If you are building a new house, you'll want to start researching which kind of garage door you'll want to install. To get you started, take a look at these common questions and their answers.
How Much Does Garage Installation Cost?
The cost of installation greatly depends on the area you live in, how many doors you'll need installed, and the materials that will be used during construction. Costhelper says that single-piece tilt-up doors made out of aluminum can run between $400 and $700, while high-end garage doors can be thousands of dollars.
Keep in mind that wooden garage usually cost more because of the cost of raw materials and their nice appearance. Plus, wooden garages often have more maintenance needs compared to other materials, like steel, so their could be more costs besides initial installation.
Do You Need Wind Resistant, Fire Resistant, or High R-value Doors?
Check your state and city laws for garage door requirements. For instance, if you live in an area prone to hurricanes, like Florida, then you will likely need to install garage doors that meet wind-resistance standards. If you live in a place with lots of wildfires, like California, you may need to install a door that's fire resistant.
Lastly, the R-value measures the thermal efficiency of your garage door. There usually aren't requirements with R-values, but if you want to have a well-insulated house, look for doors with high R-values. If your garage isn't attached to your main dwelling, then a door with a lower R-value may be just fine.
Do you Need Handles or Sensors?
Although your garage door may be automatic, handles are usually required in case there is a power issue. If you need to manually raise the garage, it's safer and easier to do so with handles. The garage installation company will also install an emergency cable and handle so that your door can disengage and reengage the open system in emergencies.
The Federal Register says that garage doors in the United States need to be able to reverse within 2 seconds if there is something in the way. So you will need to install sensors so that the garage door can stop moving if there is an obstacle.
Can You Do Repairs Yourself After Installation?
You can do simple additions, like insulating strips on the bottom of the garage door. However, big garage repairs should be left to professionals. Garage doors are heavy and work with springs under a lot of tension. If you try to do repairs yourself, you could get hurt or damage the door even further.
Talk with a garage door installation contractor in your area for more information.
Do you remember the last time you really evaluated the structural integrity and security of your home? Although many people assume that their home is plenty safe, the fact of the matter is that creating a safe environment is about more than security systems and guard dogs. Since your garage door is a main entrance point into your home, it is important to think carefully about what you can do to make things right. On my blog, I discuss all of the different aspects of garage door maintenance and replacement, so that you can explore different ways to make your home even more beautiful.