Radford-Team

Modern garage doors are extremely sturdy and reliable options that can easily last for decades, as long as they’re installed properly and receive regular maintenance. That being said, no machine is perfect, and even a premium-quality door will eventually malfunction as a result of regular wear, accidents, and other problems.

In the following article, we will list 6 of the most commonly encountered garage door malfunctions. By knowing how to identify them when they occur and act accordingly, you will be able to avoid expensive garage door repairs in San Diego, CA. Keep reading to learn more.

What are the common garage door problems?

Garage doors are complex devices that are made up of numerous moving parts. If any of these parts is installed improperly or starts to fail, the entire door will begin to behave in a sub-optimal manner and may even break down completely. Familiarizing yourself with these problems in advance will help you avoid more serious issues down the road.

Here are the top 6 most common garage door issues:

1. Opener failure

This is the most common problem with garage doors that occurs when the motor in the opener burns out or short circuits due to a power surge. When this happens, you are left with a nonfunctional and possibly even stuck door.

2. Broken springs

With time and use, springs lose their strength and begin to break down due to normal wear-and-tear. A broken spring can be extremely dangerous as it can cause the door to come crashing down on top of someone or something. 

3. Bent or corroded rollers

Damaged or worn rollers make it difficult for a garage door to function properly because they apply extra tension to the springs. If this happens, your garage door will begin to make a humming noise every time you open or close it.

4. Door is off-track

This is usually caused by broken springs or uneven weight distribution, which causes one part of your track to be slightly higher than the other. This creates a bubble effect that can cause serious problems down the road if not quickly addressed by an experienced technician.

5. Damaged or peeling paint

Although it may seem superficial, damaged or peeling paint will expose the material underneath to the elements. If water comes into contact with your garage door, this can easily cause its metal components to rust and corrode, which can lead to all sorts of costly and dangerous problems.

6. Corroded or broken cables

The steel cables that attach your garage door to the brackets above have been known to rust at a faster rate than they are supposed to. This happens when you don’t regularly lubricate them or if there’s a lot of moisture in your garage.

The first symptom of a damaged cable is usually loud clanging noises during operation, as well as excessive friction between moving parts. You may also spot frayed ends on your cables, which is a sign of corrosion.

Who should I call if I need reliable garage door repair in San Diego, CA?

Are you looking to boost the value of your property in Point Loma by equipping it with a state-of-the-art garage door or gate? Or perhaps your current garage door has started acting up in some way and you want to have it looked at by the leading technicians in San Diego?

Here at Radford Garage Doors & Gates, we specialize in providing our clients with gorgeous and sturdily-built garage doors that will beautify their properties and stand the test of time. Contact us today!

Before you can hire a company that provides garage door installation services to equip your home in San Diego, CA, with a high-quality model that will stand the test of time, you need to first decide which type of door best meets your needs and preferences.

We have previously discussed the common signs of a dying garage door and provided some tips on how to find a dependable garage door company. Now we’ll help you find a great new garage door by taking a look at 5 of the most popular door types. Keep reading to learn more.

What are the different types of garage doors?

There are mainly 5 different types of garage doors. They are mostly differentiated based on their opening mechanisms and styles of construction.

These 5 types are:

1. Sectionals

These doors are made of panels that are connected with hinges, which bend over a curved portion of the side track while the door is opening or closing. These doors use a pair of high-tension springs above the opening and are usually made of steel, require little maintenance, and are highly customizable.

2. Side-hinged doors

These garage doors operate in much the same way as regular barn doors: by swinging open or closed from a hinged frame located on either side of the opening. Due to their old-timey design, they’re frequently made out of wood and used in garages that have very little headroom.

3. Slide-to-the-side doors

As their name suggests, these sectional doors slide to the side and sit parallel to the wall rather than rising up onto the ceiling. They’re a great option for garages that don’t offer much headroom. They also have a built-in retractable motor for automated operation, so they don’t require a ceiling-mounted operator.

4. Tilt-up canopy doors

Unlike other garage door types, these doors consist of a single solid piece. They use a pivoting hinge mechanism that enables them to tilt up into the garage and lie parallel to the ceiling, extending out of the front of the house, similar to a wall-mounted canopy.

5. Roll-up doors

These models are made out of 2 to 3 inch steel slat sections that roll around a drum located above the door opening. Due to their ability to withstand heavy usage, they are frequently used in commercial applications. However, because of this excellent durability, they tend to have a higher upfront cost than other door types.

Are garage doors with windows more expensive?

In most cases, yes. Windows are considered to be an extra feature and are included as an added cost when determining the final quote for a garage door installation. The exact price of the windows will vary depending on their type (privacy glass, designer windows, double-pane insulated energy-efficient windows, etc.), size, and how many are included.

For more information on the cost of the windows, contact your garage door company of choice and discuss your ideas and wishes with their technicians. They will soon be able to supply you with an accurate quote.

Where can I book the top garage door installation services in San Diego, CA?

There’s no better way to magnify the aesthetics, functionality, and value of your property in Clairemont Mesa or other parts of San Diego than by equipping it with a gorgeous and durable garage door.

Here at Radford Garage Doors & Gates, we specialize in designing, installing, and servicing a broad range of premium-quality garage doors, entry doors, and gates. Our team of skilled technicians, emphasis on top-grade workmanship, and comprehensive warranties ensure that you’ll always get superb results that exceed your expectations. Call us today.

Garage doors are one of the most important components of modern American homes. In addition to frequently serving as the main entry point into the house, they also represent a big part of its overall appearance and are a significant contributor to its real estate value.

So it’s no surprise that a new garage door installation is considered to be a major home improvement project and taking special care when choosing the right model for your property in San Diego is crucial to ensure your long-term satisfaction and peace of mind.

In previous articles, we listed the telltale signs it’s time to replace your garage door and gave you some pointers on how to find a reliable garage door company. Now we will provide you with some tips on how to choose the right door for your home. Read on to learn more.

What should I look for when buying a new garage door?

Shopping for a new garage door can be daunting. It’s a long-term investment in your property that will be highly visible from many years to come. Since most homeowners only buy a couple doors in their lifetime, they tend to be unfamiliar with the pros and cons of different garage door types.

Here’s what to look for when shopping for a new garage door:

Size

Do you have a single- or double-car garage? Do you require a taller entryway that can accommodate larger vehicles? Is there enough room inside the garage for the overhead opener, tracks, and springs?

When in doubt, it’s best to consult with an established garage door company. Their technicians will take accurate measurements and propose the most effective solutions for your property.

Material

The material you choose will determine how long your garage door lasts, how much punishment it can withstand, and how much annual maintenance it will require. The material will also have a huge impact on the look and feel of your door.

Design and style

Your garage door is one of the first things visitors and passerbys see as they approach your property. Making sure its design and style fits the rest of your home is vital in order to preserve a unified look and attract the right kind of buyer, should you ever decide to sell the place.

To make the selection process easier, reputable garage door companies often have dedicated showrooms that enable you to see and touch their doors before making any final decisions. Their staff will also be happy to answer your questions and advise you on which door look will best fit your property.

Insulation

When lowered all the way down, a garage door basically serves as another exterior wall. A properly insulated door can increase the energy efficiency of your home by limiting heat loss and keep your garage more comfortable all year round.

Price

As with all home improvement projects, determining the budget early on will help you narrow down your options and find the door that brings you the most value for your money.

Where can I schedule an efficient new garage door installation in San Diego?

Are you looking to enhance your property in 4S Ranch with a high-quality garage door? Or perhaps the garage door at your San Diego home is in need of repairs or annual maintenance? Here at Radford Garage Doors & Gates, we can help you with all that and more.

With more than 75 years of industry presence, we are your one-stop-shop for all your garage door installation and repair needs. We offer a broad range of designer garage doors, gates, and entry doors, and provide extensive warranties for both our products and the installation service itself. Contact us today.

A garage door replacement is an excellent investment. Not only do garage doors pay for themselves by having the second highest Return on Investment (ROI) of all home improvements, they also boost the real estate market value of your San Diego home by 1-4%. In other words, a $2000 door can increase the value of a $200,000 property by almost $8000! 

However, in order to reap the full benefits of enhancing your property with a new garage door, you need to make sure the installation is performed by a team of trained technicians who have the tools and experience necessary to ensure high-quality results. 

But how do you determine which garage door contractor is right for you? What are the telltale signs of a reputable garage door company? How much does a full garage door replacement cost? Read on to learn the answers to these questions. 

How do I choose a good garage door company?

Adding a garage door to your property is a major home improvement project that should never be entrusted to a “budget” or inexperienced contractor. Luckily, you can usually tell whether a garage door company is legit by looking for a few key traits.

These traits include:

Extensive industry experience

An established garage door contractor that has been in the business for decades is sure to be more trustworthy and mindful of their reputation than a “green” company that barely has any past experience.

What’s more, long-standing contractors have seen it all. No matter which type of garage door you choose, you can rest assured they’ve installed hundreds or even thousands of doors that are just like it in the past. You can count on them to reliably execute every task in the most precise and professional manner possible.

A great showroom

Successful companies understand that their clients want to know exactly what they’re buying. By having a showroom their customers can visit in person, a garage door company not only gives you an opportunity to see their doors in person, but also signals that they’re proud of their work and happy to showcase it.

They’re client-oriented

Reputable companies include extensive warranties and satisfaction guarantees with their products. Should you ever have any concerns with your garage door, they will promptly send a certified technician to your home to fix the problem.

How much does a standard garage door cost?

The price of a garage door installation is calculated based on multiple factors, including the size and type of door you’re planning to install, which materials are being used, who’s performing the installation, whether the door is custom-built or off-the-shelf, and more.

Typical garage door pricing includes:

• $250-$1,000 for low-end premade doors. These doors usually have little or no windows and are typically made of steel.
• $800-$2,500 for higher quality, insulated doors made of various materials (wood, steel, glass, fiberglass, etc.), some of which may have moderate design elements.
• $1,500-10,000 for high-end, customized faux or solid wood doors. Such doors are usually insulated and come in various styles, including carriage, roll-up, and tilt-up.

Where can I book a professional garage door replacement service in San Diego?

Are you planning to outfit your property in Mira Mesa with a premium garage door? Or perhaps you’re looking for a team of certified garage door technicians who have the tools, experience, and knowledge needed to quickly and reliably fix a malfunctioning door?

Whatever your garage door-related needs may be, you can’t go wrong by giving Radford Garage Doors & Gates a call. We’ve been providing the good people of San Diego with high-quality garage doors for more than 75 years. Visit our showroom today, or give us a call if you’d like to learn more about who we are and why we’re the best.

If your home doesn’t currently have a garage door, or if your garage door is non-functional or at the end of its service life, replacing it is almost invariably a better investment than paying for frequent and costly repairs.

But how do you determine when it’s time to call in garage door installation contractors to outfit your San Diego property with a modern garage door? What are some major indicators that your current door is on its last legs?

To help you make the right decision, we have listed the top 3 telltale signs your existing garage door is at the end of its life and should be replaced. Keep reading to learn more.

What is the life expectancy of a garage door?

You can only keep repairing a mechanical device up to a certain point. Eventually, daily use and regular wear will cause even the sturdiest garage door in the world to become damaged or unreliable to the point where paying for repairs is no longer financially viable.

Provided that your garage door was installed by an experienced contractor, its lifespan will be mostly determined by how frequently you use it on any given day. With proper maintenance, a door that’s opened and closed once or twice a day should easily last for 30 years or even longer. 

Just keep in mind that not all parts of a garage door last the same. For instance, most automatic garage door openers need to be replaced around the 10-12 year mark. 

How do I know if I need a new garage door?

Homeowners are understandably reluctant to make an unnecessary investment in their home. After all, purchasing a new appliance or TV is almost never as cost-effective as simply repairing the ones you already own. However, there comes a time when replacement is the only correct choice.

Here are the top 3 signs your garage door should be replaced:

1. Age

A garage door that’s around 30 years old or older is likely too worn down to justify extensive repairs. Chances are, it also lacks modern security and quality-of-life features that are the norm in modern garage door models. 

2. Damage

Harsh weather, catastrophic breakdowns, vehicular accidents, vandalism, break-in attempts, and other unusual occurrences can all severely damage your garage door. If the damage is extensive enough, repairs may not be possible.

3. It breaks down constantly

Like old cars, old garage doors are prone to frequent malfunctions. Apart from being a serious nuisance, the cost of fixing these failures will eventually add up to the point where it’s cheaper to just get a new garage door.

Where can I book a reliable garage door installation service in San Diego, CA?

Your garage door is one of the main entrances into your home and a major contributor to its curb appeal. Its installation, repair, and maintenance should therefore never be entrusted to an inexperienced or improperly equipped contractor. 

With more than 75 years of industry presence and an impeccable track record, Radford Garage Doors & Gates is your one-stop-shop for all your garage door needs. From helping you choose the right garage door for your home, to outfitting your property with a custom door design, you can trust us to approach each task with utmost care and precision.

Our services are available throughout San Diego and the area, so you can rely on our technicians to quickly arrive at your property regardless of whether you’re located right next to Balboa Park or out in the suburbs. Contact us and schedule your consultation today.