How much does a new garage door cost?

The cost of a new garage door varies widely based on size, material, style, and features. Basic steel doors start around $800-$1,200 installed, while premium wood or custom doors can range from $3,000 to $10,000 or more. During your free consultation, we'll assess your needs and provide a detailed, no-obligation quote.

How long does garage door installation take?

Most residential garage door installations are completed in 4-6 hours. This includes removing the old door, installing the new door and hardware, setting up the opener if included, and testing all safety features. More complex installations or custom doors may take longer.

Should I repair or replace my garage door?

This depends on several factors: the age of your door, the extent of damage, energy efficiency needs, and your budget. Generally, if repairs exceed 50% of replacement cost, or if your door is over 15-20 years old, replacement often makes more sense. We'll give you an honest assessment during our free inspection.

How often should I have my garage door serviced?

We recommend professional maintenance at least once per year. This includes lubrication, safety testing, hardware tightening, and inspection of springs, cables, and other components. Regular maintenance can extend your door's lifespan significantly and prevent costly emergency repairs.

Why is my garage door making noise?

Common causes of noisy garage doors include lack of lubrication, worn rollers, loose hardware, unbalanced doors, or issues with the opener. Often, professional lubrication and adjustment can dramatically reduce noise. If the noise is sudden or severe, it may indicate a more serious problem that needs immediate attention.

Do you service all garage door brands?

Yes! Our technicians are trained to service and repair all major garage door brands including LiftMaster, Chamberlain, Genie, Craftsman, Wayne Dalton, Clopay, Amarr, and more. We also work with most opener brands and can source parts for virtually any door.

How quickly can you fix my stuck doors?

We understand how frustrating a stuck garage door can be, which is why we offer a 2-hour emergency response guarantee for urgent situations. For standard service calls, we typically arrive within 24 hours of your request. Our fully-stocked service vehicles mean most repairs can be completed in a single visit, usually within 1-2 hours depending on the complexity of the issue. If you're experiencing an emergency, call us immediately at (910) 727-4314 and we'll dispatch a technician right away.

What causes stuck doors in garage doors?

There are several common causes for stuck garage doors. The most frequent culprits include: broken torsion or extension springs, which bear the weight of the door and can snap over time; misaligned or damaged tracks that prevent smooth movement; worn cables that may fray or break; malfunctioning garage door openers or stripped gears; lack of lubrication causing friction in the rollers and hinges; and weather-related issues like ice buildup or warped panels. Sometimes the issue is as simple as dead batteries in your remote or an obstructed photo-eye sensor. Our technicians can quickly diagnose the exact cause and provide a lasting solution.

Do you offer financing for new wood door installations?

Yes! We understand that a new garage door is a significant investment in your home, which is why we offer flexible financing options to help make it more affordable. We partner with several financing companies to offer plans with low monthly payments, including 0% APR promotional periods for qualified buyers. During your free consultation, we'll discuss all available financing options and help you find a payment plan that fits your budget. Wood garage doors are an excellent investment that can increase your home's value by up to 4%, and our financing makes that investment accessible to more homeowners.

Preparing Your Garage Door for Summer: Essential Tips

2024-01-10 6 min read

# Preparing Your Garage Door for Summer: Essential Tips

As temperatures rise in the Sandhills region, your garage door faces unique challenges that can affect its performance and longevity. The hot, humid North Carolina summers can take a toll on various components, from the weatherstripping to the opener motor. Taking some time now to prepare your garage door for summer will ensure reliable operation when you need it most and help prevent costly repairs down the road.

Why Summer Preparation Matters

Many homeowners don't realize how much summer conditions can affect their garage doors. Here's what happens when temperatures climb:

Heat Expansion: Metal components expand in the heat, which can affect door balance and alignment. Tracks may become slightly misaligned, and springs may need adjustment.

Humidity Effects: North Carolina's famous humidity can cause wooden garage doors to swell, making them stick or operate sluggishly. It also accelerates rust and corrosion on metal parts.

Increased Usage: Summer often means more coming and going.kids home from school, vacation preparations, outdoor projects. More cycles mean more wear on your door.

Pest Activity: Warm weather brings increased pest activity. Insects and small animals may try to enter your garage through gaps in weatherstripping or other openings.

Essential Summer Preparation Steps

1. Inspect and Replace Weatherstripping

The rubber weatherstripping along the bottom and sides of your garage door is your first defense against heat, humidity, and pests. Over time, it becomes cracked, brittle, and less effective.

What to look for: - Cracks, tears, or gaps in the material, Sections that are flattened or compressed, Areas where light is visible when the door is closed, Signs of pest entry

What to do: If your weatherstripping shows significant wear, replace it before summer heat sets in. This is one of the more affordable upgrades you can make, and it pays dividends in comfort and energy efficiency.

2. Lubricate All Moving Parts

Proper lubrication is essential year-round but especially important before summer. Heat can cause lubricants to thin and evaporate more quickly.

What to lubricate: - Rollers (if not sealed nylon) - Hinges, Springs (lightly) - Bearing plates, Lock mechanism

What to use: Use a silicone-based or lithium-based lubricant specifically designed for garage doors. Avoid WD-40 and similar products, which can actually attract dust and grime.

3. Test Door Balance

An unbalanced door puts extra strain on your opener and other components.strain that's amplified by summer heat expansion.

How to test: 1. Disconnect the automatic opener by pulling the release handle 2. Manually lift the door to about waist height 3. Let go. The door should stay in place with minimal movement 4. If it falls or rises significantly, the springs need adjustment

What to do: If your door fails the balance test, call a professional. Spring adjustment is dangerous and should never be attempted as a DIY project.

4. Check and Clean Photo Eye Sensors

The photo eye sensors at the bottom of your door track can be affected by summer conditions. Dust, pollen, and spider webs can block the beam, causing the door to reverse unexpectedly.

What to do: - Wipe the sensor lenses gently with a soft cloth, Check that both sensors are properly aligned (indicator lights should be solid, not blinking) - Remove any cobwebs or debris from the sensor area, Trim any plants that might block the beam

5. Inspect and Clean Tracks

Summer brings more outdoor activity, which often means more dirt and debris tracked into the garage.

What to do: - Wipe down the tracks with a damp cloth, Remove any built-up grime or debris, Check for dents or damage that could affect operation, Ensure the tracks are properly aligned

6. Test Safety Features

Before the busy summer season, verify that all safety features are working correctly.

Auto-reverse test: 1. Place a 2x4 board flat on the ground in the door's path 2. Close the door with the opener 3. The door should reverse when it contacts the board 4. If it doesn't, the opener needs adjustment or repair

Photo eye test: 1. Start closing the door with the opener 2. Wave your hand through the photo eye beam 3. The door should immediately reverse 4. If it doesn't, check sensor alignment and cleanliness

7. Consider Ventilation Options

If you use your garage as a workshop or spend significant time there during summer, consider ventilation improvements:

- Ensure any existing vents are clear and functional, Consider adding a garage fan for air circulation, If your door has windows, ensure they're not creating a greenhouse effect

8. Address Pest Prevention

Prepare your garage against summer pests:

- Seal any gaps around the door frame, Check for spaces where the door meets the floor, Consider pest-resistant weatherstripping, Keep the garage clean and free of food sources

Professional Summer Tune-Up

While these DIY steps are important, nothing replaces a professional inspection and tune-up. Our comprehensive summer service includes:

- Full inspection of all door components, Lubrication of all moving parts, Spring tension adjustment if needed, Track alignment verification, Safety system testing, Opener inspection and adjustment, Recommendations for any needed repairs

Conclusion

Taking the time to prepare your garage door for summer will reward you with reliable operation all season long. Start with these DIY steps, but don't hesitate to call the professionals at Southern Pines Garage Doors for a comprehensive tune-up. Our team knows the unique challenges of Sandhills summers and can ensure your door is ready to handle whatever the season brings.

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