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Getting a new garage door is a major home improvement project that needs to be carefully planned and carried out by professionals in San Diego, CA, to ensure optimal performance, avoid costly garage door repair, and safeguard your and your family’s safety.

We’ve previously taken a close look at the common garage door problems and listed the biggest reasons to get a new garage door. Now we’ll help you make getting a new door that much easier by answering some common questions about garage door installation. Read on.

Can I install a new garage door myself?

Unless you have a background as a garage door technician and access to specialized hardware, you should never attempt a DIY garage door installation or repair. Not only are many garage door components too cumbersome for a single person to handle, certain parts (such as the springs) can be extremely dangerous if tinkered with incorrectly.

Don’t believe us? Every year, over 20,000 injuries are reported that are directly related to DIY garage door repair. This includes over 800 lacerations, over 2000 crushing injuries, and over 7000 pinching injuries (these can easily lead to finger amputations). In some cases, an accident during DIY garage door repair can even be lethal.

Even if you’re able to complete the installation without incidents, there’s always the risk that you’ve made one or more mistakes that will lead to costly, frustrating, and even hazardous malfunctions down the road. To keep yourself and your loved ones safe, always outsource your garage door installation to a reputable company.

How long does it take a professional to install a garage door?

The vast majority of residential garage door installations can be finalized on the same day. However, certain factors can prolong or shorten the time it takes to complete the installation.

These factors include:

• Having existing brackets and wiring that are in good condition will usually speed things up.
• New builds are the fastests. Installing a door into an empty entryway is invariably easier than jobs where an old door needs to be disassembled and removed before a new one can be placed. This typically takes 3 hours or so.
• New door is the same as the old one. If the new door is the same type and size as its predecessor, the installation can usually be done within 3-4 hours.
• Size of the door. The bigger the door, the longer it’s going to take to install.
• Weather. Although this isn’t usually a problem in San Diego, sometimes harsh weather can slow down or even temporarily pause the installation process.

Can you install a new garage door on old tracks?

Under no circumstances should you attempt to reuse old tracks with a new door. The reality is that the garage door industry is constantly innovating, so the old tracks are simply not going to be fully compatible with the new door.

This will result in the door being improperly spaced, which can cause it to get stuck, fall off the old track, or even suffer a broken spring. Any of these malfunctions can result in expensive damages and serious injury.

Where in San Diego, CA, and the vicinity can I find a trusted garage door repair service? 

Radford Garage Doors & Gates is an established provider of garage door repair, installation, maintenance, and replacement services that operates throughout San Diego and the surrounding cities.

We have a long tradition and offer customizable solutions covered by extensive warranties. Visit us at our showroom today if you’d like to see and touch the materials our garage doors are made of and have your questions answered by our experts. We can’t wait to meet you!

To say that we live in a motorized society would be a massive understatement. Cars have become such an integral part of our daily lives that they now also affect our residential floor plans. It’d be difficult to find a single-family house built during the last 3 decades that doesn’t prominently feature a garage door of some sort.

With the above in mind, it’s clear that homeowners who are shopping for a new garage door in San Diego should approach this task with utmost care. More than anything, understanding the pros and cons of different materials can help ensure proper maintenance and prevent unnecessary garage door repair service calls.

In previous articles, we explored some of the most common garage door problems and took a look at how much value a garage door can add to a residential property. Now we’ll help you choose the right door for your property by discussing the 6 most popular materials used in garage door construction. Keep reading to learn more.

What materials are garage doors made of?

Like entry doors, garage doors are usually made of wood, wood composites, aluminum, steel, fiberglass, glass, or vinyl. Both faux and real wood tends to be the most popular option due to their natural, homey look.

Let’s take a closer look at 6 major materials:

Wood

The most popular types of wood used in garage doors include cedar, fir, meranti, and redwood. These doors can be factory stained or painted separately. Unlike some other materials, real wood doors require regular maintenance to prevent rot and look their best.

Wood composites

These doors usually consist of a wood frame covered with sheets of fiberboard. Higher quality composite doors have fiberboard skins of greater destiny and boast realistic overlays, grooves, and other details to simulate an authentic wood door. Their cores typically contain a polystyrene insulation filling.

Aluminum

This material has the advantage of being rust-proof and very durable. However, it isn’t as tough as steel, which makes it easier to dent. These doors come in various burnished finishes and colors, and are a great fit for homes that have modern architectures. Clear, tinted, and translucent glass panels can also be attached to an aluminum frame.

Steel

Steel garage doors are extremely sturdy, long-lasting, and require little maintenance. They can be painted to match the exterior of your home, and come in insulated and non-insulated variants. Unfortunately, they can become dented or start to corrode, especially when located in coastal regions or areas that get a lot of moisture.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is resistant to cracking or denting, and doesn’t rust. That being said, its rigid nature means that it’s more likely to break on impact. Fiberglass comes in faux wood variants and requires very little maintenance. Although its insulating properties aren’t great, the reality is that this isn’t a huge problem if you live in a warm city like San Diego.

Vinyl

Another highly resilient option that requires minimal maintenance to look its best. Just about the only disadvantage of vinyl is that the color options for these doors are limited compared to other materials.

Where can I find a long-standing San Diego garage door repair service?

For 80 years and counting, Radford Garage Doors & Gates has been providing professional-grade garage door installation services to home and business owners across San Diego County.

Our team of certified and experienced technicians is ideally equipped to supply you with a high-quality door that’s built up to code and installed in a way that complements the rest of your property and ensures flawless operation for many years to come. Get in touch with us today.

Garage doors are undoubtedly an essential element of any modern home. They not only protect our cars from the elements and keep car thieves at bay, they also serve as a major entryway into our properties and a significant contributor to their curb appeal.

But why are garage doors so important? What advantages do they offer that you can’t get by simply leaving your car in a nearby parking lot? Is it worth it to invest in a new garage door, or should you keep paying for a garage door repair service for your old door in San Diego, CA? Keep reading to learn the answers to these questions.

What is the purpose of a garage door?

First and foremost, a garage door serves as an extremely convenient entryway into your home that helps keep your vehicles and other belongings safe from harsh weather and criminally minded individuals. Apart from that, it brings a multitude of other benefits.

Here are 3 of those perks:

1. Reduced energy expenditures

Most garage doors today have special insulation that helps protect your house from temperature extremes. Considering that most garages are attached to our homes, having a garage door installed can help reduce your cooling and heating bills by keeping cold air in during summer and warm air in during winter.

2. They keep out moisture and insects

Garage doors with good insulation help keep insects and other pests out of your property. What’s more, they also reduce the risk of water damage in the aftermath of rainstorms, floods, and other natural events. This is one of the main reasons why garage doors are so effective when it comes to protecting our cars and homes.

3. They make your home more attractive

Most garage doors today come in gorgeous colors and designs so they don’t just protect your vehicles; they actually beautify your home as well. By making your home more attractive while also giving it its own unique individual touch, they increase its curb appeal and make it easier to attract the right kind of buyer, should you decide to sell your property. 

Does a new garage door add value to your house?

If your home or workplace doesn’t already have a garage door, or if the existing garage door is damaged or nearing the end of its service life, replacing it with a modern model made out of quality materials is a time-tested way to boost the value of your property. 

New garage doors boast the second-highest ROI (Return on Investment) of any home or workplace feature. Not only do they essentially pay for themselves, professionally maintained and installed garage doors also boost the value of a property by an impressive 4%. So a $2000 door can easily increase the value of a $200,000 home by no less than $8000!

On the flipside, an old, worn down, or malfunctioning garage door can actually reduce the value of your property by diminishing its curb appeal.

Where can I find the leading garage door repair service in San Diego, CA?

Are you looking for a reputable garage door company that can equip your residential or commercial property in Del Mar Mesa with a resilient and beautiful garage door? Or perhaps you’re in need of seasoned technicians who can address the problems you’re having with your current door?

As the premier provider of garage door repair, maintenance, and installation services in San Diego, Radford Garage Doors & Gates is superbly equipped to meet your every garage door-related need. Get in touch with us today and benefit from our extensive experience and commitment to always maximizing the value we bring to our clients.

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 80 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.