Emily Souliotes

How to Choose a Modern Garage Door for Your Home

January 8, 2021 by Emily Souliotes

Have you spent countless hours browsing the internet in search of design ideas for your home? When you’re in the market for a modern garage door replacement, the number of options can be overwhelming. From Full Glass, Custom Wood, to modern steel garage doors, we are all spoiled for choice when it comes to finding the perfect garage door that complements the rest of your property.

But how do you decide which one of those garage doors is right for you? We’re here to help! And remember, we also have a showroom if you’d like to see options in person. Let’s explore the different types of contemporary garage doors you can install at your San Diego home.

What are the different types of garage doors?

They say we judge a book by its cover — so does that mean we also judge a home by its garage doors? If so, that means it’s not enough to simply have a well-maintained garage door that meets the relevant safety standards: it also needs to bring a “wow factor” to the front of your home. If you have a modern style house, you need to take the time to find the ideal garage door that boosts your curb appeal and adds your own personal touch to the overall aesthetic.

Luckily, you’re not stuck with cookie-cutter garage door options. When narrowing down which type of garage door to install, consider the following choices.

Garage door materials:

Full View Contemporary Garage Doors – The modern style is all about the combination of sleek, neutral colors paired with clean lines. Full view contemporary garage doors offer minimalist glass outlined by aluminum lines that evoke both an elegant and modern persona.
Custom Wood Modern Garage Doors – Whether you’re a fan of red cedar, oak, mahogany, or any other type of wood, a quality wood garage door can be a great focal point for the rest of your home.
Modern Steel Garage Doors – When you’re looking for a modern garage door at a more affordable price point, steel garage doors are a great choice. Due to being affordable, durable, and elegant, these doors are one of most popular garage door options.
Modern Fiberglass Garage Doors – Love the appearance of contemporary wood paneling but don’t want the headache of maintaining it? Fiberglass is a luxury material choice that allows you to get your desired look without having to deal with the upkeep.
Composite Contemporary Wood Garage Doors – As an environmentally-friendly option, composite wood garage doors are ideal for homeowners who are looking for a premium wood-alternative option that is extremely customizable.

Garage door types:

Rolling Garage Doors – With a rolling garage door, also known as a roller garage door, the door rolls up towards the ceiling using a spring system.
Sectional Garage Doors – A sectional garage door consists of multiple panels that slide up towards the ceiling of your garage within a frame. This is one of the most popular types of modern garage doors amongst homeowners.
Canopy Garage Doors – Instead of being broken into multiple sections that slide overheard, a canopy garage door stays flat as it opens and rolls up into the garage.
Swing Garage Doors – If you’re looking for a more unique way to showcase your modern garage door, consider a swing garage door that opens and closes similarly to a traditional door — swinging out as it opens and closes.

Choosing between so many materials and door types can be difficult. For this reason, many homeowners opt to visit a quality garage door showroom before making their final decision. This enables them to see, touch, and feel a selection of modern garage doors first-hand.

Where can I find a reputable garage door installation company in San Diego?

Whether you’re designing a custom home from scratch or opting for an upgrade to spruce up your home’s exterior, the endless decisions can seem stressful. Radford Garage Doors & Gates has the knowledge and know-how to help you pinpoint the ideal garage door design for your home. We can walk you through the selection process to better understand what you’re looking for and pair you with a modern garage door that has the perfect combination of functionality and aesthetics you’ve always wanted.

As the leading garage door company in San Diego, we are uniquely equipped to meet your every garage door-related need. Give us a call today if you’d like to schedule an appointment or learn more about who we are and why we’re the best.

Do You Need to Schedule Annual Garage Door Maintenance?

October 13, 2020 by Emily Souliotes

Your garage door gets used multiple times on a daily basis. This means it’s inevitably going to experience some normal wear and tear. But did you know that failure to have a professional technician perform annual maintenance on your garage door can actually void your warranty if a mechanical component fails?

That’s why it’s extremely important for homeowners to schedule annual maintenance checks with a professional garage door company and make sure their garage doors comply with the relevant standards.

Luckily, you can avoid unexpected breakdowns and a voided warranty by scheduling annual garage door tune-ups with a reputable garage door company. Wondering what those maintenance tune-ups entail? In the following article, we have provided a detailed summary of what happens during an annual garage door maintenance service. Read on.

What kind of maintenance does a garage door need?

A comprehensive garage door tune-up includes:

Assess the state of the springs. Have the springs started to rust since the last inspection? Are they getting too relaxed? Your garage door maintenance technicians will determine if the springs need to be replaced or re-tensioned.
Check the tracks for any debris buildup. The technicians will remove any debris that is clogging the tracks of the garage door to ensure smooth operation.
Monitor the physical condition of the garage door. From checking the door for dents or scratches that can make it susceptible to rust, to testing the springs, cables, hinges, and other hardware, you can rest easy knowing no portion of the garage door is going unchecked.
Realign or adjust the tracks as needed. Trained technicians can determine if there are any misalignments in your garage door tracks. If anything is out of place, they will fix the tracks during your annual tune-up.
Lubricate the garage door’s moving parts. Your garage door is used on a daily basis. In order to operate efficiently, it needs to have sufficient lubricant and grease on the moving parts. The maintenance technicians will apply grease to all these components during the tune-up to hold you over until next time.
Replace any worn-out parts. The technicians will make sure all parts are operating as they should. If anything isn’t working correctly, they will make the necessary replacements to avoid a possible breakdown in the future.

Following the garage door inspection and maintenance, your technician will make any necessary recommendations for garage door repair to ensure your system is operating properly day in and day out.

How do you maintain a garage door?

Your garage door works hard between maintenance tune-ups. Ensure optimal performance and minimize the chance of a breakdown by performing small maintenance tasks between tune-ups:

Remove any debris buildup. Certain times of the year can cause more buildup in the garage door tracks. Make sure you are keeping an eye on the tracks and regularly cleaning them to avoid any clogs or blockages from dirt buildup that can impede the door’s operation.
Make note of unusual noises. Garage doors are pretty loud when they open and close — but there shouldn’t be any loud screeching, grinding, or rattling noises. Should you notice any sounds that are out of the ordinary, call a professional for assistance.
Lubricate the moving parts. We recommend greasing the moving components of the garage door about halfway between your annual tune-ups. This guarantees all parts will have the proper lubrication to function year-round.
Tighten any loose parts as needed. The parts on your garage doors shouldn’t be coming loose regularly (and if they are, that’s a different issue), but there is a chance they become loose every so often. When this happens, tighten them up to ensure nothing breaks or falls off during use.

Why is garage door maintenance important?

When you regularly service your garage door, you’ll experience the following benefits:

Avoid costly repairs. With regular maintenance, you’ll save money in the long run because your personal maintenance checks and professional tune-ups will uncover small issues before they turn into large, costly problems — problems that if left unrepaired, can lead to your carefully chosen garage door suffering expensive or even irreparable damages.
Maintains the system’s value. Whether you plan to move or not, regular maintenance of your garage door opener will keep up the value of your system — boosting the value of your home. You don’t want a faulty garage door to be the reason your house won’t sell in the future!
Increases your home’s security. Your garage door is an entrance to your home, and if it isn’t operating correctly or is faulty, your home’s safety could be compromised. Avoiding potential breakdowns guarantees your garage door will stand strong against any potential intruders.
Prevents potential damage to your car. Regular maintenance ensures everything is working properly, the tracks are aligned correctly, and all components have been lubricated and tightened — minimizing the risk of the garage door breaking and damaging your vehicle.
Peace of mind. Have you ever noticed how things only break when you’re already running late? Don’t stress about possibly not being able to get your car out of the garage in the morning. With regular maintenance, you’ll feel good knowing your garage door is always working as it should!

Where can I find a detailed garage door maintenance service in San Diego?

As the leading garage door contractor in San Diego, Radford Garage Doors & Gates is uniquely positioned to provide you with a comprehensive range of garage door maintenance, repair, and installation services. Whether you’re looking for a team of experienced professionals who can provide you with extensive garage door tune-ups, or you’re in need of someone who can help you find a garage door that fits the architectural style of your home, you can’t go wrong by giving us a call.

We can help ensure your garage door and opener are continuously performing at their best. Contact us today and let our team perform your annual maintenance and keep your manufacturer’s warranty valid.

Garage Doors Are an Important Architectural Detail

October 8, 2020 by Emily Souliotes

Taking the time to choose the right garage door to tie together the aesthetic you’re trying to achieve is key! Think of the garage door as the cherry on top, the icing on the cake, or the bow tying together the look of your home. The type of garage door you should install depends on the architectural style of your home.

Choosing a contrasting style garage door can detract from the character of your home, instead of accentuating its charm and becoming a focal point of your home’s exterior. But with so many garage door options available, how are you supposed to determine which style is best for your home? Don’t worry—there’s no need to stress. We’re here to help you find the perfect garage door to match your home’s design aesthetic.

How do I choose a garage door?

Traditional

Traditional-style homes emphasize a timeless aesthetic by incorporating elements from the 18th- and 19th-century European decor. Because this style touches on a variety of architectural elements, it goes well with multiple garage door designs. Steel carriage doors seamlessly complement traditional homes through a combination of beauty and functionality. The best part is that these garage doors look like wood but are made of steel, making them incredibly durable and low-maintenance—a win-win for most homeowners!

Craftsman

Craftsman houses mix classic charm with distinctive elements like covered front porches and tapered columns. The home’s exterior can be made of stone, brick, or steel, depending on your preferences. Choose a garage door that accentuates these design elements. Adding garage door styles with clean vertical lines, or handcrafted wood, steel, or faux wood garage doors, is a great way to create a unified look for the exterior of your home.

Modern

Your modern home is probably the sharpest looking house on the block. With its clean, horizontal lines complemented by large panels of glass, it’s easy to fall in love with its minimalist aesthetic. In recent years, modern designs have started to incorporate more elements like natural stone or wood paneling to maintain a clean look while incorporating dimension and textures. Maintaining this is easy when you select a garage door that is sleek, timeless, and unique, such as a glass-paneled modern garage door.

Cape Cod

Whether you live in a Half Cape, Three-Quarter Cape, or Full Cape home, its symmetrical appearance and simple exterior design are incredibly charming. When selecting the garage door to make your cape cod home come to life, you need to choose a style that complements its unique exterior features. The steel carriage house garage doors are the perfect option because they tie in with the charming appearance of your cape cod home, but offer the practicality of modern overhead garage doors.

Farmhouse

You may have noticed how popular farmhouse style homes have become over the past few years. It seems that everywhere you turn, there’s a farmhouse home being built that is open and airy, utilizes natural light, has light color palettes with contrasting details, and exudes rustic charm. Complement your charming farmhouse-style home with a garage door that gives off the same rustic appearance. Consider wood or faux wood garage doors that resemble barn doors. If you love the look of barn doors but don’t want such a stark and contrasting color palette with wood tones, consider a light gray or white faux wood garage door instead.

Tudor

Tudor homes have an extremely distinctive look that was inspired by Medieval and Renaissance architectural styles. The facade is a blend of brick or stone, stucco, and decorative timbering to create intricate designs. Whether you’re looking to match or contrast the decorative accents on your home, you can install a fiberglass wood or classic steel garage door in a dark tone. Accentuating your home’s style with dark garage doors will increase the charm and stylishness of your facade.

Mid-Century Modern

Mid-century modern homes encompass a forward-looking style with flat planes, open space, and large-paneled windows. Accentuate the clean lines and flat planes of your home by incorporating dark-toned, modern steel garage doors. Choosing a sleek steel garage door with glass paneling will perfectly match the style of your home, creating a one-of-a-kind aesthetic.

Spanish

There’s nothing quite as beautiful as a Spanish style home. The asymmetrical layout paired with tiled roofs, arched doorways, and stucco exterior creates a very inviting and truly unique appearance. With its clean and natural color palette, you need to choose a garage door that stands back and lets your home’s facade take center stage. Steel garage doors offer simple accent hinges and pulls to add character without taking away from your Spanish-style home’s appearance.

Mediterranean

A Mediterranean style home offers funky traits like stucco exteriors, tiled roofs, and fun color palettes. The perfect match for a Mediterranean style home is a custom wood garage door. The subdued wood tones seamlessly pair with your home’s eclectic exterior. If you’re looking for a durable option and are scared of investing in wood garage doors, you also have the opportunity to install fiberglass wood garage doors and get the same look with less maintenance!

Use this table as a quick cheat sheet when selecting the ideal garage door to match your home’s architectural style:

Who provides high-quality garage door installation services in San Diego?

If you’re in need of a quality garage door company that provides the full range of garage door maintenance, repair, and installation services in San Diego, look no further than Radford Garage Doors & Gates. Our team can help you find the ideal garage door to complement any design aesthetic and make sure your new garage door fully complies with the current requirements and industry standards. Get in touch with us today!

Garage Door Battery Backups Required in California

October 8, 2020 by Emily Souliotes

When an emergency strikes, you need to be prepared to evacuate in a moment’s notice. There’s only one problem—your vehicle is blocked in by a garage door that won’t open without electrical power. What do you do?

This was the case with the wildfires that wreaked havoc across California during the wildfire season of 2017. As homeowners responded to evacuation protocols, they found themselves trapped with no vehicle to flee the area.

As a result, they were unable to open their garage doors manually and had no battery backup system for their opener’s electronic operation. As a result, there were five deaths in California. Others barely escaped and lucked out when those passing by stopped and helped their neighbors manually lift their garage doors.

New California Law: Garage Doors Must Work in a Power Outage

What is Senate Bill 969?

As a way to minimize casualties in similar situations and maximize safety for all homeowners, Senate Bill 969 was proposed as a law that would require any new garage door and garage door opener to be installed in California with a battery backup.

Every garage door opener sold and installed after July 1, 2019, must include a battery backup. If a homeowner installs new, modern garage doors or replaces their existing doors, it must be hooked up to a battery backup (or left without a garage door opener). Anyone not following this new law can be subject to a civil penalty of $1,000.

What does Senate Bill 969 mean for homeowners in California?

With a sweeping victory, Senate Bill 969 passed the Senate 39-0, and the Assembly 64-7. By requiring garage door battery backups for the installation of both garage doors and garage door openers, the law protects homeowners from becoming trapped with their vehicles with no power to evacuate.

As a homeowner, this doesn’t mean you legally need to run out and install a battery backup as soon as tomorrow. Existing garage door openers do not have to be replaced with battery backup openers until the next time your garage doors are replaced. However, garage door battery backups can be installed to existing garage door openers to ensure it opens in an emergency situation.

Where can I find a trusted garage door company in San Diego?

With more than seven decades of experience installing, repairing, and maintaining residential garage doors and openers, Radford Garage Doors & Gates has the experience and know-how to install a battery backup in your existing garage door, or provide you with a brand new garage door that comes with the backup preinstalled, in a quick and efficient manner.

Furthermore, we offer a complete selection of garage door maintenance, installation, and repair services to homeowners throughout San Diego and the vicinity. Whether you’re looking to upgrade to custom aluminum glass, custom copper faux wood, or steel garage doors, or you’re looking to update your existing garage door with custom features, we can help. Reach out to us today!

Industry News

November 1, 2019 by Emily Souliotes Leave a Comment

2Radford Garage Doors is the leading supplier of custom garage doors in San Diego.