Emily Souliotes

What To Expect During Garage Door Installation

May 30, 2022 by Emily Souliotes

Getting a new garage door is a major home improvement project. As such, it’s well worth a homeowner’s while to not only hire a reputable garage door service in San Diego, but to also take the time to learn the basics of the installation process. This helps ensure your installation is done correctly and makes it less likely that key issues will go unnoticed.

So what can you expect from a professional garage door installation? Keep reading for a full walkthrough of the professional installation process.

Is it hard to install a garage door?

A garage door is a large, heavy piece of equipment. It’s operated by a system of springs and pulleys that can be dangerous if not installed correctly. In addition, the door must be properly aligned in order to function properly.

Garage doors are also subject to wear and tear and may need to be repaired or replaced over time. For these reasons, it is best to leave garage door installation to the professionals.

A professional installer will have the experience and expertise to properly install the door and make sure it’s in good working order. While they work, you can use your precious time to unwind at Ruocco Park or to finish your chores.

Most importantly, a professional will be familiar with local building codes and will be able to ensure that the door meets all safety requirements.

A typical garage door installation includes these steps:

Measure the opening

First, take accurate measurements of the opening. Your contractor may need to take the old doors off first. This is a crucial step, as a door that is too small will be difficult to open and close, and one that is too large won’t fit properly in the opening.

Install the tracks

After the springs and opener have been installed, it’s time to install the tracks. This is a relatively straightforward process, but it’s important to do it carefully in order to ensure that the door operates smoothly.

First, the vertical track is installed at the door’s opening, and then the horizontal track is attached to the ceiling. The tracks should be level with each other and perpendicular to the door opening.

Add the rollers

Your technicians will have to make sure that the rollers are the correct size for your door. They will likely lubricate the rollers and tracks with WD-40 or a similar product before installing them. This will help to reduce friction and keep the door moving smoothly. Finally, they will tighten the screws securely so that the rollers don’t come loose over time.

Hang the sections

Your professional will need to start by attaching each section to the door frame with brackets. Once the brackets are in place, he can then attach the section to the door itself. The hardware that your expert will use will vary depending on the type of garage door that you have, but it is typically either a spring system or a series of pulleys and cables.

Install the springs

Garage door springs help balance the weight of the door and make it easier to lift. There are two types of springs system: torsion springs and extension springs.

Garage door springs can be dangerous, so it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. This is one of the main reasons why laypeople who are unfamiliar with the correct procedures and terminology should never attempt to perform a DIY garage door installation.

Let’s have a look at the steps:

secure the spring to the bracket with a vise or clamp
attach the other end of the spring to the center bracket
wind the spring using a winding bar until it’s tight
attach the spring to the track and release the vise or clamp

Who do I call for the most reliable garage door service in San Diego & the surrounding area?

If you’ve decided to install a new door, you can’t go wrong by reaching out to Radford Garage Doors & Gates of San Diego. We’ve been providing quality service to our customers for over 77 years, and we’re proud to say that we’re one of the most reputable companies in the business.

We offer a wide range of services, including replacement of a dying door, maintenance and installation of a man door, as well as custom door design and installation. We understand that your garage is an important part of your home, and we’ll do everything we can to make sure it’s operating as it should.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation, and find out why we are one of the leading professionals in garage door repairs.

What Is a Man Door & Why Should You Get One

May 30, 2022 by Emily Souliotes

You may have noticed that some garages have an exterior smaller door built into the main door. This door, typically referred to as a “man door”, can be used to enter or exit the garage.

There are many advantages of the man door, but before you decide to hire specialists in garage door repair in San Diego, CA, to equip your garage with a man door, you need to be well-informed. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the benefits man doors provide so that you can make the best decision for your home. Read on.

Why is it called a man door?

The term man door might be confusing for some, but it is simply a door within a larger door, big enough for a person to fit through, which is how it got its name. It allows you to enter and exit the garage without having to open the entire garage door. These doors are also common in barns and other large buildings.

Man doors provide a number of unique benefits, including:

Convenience

Perhaps the most important advantage of having a man door is convenience. It can be frustrating to have to open and close a large garage door every time you need to step outside. With a man door, you can simply open the smaller door and go about your business without having to look for the garage door remote or wait for the larger door to open and close.

Security

This type of door can provide an extra layer of security for your home or business. If your main door is locked, a potential intruder would still need to breach the small door in order to gain entry. This is especially important if you have expensive tools or equipment stored in your garage.

Energy efficiency

Additionally, man doors can help to improve energy efficiency by preventing drafts and heat loss. During the winter or summer months, you can open them to let in some fresh air without letting all of the warm or cool air out.

How much does it cost to put a man door in a garage?

Most contractors will provide you with a free price estimate once you give them the necessary information about the type of door you want. Let’s go over some of the factors that need to be considered:

Size

The first factor is the size of the door. A standard man door is typically 32 inches by 80 inches, but larger or smaller doors are also available. A larger door will usually cost more.

Material

The second factor is the material. Doors can be made from wood, steel, aluminum, or fiberglass, and each material has its own cost. It’s advisable to choose a more durable material that will pay off and last longer.

Type

The third factor is the type of door. There are doors that open to the side, doors that swing out, and doors that slide open. More complicated models can be a bit pricier.

Who’s installing it

The fourth factor is the labor cost of the technicians who are carrying out the installation. This installation should be done by an experienced professional, since the process can be unsafe for an amateur. The pros will also be familiar with the relevant safety regulations, especially for automatic doors.

Who do I call for expert garage door repair in San Diego, CA & the surrounding area?

When it comes to garage door repair and installation in your neighborhood, you can count on the experts at Radford Garage Doors & Gates of San Diego. Whether you live near Balboa Park or on the outskirts of the city, we’re at your service.

We have been providing quality garage door services to homeowners in the area for over 77 years, and our team of experienced technicians is here to help you with all of your garage door needs.

From repairing barely functional doors to installing completely new ones, we can handle it all. We also offer a wide selection of garage & man doors to choose from, so you can find the perfect one to complement your home. If you need expert garage door repair and installation, call us today!

The Essential Glossary of Garage Door Terms & Definitions

April 29, 2022 by Emily Souliotes

Garage doors are a major part of the average house in San Diego that contributes greatly to its functionality, security, and curb appeal. While most work on a door should be left to a professional garage door service, it’s still well worth the homeowners’ while to take the time to learn what makes their doors tick.

In this article, we’ll help homeowners get a better understanding of their doors by providing a short glossary of terms and definitions that are commonly used in the context of garage doors. Read on.

What are the names of the garage door parts?

Like most other industries, garage door manufacturers and installers have their own unique lingo. Here’s a quick list of commonly used terms:

Astragal. The bottom weather-stripping on a garage door.
Bottom brackets. These are attached to both sides of the door. They’re what holds the lifting cables.
Bracket-mounted track. These vertical tracks are installed onto the doorjamb.
Backroom. The space between the door and the back of the horizontal track.
Clearance. How much sideroom, backroom, and headroom is needed for the garage door to be installed correctly.
Cables. The long wires that connect the bottom bracket to the counterbalance mechanism.
Cable drums. The wheel-like components that cables are wound about.
Cycle. This is what a full opening and closing of a garage door is called.
Door frame refers to the side vertical pieces and the horizontal header.
Dead load. How much load the door exerts when it’s not moving.
Double-thick glass. This glass is about one eighth of an inch thick and not as heavy as plate glass.
Duplex spring denotes a duo of torsion springs.
Torsion & extension springs are what produces the lifting force a door needs in order to open.
Flag bracket is what connects the horizontal and vertical tracks.
Galvanizing. This is what makes steel doors resistant to rusting.
Opener. The remote-controlled motor that closes and opens a garage door.
Man door. A regular door that’s built into a garage door to enable people to go in and out without having to open the entire garage door.
High-cycle springs. These springs can withstand a greater number of cycles and therefore have a longer service life.
Horizontal track. This track is installed parallel to the ceiling and serves to guide the door during motion.
Jambs. The vertical components of a garage door frame.
Jamb seal refers to weather stripping that’s installed around the door jamb.
Overhead garage door. A type of garage door that uses hinged sections, which enables it to move up and down its track.
Photo sensors are a safety feature that prevent a door from colliding with an object that’s underneath it.
Roller assembly. Includes a wheel and an axle, and serves to guide the door along the track.
Rollers. This is what the wheels within the roller assembly are called.
Rear track hangers are what keeps the horizontal track firmly attached to the ceiling.
Shaft bearings. These bearings are what holds the weight of the door and its counterbalance system.
Sectional garage doors are made of multiple sections that are attached with hinges.
Spring assembly. The components that make up the counterbalance assembly.
Tracks. These rails guide the roller assembly and are what the garage door slides along when opening or closing.
Winding cone. What the torsion spring wounds around.
Wind load. How much force the wind exerts when it blows into a closed door.

Where in San Diego & the area can I book an expert garage door service?

Looking to replace a dying garage door at your home in Navajo? Or perhaps you’re planning to invest in a new garage door opener and recycle the old one? Here at Radford Garage Doors & Gates of San Diego, we can assist you with all that and more.

With over seven decades of industry experience, we’re superbly positioned to meet your every garage door need in Southern California. Give us a call today.

4 Warning Signs Your Garage Door Is at the End of Its Life

April 29, 2022 by Emily Souliotes

Modern garage doors are incredibly durable devices. Despite being constantly exposed to the elements and withstanding daily use for years and decades on end, the average unit in San Diego, CA, should still easily last 15-20 years without requiring major garage door repair, provided that it receives annual maintenance.

That being said, even the most rugged door will eventually become too worn down to fix. Knowing how to tell when your unit is at the end of its life will help you prepare you for a new garage door installation in the near future and start budgeting accordingly.

In the following article, we’ll help you do just that by taking a look at 4 common signs of a failing garage door. Read on.

How do I know if my garage door is going bad?

Knowing how to tell when your garage door is on its way out is important not only for financial reasons, but to ensure your and your family’s safety as well. A malfunctioning door may pose a security risk that criminals could exploit to get inside your home. An old and worn down door may even fall and crush whatever or whoever is underneath it.

Here are 4 telltale signs that your door is way past its prime:

1. It’s noisy

While most garage doors aren’t built to be especially quiet, they also shouldn’t let out loud rattling, screeching, or banging noises during use. In some cases, this issue can be addressed by cleaning and lubing up the components that are producing these sounds. However, if this doesn’t solve the problem, it’s likely that your door has bigger problems to contend with.

2. It’s breaking down all the time

Mechanical devices that are nearing or are past the end of their life tend to fail more often and require frequent repairs. Constant service calls, labor, and parts tend to cost a lot more in the long run than just paying upfront for a replacement, and that’s not even factoring in the frustration and inconvenience of having to deal with a malfunctioning garage door.

3. It has slowed down

Significant wear on the opener motor, springs, cables, and other components will eventually cause your garage door to open more slowly or may even be unable to fully open at all. If the door is made of wood, moisture buildup within the wood can also increase its weight and contribute to the problem.

4. It’s not energy-efficient

Over time, bottom seals, weather strips, sealing joints, and other parts of a garage door that are designed to contribute to the insulative qualities of your home will become worn down. This will not only make your house feel warmer in summer and colder in winter, but can also drive up your heating and cooling bills.

While this problem can be somewhat addressed by refreshing the insulation in your home, it’s not nearly as effective of a solution as simply installing a modern, energy-efficient door.

Who in San Diego, CA & the vicinity carries out professional garage door repair?

Looking to enhance your property in Clairemont with a state-of-the-art garage door? Maybe you’d like to add a man door to your existing garage door? Whatever your needs may be, you can rest assured that Radford Garage Doors & Gates of San Diego can meet them with utmost efficiency and professionalism.

With a tradition that spans more than 75 years, we are your go-to option for all things related to garage doors. Reach out to us today.

The Ins & Outs of the Garage Door Manufacturing Process

March 25, 2022 by Emily Souliotes

To say that garage doors are immensely useful devices would be a giant understatement. Not only do many people use them as the main entry point into their homes, these doors also have a huge impact on a property’s security and curb appeal.

Whether you’re happy with a standard model or planning to invest in custom wood garage door installation in San Diego, learning how garage doors are made can help you make a better buying decision and give you a deeper appreciation for the hard work that goes into making these doors.

We previously took a deep dive into the cons and pros of double and single garage doors, explained the main advantages of getting a custom garage door, and answered some frequently asked questions about custom door solutions. Now we’ll expand on this topic by taking a close look at the garage door manufacturing process. Read on to learn more.

How do you manufacture a garage door

How do you manufacture a garage door?

Although some garage door panels are handcrafted or made by small teams who work in local shops, the majority are made and assembled in factories with the help of large-scale industrial equipment.

The same goes for garage door openers, springs, cables, rails, and other components. These are built by specialized manufacturers and then sold to distributors. Verifying that your garage door installation company of choice works with reputable component manufacturers is key to making sure your new door is made to the highest standard.

The garage door panel manufacturing process usually includes 5 steps:

Step #1: Getting the panels ready

First, the raw panels need to be prepped for printing. After removing the protective folio, the panels are placed on a table and cleaned and abraded using rotary brush sanders. Heavy-duty vacuums then remove all traces of particles and dust, and the panel proceeds to the next step.

Step #2: Printing

The panels are laid flat on a vacuum table and optically checked by a printhead carriage system. An industrial printer then gives them multiple printing passes to ensure an even spread. Special lights within the printer are engaged to help the ink cure quickly and effectively.

Step #3: Lacquering

In order to retain its appearance and not be damaged by exposure, digital ink needs to be protected with a special lacquer coating. After printing is done, the panels are loaded into a lacquer application box and thoroughly sprayed with lacquer. They’re then transferred into the drying room.

Step #4: Drying

The panels are placed on special racks in a separate chamber and left to dry for anywhere between half an hour and six hours. How long it takes for the lacquer to dry mostly depends on its chemical properties, how thick it is, and the current temperature in the drying room.

Step #5: Packing

Once the panels have dried, they’re taken out of the drying room and packaged. From this point on, the panels are ready for distribution and installation.

Where can I book an expert custom wood garage door installation in San Diego

Where can I book an expert custom wood garage door installation in San Diego & the area?

Radford Garage Doors & Gates of San Diego has been supplying the good people of California with expert-grade garage door repair, replacement, maintenance, and installation services since 1945. We’re committed to providing our clients with state-of-the-art solutions that will stand the test of time and take the aesthetics and functionality of their properties to the next level.

Whether your building is situated in Kensington or in the middle of downtown, our experts are just a short phone call away. Schedule our services today or reach out to us if you’d like to ask further questions.

Custom Garage Doors: Everything You Need To Know

March 25, 2022 by Emily Souliotes

Looking to enhance your home in San Diego, CA, with a custom wood garage door? Maybe you’re in need of a highly secure door for your commercial property? Whatever your requirements may be, learning all you can about custom garage doors can go a long way toward helping you make a wise investment.

In previous articles, we discussed the key benefits of having a custom garage door, explained the pros and cons of single and double garage doors, and took a detailed look at the garage door manufacturing process. Now we’ll help you ensure your new door meets your needs by answering some common questions about custom garage doors. Read on to learn more.

Can I replace my own custom garage door?

Although nothing is stopping you from building and installing your own garage door, we strongly advise against doing so. For one, DIY garage door installation can be dangerous. In addition to having many heavy, cumbersome components, garage doors also use springs that contain an enormous amount of energy.

Handling this hardware without access to specialized equipment and the help of a trained and experienced team can easily result in not only costly damages, but serious hazards as well. Every year, there are over 20,000 emergency room visits that are directly caused by DIY garage door work.

While most of these mishaps are fortunately limited to pinches and lacerations, some of them result in mutilation or even death. To stay safe and make sure your new door adheres to the required health and safety standards, always outsource this type of work to an established garage door company.

How long does it take to get a custom garage door?

It depends on many factors, the major ones being the company you hired to do the job and the complexity of your desired garage door. How long the installation process takes can also vary depending on whether the new door can be installed right away or if an old door has to be removed beforehand.

As always, the most reliable way to get an accurate time frame is to contact a local garage door company that builds custom garage doors. They will book a consultation at your property and use this opportunity to have a chat with you and take measurements. Once they have all of the necessary information, they will be able to tell you how long your project will take.

How much does a new garage door and system cost?

As with most tailored home improvement solutions, the price of a custom garage door can vary widely depending on a number of different factors.

Key variables to consider include:

Size and type of the garage door
Shape of the opening
Complexity of the design
Materials used in its construction
Whether extra features such as windows need to be implemented
Who’s doing the work

The best way to obtain a precise quote is to reach out to your garage door company of choice and consult with the experts directly. After asking you a few questions, the pros will be able to tell you how much your new garage door will cost.

Who in San Diego, CA, and the area provides quality custom wood garage doors?

As a long-standing provider of garage door installation, repair, maintenance, and replacement services, Radford Garage Doors & Gates of San Diego is uniquely positioned to supply you with gorgeous and highly versatile custom garage door solutions.

Whether you’re located in Miramar or at the very epicenter of the city, our technicians are just a few clicks away. Get in touch with us today!