Top 3 Ways to Increase the Curb Appeal of Your Garage Door December 27, 2021 by Radford-Team It’s virtually impossible to imagine a modern American home that doesn’t have at least one garage. Since garages are typically located at the front of a house, their doors tend to be a major contributor to the house’s aesthetics. As a result, many home buyers and owners in San Diego are on the lookout for eye-catching garage doors and are willing to invest into gorgeous Mediterranean or Spanish style garage doors that will beautify their properties for many years to come. But what if you already have a door that you don’t want to replace? How do you boost the curb appeal of an existing garage door? We’re glad you asked, because we’ve prepared 3 tips on how to give your door a great facelift. Read on! How can I make my garage door more appealing? Regardless of how you decide to spruce up your garage door, this home improvement project is an excellent opportunity to also have the door serviced by a skilled technician. This will not only prevent other malfunctions down the road, but also ensure your garage door is safe for your pets and loved ones. You should also check if whatever alterations you want to make are in line with the local building laws and standards and approved by your HOA (if your community has one). For more information on how to do this, consult with your garage door company of choice. Here are 3 time-tested ways to update the appearance of your garage door: 1. Renovate it If your garage door looks a little worse for wear but is otherwise in good working condition, you can bring it back up to a high standard by giving it a new coat of paint or even adding some subtle relief designs. Adding windows is a great way to give your door a more modern look while also letting natural light into your garage. If you like a more rustic appearance, you can add crossbeams to the garage door to give it that classic barn door look. As with other types of exterior decor, your options are only limited by your preferences. 2. Reframe it One of the most noticeable parts of a garage door is its frame. This feature can be used to visually separate the door from the rest of your home, while also serving as a unique detail that adds elegance and balance regardless of whether the door is open or closed. You can even add an arbor with vines growing around it: this is an excellent way to give your garage door a lovely country look. 3. Install an arch Most garage doors are rectangular in design, with traditionally straight frames and 90 degree angles. Although this is considered the norm, it doesn’t actually fit the subtle curvature that most houses feature in other parts of their architecture. Adding an arch is not only a great way to make your garage door fit the rest of your property, but also a bold curb appeal statement that will give your home a truly unique look. Where in San Diego can I purchase luxurious Spanish style garage doors? Radford Garage Doors & Gates of San Diego has been the leading provider of garage door repair, installation, and maintenance services in the area since 1945. Whether your property is located in Allied Gardens or at the very center of the city, you can count on our team of highly experienced and trained technicians to meet your needs in a timely and effective manner. Give us a call today if you’d like to schedule a consultation or learn more about who we are and why we’re the best!
Garage Doors & Pets: Everything You Need to Know December 24, 2021 by Radford-Team Studies show that pet owners tend to live happier and healthier lives, and it’s no surprise. Our pets are a constant source of joy and companionship, to the point where we see them as members of our families. Naturally, this also makes us want to ensure their safety and comfort at all times. One of the ways we can do this is by making sure our garage doors are safe for our pets. In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how to do just that. The following advice is universal, so it’ll serve you well regardless of whether you’re applying it to an existing garage door or you’re still looking for luxe Spanish style garage doors for sale in San Diego. Read on. How do I make my garage door safer for pets? Garage doors are incredibly useful and interesting machines that have long-since become an integral part of modern American households. However, just like the vehicles they protect, they are large mechanical devices that need to be installed and operated with care to ensure your, your family’s, and your pet’s safety. Here’s how to make your garage door hazard-free for your furry friends: Protect fragile components Both cats and dogs are infamous for their chewing habits. If given an opportunity, they can end up chewing through the exposed parts of your garage door, such as wiring. Not only can this damage your door, it can also pose a severe danger to your pet. Always make sure these vulnerable components are out of reach of animals and children. If you’re not sure how to do this, don’t hesitate to call in the experts. Never leave it partially open Leaving your garage door slightly raised to make it easy for your pets to come in and out may seem like a convenient solution, but it’s actually extremely risky. A garage door that’s partially open is kept under constant stress, which can wear down individual components and result in an abrupt collapse that can cause serious damage to whoever and whatever is underneath it. Know where your pet is at Take a moment to check where your pet is located before opening or closing your garage door. This will keep your beloved fur ball from getting stuck under the door while it’s coming down, or getting its paws stuck in the opening mechanism during operation. Can you put a pet door in a garage door? Unless a garage door has been specifically designed to include a pet door, you should refrain from attempting to add a pet door to it. Not only can this kind of makeshift door be hazardous to dogs and cats, it can also pose a serious fire hazard for your home. To be safe, it’s best to install a pet door on a regular door. If you still want to add a pet door to your garage door, it’s highly advised that you outsource this job to professional garage door contractors. Who offers high-quality Spanish style garage doors for sale in San Diego and the nearby cities? Looking to enhance your home with a state-of-the-art garage door or add cutting-edge features to your existing door? If so, you can’t go wrong by giving Radford Garage Doors & Gates of San Diego a call. We’re a long-standing company that caters to residential and commercial clients throughout the city. The equipment we use and the products we offer are handpicked based on their outstanding performance and build quality. Call us today and enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the San Diego Zoo with your family while our experts meet your every garage door-related need!
Garage Door Maintenance 101: How to Prep Your Garage Door for Fall & Winter November 19, 2021 by Radford-Team Cold and wet seasons like fall or winter tend to be especially problematic for mechanical devices that contain moving parts, and garage doors are no exception. Moisture, strong winds, low temps, and dirt buildup in San Diego can all cause serious damage and force you to go looking for sleek and modern garage doors for sale earlier than you should have. Luckily, proactive maintenance can prevent most of these problems and keep your garage door operating correctly for many years to come. If your door hasn’t already been serviced this year by a qualified technician, fall or even early winter is the ideal time to get it done. In previous articles, we discussed some exciting advancements in garage door technology and explored the historical events that brought us the garage doors we depend on today. Now we’ll give you some tips on how to ensure flawless operation for your garage door during the coldest seasons of the year. Keep reading to learn more. Is garage door maintenance necessary? Very much so. Just like your car and HVAC system, your garage door suffers from wear and tear during normal use. Regular tune-ups not only mitigate this, they also make sure that any issues are identified and addressed before they can damage other components and lead to costly repairs. What’s more, professional maintenance will also find any air leaks, faulty insulation, or other problems that may impact the energy-efficiency of your garage door. In addition to reducing your heating bills, this will also make your garage and other areas of your home more comfortable during the colder seasons. What is involved in a garage door service? Regardless of the time of the year, you should occasionally give your garage door a visual examination. If you notice any damaged components, loose cables, or other obvious problems, get in touch with your garage door company and have them examine your door. Refrain from attempting DIY repairs as these can be hazardous. Key garage door maintenance tasks in fall and winter include: Cleaning Dirt can become trapped inside garage door tracks and grind against cables. Furthermore, mulch, leaves, grass, and other organic debris can damage insulation foam and other weatherstripping materials. The easiest way to protect these components is to regularly wash your garage door and driveway with a garden hose. Avoid using a pressure washer or abrasive cleaning chemicals on your door, as this can wear it down prematurely. Remember to also wipe down the weatherstripping around the door frame and any windows it may have. Battery replacement Cold weather can be damaging for battery-powered devices, so make sure to test your garage door remotes and replace their batteries as necessary. Lubrication Regular lubrication reduces how much wear the moving parts of your garage door suffer during regular operation. Proper lubrication procedure should be outlined in the manual you received with your garage door. If you can’t find the manual or aren’t sure you can do it correctly, call in an expert to do it for you. Where in San Diego can I find sleek and modern garage doors for sale? Radford Garage Doors & Gates of San Diego has been providing home and business owners across the city and the nearby communities with professional garage door maintenance, repair, replacement, and installation services since 1945. Whether your property is located in Downtown San Diego or at the outskirts of the city, you can depend on our experienced and certified team to arrive at the agreed-upon time and meet your every garage door-related need with utmost diligence. Contact us today.
How to Make Your Garage Door More Energy-Efficient November 19, 2021 by Radford-Team Energy efficiency and environmental friendliness are all the rage these days, and it’s easy to see why. Not only are we becoming increasingly more aware of the negative effect our technologies can have on the planet, but also how much money we can save in the long run by using energy-efficient devices. As a result, many sleek and modern garage doors in San Diego, CA, are designed and installed with efficiency in mind. But how exactly does this work? How are energy-efficient garage doors different from regular models, and is it possible to make an older door more efficient? We have previously explored the history of garage doors and discussed some bleeding-edge garage door technologies that may soon become an everyday part of our homes. Now we’ll address a few commonly asked questions about garage door efficiency. Read on. Does a garage door use a lot of electricity? Not at all. Electric garage doors operate for only a couple minutes on any given day, so they use very little power while opening and closing. However, they can spend 3-5 times more electricity when they’re in stand-by mode. This is because, like any device that can be operated remotely, a garage door opener is always turned on. Even when it’s not doing anything, it’s always “listening” for the radio signal that will tell it to raise or lower the door. This idle electrical draw is known as a “phantom load”. Despite its scary name, this phantom load is nothing to be concerned about. A garage door consumes 500W per minute during use, which translates to 0.033kWh per day if you fully open and close it 4 times a day. In standby mode, a garage door spends about 0.12kWh per day. All of this translates to just 4.6kWH per month or about $1.4 added to your energy bill. What makes a garage door energy efficient? What truly separates an efficient garage door from a regular one is how it affects the rest of your property. Due to their large size, garage doors represent a significant portion of your exterior walls and therefore act as a major factor in the overall energy efficiency of your home. Your garage door of choice should have: Good insulation Efficient garage doors have a low U-factor (.35 or less) and a high R-value (12 or more). This means they’re resistant to temperature fluctuations and won’t absorb heat from the rest of your home during the colder months. Multiple layers Multi-layered garage doors are naturally more insulative than single-layered ones. What’s more, single-layered doors can be made more insulative and therefore more efficient by adding an internal layer of polyurethane. No air leaks All parts of a garage door need to be properly fitted to its frame to keep cool air from escaping during summer, and cold air from getting in during winter. Professional installation and regular garage door maintenance is a must to prevent energy loss due to air leaks. Who installs sleek and modern garage doors in San Diego, CA & the nearby communities? For over 70 years, Radford Garage Doors & Gates of San Diego has been supplying residential and commercial clients with professional garage door installation, repair, maintenance, and replacement services. We won numerous accolades over the years and garnered a long list of satisfied customers. We operate throughout San Diego and the surrounding communities, so you can trust us to meet your needs regardless of whether your home or premises are located in Pacific Beach or at the very center of the city. Call us today.
Top 4 Technological Advancements in the Garage Door Industry October 19, 2021 by Radford-Team It’s safe to say that, nowadays, it’s difficult to imagine a home in San Diego, CA, without a dedicated garage and at least one automatic garage door. From contemporary glass garage doors to traditional wooden barn-like doors, modern garage doors have become a major element that greatly contributes to the functionality and curb appeal of a property. In fact, as advancements are made in garage door technology and new functionalities are added, garage doors are only going to become more integral to the American way of life. In this article, we’ll take a look at 4 new technologies and discuss how they may make our garage doors more efficient and even entirely change the way we use our doors. Keep reading to learn more. Is a new garage door a good investment? Modern garage doors are an extremely sound investment that can increase the value of your property, especially if it’s maintained properly. This trend is sure to continue in the future as garage doors become more advanced and efficient. Here are 4 new garage door technologies to be on the lookout for: 1. Smartphone control Smart technology has transformed our phones into digital Swiss Army Knives. We can use them to control almost any system in our homes, from our TVs and ACs, to our lighting and music systems. So it’s no surprise that garage door manufacturers are working on wifi-enabled garage doors that can be entirely operated via a smartphone app. This has numerous advantages. In addition to removing the need to carry around a garage door remote, they also enable you to open your garage door from literally anywhere. Need to give access to friends, repairmen, or delivery people, but you don’t want to hand them a key or a code? Simply use your phone to open the door for them no matter where you are. 2. Sustainability Reducing waste and energy usage, and using eco-friendly manufacturing processes is a key consideration for many industries in the 21st century. One of the ways they do this is by using recyclable materials like aluminum, or hardy materials like fiberglass, which greatly extend the life of a garage door. Even wooden garage doors now come in composite wood variants, which combine the aesthetic appeal of wood with the weather resistance of steel. What’s more, they don’t require much maintenance, so there’s less need to use sealant chemicals and other products that may be harmful to the environment. 3. Side Mount Motors These days, so many of us are looking to optimize space. Whether it’s to convert your garage space into an office, gym or workshop… eliminating those old school motors and rails from your overhead space is crucial. Nowadays, you can utilize a Side Mount Motor to really open up your space! These motors include smart-home wifi built in, battery backup so you can still get your car out in the event of a power outage, and remote diagnostic support from Radford Doors & Gates. 4. Interactive glass doors Imagine if the entire front of your garage door was actually a computer screen that could instantly change its appearance at the push of a button? Sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, right? And yet, this technology is coming, and it has the potential to completely transform the way our homes look. Who in San Diego, CA, installs premium-quality contemporary glass garage doors? Whether you’re looking for the latest and the greatest in garage door technology, or you prefer more historical-looking garage doors, you can’t go wrong by giving Radford Garage Doors & Gates of San Diego a call. We’re an acclaimed company that boasts extensive industry experience and a long track record of successful garage door installations, replacements, and repairs. Our team will happily meet your needs while you enjoy a fun afternoon at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park with your family. Contact us today.
The Essential History of Garage Doors October 19, 2021 by Radford-Team Automatic garage doors are an essential component of modern American homes, to the point where we can no longer imagine a house without one. It’s easy to forget they’re a fairly recent architectural development that went through numerous iterations and innovations before it became what it is today. In the following article, we’ll take a brief look at the history of garage doors and discuss some of the most impactful technological advancements that transformed the way we think of them. Read on to learn how the wooden carriage doors of old became the sleek, all-automatic, contemporary glass garage doors homeowners in San Diego love so much! When was the first garage door invented? Garage doors were originally invented during the beginning of the 20th century. Cars were becoming increasingly commonplace and affordable, and people needed somewhere to store them while they weren’t driving them. Here’s how it went: Carriage house era. Carriage houses were buildings where people kept their horse and buggy, so it stood to reason that they’d park their cars there as well. Unfortunately, keeping cars around horse manure didn’t do any favors to the way the cars smelled. An alternative was needed. Large public or private-owned garages were established to meet the needs of car owners. These big garages were widely used until the 1910s, when they fell off due to there simply being too many cars for them to accommodate. The first garages, and the first garage doors, were invented around 1912. They were basically sheds equipped with a large barn door. These double doors were connected to the garage with strap hinges and they opened outwards, just like regular barn doors. This was far from ideal, as the doors suffered significant wear and could be especially difficult to open during wintertime. Sliding garage doors were developed. However, they weren’t foldable, so the garage had to be at least double the width of the door. Eventually, the sliding door was split into sections, which were then hinged together at intervals, enabling the door to fold around a corner. This saw the creation of the first “real” garage door. When did automatic garage doors become popular? An inventor named C.G. Johnston invented the first overhead garage door in 1921. He further improved his amazing invention in 1926, when he built the first electric garage door opener. The first remote-controlled garage door openers came in 1931, and the first mass-produced, radio-controlled garage door opener became available in 1954. However, automatic garage doors didn’t become practical for home use until the 1970s, when the split rail was invented, which made custom garage doors a lot easier to design. Improvements to the safety mechanisms of automatic garage doors during the 1980s and the 1990s further increased their popularity. Another major factor was the shift in materials. Throughout most of the 20th century, wood was the go-to material for garage doors. This changed during the 1970s, when steel, fiberglass, aluminum, and other materials became more popular. This transformed garage doors into a major aesthetic element of the modern American home. Who installs state-of-the-art contemporary glass garage doors in San Diego? Radford Garage Doors & Gates of San Diego is a long-standing provider of garage door installation, repair, replacement, and maintenance services. Whether you’re looking to install a highly efficient garage door or book annual maintenance for your existing door, you can count on us to meet your needs with utmost diligence. We serve the entirety of San Diego, so you can rely on us regardless of whether you’re located in the suburbs or at the very heart of Gaslamp District. Contact us today if you’d like to book our services or learn more about who we are and what we provide.
