Garage Door Maintenance 101: How to Prep Your Garage Door for Fall & Winter

November 19, 2021 by Emily Souliotes

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 Emily Souliotes

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 Emily Souliotes

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 Emily Souliotes

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.

Garage Door Installation 101: Everything You Need to Know

September 21, 2021 by Emily Souliotes

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!

Top 6 Types of Garage Door Materials & How To Choose the Right One

September 21, 2021 by Emily Souliotes

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 75 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.