entry with multiple layers of galvanized steel to make it more durable.

3. Save Money on Energy Costs

Since farming is a lucrative source of income, you most likely want to reduce expenses wherever you can to enhance your profit. Using a heating, cooling or humidification system to keep your grain, vegetables and livestock in the ideal environment can get expensive, especially if your door has gaps that leak air outside. A durable, energy-efficient door can prevent drafts and keep the indoor air inside, saving you money on energy and leaving you with more revenue to support your family.

4. Conveniently Access Your Storage Items

When you have customers and family members expecting food from your farm, you need to be able to find and collect your produce, livestock and harvesting machinery as quickly as possible. An easy-to-use agricultural door can give you access inside your storage unit without obstructing your pathway to your resources. Sliding doors travel against the wall, leaving you plenty of room to drive your tractors and other oversized farming equipment out of your agricultural building.

5. Extend Your Equipment’s Lifespan

Your pieces of farming equipment are significant investments that you need to harvest your crops and navigate your property. These steel products should last for years when you maintain them properly. However, cold, rainy weather can corrode the metal components and leave them vulnerable to power failures over time. An agricultural door on your storage unit can help protect your equipment from weather damage and corrosion. By providing a temperature-controlled environment, you can also prolong the freshness of your fruits, vegetables and grain.

6. Save Time on Taking Care of Your Property

With all the work you have to do around the land, you may not want to think about maintaining the door to your storage structure. Choose a material that doesn’t require regular treatment and that you can conveniently clean with mild soap and warm water. A durable door can withstand dents and stains from snow, rain, wind or hail. Since it also protects the inside of your barn or warehouse from damage, you can spend less time cleaning and repairing your walls after every storm.

Agricultural Building Applications

You may need to install farm building doors on the following structures.

• Aircraft hangar: If you have an aircraft on your property, you need a spacious, durable door to give you access to your storage unit. The hangar can help guard your property against direct sunlight and other weather damage, reducing its risk of corrosion or power failure. A large, sturdy garage door can seal the structure to keep your craft safe.
• Crop storage: Whether you use a silo or warehouse to store your crops, the property should protect your produce from harsh weather conditions and hungry pests. An insulated agricultural door can maintain the temperature of the place where you store your crops.
• Dairy buildings: You might have a place on your property where you keep your cows, process milk products and package your products for distribution. This storage unit needs to be comfortable for your cows and at a safe temperature that won’t spoil the milk. Insulated cattle shed doors have custom sizes that allow enough space for your livestock.
• Equestrian stables: An equestrian facility accommodates your horses and provides a place for them to eat and even train for races if you have the room. Since these structures feature steel framing, you have the durability, but you probably need some more insulation to provide an area for your horses all year long. It’s best to invest in agricultural stable doors large enough to corral your horses out of the stable without hitting their heads.
• Equipment and machine storage: The structure where you store your farming equipment and machinery should be large enough to accommodate your resources for collecting your crops and traveling around your property. Your entry or garage door should provide convenient access into and out of it. The door should also protect your equipment from weather damage, so you can continue to use it for years.
• Farm shop: You may sell produce directly on your property, and you’ll need a place for your customers to pick up and pay for crops. Farm shop doors can be large to provides plenty of ventilation on a hot summer day. If you have an office attached to your farm shop, you may want to have an easy-to-use entry door, so customers and employees can quickly come in and out.
• Grain storage: The barn gives you a place to store grain. Depending on how you use it, you’ll most likely need some protection against the weather and a way to control your structure’s humidity or dryness. Barn doors come in various sizes and materials to fit within your existing property.
• Livestock housing: If you have farm animals on your property in addition to your harvested crops, you may want to keep them in a designated area. An energy-efficient door for the housing for your livestock needs to provide ventilation while also providing insulation during the cold winter months.

Types of Doors for Agricultural Buildings

Consider the kind of agricultural doors available to you, so you can find one that works for you and your property.

1. Large Sliding Doors

Large door systems can make your storage building more functional. This configuration tends to be the most economical option for your property, especially for post-frame barn construction. Agricultural sliding doors make it easy to enter and exit a farmhouse. You can open the door wider and have more space on the floor with a sliding door system, instead of door hinges on the side or overhead tracks. Have your door slide smoothly next to the wall to save even more room as you open it.

2. Overhead Hydraulic Doors

A hydraulic opening system features cylinders, pumps and hinges that provide movement for the garage door and enhance its durability. The hinges on top of the doorframe allow the door to swing out instead of taking up space inside. This configuration provides more floor space instead of needing room to swing doors into or out of the structure. Agricultural garage doors are suitable for sturdy properties that can accommodate this product’s stress on the building.

3. Bifold Doors

Agricultural bifold doors are easy to use and take up less space than a traditional door. It pulls open from the center and provides convenient access to the inside of your property with one swift motion. It also offers better views of the outside and gives enough ventilation and natural light when the weather is pleasant outside. The best part about this configuration is that you can leave it partially open to control the area’s temperature and provide enough airflow into your space without having to open the door completely.

4. Roller Doors

Agricultural roller doors feature durable, galvanized steel, and they roll up to give you plenty of space for you to access your grain storage or farming equipment. Most roll-up garage doors are suitable for warehouses and storage facilities. You can find wind-rated agricultural roller shutters to accommodate the wind near your property. They come in various colors that can complement your farm building. 

5. Personal Entry Doors

Agricultural storm doors allow you access into and out of your commercial property. Consider getting yours insulated to protect against weather temperatures all year long. Deluxe steel doors are exceptional for providing durability, so you can guard all the contents within your barn or agricultural structure. Paint or prime them any color you want to match the rest of your property. 

Customized Solutions for Your Agricultural Doors

Consider what type of door you need for your equipment, crops or livestock. If you need a large garage to accommodate your oversized agricultural equipment, you may look for custom sizes to get the exact product you need. Discuss your door distributor options to retrofit a product to your existing structure or fit in a new building. If you need more space to accommodate new equipment, you may want to make changes to the current property to fit your new oversized door.

Besides the type of agricultural door you choose, you can also customize it according to your unique design preference. Discuss your options with your door manufacturer to learn what custom choices are available for your configuration. Consider these factors for your farm doors.

• Custom size: Whether you need an entry door for you or an overhead door for maneuvering your tractor, you can request a custom-sized door. When designing your door, try to make it as large as possible to accommodate all the equipment you have now and in the future. We can retrofit your door to fit within your existing structure, but if you need a larger one, we’ll adjust the doorframe to fit your new product.
• Exterior color: Depending on the material you choose for your agricultural door, you can typically paint or stain it any color you want. If you like the color of natural wood, you could apply a wood finish to the door. The exterior color of your entry or overhead door should complement the rest of the property somehow. Also, remember that lighter colors reflect heat, while darker ones absorb it.
• Windows: If you’d like to let more natural light into your property, consider adding windows to your door. You could make them any size or shape, depending on your desired appearance. You may also want to add decorative grilles to the windows to provide a unique appearance. You can also remove these embellishments when you need to clean the windows.
• Material: Choose a garage or entry door material that can withstand your area’s weather conditions. You should pick a material that complements the rest of your design. A rustic wooden door may be the perfect fit for a traditional barn, but perhaps not for your aircraft hangar.
• Decorative elements: Besides window grilles and unique paint color, you can adorn your door with custom features. Consider the hardware you’d like to put on your door, like metal handles or hinges. These decorative features may enhance your barn aesthetic.
• Insulation: To protect your property from harsh weather conditions, you need the proper insulation for your entry or garage door. Keep in mind that adding polyurethane or polystyrene insulation to your door makes it heavier, so you’ll need to check the weight capacity of your pole barn or stick-built construction. Unless you’re housing temperature-sensitive equipment or goods, you might not even need insulation on your door.

Contact AAA Garage Door for Agricultural Doors

If you need a new door for your farming property in Omaha, Neb., browse through our inventory of farm doors for agricultural buildings. We offer plenty of entryways for your property, such as commercial roll-up garage doors, entry doors and operating systems. We provide GSD operators for sliding doors and standard garage door openers for overhead ones. Contact us online or call 402-727-0789 to request an estimate. You can also come to visit our showroom if you’re in the local area.

Learn More About Commercial Doors

• Roll Up Garage Door Guide
• High-Speed Door Guide

3 Effects of Cold Weather on Garage Door Openers

Cold Weather Impacts Garage Door Openers

Your garage door opener may struggle to open the door in cold weather, which could lead to breakage or higher energy costs. In some cases, garage doors may stick in cold weather, meaning the opener may not be able to open the door at all.

The question is, what steps can you take to maintain the integrity of your garage door and garage door opener in cold weather?

How Cold Weather Affects Garage Door Openers

Is it too cold for your garage door to work correctly? Many homeowners ask this question when winter weather hits and they notice a slowdown or malfunction of their garage door opener. Cold weather can have different effects on your garage door based on fluctuations in precipitation and temperature.

Your garage door system is a machine. Like any other machine, it has moving parts. Temperature changes are notorious for the impact they have on interconnected components. Cold weather, especially, can have a significant effect on your garage door opener.

Cold Weather and Garage Door Openers

The 3 effects of cold weather on garage door openers are:

1. Garage Door Openers May Lose Lubrication and Connectivity

Garage door openers can lose some of their lubrication in cold weather, which may cause them to work harder. When you properly lubricate your garage door opener, you minimize the strain on the motor. A professional technician can assist you in finding the best lubricant for your garage door parts.

Frozen lubricant can be another reason a garage door opener doesn’t work in cold weather. Replacing the frigid product with a fresh lubricant should solve the problem. You can prevent this issue by choosing a product designed to withstand extreme temperatures.

The photo-eye sensors on your garage door can also become fogged over due to the cold. When this happens, the garage door may think there is an obstruction in the way even if there isn’t. This lack of communication between the sensors can cause malfunctions with your garage door opener. Luckily, all you have to do in this situation is wipe off the lenses.

2. Garage Doors Contract in Cold Weather

Garage doors — mostly those made of steel — contract in cold weather. Other metal garage door parts, such as rollers, hinges and springs, can warp if they’re not moved regularly in the cold.

You can minimize the effects of garage door contraction by keeping it lubricated throughout the winter. Apply a silicone-based lubricant to the springs, rollers, hinges and other moving parts

At AAA Garage Door, we recommend scheduling annual maintenance before winter begins and lubricating your garage door’s moving metal parts to keep them working properly.

Schedule Service

3. Garage Doors Can Freeze to the Ground

When water freezes during the winter months, some garage doors freeze to the ground, especially if puddles form at the bottom. Garage doors are designed to seal to the ground in an attempt to prevent weather and small animals from coming inside. In cold weather, though, this can cause the door to stick.

How Do I Keep My Garage Door From Freezing To The Ground?

To help prevent your garage door from freezing to the ground, push away any collected water from the bottom of your garage door as often as possible, lay down salt, and lubricate your garage door.

Other steps to prevent a freezing garage door in cold weather include:

• Use lubricant: Applying a silicone-based lubricant — not grease — to the door’s bottom rubber seal will prevent it from sticking to ice.
• Sprinkle salt: Ordinary table salt can keep the water on the inside and outside of the door from freezing.
• Clear snow: Removing snow near the door will eliminate issues with melting and refreezing that could cause sticking.
• Install insulation: An insulated garage door prevents warm air from escaping, helping to combat freezing by maintaining a higher temperature.
• Upgrade the weatherstripping: Inspect the weatherstripping at the bottom of the door and replace it if you notice cracks or other signs of damage.

How Does the Cold Affect Keypads?

The keypad enables you to open or close the garage door without using a remote control or key. However, its location outside the door exposes the keypad to the elements. Just like extreme cold weather can keep your car’s battery from starting the vehicle, the same can occur with a keypad’s battery. Freezing temperatures can cause the batteries to run down faster than in warmer weather and require more frequent changes.

If your garage door keypad is not working in cold weather, your first step should be to replace the battery. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, contact a professional garage door technician to inspect the electrical wiring and other components. 

Learn More About Our Weather Sealing Services

Schedule Your Garage Door Winter Maintenance 

AAA Garage Door has 25 years of experience performing everything from simple repairs, garage door parts replacements, inspections and regular maintenance to total replacements. We make it our top priority to give our customers comprehensive services and the highest-quality products on the market. We’ll also ensure your Omaha residential or commercial garage door performs well throughout the winter months.

If you find that your garage door is sticking in cold weather or it’s too cold for your garage door opener to work properly, trust AAA Garage Door to find the right solutions. Repairing or updating your garage door or garage door opener with a replacement is simple and straightforward with the help of our highly skilled technicians.

Fill out our online form to schedule garage door services or request a free estimate for your garage door opener today!

Other Resources for Garages in Cold Weather

• Importance of Insulated Garage Doors
• Garage Door Weatherproofing Tips
• Weather Seal Maintenance

Double Garage Door Conversion Options

Garage Door Conversion Options

Jump To: Single to Double Conversion  or  Double to Single Conversion

Do you have a double garage door that you’d like to convert to two single garage doors? Or maybe you have two single garage doors you’d like to remodel into one double door. We have both conversions outlined no matter what garage door type you’re looking for.

Our professional service technicians at AAA Garage Door have experience converting two garage doors into one and can remove or add a central garage pillar to make space for your new door. Below we share some insights from our conversion experience:

Single to Double Garage Door Conversion

Converting two single garage doors into one double-sized garage door can be an investment for many families and businesses, but it is well worth it. Many double-sized garages are fitted with two separate doors, independent of each other, so that just one can be opened at a time.

Two single doors are typical of more traditional builds, as they were introduced when cars were smaller and could squeeze between the gap. Today, modern cars tend to be larger, and many people are now looking to convert their two single garage doors into one double garage door.

When considering converting two single garage doors into a double, it is essential to know the advantages so that you can make the best decision based on your lifestyle and budget.

How to Convert Two Single Garage Doors to a Double Door

The process of converting two single garage doors into one double door consists of the following steps:

1. Take measurements of the garage.
2. Select a replacement double garage door.
3. Perform garage pillar removal and discard the two single garage doors.
4. Install a new double door.
5. Add the final touches.

Benefits of Double Garage Doors

There are many benefits to having a double garage door, including:

• Allows for wider vehicles to enter: The space created by converting two single garage doors into a larger double door is great for parking sizable vehicles. One larger double door can also be a way of providing the drivers at your home or business with peace of mind. Drivers will have more wiggle room when backing into or pulling up to the garage and easily avoid scratches and dents.
• Provides additional walking space: Converting two single garage doors into one double door provides more walk-around room. Those exiting or entering the garage can more comfortably walk around stored items or vehicles.
• Updates the appearance: One double garage door can make the entire front of your home appear larger and help tie together its overall appearance. Whether you’re looking to sell your home or not, a newly installed double garage door increases your home’s value.
• Easier to maintain than two doors and two openers: Maintaining one double garage door is easier and more convenient than keeping up with two.
• Provides improved accessibility: For wheelchair users or the elderly, having the extra space is crucial for getting into and out of the car with ease.
• Streamlined operation: With one double garage door, you can operate the entire system with a single remote. This streamlines the exit and entry process and removes the clutter of multiple door remotes.

Double to Single Garage Door Conversion

If the thought of a double to single garage door conversion is intriguing to you, we recommend that your garage be at least 22 feet wide. This will give you ample space to get into and out of your vehicle comfortably. A double to single garage door conversion will grant you total control over how much of your garage’s interior is exposed to the outside.

How to Convert a Double Garage Door to Two Single Doors

Converting one double door to two single doors includes a sequence of steps similar to a single to double garage door conversion:

1. Take measurements of your garage.
2. Choose two replacement single garage doors.
3. Add a garage pillar to divide both sections.
4. Install two new single garage doors.
5. Add the final touches.

Benefits of Single Garage Doors

The advantages of converting one double garage door to two include:

• Reduce your heating bill and air conditioning costs: If you live in a cold climate, two single garage doors can lessen the amount of cold air that flows into the garage, reducing your heating bill. Two separate doors can also inhibit the humidity that enters your garage, significantly lowering your air conditioning costs.
• Have a backup plan in the case of a malfunction: If you opt for two single doors, you’ll be able to get one of your cars out of the garage in the case of a breakdown, such as torsion spring failure.
• Enhance the appearance of your home: While some homeowners prefer the streamlined appearance of one double garage door, others believe that two single garage doors better enhance the overall architectural design of their home.

Trust AAA Garage Door for Your Garage Door Conversion Needs

If you own a home or business in the Omaha, Nebraska area or its surrounding communities and you need to convert your double or single garage door, reach out to the trained technicians from AAA Garage Door. We specialize in garage door conversions for any door type.

As a locally-owned company with over 25 years of experience, we care about improving people’s businesses and homes. We’ve repaired all types of commercial and residential garage doors throughout the years and will help you find a garage door you love within your budget. Our team of highly skilled technicians makes high-quality products and superior service our priorities.

Get in touch with our garage door experts to find out more about how we can help with your double garage door conversion project.

Carriage House Garage Door Guide

If you want to remodel your Colonial or mid-century modern house, consider upgrading you garage door to a carriage house design. A carriage-style garage door will increase the value of your home and provide a historic charm to your property. At AAA Garage Door in Omaha, Neb., we offer a variety of materials, colors, window designs and hardware for the exterior look of your overhead door. Use this buying guide to explore our carriage house garage doors for sale.

Table of Contents

• Types of carriage house doors
• What are carriage house garage doors?
• Features of carriage house doors
• Cost of carriage house doors
• Best windows for carriage house doors
• Best openers for carriage house doors

Different Types of Carriage House Garage Doors

1. Steel Carriage House Garage Doors

The steel carriage house garage doors in our inventory feature durable, insulated steel panels with wood composite overlays, providing your home with a unique and sophisticated design. With steel and a fresh coat of Ultra-Grain® finish, your door could have the appearance of natural wood, but with less maintenance and higher durability.

We provide a variety of collections with elegant charm to complement the historic appeal of your property.

• GALLERY® Collection: The vintage look and feel of the products in the GALLERY® Collection make these traditional raised steel panel doors stand out from the rest. You can customize your grooved-panel steel garage door from this collection with the right thickness of insulation for your climate. The color you choose should complement the theme of the rest of your house. Complete the look of your carriage house door with wrought-iron decorative hardware.
• COACHMAN® Collection: The COACHMAN® Collection has a reputation for its ideal mix of practicality and beauty. If you choose a carriage house garage door from this series, you’ll have a product that looks like wood but contains low-maintenance, long-lasting steel and insulation. A wood-grain textured composite overlay completes the design of the door, which you could also personalize according to your taste.
• GRAND HARBOR® Collection: The doors from the GRAND HARBOR® Collection are a cost-effective, low-maintenance option for a coastal, yet historic, aesthetic for your home, especially in new construction. Our manufacturers apply a protective coating over the thick layer of steel to maintain the appearance and durability of the door.
• CANYON RIDGE® Collection LIMITED EDITION Series: The LIMITED EDITION Series of this beautiful collection features energy-efficient carriage house doors with a steel base and Intellicore® insulation. The wood composite cladding and overlays contain natural wood fibers to give the material the appearance of various species of wood.

2. Wood Carriage House Garage Doors

A natural wood carriage house garage door would complement the appearance of any Craftsman or Colonial house. The RESERVE® WOOD Collection LIMITED EDITION Series showcases products with authentic carriage house designs paired with historical charm and character, with the convenience of an overhead operation. You can choose from eight designs and multiple wood species to fit the style of your home.

3. Faux Carriage House Garage Doors

Faux wood, or wood composite, gives your door a luxurious appearance but with less maintenance. In the CANYON RIDGE® Collection ULTRA-GRAIN® Series, you have an economical alternative to the Limited Edition Series, featuring the durability of steel paired with the natural beauty of stained wood. With its two-inch-thick Intellicore® insulation, a door from this series has an R-value of 18.4.

4. Custom Carriage House Garage Doors

If you can’t find the ideal garage door for your style home, you could create a one-of-a-kind wood garage door from the RESERVE® WOOD Collection CUSTOM Series. If you can dream it, we can design it, no matter the color or the size. Our Door Imagination System can help you brainstorm which color, material, panel and window options would go perfectly with your living space. You could upload a picture of your house to envision how your custom garage door would look on your property.

What Are Carriage House Garage Doors?

Carriage house collection garage doors reflect the design of a traditional barn or stable door, giving your home’s exterior a mid-century modern appearance. While carriage-style doors complement rustic homes, they also provide a pleasant contrast to contemporary ones. This carriage house style door will boost your home’s curb appeal with a versatile design and enhance its energy efficiency depending on the insulation options you choose.

Even though original carriage house doors were wood doors, we offer other low-maintenance options for your garage door, including steel and wood composite, besides natural wood garage doors. You could also design your garage door to look like an old-fashioned carriage door with elegant window designs and decorative lift handles and other hardware.

Features of Carriage House Garage Doors

After choosing an energy-efficient material to complement the exterior design of your property, you could personalize the following features of your garage door based on what the design brochure includes for each collection.

• Insulation: If you have a steel collection garage door, you could choose one-, two- or three-layer construction of galvanized steel for more insulation. Wood naturally has a high R-value, but you could add more insulation to your garage door for better noise reduction and temperature regulation. The insulation options for most collections are 1-3/8″ or 2″ Intellicore® polyurethane, 1-3/8″ or 2″ polystyrene or 1-5/16″ vinyl-backed polystyrene. Combined with any of these insulation materials, your energy-efficient door could have an R-value between 5.9 to 20.4.
• Colors: Our inventory of carriage house doors provides a total of 12 factory finishe options for your selection, including several Ultra-Grain® wood finishes to give your modern steel or faux wood garage door the appearance of natural wood.
• Overlay pattern: If the door you choose for your garage features wood composite overlay and cladding, you could customize the design of these faux wood panels. Most overlays come in a criss-cross pattern, but you may also choose to create vertical or horizontal lines instead.
• Hardware: The decorative hardware of your carriage house garage door gives it the appearance of a swing-out door. Select from a variety of metal hinges, lift handles and step plates to enhance your home’s historic look.

Replacing your garage door with a carriage-house style offers the following benefits:

• It increases your home’s value and curb appeal.
• It keeps your home safe from intruders.
• It makes your home more energy-efficient.
• It reduces the noise from your operating system and outside activity.
• It reduces the number of garage door repairs you’ll need each year.
• It prevents accidental injury to your family or property.

If you’re considering a residential carriage house garage door for your home, AAA Garage Door is a full-service company that provides quality residential Clopay® doors and LiftMaster openers. After you choose a garage door to complement the style of your home, we’ll discuss the next steps of the installation process, including scheduling annual inspections and repairing worn-out parts over the years.

View Our Garage Door Styles

How Do Carriage House Garage Doors Open?

The original design of carriage house doors featured intricately carved wooden panel doors and wrought-iron hardware. Metal hinges on the ends of the entryway gave it the ability to swing out and make space for horse-drawn carriages. Modern carriage house garage doors still have the same design, but with a more updated operating system to accommodate automated vehicles.

How Much Does a Carriage House Garage Door Cost?

If you’re trying to plan a full remodel of the exterior of your house, you should think about the garage door cost. The price to install and design your carriage house door depends on several factors, but you could customize this entryway to fit within your budget.

Consider these factors that affect the price of your door to help you decide what you should personalize.

• Materials: Steel is the most affordable material, followed by wood composite and natural wood. If you choose natural wood, keep in mind that you also need to paint and reseal your wooden panels every couple of years to increase its resistance to moisture.
• Insulation: An energy-efficient door will reduce your monthly energy bill and provide a more comfortable temperature for your home. While an insulated garage door with a high R-value will cost more money up front, you’ll save money on your utility bill.
• Location: Where you live affects the cost of your installation project due to the availability of the materials and the fees local contractors charge. If you choose a bulkier door, you should also be aware that they tend to be more expensive to install because the installer might need to hire a team to help carry the door.

What Are Barn-Style Garage Doors?

You might also hear people call carriage house garage doors barn-style garage doors because they look like stable or barn doors. Until the 20th century, people used horse-drawn carriages as a means of transportation, and they would store their wagons in carriage houses. These barn doors initially consisted of natural wood, and they would swing out to allow the driver to park their vehicle.

Even if you drive an automatic car, you could still have the traditional elegance of a barn door-style garage door to protect the place where you park your vehicle. The country-style residential garage door features faux wood overlay design options, as well as various window options and patterns for your selection. You may choose a natural wood door to stay true to the original design, or you could create a steel door with an Ultra-Grain® wood finish for less maintenance. 

Carriage House Garage Door Windows

Complete your carriage house garage door with a unique window design. Browse through the brochure of each of the collections we offer to find out the specific windows available for your desired product. In general, you could personalize any of the following features.

• Window size: Whether you have a one-car or two-car garage, you could choose a long or short windowpane pattern across your door. We recommend square windows for carriage style doors.
• Window shape: Carriage house-style garage doors with windows often have rectangular or arch shapes on the top.
• Window type: Some of our collections offer unique window types, aside from the rectangular or arch shape, such as the Kristin, the Trenton, the Clayton and the Wrought Iron. You could review the design brochures of these collections to discover how they would look against your house.
• Single and double-top section: You could choose one or two rows of small windows for the top part of your garage door. The upper row features a traditional arched design.
• Grille pattern: The decorative grilles are available in rectangular, square, vertical, horizontal or vertical and horizontal. You can easily remove them when you need to clean them.
• Glass option: You could choose faux or real glass for your windows. The glass design options include clear, frosted, seeded, obscure, rain, frosted gluechip, delta frost and narrow reed.

What’s the Best Garage Door Opener for a Carriage House Garage Door?

You need a robust carriage house garage door opener from the LiftMaster Elite Series with the horsepower to operate your sturdy garage door. Several of our openers from this series are compatible with the MyQ® app to allow you to control your door from anywhere you have internet access, even if there is a power outage.

The garage door openers from the LiftMaster Elite Series include the following.

• LiftMaster Elite Series 8550WLB: This belt drive garage door opener has Wi-Fi capability and includes a DC battery backup. The DC motor allows quiet and smooth operation, especially for lifting wood grain texture doors and composite wood doors. You would install this opener on your ceiling.
• LiftMaster Elite Series 8587W: This AC chain drive garage door opener can also connect to the internet and mounts on the ceiling. It has 3/4 horsepower and an I-beam rail system that provide it with the strength to lift a heavy door, especially a door with a wood overlay design. Even though it’s tough, it’s also nearly silent.
• LiftMaster Elite Series 8500: This wall mount garage door opener saves you ceiling space by sticking to the wall next to the garage door opening. The DC battery backup allows the garage door to work, even during a power outage.
• LiftMaster Elite Series 8500W: This wall mount opener in the Elite Series is a step above the 8500, with Wi-Fi capability to operate your garage door from anywhere in the world. Its DC battery backup gives it the ability to continue holding up your garage door during the power outage. It reduces the noise and vibration to provide smooth operation.

View Our Other Garage Door Guides

• Glass Garage Doors
• Steel Garage Doors
• Faux Wood Garage Doors

Carriage House Garage Door Company in Omaha

At AAA Garage Door, we will provide the perfect Clopay® residential garage door for your property in Omaha, Neb. Our quiet, energy-efficient LiftMaster garage door openers will also improve the quality of your home. Browse through our inventory on our website, and contact us online or call us at 402-727-0789 to request an estimate.

Break-In Prevention – 10 Tips To Ensure Your Garage Door Is Secure

Break-In Prevention: 10 Tips to Ensure Your Garage Door Is Secure

Keeping your home safe and secure is a primary concern for every homeowner. You want to be sure that you, your family and your belongings are kept away from prying eyes and prevent the chance of a break-in. It’s important to remember that most burglars are opportunists, so simply locking up your home and garage door and keeping valuables out of sight can be a great deterrent. 

However, seasoned burglars will look for other ways to enter your house, like your garage, windows and other main entryways. In 2019, there were over 1.1 million burglaries with residential properties accounting for 62.8%. The best way to prevent a home burglary is to increase your home’s security.

How to Secure Your Garage Door

Many homeowners focus on securing their windows and doors, but it’s important not to overlook your garage. While many burglars enter through the doors and windows, 9% enter through your garage. Here are 10 tips to increase your garage door’s security.

1. Upgrade Your Garage Door Opener

If your garage door opener has been in use for many years, it might be time to upgrade it. Modern garage door openers have smart systems that alert you if your door has been left open. Depending on the system, you can use an app or remote to close your door.

Additionally, newer systems may include an alarm and security lights to protect your property. They also use rolling codes, which means the code that opens and closes your garage door only works once. Rolling codes provide an extra level of security that prevents hackers from accessing your opener.

2. Pay Attention to Your Door’s Emergency Release Trigger

The vast majority of garage doors have a special emergency release trigger that allows you to get in or out of your garage when there is a power outage. Typically, the trigger is near the top of the door, allowing burglars to access the switch and enter your home through your garage door. 

You can prevent this by installing a shield in front of the door release or disabling this feature. The method for disabling it differs model-to-model, but usually, it’s as simple as cutting the chord that’s attached to the emergency release. If you are unsure how to disable the security release, get in touch with our team at AAA Garage Door and let us help you out.

3. Add Manual Locks

If you really want to keep your garage door secure, a great option is to install heavy-duty manual locks. Keep in mind that since you must secure the locks from inside your garage, you can’t exit through the garage door. The effectiveness of the locks depends on how often you use them — if you forget to secure your manual locks, they will not help protect your garage.

4. Add Motion Detection Lights

A motion detection light outside a garage door can help stop a burglar from breaking into a home. Detection lights notify the people who are home that someone or something is moving around outside. They also gain the attention of surrounding neighbors who have a clear view of your home’s garage.

5. Frost Your Windows

Thieves want to avoid getting caught, so they usually scope out a place before attempting a break-in. Your garage door windows are aesthetically pleasing and allow natural light into your garage. But they also provide burglars with a view into your garage. They can see the stuff in your garage and if there are any cars — in other words, if anyone is home. For extra garage security, frost your windows to increase privacy while still letting in natural light.

6. Don’t Leave Your Opener Remote in Your Car

Burglars know it’s convenient for you to store your remote in your car’s glove box, on the visor or somewhere else in your car. Some may break into your car with the intent to get your garage door opener, and then gain access to your home. It’s best to keep your opener on you at work, such as in your coat pocket or bag, and store it inside when you’re home.

7. Ensure Your Garage Doors Are in Good Condition

Older garage doors might have gaps or dents, making it easier for someone to break in. You can avoid this security risk by scheduling routine maintenance and replacing your garage door as needed. New garage doors provide greater protection for you and your family.

8. Secure Your Home’s Entry Door

Most garages have a door that connects to the home. Always lock this door to prevent thieves from gaining access to the rest of your house. You can reinforce this door by replacing it with a steel door and adding a deadbolt, smart lock or motion sensor.

9. Remove Your Valuables

It’s easy to fill your garage with items that you can’t find space for inside your home. However, you should avoid leaving valuables in your garage. This way if a thief manages to gain access to your garage, at least they won’t be able to steal your valuables.

10. Create Good Security Habits

Homeowners who become lax in their security habits put their homes at a higher risk for burglary. Locking your garage door sometimes, occasionally switching on your security lights and only closing your door most of the time will not keep your home secure. That’s why it’s crucial to develop good security habits. 

You can establish security protocols for leaving your home. Communicate these protocols with your family members so everyone is on the same page. Ensure everyone sticks to these procedures to decrease your risk of a break-in. 

Keep Your Garage Door Secure With AAA Garage Door

To keep your home, family and belongings protected, you must secure your garage door. As a major entry point to your home, it requires security measures to ensure there’s little to no chance for unauthorized access. Contact the garage door experts at AAA Garage Door to find out more about how you can bolster your garage’s security. With our help, you can rest easy knowing your home is safe and secure.

Other Garage Door Safety Resources

• Garage Maintenance Checklist
• Common Garage Door Scams
• Importance of a Certified Garage Door Technician

Keep Your Garage Door Secure And Your Family Protected

To keep your home secure and protected, you must take the time to secure your garage door. As a major entry point to your home, this vulnerable area requires necessary steps to ensure there is no unauthorized access. Get in touch with our garage repair experts at AAA Garage Doors to find out more about how you can bolster the security of your garage door. With our help, you can rest easy knowing that your home is safe and secure.

5 Garage Door Maintenance Tips To Keep Your Door Operating Smoothly

As a homeowner, you rely on your garage door to access your home multiple times a day and you want to be sure that you can depend on it to perform, as it should. As the largest moving part in most homes, it’s essential that you take the time to look after your Omaha garage door properly and carry out regular repair and maintenance to ensure that it stands the test of time. If you take care of your garage door, you will be able to depend on it to work as intended for many years to come.

5 Garage Door Maintenance Tips

With a few simple tips and tricks, you can ensure that your garage door doesn’t take on too much wear and tear and continues to operate smoothly. Let’s take a closer look at five garage door maintenance tips that you can implement with ease to care for your garage door.

1. Lubricate Moving Parts

It might only take you about ten minutes per year but taking the time to grease up your garage door’s moving parts will help it last for a long time to come. Just a small amount of garage door lubrication can make a big difference when it comes to preventing noise and keeping your residential garage door opening and closing properly. Use a spray lubricant to coat the opener’s chain or drive screw. You can also add some lubricant to the overhead springs, hinges, rollers, and door tracks.

2. Test The Balance Of Your Omaha Garage Door

If a garage door is not correctly balanced, the overhead door will have to work extra hard and therefore will not last as long. In order to extend the life of your garage door opener and keep your door operating smoothly, you need to test the balance of your commercial garage door. Simply disconnect the opener by pulling the release handle. Next, partly open the door manually. If the door is correctly balanced, it will maintain this position without any assistance from you. However, if it moves up or down on one side or the other you will need to adjust the door springs. As this can be a delicate matter, it is best to call our team of professionals at AAA Garage Door Inc. to ensure you get the garage door balance just right.

3. Tighten The Hardware

Since a garage door opens and closes several times in a day, it’s not unusual for the hardware to become loose over time. In fact, the average overhead door opens and closes over a thousand times a year and all of this movement can naturally cause different elements to loosen. Be sure to check the garage door hardware from time to time and tighten any parts that appear to have become loose or contact us at AAA Garage Door Inc. and let our garage door specialists check over your hardware for you.

4. Check The Auto-Reverse Feature

Perfoming a safety test for the auto-reverse feature once or twice per year is a good practice to get into. Designed as a safety feature, the door should automatically reverse when it comes into contact with something as it is closing. To test it, you can put a large item in the path of the door, between the door and the ground. If your Omaha garage door starts reversing automatically when it comes into contact with the object, it is working correctly.

More modern door openers often have a photoelectric system, which is used to detect people or pets walking under the door. As the door is closing, simply wave your foot underneath it and the door should auto-reverse. If your door fails to auto-reverse in either test, you will need to have your garage door opener repaired. You can also avail of our comprehensive Garage Door Safety Tune-Up Service at AAA Garage Door Inc. so that you can rest easy knowing that your garage will not be the cause of damage or injury.

5. Visual Garage Door Inspection

Inspecting your garage for water damage, chips and peeling paint from time to time is important to prevent any low-level damage from getting worse. Depending on what material your garage door is constructed from, you may need to carry out additional maintenance. For example, if your door is made of steel, rust spots may develop which will need to be sanded, primed and painted. A timber overhead garage door, on the other hand, may need to be treated to keep the wood from becoming damaged from exposure to the elements. At AAA Garage Door Inc., we offer a weather seal and preventative maintenance service that are specifically designed to help keep your garage door from encountering unnecessary problems.

Get Help From The Pros With Your Garage Door Maintenance

View Our Garage Door Services

Ensuring that your garage door is properly maintained is vital in making sure that it stands the test of time and that it will operate smoothly. If you need assistance with your garage door maintenance, get in touch with our team of garage door experts and service technicians at AAA Garage Door Inc., today. With our extensive experience with garage doors, you can be sure that your garage door will be in good hands.

How To Choose The Right Material For Your Garage Door

Does a Garage Increase Home Value?

Your garage is one of the first features passersby notice when they view your home. A garage door may stand out prominently or blend in, depending on the color, size and style. It is a relatively affordable measure of ensuring your home attracts attention if you’re in the market to sell. 

Read on to learn more about how much value a garage door can add to your home, ways it can increase your home’s appraisal and more. Partner with AAA Garage Door to upgrade your garage door and see how much it enhances your home’s curb appeal and worth.

View Our Residential Garage Door Styles

How Much Value Does a New Garage Door Add to My Home?

According to Remodeling’s updated 2023 Cost and Value Report, there are various ways to secure a return on your investment by making home improvements. A garage door replacement ranks among the highest returns, with an estimated 102.7% cost recovery upon resale. Based on their national averages, replacing a garage door could cost up to $4,302, but you’ll get $4,415 back when you sell your home. Hence, garage door ROI is one of the most profitable gains. 

The West North Central report averages differ slightly from the regional city report mentioned above, with a somewhat lower cost recoup amount of 78% compared to 102%. It is still significant compared to other home improvement projects that may seem to provide a greater return but offer less in resale value. Examples include roofing replacement at 42%, bathroom remodeling at 41%, major kitchen remodeling at 40%, deck addition at 38% and an upscale primary suite addition at 20%. 

5 Ways a New Garage Door Increases Your Home’s Value

A residential garage door style that matches your home will likely add value in numerous ways. Your bottom-line resale price depends on the cost of installing a new door and its aesthetic appeal. Generally, the more you spend, the higher ROI you can expect. The new owners will appreciate the money and effort you put in — a benefit any prospective buyers should consider. 

We’ve listed a few ways a new garage door can increase your home’s value that may help convince you to install one. 

1. Increased Energy Efficiency

Most new garage doors have insulation and other high-quality materials that make them energy efficient, helping you save money in the long run. With the right insulation R-value, your garage door can regulate temperatures year-round. 

You could save money on your energy bills with a well-insulated garage door, like one reinforced with numerous steel layers or made of polystyrene and polyurethane. Your HVAC system takes less strain when you don’t have to use it as frequently to heat or cool your living spaces, like rooms adjacent to your garage. Insulation keeps the cold air out in the winter while keeping the interior comfortable during summer.

2. Improved Door Durability

A new garage door consists of durable material that lasts many years. They often have aluminum or steel frames reinforced with internal polystyrene or polyurethane insulation. These doors offer more protection and durability, which will increase your home’s value through added security. New doors are less prone to damage from dents and don’t warp as easily.

You can expect your garage door to last up to 30 years if it doesn’t sustain severe damage from storms and adverse weather and you maintain it regularly. Wear and tear are inevitable, but you can minimize damage by having any dents repaired by a professional garage door contractor before they worsen. Fortunately, new doors carry a limited warranty that will cover damages for a specific period after you initially install it.

3. Less Maintenance 

A new garage door costs less to maintain than an older one. Over time, worn components may start deteriorating and need replacing. The paint may also start peeling and chipping, leaving you with an eyesore. Though you can repaint it and replace the panels, these cosmetic fixes won’t have the same effect as a new garage door, especially to interested buyers who may perceive these as attempts to conceal its imperfections. 

With an upgraded garage door, the people who buy your home will have peace of mind knowing they won’t have to install a new one for a long time, and they’re more likely to consider paying your full asking price if it saves them down the line. 

4. Improved Curb Appeal

Your garage door’s appearance is essential if you’re considering ways to increase your home’s value. It should have at least three elements that make it stand out to improve the curb appeal. 

• Customization: Your new garage door should enhance your house’s exterior by adding a modern, rustic or traditional touch based on your existing home style. 
• Material: Sturdy materials like steel, solid wood or aluminum influence the value, durability and strength.
• Color: Choosing similar, bold or contrasting colors will complement your home, making it more attractive.

5. Modern Safety Features

Modern technology allows you to control newly installed garage doors with your smartphone, so you can set them to open and close automatically, monitor activity remotely and change the security codes as you wish. Most have an auto-reverse safety feature that prevents the door from closing on any person or object. 

These garage door improvements will give potential buyers confidence, which an older door might not offer.

How Much Is a New Garage Door?

A new garage door can cost thousands of dollars, but you get what you pay for. Custom doors like carriage and French styles that meet specific requirements are pricey, though you can find more affordable options to suit any budget. Consider factors like whether you need a single or double garage, insulation, material and door opener types — these will all impact your price. 

How Often Should You Replace Your Garage Door?

A new, well-maintained garage door should last a long time. If you experience a severe thunderstorm or accident that causes significant damage, you might have to repair or replace it. Preventive maintenance ensures you get maximum value and longevity for your money.

Get the Best Garage Door Resale Value With AAA Garage Door

Installing a new garage door has advantages. One of these is the ROI you can expect when selling your home. At AAA Garage Door, you can count on us to deliver outstanding service using the highest-quality material to install the garage door you need. 

We don’t compromise on your satisfaction and will accommodate you as best we can. Call us at 402-727-0789 or request an online estimate if you’re ready for a garage door replacement. 

Other Resources For Garage Door Buyers

• Things to Consider When Buying a Garage
• Benefits of Buying A New Garage Door
• How to Choose The Right Garage Style?
• Garage Door Replacement Services