What to Look for When Hiring a Garage Door Contractor June 23, 2021 by Radford-Team 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.
3 Telltale Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Garage Door June 23, 2021 by Radford-Team 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.
Do You Need to Schedule Annual Garage Door Maintenance? October 13, 2020 by Radford-Team 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 Radford-Team 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!
Industry News November 1, 2019 by Radford-Team 2Radford Garage Doors is the leading supplier of custom garage doors in San Diego.
Industry News November 1, 2019 by Radford-Team Radford Garage Doors is the leading supplier of custom garage doors in San Diego.
