Knowing what your new garage door is made of will determine its appearance, how long your door will last, its durability, and how much annual maintenance it will require. Learn about the various garage door materials that are available from Wayne Dalton so that you can select a garage door that suits your needs.
What your new garage door is made of will determine its appearance, how long your door will last, its durability, and how much annual maintenance it will require.

Many garage doors are made of steel, which provides durability and low maintenance. However, some steel doors can dent and also rust if not properly maintained.

Garage doors made from vinyl are more resistant to dents, are rust-free and never need to be painted. However, these doors are not recommended for regions with extreme heat or high elevation.

It’s hard for homeowners to resist the natural beauty and craftsmanship of real wood garage doors. Just keep in mind that these doors require regular maintenance to keep them looking their best. Think of them as furniture on the outside of your home. Painting, staining and water sealing will need to be considered every few years, depending on the amount of sun or water exposure.

For the look of stained wood doors without as much maintenance, consider a garage door with a fiberglass exterior. These doors feature the fine wood grain of a real wood door, even up close! The only maintenance they require is an application of clear protectant every few years, depending on the amount of exposure.
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Finally, doors made from aluminum and glass offer a modern, sophisticated look. They’re offered in many colors and finishes, and are relatively maintenance-free. However, they may not have as much insulation as other doors, so they may not be ideal for areas with extreme temperatures.

​Wayne Dalton, one of the lines we carry, just released two new colors to their line:  Red Walnut and Weathered Gray wood grain finishes.

This past year we have seen a lot of dark tones or wood grain doors as one of the top trends, and we don't think it’s going away. The benefit of doing a steel door that has a wood look is you get a durability and insulation. We do carry wood doors and they are amazing but this is a little more cost-effective way to get that same look and feel.

The other appeal to customers seeking to enhance their curb appeal with warm, inviting hues, we released a line of single directional wood grain finishes available in Red Walnut or Weathered Gray for all panel options. With the look of a classic wood door, but without the maintenance real wood requires, these two finishes will be sure to complement a variety of homes for years to come.

This is another example of a black door: Model 9510 with Ridgefield panels in the new Black premium finish
Wayne Dalton also introduced a variety of premium paint finishes that enhance the old-world charm of our Designer Steel garage doors while providing a modern edge. Our new offerings include: Desert Tan, Gray, Terra Bronze and Black. By coming out with these new contemporary color offerings, Model 9510 is even more trendy and customizable than before.
Model 9510 Designer Steel doors were originally only available in four standard colors — White, Almond, Sandstone and Brown — or the option to customize to closely match any idea imaginable with the Wayne Dalton® TruChoice® Color System that offers more than 6,000 color choices on a variety of doors and styles.

​Give us a call today to get your free esimate!

​1. Listen & Look

The most important preventive step you can take is to observe your garage door in action every time you use it. Is it moving smoothly? Is it jerky? Does it operate silently or does it make grinding or scraping noises? Does everything look like it's in order? 

2. Tighten up the Hardware

The average garage door moves up and down more than a thousand times a year. That’s a lot of movement and vibration, which can loosen the hardware. We would be happy to come out for a quick visit to tighten up any hardware. 

3. Test the Garage Door Balance

If your garage door is not properly balanced, the garage door opener will have to work harder, and it won’t last as long. Once you disconnect the opener pull the release handle, aka red cord. Manually move the door about 1/2 way up and if it doesn't stay put the counterweight system is off balance. The next step is to give us a shout to help get your door back in place.

4. Inspect and Replace the Rollers

The rollers, whether steel or nylon, need to be inspected twice a year and replaced every seven years or so, and even more if you use your garage door many times a day.

Worn, chipped or cracked rollers should be replaced as soon as possible. You do this by removing and reinstalling any roller brackets that are not directly attached to the cable system.

5. Inspect the Weatherstripping

If the rubber weather seal strip on the bottom of your door is brittle or cracked, replace it right away to keep the elements out of your house. 

6. Lubricate the Moving

Lubricating your garage door parts greased up will add years of seamless operation to your system – and it takes just 10 minutes a year! Use white lithium grease on the opener’s chain or screw, and a spray lubricant to coat the overhead springs.

7. Check the Cables

You should never tinker with the high-tension cables that lift your door because they have enough force to kill. But you can check their condition so you know when to hire a pro. Check for broken strands and damage near the bottom roller bracket. Give us a call to fix your cables.

8. Test the Auto-Reverse Safety Features

There are two mechanisms: mechanical and photocell. In order to test the mechanical feature, place a piece of wood or a brick on the ground in the path of the door. When the door coming down touches that object, it should reverse direction and go back up again. To test the second, the photoelectric system with beams at each side, close your door and just pass your leg in the door’s path, do this carefully!

If your opener is more than 20 years old, it may lack this basic safety features – and so it’s time to buy a new garage door opener so give us a call we are here to help!

9. Clear the Tracks

Make sure the tracks on either side of the door are free from debris and, if you are so inclined, you can use a level to check the plumb. Some of us like to store stuff near the ceiling of the garage, make sure it's out of the way of your track. Major track adjustments should be done by us, give us a call.

10. Inspect the Actual Garage Door

Don’t forget to examine the door itself. Wood doors will need to be checked for water damage and warp, as well as chipped and peeling paint. Steel doors may have rust spots that need to be sanded, primed and painted. Wash your garage door regularly with a mild all-purpose cleaner at the same time you do your car.

We hope this help you maintain your garage door for the future. We are here to serve you!

When you think garage door, think Warner! 

Now that the weather is getting warmer you can get out in the garage and run a simple test to make sure your door is working properly. To test the door run it up and down, listen to see if it sounds nice and smooth or if it is squeaky and ruff sounding. If it sounds off it needs a service call.  Also, you can just check over your side and bottom weatherstrippings to see if all faired well over the winter or if there are any cracks or broken pieces of weatherstrip.  It is recommended to have your garage door serviced at least once a year make sure all components are functioning properly.

Here is a great article on how to make sure your door is Spring ready:

Watch and Listen to the Door in Operation. Problems with your garage door and automatic opener are often manifest in jerky movements and grating, scraping sounds. A well-maintained, well-tuned garage door is relatively quiet as it moves up and down, and you should not see jerkiness in its motion. Look at both sides of the system—the springs, pulleys, and cables—and make sure they look symmetrical.

Clear the Tracks. Inspect the tracks on both sides of the door to make sure they are free of debris and rust. You can also use a level to make sure the tracks are plumb (perfectly vertical) along their vertical sections. You can make small adjustments yourself, but major track adjustments are a job for a professional technician.

Tighten the Hardware. Because the typical garage door moves up and down many hundreds of times each year, the motion and vibration can loosen up the door and track hardware. Check out the brackets holding the door tracks to the wall and ceiling as well as the fasteners anchoring the garage door opener unit to the framing. Use a socket wrench to tighten up any loose bolts you find.

Inspect and Replace the Rollers. The rollers along the edge of the garage door should be inspected at least twice a year and replaced every five to seven years. During your inspection, replace any rollers you find that are chipped, cracked, or worn. Most of the rollers can be removed by simply removing the brackets holding them to the door.
Warning: Do not remove the bottom roller bracket on each side of the door because these are attached to the lift cables, which are under extreme tension.

Check the Cables and Pulleys. Inspect the lift cables and pulleys that attach to the bottom roller brackets on the door. These provide the connection between the springs and the door to help lift and lower the door safely. Garage doors have one of two different types of springs: Extension springs Extension springs are long, skinny springs that run alongside the horizontal (overhead) portion of each door track. Torsion springs are mounted to a metal rod above the door opening. Both types use cables to lift the door.

Most experts advise that cables and springs should not be touched by homeowners since these high-tension parts can be dangerous. If you spot any broken strands or other signs of wear or damage on the cables, call in a service person for assistance.

Lubricate the Moving Parts. Keeping the rollers and other moving parts well lubricated will reduce stress on the rollers and door openers and prolong their useful lives. Twice a year, apply a high-quality spray lubricant, such as white lithium grease (which is available in a spray can), on the rollers and hinges, then wipe off any excess. If any rollers or hinges seem stuck, spray them with a penetrating solution, like WD-40, then wipe them clean and apply grease.

Also, lubricate the pulleys on extension-spring openers and the bearings on torsion-spring openers. Wipe a little oil on the torsion spring if it is rusty. If the opener has a metal chain or screw, spray white lithium grease on the opener’s chain or screw, but do not use a lubricant on a belt-drive opener.

Test the Door Balance. If your garage door is not properly balanced, the garage door opener will have to work harder, and it won’t last as long. The door should be so well balanced by its springs that only a few pounds of force are necessary to lift it. Test this by pulling the release handle on the automatic opener, then manually lift the door so it is about halfway open. The door should remain in place without your help. If it doesn't, the door is improperly balanced or the springs are growing old and worn. Call a professional for help with springs.

Test the Auto-Reverse Feature. Automatic garage door openers should have an auto-reverse feature that is designed to stop and reverse the direction of the door if it detects an object in the path of the door or it hits an object while the door is closing. This system is activated by a pressure sensor or by a pair of photocells on each side of the door.

Test the pressure sensor by placing a scrap 2x4 board flat on the ground in the path of the door. When the door comes down and touches the board, it should reverse direction and go back up again. To test the photoelectric system that has eye sensors on each side, start your door downward in a closing direction, then just pass your leg in the door’s path. The door should reverse direction and head upward.

Consult your garage door opener instruction manual for directions on how to adjust the auto-reverse function. Older garage door openers that lack this basic feature, which is now mandated by building code in many areas, should be replaced.

Repair or Replace the Weatherstripping. The rubber weatherstripping along the bottom of the door helps keep out the cold as well as water, dust, and dirt. Check it twice a year to make sure it is in good shape. Some weatherstripping fits into the bottom of the door using a flange that slides into a groove in the bottom of the door. Weatherstripping for wooden garage doors is usually nailed in place. Garage door weatherstripping is sold by the foot or in large rolls at hardware stores and big-box home improvement stores.

If your door has weatherstripping along the sides, also check its condition and reattach any loose spots or replace the entire length of stripping if it is badly worn or damaged.

Clean and Paint the Door. Inspect the door itself when you are checking out the other components. If the door is steel, look for rust spots that should be sanded, primed, and painted. Fiberglass doors can be washed with an all-purpose cleaner. Pay particular attention to wood doors, since warping and water damage are common. Remove chipped and peeling paint, then sand and repaint. If you have a wooden door that does not have weatherstripping along the bottom, make sure this bottom edge is well sealed or painted, then install a weatherstrip.


Full article here: https://www.thespruce.com/simple-garage-door-maintenance-1398144

A broken spring can be more of a pain then you think. If you open and close your garage door 4 to 5 times a day, you will need a service call for a tune up between 5 to 10 years. Most garage doors operate using one of two types of spring; there are the torsion spring system and the extension spring system. Broken springs need to be repaired quickly so you can get your door working properly in a timely manor. 

Here are signs that your springs may be broken: 

1. The door does not fully open
When you have broken garage door springs, the door opener force sensitivity system kicks in and stops it from hitting the motor.

2. The door’s top section is dented
Garage doors can weigh up to about 300 lbs. If there is no door sensitivity system, the motor keeps trying to pull the door open. If the door is too heavy, something will give, and it is usually the top door section.

3. You see a gap in the spring
A torsion spring system has one or two tightly wound springs over the top of the door. When one of these springs breaks it partially unwinds, and leaves a visible gap.

4. You hear a loud bang
A lot of energy is released when a spring breaks. That energy converts to noise. Many people hear a bang, and look to see if something hit the house. They see nothing obvious, and do not check to see if they have any broken garage door springs.

5. The door falls too quickly
You might not notice that the door opened slowly, but you notice how quickly it closes. It does that because one of the springs is no longer working, so the whole of the door’s weight is being controlled by one spring.

Give us a call today to fix any issues with your springs, we are here to help you! 

Is your door not level, shaking or squeaking when you open it? It’s time, for a new garage door. When purchasing a new door, it’s not a one size fits all approach, we look at multiple factors when it comes to picking the perfect door. Here at Warner Garage Door we understand each home is unique and work with the homeowner to find the right fit.

Safety: If your door is a high traffic area like most are or you have kids and pets it’s important to make sure a garage door has a safety sensor. Since 1993 the industry standard is to install safety sensors which is great but if your home is older this might be a big concern for you. The sensor will stop the garage door if something is in the way.

Security: Security is one of the most important features to a lot of our customers. They want a door that is safe and secure for their family. Some garage door openers are equipped with rolling-code technology. This feature changes the security code each time someone uses the remote. This helps prevent unwanted people stealing your garage door opener code. With more than a billion combinations, this is prevented.

What your door is made of: Some people are concerned about the look of the door and some are focused on the material used. The doors we carry are made from premium material and range from wood to steel and aluminum. It depends on what the customer is looking for.

Motor Matters: Pay attention to the horsepower ratings on the garage door opener. The horsepower across models will range. If you are buying a heavy garage door, consider a motor with a higher horsepower. If the door is lightweight, opting for a motor with a high horsepower rating may be too much.

Look of the door: What is your style? Do you want the door to have windows or no? This is something that will be important when you come to pick out your new garage door. Bring photos of your home so we can help you pick a stylet that fits. Visit our website and check out ideas from our gallery.

Convenience: We have endless options when it comes to make your door easy to open. We offer wireless keypads, smart phone kits, standard openers and more.
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We are here to help you pick the perfect garage door for your new or existing home.

Your garage door is the largest moving part in your home, and it’s used many times a day during the all seasons. It’s important to keep your door running smoothly this upcoming season so you not stuck in the cold. Winter conditions cause your door a little more stress than the summer months due to the extreme dip in temperature. Here are a few tips on how make sure your garage door is running smoothly this winter.

1. Look and Listen. Next time you open your door watch the door operate and listen to what it sounds like. Is it running smooth? Does it make any harsh loud clunky noises? Do both sides look symmetrical? Is it jerky?
2. Give the hardware a good tighten. Since the average garage door moves more than one thousand times a year it’s important to tighten up the bolts and screws. Examine and tighten all roller brackets and bolts with a socket wrench.
3. Test the Balance. If your garage door isn’t balanced properly the door will have to work harder to open and close which can lead to a major repair. Disconnect the opener by pulling the release handle, manually move the door about halfway up. If the door doesn’t stay put the counterweight system isn’t properly balanced. Garage door spring adjustment should have left to a professional service, call us today!
4. Inspect Rollers. The rollers need to be inspected twice a year and replaced every seven years or so. Chipped, worn or cracker rollers should be replaced as soon as possible by a professional. Take a look at your track to located the rollers and inspect to see if there are any damages.
5. Lubricate Moving Parts. Since your door takes a lot of wear and tear its key to lubricate all of the moving parts including the overheard spring.
6. Test The Auto-Reverse Safety. It is important to make sure your door’s safety features are working properly. To do a test place a piece of wood or brick on the ground in the path of an open door. When the door touches the object it should reverse direction and go back up. To test the sensor, located on the sides of your door near the ground, push your door to close and pass your leg through the sensor and the door should reverse.
7. Clear Your Tracks. Make sure the tracks on either side of the door are free from debris and garage storage items.
8. Groom Your Garage Door. Check your garage door itself to for any cracks, dents, water damage or warp. Steel doors may have rust that can be painted which can be painted. Wash your door regularly with a mild all-purpose cleaner at the same time you do your car.

 
These tips will have you ready for the winter months ahead and make sure your garage door is working properly.