The material you choose for your garage door must be informed by several factors including weather, whether or not you intend to insulate your garage and how long you want to keep the door. You also must put into consideration the primary uses of your garage. If you install an automatic door, ensure your service provider adheres to safety standards prescribed by the government. Here are the most common options.

Wood

Pros
Wood has a natural look, is affordable and is easy to work with. Wooden garage doors also offer flexibility and an abundance of design options. You can stain your garage door to achieve a customized look that compliments your home’s exteriors. Wood is also an architecturally accurate option if you are looking for earthy, historical, or rustic themes.

Cons
The main downside when using a wooden garage door is the upkeep that comes with that choice. Wooden doors require regular sanding, repainting and refinishing. Without proper maintenance, they can absorb moisture and rot. Wood is also expensive.

Steel

Advantages
Steel garage doors are a popular choice for busy home owners because it requires little or no maintenance. Since steel is ductile, a designer can work on varying panel styles to customize your design. It is also easy to experiment with colors with steel doors to enhance the appearance. The price is fair making it a more economical option if you are on a tight budget.

Disadvantages
The primary concern for steel doors is a wide variation of prices and quality. Poor quality steel doors have less insulation and can increase your energy bills. It is, therefore, paramount that you work with an expert to ensure a seller does not dupe you into buying an inferior material.

Vinyl

The Good
Modern vinyl comes with customized colors and finishes, which allows you to add a personal look to your home. You can get one that will give you a wooden look without the challenges associated with wood. Vinyl requires minimal maintenance, is rust resistant, and durable, which saves you money in the long term. And although it is more expensive than steel, vinyl is a more affordable than aluminum and wood. One of the biggest pluses for a vinyl garage door is the fact that you can buy one with internal insulation, which improves your home’s energy efficiency.

Concerns
Before you settle for a vinyl garage door, it is important to understand that you will not be able to change its color as you would a wooden door. If you are one to alter the colors of your exterior regularly, it is not for you. Also, if you buy one without insulation, it is hard to maintain consistent temperatures in your garage.

Aluminum

Benefits
If you plan to install your garage door yourself, aluminum is an excellent choice because it is lightweight and easy to install. A contractor will also take less time to install it, which can save you labor costs. It also puts less strain on other parts such as the door opener and torsion spring. The results are fewer maintenance costs. Aluminum does not rust, and its non-corrosive nature makes it superb for coastal and wet areas. It is eco-friendly, recyclable, paintable, and you can emboss it with a stylish, customized texture.

Drawbacks
The major drawback for aluminum is that is bends and can dent easily. If you live in a place with frequent hail storms, high winds or have a lot of children playing around, there is a high probability your garage door will get dents.

Choosing a garage door should not be an arduous task. It boils down to your needs. If for example, you are looking for authenticity, wood would be a good choice. If low maintenance is a priority for you, try steel. If you are seeking assistance on what best suits your space, garage doors operating systems, or repairs, visit Premier Door Corp or check their website for plenty of options and expert advice.

For your own safety, as well as the proper functioning of your garage, the majority of garage door repairs are best left to a professional. Yet that doesn’t mean that there aren’t certain things you can do to help keep your garage door in tip-top shape. In fact, being proactive about basic maintenance can greatly extend the lifespan of your garage while also minimizing the likelihood of serious problems.

If you own a home equipped with an automatic garage door opener and would like to learn more about what you can do to keep it running smoothly, read on. This article will introduce you to three simple, but effective, maintenance tasks.

Check Your Cable Periodically for Signs of Damage

Back in the dark ages of garage doors, most lifting mechanisms involved the use of a linked metal chain, like that found on a bicycle. While such chains are perfectly good at transmitting force from the opener’s motor to the door, they aren’t exactly quiet. For that reason, it is growing more and more common to find braided steel cables replacing those chains.

Not only do cables allow for a much quieter opening and closing experience, but they are also more impervious to problems caused by corrosion. Nonetheless, it is important to give your cable a decent inspection now and then, keeping an eye out for indications of excessive wear or damage such as the following:

• Kinks or sharp bends in the cable
• Patches of rust (especially common near the bottom of the door, where the exposure to moisture and other destructive elements is greatest)
• Broken or fraying strands

Any signs of trouble should be evaluated as soon as possible by a professional garage door technician. Depending on the nature of the damage, the cable may require either repair or replacement. In either case, it is important to deal with the problem before it grows any worse.

Lubricate the Rollers on the Garage Door

Unusual noises are the most common sign that you have put off maintaining your garage door a little too long. Rusty chain lifts are a frequent source of such noises. Yet for those who own garage doors equipped with metal cables, the problem tends to be caused by corroded or dirty rollers. The good news is that with a little elbow grease and the right kind of lubricant, you should be able to get your door working quietly once again.

You will find two or three sets of rollers on either side of the door. A metal bracket holds the stem of the roller against the door, while its head is situated inside of the roller track to the side of the door. Older rollers are usually constructed from metal, whereas newer ones use a nylon body to help reduce unwanted vibrations. Both types have bearings inside of the wheel that allow them to move smoothly.

Wipe away any visible gunk or grime with a clean rag. Skipping this step will cause your lubricant to become contaminated, thus greatly reducing its effectiveness. Now squirt a conservative amount of silicone-based lubricant spray onto the inside of the roller wheel. Wipe away any that gets onto the outside of the wheel; if this lubricant gets into the roller track it could cause a dangerous reduction in friction.

Tighten Up the Roller Assemblies

The bracket holding the roller pins is attached to the garage door by means of several hex bolts. Over time, as a result of vibration transmitted from the motor to the door, these bolts have a tendency to become loose, and the rattling bracket will start to make a lot of noise. Check these bolts the next time you lubricate your rollers, tightening them up as necessary with an adjustable wrench.

Whether you’ve been experiencing problems with your garage door or simply want to ensure that it continues to run smoothly for years to come, following these steps will help ensure that it continues functioning well as long as possible. If you feel that your garage door needs more professional help, or if you have further questions, the technicians at a garage door company such as Premier Door Corp can help.