The Popular Garage Door Question… Repair or Replace?

As the weather continues to heat up, many homeowners are thinking about tackling some of those summer projects that they’ve been meaning to get to but just haven’t had the time. One such project you may have in mind is dealing with the garage door.

With that being said, finding a reputable contractor to help you with the task of garage door service is critical. Before calling a professional, you may ask yourself, will they suggest the door be repaired or replaced entirely? There is only one way to find out the answer to that question, and it’s to pick up the phone and call a professional to come and take a look. However, we’ve gone ahead and provided some points to take into consideration; first, let’s start with replacement:

You want to upgrade your curb appeal. A new garage will definitely add some pizazz to your entire exterior look. This is especially a nice touch if you are getting new siding on your house or other outdoor updates. These added touches will increase the value of your property.

Your garage door is outdated. If your garage was built decades ago, then there is a chance it is not up to par with today's safety standards. That means that it will be easier for an intruder to break into. In addition, the more outdated the garage door, the less visually attractive the overall appearance of the home.

Your garage isn't safe. If your garage doesn't have sensors on it or they aren't working properly, then you are better off getting a new garage door. The sensor's job is to detect if anyone crosses underneath the door while it's closing. If this isn't operating properly, then someone can be seriously hurt if trapped beneath the door.

Now that we’ve discussed points to consider on gage door replacement, here are some points to think about in regards to garage door repair:

Your garage door is sticking and making noises. If your door is not functioning properly, then it usually can be repaired without having to replace the entire door. Doors that jerk and halt while moving up the track or make a lot of rumbling squeaky noises can typically be repaired with quick fixes as these types of errors most often indicate that the garage door track or coils just need some attention.

Your garage has minor damage to the exterior. If you have a tiny bit of damage to the exterior of your garage, it's best to have it repaired. There's no need to replace the entire garage door unless you are re-doing your entire exterior. For example, if you are getting new siding for your home, you'll want everything to match. Otherwise, you can just have it repaired.

Your garage door leans to one side. If your garage seems to sag over to one side, this may seem like the entire door is broken. However, the good news is that it can usually be fixed and put back in proper alignment by professional garage repair contractors.

Still not sure what to do? We encourage you to contact us for more information.

Insulation & Garage Doors: What Should My R-Value Be?

If you are considering garage door replacement, you've likely done a lot of research already on what would be the right replacement. You might have decided on a design that will look good on your home, but you have probably not thought about the insulation.

Now, the mostly warm Texas weather in Austin may make you think that you insulation isn’t necessary; however, it’s important to remember that insulation is key when it comes to keeping cool air inside without allowing it to escape..

When gauging a garage door's insulation, manufactures rate it on a scale called the R-value. This is a scale that gauges its thermal resistance, or the ability to prevent temperature loss. To put understanding the R-value simply, the higher the number, the better it insulates.

R-values can go as high as 32 in some cases, but that doesn't mean you need the highest possible value. It is also important to remember that if you are choosing between an R-value 8 and an R-value 16 door, that doesn't mean it is twice as good at preventing temperature loss. In truth, the comparison is just a five percent gain from a 90% temperature loss reduction to 95% percent.

If you’re wondering what the appropriate R-value is for your new garage door replacement in Austin, the answer will vary by how you are using the garage. In most cases, an R-value 8 door will be more than enough for both an attached and detached garage. However, if you are using your garage as a living space, especially if you are having it heated or cooled by your HVAC system, you may want to consider a higher value - such as an R-value 16. Going higher than that gives smaller percentages of temperature retention and energy efficiency that may not be worth the price.

If you have questions on this, please don’t hesitate to contact us in order to further discuss.