The Ins & Outs of the Garage Door Manufacturing Process March 25, 2022 by Radford-Team 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? 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 & 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 Radford-Team 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!
One Big Garage Door vs Two Regular-Sized Ones: What’s Best? February 22, 2022 by Radford-Team It’s safe to say that the times when only wealthy households could afford enough garage space for two vehicles are long past. These days, it’s completely normal for homes in San Diego to have large garages that can fit two or even three custom wood garage doors. While this provides unparalleled functionality, security, and customizability, it has also created a new dilemma for American homeowners. Namely, should they equip their property with a single double-size garage door or install two standard doors? In this article, we’ll help you find an answer to this question by taking a look at the advantages each approach provides. Keep reading to learn more. Why do some houses have 2 garage doors? When it comes to choosing between one large door and two regular-sized ones, it’s important to remember that there’s no correct or wrong choice in this matter, but rather that either option provides specific benefits for your home. Consider the following: Benefits of a double-size garage door It’s great for large cars such as SUVs or full-size trucks, as it makes driving in or backing out easier. It costs less, mainly owing to the fact that you have to purchase and maintain only one garage door opener. Three-stall garages tend to work best with a single double-door plus a regular-sized door. If you’re a carpenter or otherwise like to work on your vehicles in your garage, you’ll generally be better served by a double garage door. It provides more space for loading, cleaning, repair, and other tasks as it enables you to park a single car in the middle of the space. This is particularly helpful for individuals who use a wheelchair. A double door can be made to resemble two single ones, if this is the look you prefer. Benefits of two single garage doors There are many options. Need one 9-foot and one 10-foot wide door? As with other types of doors, there are countless custom options to choose from. It adds redundancy. If one of your garage doors fails, you’ll still be able to use the other to exit or enter your home. It helps control the space between vehicles. Having two doors enables you to determine how close two cars will park from one another, which can make driving in and out, and loading the cars significantly easier. It’s a great way to control airflow. You can choose to keep one door closed if you want to limit the amount of air that blows inside, or open both and really let the air in. Do garage doors come in custom sizes? Just about every aspect of a garage door can be endlessly customized to maximize the benefits it provides and perfectly meet your needs and wants. Needless to say, this also includes size. To quickly get a custom-sized door, reach out to a reputable garage door company in your area and schedule a consultation. Once their experts have assessed your space and taken the necessary measurements, their team will be able to build a personalized garage door that’s perfectly sized for your property. Who in San Diego and the area sells and installs luxe custom wood garage doors? Radford Garage Doors & Gates is an acclaimed provider of garage door repair, replacement, installation, and maintenance services that operates throughout San Diego and the surrounding communities. Whether your property is situated at the city’s outskirts or right next door to Malcolm A. Love Library, you can rely on our team to show up in a timely manner and meet your needs with utmost care and precision. Call us today!
6 Awesome Benefits of Having a Custom Garage Door February 22, 2022 by Radford-Team Our homes are more than just places where we spend time with our families, store our belongings, and sleep at night. They’re also an opportunity to create a space that truly represents our unique sensibilities and who we are as individuals. This is one of the key reasons why it’s so important to choose a quality garage door for your house. After all, installing a custom wood garage door is not only an excellent way to beautify your property in San Diego, CA, but also a great opportunity to add unique functionalities and boost the value of your home. But why is this so? What are the 6 key advantages of having a personalized garage door that you can’t get with mass-produced models? Read on to find out! Can you customize a garage door? And how! Modern garage doors come in many different sizes and types, and can be extensively customized to meet a wide range of needs and preferences. What’s more, advances in manufacturing technology have made these tailored solutions more affordable than ever. Consider these 6 benefits of having a custom garage door: 1. It’s a perfect fit for your property Although most modern homes are built with universal door and window sizes in mind, there are still many older or custom-made properties that have unusually sized or shaped openings. A custom solution ensures that your new garage door will be a perfect fit for your property regardless of its size, shape, or depth. 2. Unconventional opening methods Depending on the layout of your space, you may need a garage door that opens in an unusual way. With a custom-built solution, you can have a garage door that swings open vertically, horizontally, “hides” in the wall, folds in on itself, and more. 3. Flaunt your style Depending on your preferences and budget, you can make your new door look any way you like. Want to add windows, etchings, cast iron decorations, and other details to your door? The sky is truly the limit when it comes to personalizing your garage door. 4. Drive straight into your basement A great way to get extra parking or storage space is to convert your basement into a garage. You can do this by adding a ramp and a garage door that’s tailored to fit your basement. This makes it perfect for storing large and valuable items such as boats, ATVs, expensive lawn equipment, and more. 5. Improved insulation Since garage doors take up a big section of the exterior wall of your home, they also play a major role in your property’s insulation. A custom garage door gives you full control over how well-insulated this part of your home is. This can result in greater comfort for the occupants and long-term savings in the form of reduced heating and cooling bills. 6. Extra security Custom garage doors can be equipped with state-of-the-art security features and made out of extra-sturdy materials that greatly limit the risk of burglary or home invasion. Who provides high-quality custom wood garage doors in San Diego, CA & the region? Radford Garage Doors & Gates of San Diego has been setting the standard for garage door installation, replacement, maintenance, and repair since 1945. As a highly reputable and successful company, we’re uniquely positioned to provide you with the full range of garage door services. Contact us today! Whether you’re located near the Geisel Library or at the outskirts of the city, you can count on our experts to quickly show up at your home and carry out the required services with maximum diligence and efficiency.
5 Popular Home Styles & Garage Doors to Match January 20, 2022 by Radford-Team As any exterior designer worth their salt will tell you, the times when residential garage doors were selected purely for their functionality are long gone. Today, garage doors are a major contributing aesthetic element of a property’s curb appeal and can have a huge impact on its market value. But how do you determine which garage door style is right for your house in San Diego, CA? Do craftsman, rustic, modern, and Mediterranean style garage doors differ in any other way except appearance? We’ve previously listed some curious and interesting facts about garage doors, discussed the importance of ensuring your garage door is safe for your pets, and explained how the right details can enhance the appeal of your garage door. Now we’ll help you find your ideal door by listing 5 common home styles today and garage doors that are a perfect match for them. Read on. How do I choose a good garage door? Since your garage door forms a huge part of your property’s exterior, it really pays to spend some time learning about the different door designs and the homes they go hand-in-hand with. Here are 5 beloved house styles and garage doors that match them: 1. Craftsman As their name suggests, craftsman homes strive to create the impression that their every detail was lovingly handmade and personalized. They’re characterized by natural colors, mixed materials, low-pitched roofs, and tapered columns. A wood or faux wood garage door with straight vertical lines, rectangular windows, and handcrafted details is an excellent choice for this type of home. For extra curb appeal points, consider matching the window grilles on your house to your garage door. 2. Mediterranean Mediterranean architecture became popular in the US around the end of the 19th century. It’s reminiscent of luxurious villas, and characterized by stuccoed walls, red tiled floors, arched or circular windows, and wrought iron or wood balconies. To fit in with such a rich architecture, Mediterranean garage door manufacturers specialize in combining exotic species of woods, exquisite stain colors, and decorative iron-forged hardware. This creates an old-timey extravagance that simply can’t be replicated by other styles. 3. Modern Modern style homes are known for their horizontal plank designs, clean lines, and smooth materials such as steel, wood, and aluminum. There’s no better way to compliment this architecture than with a glass-paneled garage door, preferably with black-frame frosted glass. 4. Rustic This architectural style is all about earthy hues and all-natural materials such as wood and stone. Since the goal is to replicate a countryside look, you can’t go wrong by choosing a wood or faux wood garage door. Rich tones such as hemlock, cedar, or redwood are the perfect choice here, as is a carriage style garage door that resembles the farmhouse doors of old. 5. Colonial These homes are easily identified by their straightforward, rectangular shape and symmetrical structure. To complement their historic charm, they should be equipped with a classic carriage style garage door that matches the color of the rest of the house. Where in San Diego, CA, can I purchase gorgeous Mediterranean style garage doors? Whichever garage door style you opt for, making sure it’s installed and maintained by a reputable company is key to ensure your new door lasts for many years to come and complies with the relevant safety regulations. At Radford Garage Doors & Gates of San Diego, we can do all this for you and more. Whether your property is located in Del Cerro or at the very center of the city, you can rely on our team of certified technicians to meet your needs with maximum care and professionalism. Get in touch with us today.
5 Fun & Interesting Facts About Garage Doors January 20, 2022 by Radford-Team Whether you’re happy with the garage door you already have, or you’re on the lookout for Mediterranean style garage doors for sale in San Diego, learning some of the less-known facts about these useful devices is more than just a way to entertain yourself. It can also help you make a more informed investment. In previous articles, we provided some crucial garage door safety tips for pet owners, discussed the various eye-catching details you can add to your garage door, and advised you on how to find the perfect garage door style for your home. Today, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions and list 5 surprising garage door facts you probably didn’t know. Read on. What are some amazing facts about garage doors? Although it’s not as flashy as some other industries, the garage door industry still has its own interesting stories to tell and has had a significant effect on American culture. Don’t believe us? Consider these 5 cool and strange garage door facts: A new garage door offers an extremely high return on investment (80-90%). Depending on location, it may even increase the market value of your property! Many major American companies (Google, Amazon, Disney, Harley Davidson, Maglite, Mattel, Apple, Harley Davidson, etc.) have had their beginnings inside garages. Garage bands are called that because their first “studios” were inside their members’ garages. Some of the better known garage bands include Metallica, Nirvana, and, of course, The Beatles. They’re slowly replacing the front door, with more and more Americans using their garage doors as the main entry point into their houses. The average garage door in the US fully opens and closes 3-5 times a day, which amounts to about 1500 full cycles a year. What did the first garage door look like? The first residential garages – and the first garage doors – were invented around 1912. However, a person from the 21st century probably wouldn’t be able to tell these proto-garage doors from regular barn doors. That’s because they were basically the same thing. The early doors were attached to the rest of the garage with strap hinges and opened outwards, just like shed doors. Since this caused the doors to suffer considerable wear and made them difficult to open when it was muddy or snowing, they were only used for a short while before superior alternatives were invented. Can a garage door crush you? Modern garage doors are equipped with multiple failsafes and safety features that are very effective when it comes to preventing bodily injury or damage to your property. That being said, the average steel door typically weighs around 200 pounds and contains springs that hold a huge amount of energy. Improper handling and lack of maintenance can still theoretically cause a garage door to malfunction and even come crashing down on whoever or whatever is beneath it. These events are extremely rare, but they can still occur. The best way to prevent potentially fatal accidents is to make sure your garage door is professionally installed and receives regular annual tuneups by a qualified technician. Where can I find Mediterranean style garage doors for sale in San Diego & the vicinity? Whether you’re located in Paradise Hills or at the very heart of America’s Finest City, having the right garage door company in your corner is key to ensure your new garage doors are installed and maintained with utmost precision and diligence. That’s where Radford Garage Doors & Gates of San Diego comes in. As a reputable garage door service provider that has been in the business for over 75 years, we’re the go-to choice for all your garage door-related needs. Reach out to us today!
