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Tag: Garage Door Opener Installation

Six Ways To Upgrade Your Garage

Written by jsanford on . Posted in Garage Door Installation, Garage Doors Indianapolis.

In today’s world, one thing that a lot of us have in common is wanting more space in our homes. We are always trying different strategies in an attempt to upgrade our homes, whether it’s remodeling the kitchen or redecorating the living room. But why are garages often overlooked when planning an upgrade to your home?

Most people think of the garage as just a place to park their car, and maybe somewhere to store all their extra clutter. However, a garage can be more than just a storage area, and its potential is often underused. Let’s take a look at a handful of ways you can upgrade your garage and utilize its space.

Get Organized

Working on more garages than we can count, we know how disorganized garages can become. But there are many different options available for getting your garage organized. Wall organizers can be extremely helpful and can cut down your garage clutter in no time by removing items off the floor and placing them onto the walls. This not only gives you easy access and storage for your items, but it also creates much more floor space. If your garage has space, installing ceiling storage is a great way to organize items that were originally stored in your garage.

Epoxy Flooring

If you’re going to upgrade your garage, you should consider improving the floor. For those who have an old garage, the flooring is most likely concrete and may have some oil stains and cracks here and there. Overall, looking at the floor makes your cringe. Sure, you can take the time to power wash the stains off and scrub the floor clean, but you’re still left with an old concrete floor.

Epoxy flooring is a trend that has taken off with garages. A lot of new or upgraded garages will contain epoxy flooring. Sealing a garage floor with epoxy is very common for car collectors and vintage car restoration fanatics. This flooring makes messes much easier to clean and is more visually appealing than a concrete floor. Sealing with epoxy will give you a garage floor you’ll appreciate every time you step foot on it.

Install Cabinets

While wall organizers work great for storing and organizing items in your garage, they are limited to the amount of weight they can hold and what they can store. Adding cabinets to your garage is an efficient way to store small items, as well as items that are bulky. Floor-to-ceiling cabinets turn vertical space into innovative storage possibilities, getting everything off the garage floor and into a cabinet, safe behind a door. Cabinets can either be fitted or mounted for more stability, or free-stand cabinets are a good option for garages that move around a lot to meet the necessary demands. Getting custom made storage cabinets for your garage will allow for effective usage of the vertical space wherever it is needed. Custom cabinets can vary from floor-to-ceiling; base cabinets under a countertop; upper cabinets over workspaces, vehicles, or belongings; enclosed cabinets with drawers; or a combination of them all! Even if your garage is small, you can still upgrade it by adding upper cabinets, providing sufficient and functional storage in addition to parking accommodation.

Invest in Insulation

Heating and cooling costs can end up getting expensive, especially if you have a garage. Although garages can open and shut, they still allow air in, which ends up changing the temperature of the garage. When a garage is attached to a house, it can affect the temperature inside of the home. An insulated garage door will conserve energy, keep your garage warmer, be less likely to come out of alignment, and will be significantly quieter than a door without insulation.

Even if you take the time to insulate your door, there are still other issues you may face if your garage is attached to your house. If your garage has concrete walls, cold air can still be transferred to your garage and home. Insulating the ceiling and walls of the garage will help stop the fluctuation of temperatures in your house, lowering the energy bills, even if the temperature changes inside your garage.

Forget the Remote Opener, Use a Smartphone

Our phones are an important part of our lives. Studies have shown that we use our phones more than four hours each day, so why not open your garages with one? There are many garage door openers that use this technology so that your garage can be controlled in the palm of your hand, no matter where you are. Garages can open and close with the tap of a button, but having your phone serve as a remote, you’ll never have to worry about losing those tiny openers that only work within a certain range. Even if your current garage door opener doesn’t have the wireless smartphone technology, special sensors are available to pair with your current opener, giving you the same functionality.

Upgrade Your Garage Door

In a previous blog, we explained how garage doors can improve your home’s curb appeal. In most cases, garage doors are the first thing people see when arriving at a home that has one, so it’s important to make a good impression. No garage upgrade is complete if the door is old or requires consistent troubleshooting or maintenance. By upgrading to a new garage door that perfectly captures the idea you have in mind, you can instantly transform your home’s curb appeal. Some new garage doors even come with insulation, which will end up saving you money on your energy bills. Upgraded garage doors also make for better security, making it harder for intruders to get in than it would be with a bad-fitting or faulty garage door. Lastly, upgrading your garage door and opener will save you time and money by requiring significantly less maintenance than what an older one would need.

Call the Garage Door Doctor

When you’re upgrading your garage and are looking for a new door or opener, contact Garage Door Doctor! We perform garage door installations throughout Indianapolis and the surrounding areas. We carry a variety of residential garage door types, like raised, recessed, and flush panel doors, accent plank doors, and carriage house stamped and overlay doors. We also offer installation of reliable Liftmaster garage door openers.

Let Garage Door Doctor help complete your garage upgrade with our wide selection of modern doors and openers. For more information, contact our team today!

How Long Will My Garage Door Last?

Written by jsanford on . Posted in Garage Door Services Indianapolis.

Garage doors are something that people tend to give little thought to. That is, until something happens to go wrong with their door. Having a garage door that won’t open or close can leave you stuck without your car or it can leave the items in your garage vulnerable to theft. Instead of finding yourself in one of these inconvenient scenarios, it’s important to think about your garage door so you can schedule the garage door services you need for your Indianapolis home. Scheduling regular maintenance will ensure that your door functions properly for as long as possible. If you’re wondering just how long your garage door will last, we’d like to go over some important information with you today in regards to that question, so keep reading!

The Average Lifespan Of A Garage Door

While garage doors may vary from type and design, the average door is generally created with a standard spring mechanism that is capable of 20,000 cycles. With this number of cycles, it is estimated that the garage door will last around 30 years depending on use, the climate, and the upkeep with regular maintenance. If your garage door happens to use tension springs instead of standard springs, you may only get about 5,000 to 10,000 cycles out of your garage, which would result in about 15 years of use. One garage door cycle is counted as opening and closing the door.

Why Maintenance Is So Important

You may be lucky enough to get 15 or 30 years of use out of your garage door without any maintenance, however, it’s not likely. If you regularly maintain your garage door, it is likely that not only will you prolong the life of your door, but you could also avoid repairs that are costly, such as issues with the springs, track issues, noise problems, and broken cables, just to name a few. Don’t ignore your garage door and expect it to work perfectly forever.

What You Can Do To Help

While we recommend that you have a professional come to inspect your garage for any problems on an annual basis, there are things you can do to help maintain the functionality of your garage. About every six months, use mild detergent and water to clean the garage door itself. This will help to protect the door from the damage that daily use and weather can cause. If your door has sensors that keep it from closing if there are objects or persons in the way, it’s important to clean the sensors with a cloth every few months, and keep the area clean near the sensors. Remove any cobwebs or debris that may have built up. You’ll also want to lubricate the garage door track and wheels every three to six months. You can either use a general-use penetrating oil or a graphite compound that you can spray.

In order to keep your garage door running efficiently for as long as possible, you’ll need to take care of the needs of your door. If you are in need of garage door services for your home in Indianapolis, don’t hesitate to call us here at Garage Door Doctor. We also offer our services for the surrounding areas of Whiteland, Plainfield, Lebanon, and Franklin. We look forward to your call.

Three Signs You Need A New Garage Door

Written by jsanford on . Posted in Garage Doors Indianapolis.

There are many different reasons to get a new garage door, however, if yours is exhibiting any of the signs we’re going to talk about today on the Garage Door Doctor blog, it’s likely that getting a new garage door for your Indianapolis home is going to be essential.The good new is, we don’t only offer our services in Indianapolis, so if you’re in Bargersville, Camby, Geist, and Mooresville, we can help you with all of your garage door needs. Keep reading to learn the signs you should be paying attention to that can alert you that it’s time for a new garage door.

Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Garage Door

Frequent Breakdowns And Constant Noise

If you’re finding that your garage door is breaking down on a regular basis or it’s not opening or closing the way it was intended to, it may be time for a replacement. In addition to frequent breakdowns, loud noises are not only annoying to listen to, but they can also indicate that your door is no longer functioning correctly, and it may even be a sign of a safety hazard. If the problem goes beyond a simple repair by a professional, it may be time to opt for a new door instead of multiple service calls.

Out-Of-Date Design

In the same way that a new garage door can enhance the look of your property, an outdated door can drastically decrease the curb appeal of your home. Whether the design of your current door is simply old-fashioned or you have a door that has paint chipping or the wood is splitting, this is a sign that you need an updated garage door. You can find all of the new, modern designs for garage doors when you shop with us. Whether you’re looking for a door that has raised panels, recessed panels, a carriage house overlay, or even accent planks, we have many of the most popular designs available for you to purchase for your home.

Lacks Efficiency And Safety Features

Along with updated designs, newer garage doors have safety and efficiency features that older doors don’t have. Newer doors will provide you with standard features such as insulation, weather strips, bottom seals, and more. Newer doors also commonly have safety features, such as sensors, that reduce the likelihood of the door closing on someone or something that’s stuck under the door.

Instead of simply tolerating your old garage door, maybe it’s time to think about upgrading to take advantage of all of the benefits that come with getting a new door. Garage doors are a heavy piece of machinery, and keeping an old, unsafe door can not only make using your current door frustrating, but it may increase the risk that something will go wrong with the door, which could potentially be harmful to a loved one.

Don’t continue to put off getting a new garage door for your Indianapolis home. Call Garage Door Doctor today to learn more about upgrading your door. We look forward to hearing from you!

Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Written by jsanford on . Posted in Garage Doors Indianapolis.

Your garage door serves as more than a tool to keep the components of your garage protected from the elements. Your garage door is often a focal point of the front of your house, and it can either add to or detract from your home’s curb appeal. If you’ve been thinking about having a new garage door installed, call Garage Door Doctor. We can install a beautiful, residential garage door that will dramatically improve the look of your Indianapolis home. If you’d like to completely revamp the curb appeal of your home, we have a few more tips for you on how you can boost the exterior look and feel of your home.

Top Tips For Adding Curb Appeal To Your Home

Make Your Front Door Pop

Aside from your garage door, your front door is probably the most noticeable feature of your home—or at least it could be! Getting a front door with a unique design or painting your front door a fun color is a great way to draw attention to your home’s entrance. Even if you’re not up for replacing or painting your front door, you can add decals to the door that say things such as, “welcome,” or “hello.” You can also add decorative wreaths that you update throughout the year based on the season. The possibilities to make your front door pop really are endless.

Update Your Mailbox

If you have a mailbox in front of your home, there’s no need to keep the standard, metal mailbox that has been outside your home for the last 15 years. A mailbox is an easy item to replace and you can find one that suits your own style and even shows off a bit of your personality. You can even add a flower box around your mailbox to make it more of a focal point.

Add Window Boxes

Speaking of flowers, adding window boxes to the windows in the front of your home adds more of a three dimensional look to the exterior, and it also adds to the color of your home. Make sure that you pick flowers and plants that will complement your home’s color scheme.

Build An Arbor Or A Picket Fence

Adding an arbor to the ground where the walkway to your front door meets the sidewalk in front of your home will act as a beautiful entryway to your property. If you’d like to add a little more definition and security to the yard in front of your home, a white picket fence is the epitome of curb appeal.

Add Art

Outdoor art can consist of birdbaths, sculptures, metal cutouts, wind chimes, and fountains. Find pieces that fit your personal style and preferences, while also keeping with the theme and colors of your home.

If you’re ready to boost the curb appeal of your home, call Garage Door Doctor to have a new, residential garage door installed, and try some of our other tips listed above. We offer our garage door services in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas.

Organizational Tips For Your Garage

Written by jsanford on . Posted in Garage Doors Indianapolis.

If you don’t use your garage for your car, you’re not alone. Most people use their garages for everything from storage to home gyms, workshops, and more. However, if you’re not currently using your garage for your car due to a problem with your garage door opener or a problem with your garage door track, don’t hesitate to call Garage Door Doctor to repair your garage door if you’re in the Indianapolis area. Once your garage door has been repaired, you’ll be ready to use your garage for your car once again! However, you’ll probably also need to organize your garage. Keep reading for some of our top organizational tips for your garage!

Top Tips For Organizing Your Garage

Clean Everything Out

The easiest way to organize things is to begin by going through everything, and throwing away the things that you don’t need or want. It can be easy to go through a box of your belongings and think that you will use something eventually or you may find a purpose for a certain item, so it’s best to keep it. However, we all know that the item will most likely continue sitting in your garage, waiting until the next time you decide to clean things out. If you haven’t used an item in your garage at least once in the last year, you should probably either donate it, sell it, or throw it away.

Find Another Place To Store Items

There are certain items that you shouldn’t be keeping in your garage to begin with. Paint, for example, can be ruined if subjected to extreme temperatures. Propane tanks are another item that you should not keep in your garage, as a spark from your car or a tool could ignite a fire. Cleaning out your garage is usually a good time to re-examine where you’re keeping certain items, and if the garage is really the best place for them. Now may be a good time to clean out your crawl-space and basement as well, so you can have more room inside your home to store things if needed. You may also want to consider getting a storage shed for your yard if one will fit.

Remove Clutter From The Ground

Items you choose to store in your garage should not be kept in boxes or tubs on the ground. To maximize the space in your garage for storage, you’ll want to install shelves and cabinets on the walls of your garage to store items. You will be able to better organize your items when they have a designated space, and it will make it feel like you have more room for storage in your garage. Keeping your items off of the ground in the garage will also protect your belongings in case of a flood. Clear, plastic storage containers are also ideal since for the garage as they are water-resistant and you can easily see what you have stored in them.

Organizing your garage will not only give you a little more peace of mind in knowing that you will be able to easily find items that you need, but you’ll also have space in your garage once again to park your car. If your garage door is in need of repairs or replacement so you can effectively use your garage again, call the professionals at Garage Door Doctor in Indianapolis.

Why Isn’t My Garage Door Working?

Written by jsanford on . Posted in Garage Door Services Indianapolis.

If you’ve ever had trouble with your garage door, you know how frustrating it can be to try and figure out what is wrong. With so many different moving parts, You may not even know where to start when it comes to finding the problem that has caused your garage door not to work. Luckily, the professionals at Garage Door Doctor know how to find and repair or replace any garage door problem. If you need help determining what’s wrong with your garage door, call us today to learn more about the garage door services we offer in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas. We’re also going to cover some of the most common reasons as to why your garage door may not be working in our post today, so keep reading!

Two Main Reasons Your Garage Door Isn’t Working

The Garage Door’s Photo Eye Is Not In Alignment

You may have been able to run and duck under your garage door as it was closing as a kid, but in 1993, garage doors began being installed with a photo eye on either side of the garage door which transmits a beam that is invisible between each other and works to detect anything in the path of the garage door as it’s closing. While this is an excellent safety feature to prevent a garage door from closing on something or someone, it can make it so your garage door won’t close if the photo eyes are not in alignment. To check the alignment, measure how far each eye is off the ground and ensure they’re at the same height, also check to make sure that they are pointing in exactly the same direction. You can also check to make sure the lenses aren’t too dirty, which can also cause the photo eyes to malfunction.

The Garage Door Track Is Not In Alignment

Your garage door is a heavy piece of machinery, which can cause certain parts to wear down or break over time. Your garage door runs on a metal track, and it is important that this track stay in alignment, otherwise, it can become unsafe for your garage door to operate. When you hear a rubbing noise as the garage door passes certain spots, you’ll know that the door is misaligned. The door may even slow down as it passes certain points. In addition to these problems, when you see gaps between the garage door rollers and the rails, or if the rails are bent, you are likely going to be dealing with a problem. For a misaligned garage door track, it’s best to call a professional who will know how to safely repair the track.

With so many different problems that can cause your garage door not to work, if you can’t spot an obvious problem with your garage door, don’t hesitate to call a professional who will know what to inspect and how to fix the problem. When you need a garage door professional, call Garage Door Doctor. We offer garage door services in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas.

Why Your Car Needs A Garage

Written by jsanford on . Posted in Garage Doors Indianapolis.

If you’re not currently using your garage to store your car, you may be missing out on some of the great benefits that can only come from keeping your car in a garage versus keeping it in your driveway or out on the street. If you’re unable to use your garage to store your car thanks to a broken garage door or garage door opener, call the garage door experts in Indianapolis at Garage Door Doctor today. If you’re not sure if keeping your car in a garage is worth it, keep reading to find out why it might actually be beneficial for your car.

Three Ways Your Car Will Benefit From Being Kept In A Garage

#1.The exterior of your car will be better protected.

While it’s true that you car is meant to be driven, and you do have to take your car out into the real world most days, there are quite a few instances where you don’t have to drive your car at all. On the days you’re spending time at home, when you’re gone for a while on vacation, or when you’re in for the night, keeping your car in a garage will ensure that it’s protected from the elements such as sun exposure, wind, rain, and snow. Not to mention, you won’t have to worry about the potential of dings and scrapes from debris and passerbys that are likely to come into contact with your car.

#2. Your car will face less of a risk for theft or vandalism.

If your car is left outside, especially over night, your car could be at more of a risk for theft or vandalism. It is not uncommon for cars to be broken into in the middle of the night, have eggs thrown at them, or even be keyed if people happen to be out looking for trouble. If you happen to forget to lock your car doors or leave your windows rolled down, people who are looking to steal things from cars often look for cars that are easy to get into.

#3. Your car’s engine will run better.

Keeping your care stored inside versus outside often aids in keeping your engine better lubricated. When a car is stored in a garage, it’s likely not going to get as cold, which will help to keep your car’s liquids at a more stable temperature. Your car’s coolant will also stay warmer so it’s easier to heat up or cool down your car with the heat or AC.

You may not have thought that not being able to use your garage to store your car was that big of a deal, but keeping your car in a garage really is better not only for your car, but also for you as the owner, especially since cars are often an expensive investment. If you need your garage door or garage door opener repaired or replaced in order to be able to use your garage again, call us here at Garage Door Doctor for the garage door services you need for your Indianapolis home.

Top Uses For Garages

Written by jsanford on . Posted in Garage Door Services Indianapolis.

Let’s be honest, most of us use our garages for much more than just our cars. If we’re really honest, most of us probably don’t even use our garages for our cars at all. Because garages are extensions of our home, it can be easy to want to extend the living or storage space of your home into your garage. It’s possible that a problem with your garage door or garage door opener also led to the inability to get your car into your garage, so you changed your garage’s purpose. Here at Garage Door Doctor, we want your garage door and garage door opener to be working perfectly, regardless of what you want to use your garage for. To learn some of the top ways that people use their garages, that have nothing to do with storing a car, keep reading!

What Are People Using Their Garages For?

Storage

It’s true, people rarely use their garages to store their cars. In fact, one in four Americans have reported that their garage is too cluttered to even begin to think about getting a car inside. This brings us to one of the top uses for garages: Storage. Everything from old appliances to old furniture and all things inbetween often end up making their way to the garage in an attempt to get the items out of sight until something else can be done with them. However, we all know it can be years before the items actually make their way out of the garage and either to the dump or a donation center.

Workshop

If you love to do woodworking, DIY projects, or even arts and crafts, you may find that your garage has been turned into some kind of workshop. With limited space inside of the home for a room to be creative in, the garage is often the next best option for creating a space for a workshop.

Gym

Again, it can be hard to designate a room in your home for extra activities, this is why a lot of people choose to use their garage as space for other activities such as an at-home gym. It really does make perfect sense, wouldn’t you want to skip the gym membership fees in order to workout in (or at least sort of in) your very own home?

Office Space

If you are able to insulate your garage, you may be surprised to find that it can actually make a great office. A lot of people who work from home or are starting their own business often choose to utilize their garages for extra office space.

If you’re perfectly happy leaving your car outside in order to use your garage for a use that works better for you, we’re glad you have the space to do so. However, if you’re not able to use your garage for the purpose you’d like due to a broken garage door or garage door opener, please, don’t hesitate to call us here at Garage Door Doctor for the garage door services you need for your Indianapolis home.

Protect Your Garage From Theft

Written by jsanford on . Posted in Garage Doors Indianapolis.

Your garage is one of the main entrance points into your home. If your garage is not secured adequately, you could be leaving the belongings in your garage and home vulnerable to theft. Properly securing your garage starts with having a good garage door installed. If your Indianapolis home is in need of a garage door, call the professionals here at Garage Door Doctor. We can help with repairs, maintenance, or garage door installations. If you’d like to ensure that your garage is properly protected against break-ins and theft, keep reading for the steps you should take.

Garage Door Security

Garage Door Openers

If your garage door opener is broken and you’ve been manually opening and closing your garage door, not only are you putting the belongings in your garage and home at risk for theft, but you are also putting yourself in harm’s way. Garage doors are heavy and should not be lifted on a regular basis. If your garage door opener is broken, it’s important to call a garage door expert to either repair or replace your garage door opener.

Garage Door Remotes

While garage door remotes are convenient, if they fall into the wrong hands, they are also potentially dangerous. Instead of using a remote that you clip to the sun visor in your car, consider getting a keychain remote to open and close your garage door, so there will be less of a chance that you will misplace your remote.

Garage Doors

This may seem obvious, but simply remembering to close your garage door will help a great deal in preventing theft. Even if it’s the middle of the day and you don’t see any harm in leaving your garage door open when you’re in your home, you never know who could be walking by and decide that they’d like to sneak in quickly to steal something.

Additional Garage Security

Lock Your Door

By this, we mean the door that may be going from your garage to your backyard or the door from your garage into your home. You may not think that someone would be willing to go through your backyard to get to the door that leads to your garage, but you could be wrong. And if someone does happen to get into your garage, that’s as far as you’d like them to go, we’re sure, so always lock the door from your garage into your home.

Cover Windows

If your garage has windows, don’t leave these windows uncovered. Invest in blinds for your garage windows in order to keep unwanted eyes from seeing the items you store in your garage. A thief might not think twice about breaking a window to get into a garage.

If your garage door or garage door opener is in need of repairs in order to ensure the security of your garage and your home, call the garage door experts here at Garage Door Doctor in Indianapolis. We’d be happy to help you with any of your garage door needs.

How To Protect Your Garage From Floods

Written by jsanford on . Posted in Garage Door Services Indianapolis.

Here at Garage Door Doctor, we care about your garage, and we want to help you protect and prepare your garage for the many different situations you may face as a homeowner. Should you encounter any problems that require garage door services, we would love to come to your home in or around the Indianapolis area to get you the help that is needed. Today, we’d like to go over some of the ways in which you can prevent flooding in your garage. To learn more, keep reading!

Prevent Floods From Ruining Your Garage

Even if you live in an area that rarely floods or you don’t think flooding is something you need to particularly worry about, you never know when Mother Nature is going to do something unexpected or a pipe is going to burst, and you may be left with quite the mess in your garage if it’s not properly prepared for flooding. That’s why we’ve decided to cover some of the most important steps you can take as a homeowner to prepare your garage in case of an unexpected flood.

Maintain The Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping around your garage is vital in order to keep water from getting in. You can use self-adhesive tape and vinyl or rubber stripping in order to protect the bottom part of your garage door. This should be able to keep water from getting in if a minor flood were to occur. Weatherstripping does wear off after a few years, so be sure to replace your weatherstripping as needed. If your weatherstripping has any signs of wear such as cracks, it’s not a bad idea to replace the stripping at the time.

Check For Cracks Or Damage In The Foundation

If there are any cracks or damage in the foundation in or around your garage, these create the perfect opportunity for water to make its way into your garage. Any noticeable cracks should be sealed with either a waterproof paint or some kind of vinyl concrete adhesive. If your foundation has cracks that could lead to structural problems for your home, it’s best to call for the help of a professional contractor.

Improve The Drainage Around Your Home

It is important to check that your property has the ability to properly drain excess water. If your property does not have drains in the grass or along the sides of your home, you can help improve drainage on your property by installing French drains. French drains can be completed by digging a trench near your driveway, adding rock or gravel, as well as a perforated pipe that will help to redirect water away from your home.

Be Prepared To Take Extra Measures

While you may not have to take this extra precaution at all times, it’s a good idea to have sandbags on hand that you can place around your garage in case of flooding. The sandbags will act as dams to keep water from entering your garage. It’s also not a bad idea to install metal shelving in your garage that you can move stored items to the top shelves when flooding may occur.

You never know when unexpected flooding could affect your garage. The precautions above are to help protect the inside of your garage, however, should your garage door be damaged during a flood, call Garage Door Doctor for the garage door services you’ll need for your Indianapolis home. If your garage door has previously been damaged either due to flooding, normal wear and tear, or another cause, we are happy to help with all of your garage door needs, so please don’t hesitate to call us today.