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Which-One-Is-Right-For-Me-Automatic-or-Manual-Garage-Door

Automatic vs Manual Garage Doors

Choosing an automatic garage door for your home can be one of the hardest yet most important decisions to make. Your garage door is more than just protection for your car. It is the key feature of your house’s exterior that serves as an entrance, and it also adds to the curb appeal.

Although the main purpose of your garage is to keep your vehicles safe, it can also be used for other purposes. You may store various items you don’t want to have in your house in your garage. However, garage security is very important, and you can only use this space to your advantage if you have a quality garage door.

Generally, garage doors are grouped into two – automatic garage doors and manual garage doors. Many homeowners are often confused about picking the right type of garage door to suit their needs. In this article, we have helped simplify choosing a garage door by highlighting the main differences between both types of garage doors. If you want to discover which garage door is best for you, keep reading.

What Is An Automatic Garage Door?

An automatic garage door is a garage door connected to a mechanism that controls its closing or opening. The mechanism is activated with the push of a button.

Usually, automatic garage doors are hard-wired into the house. This is done so that you can control the garage door from a button on the wall. Most automatic garage doors also come with a garage door remote, allowing you to close or open the garage door from the driveway.

Newer models of automatic garage doors are now Bluetooth enabled, granting you access to your garage door remotely via an app on your phone or some other smart device.

What Is A Manual Garage Door?

A manual garage door is a garage door that is controlled manually. It has to be closed and opened manually. Most manual garage doors are basic doors and are found in older homes. Usually, these doors are affixed on large hinges and operated by lifting the door physically during opening and closing.

Manual doors are significantly lighter in weight and do now require cables or motors to be installed. All you need for a manual garage door installation is a torsion spring system. This makes them easier to install than automatic garage doors.

Differences Between Automatic And Manual Garage Doors

Differences Between Automatic And Manual Garage Doors

Certain features differentiate an automatic garage door from a manual garage door. Although most times, their aesthetics are the same, and you cannot tell which is until they are operated, there are still clear distinctions between both types of doors.

Some of these differences include:

1. Control

One of the biggest selling points for automatic garage doors is the garage door remote control. Being able to open your garage door conveniently from inside your car after a long day at work makes coming home just a bit more pleasant. On days where the weather is bad, this feature of automatic garage doors is even more appreciated. With a manual garage door, you need to brave the snow or rain to get to your garage door and then make it back to your car to drive in.

Bear in mind that if you keep a garage door remote control in your car permanently, you should get another one for operation at other times. A second remote control will make your life around the house a lot easier. It will also save you if the other control goes missing. It would be best if you also had a push-button control on the inside of your garage door. Moreover, it is only ideal that a person inside the garage should always open your garage door.

Most automatic garage doors are typically fitted with manual unlocking/locking mechanisms. Most automatic garage doors function using electricity, and this places manual garage doors above automatic garage doors in certain instances. If there is a fire, for instance, and the electricity supply has been disrupted, a manual functioning garage door could save your life. Although you may never use this manual unlocking and locking system, automatic doors must have the failsafe mode of a manual system.

2. Installation

An automatic garage door is significantly harder to install than a manual garage door. In fact, with automatic garage doors, a certain level of familiarity with technology is required before one can attempt a DIY. However, the garage door installation happens just once and most times is the responsibility of experts in garage door Toronto. Whether you are converting your old manual door to an automatic one or starting from scratch, the installation will take a considerable sum of money and time to be done right.

Of course, DIY will take more time and is not usually advisable for automatic doors. Although it is possible to get the hang of installing an automatic garage door yourself, what will usually be a quick job for the experts will take you days as an amateur. Most garage doors are large, and their sheer size alone can make installation tricky. You could easily injure yourself as you attempt to put an automatic garage door in place.

3. Weather And Other Environmental Factors

As the months go by, weather conditions tend to change, having adverse effects on manual garage doors, causing them to get stuck or make the panelling peel. However, with automatic garage doors, you do not have to worry about these effects as they are typically resistant to the adverse effects of unstable conditions.

However, the performance and appearance of your door may be affected by certain chemicals which do not mix well with the dor material. A little soap and water wipe from time to time can remedy such scenarios.

It would help if you lubricated metal garage doors – whether manual or automatic regular to make closing and opening easier. You should protect wooden garage doors from heatwaves and termites with proper treatment and maintenance.

Which One Is Right For Me: Automatic or Manual Garage Door?

Which One Is Right For Me: Automatic or Manual Garage Door?

The question of which garage door is right for you is subject to various factors such as:

  • Your needs
  • Your budget
  • The type of house you have
  • How frequently you use your garage door

Let’s take a look at both types of garage doors compared side by side.

Cost

When it comes to cost, manual garage doors are the more affordable option. They are easier to maintain and install and are the ideal option for homeowners on a budget. The market is filled with automatic garage doors that will not break the bank, so depending on your budget, you could have a look around. The choice of garage door installed at the end of the day should be the homeowner’s preference. However, you might want to invest in an automatic garage door if you consider selling your home in the future.

Convenience

Most homeowners would prefer an automatic garage door as a convenience. Automatic garage doors allow you to gain access in and out of the garage without having to exhaust yourself physically. Automatic garage doors are a better option for places where the weather is in extremes, shielding people from the discomfort of getting too hot or too cold.

Maintenance

A manual door is easier to maintain than an automatic garage door. If your garage door is regularly used, you can expect normal wear and tear on the prints and tracks. Automatic garage doors need more maintenance than manual garage doors because they have more complex parts such as motors to ensure that they function properly.

Safety and Protection

Manual garage doors offer more protection from intruders because they are hacker-proof. They can also be secured or fastened without the worry of causing any harm to the mechanisms on the door. Automatic garage doors have inbuilt safety protection that prevents the garage door from closing on animals, people, or objects that might be in the way.

Conclusion

A lot of homeowners do not consider their garage door preferences before choosing one. However, a garage door is as important as the front door as they serve almost the same purpose. When deciding between automatic and garage doors, you need to consider the opening mechanism and material of the door. Before choosing the perfect garage door, carry out some more research and choose what door will work best for you.

If you are a new homeowner, check out TBC Garage Doors for your automatic and manual garage door solutions. We can save you the stress of finding an excellent garage door Toronto.

We handle different doors, from over/tilt-up canopy garage doors, sectional garage doors, rollup garage doors, and side-hinged garage doors.
Our services also include garage door spring installation/repair, garage door framing, new garage door installation, garage door opener belt installation/repair, among many others.

All our technicians are licensed and insured, and we offer you affordable pricing with a 90-day guarantee. We are available 24/7 and offer emergency services. Contact us for the best garage door repair/servicing experience.

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How to Maintain a Rollup Garage Door

How to Maintain Roll-up Garage Doors

Garage doors are a functional and essential aspect of housing. As suggested by the name, rollup garage doors function by rolling towards the ceiling when opened. These garage doors consist of panels that fold around a drum at the top of the entrance to the door.

Due to their suitability for small garages and how economical they are, rollup garage doors have become very popular. In this article, discover all you need to know about rollup garage doors and how to maintain them.

Common Rollup Garage Door Problems

Common Rollup Garage Door Problems

After installing a commercial rollup garage door in your retail property or warehouse, you expect an efficient function. This efficiency will allow your business to operate smoothly. The best way to prevent your commercial rollup garage door issues is to ensure that it is correctly installed.

During rollup garage door installation, the garage door expert must follow the installation procedures carefully. However, even with line-by-line installation, specific issues can arise over time.

If you notice that your commercial rollup garage door has become difficult to close or open, it could be a fault from one of the major components.

Here are some common problems faced by rollup garage doors and how to fix them.

Incorrect Header Alignment

During installation, try not to place the header too backward or too forward. An incorrect header alignment can cause the track not to fall into the guides at the correct arc. This can make the door push towards the wall or drag against the guide.

Improper Leveling During Installation

When installing your rollup garage door, you need to use a leveling tool. A proper leveling tool will ensure effortless operation and proper alignment. Some garage door experts might choose to trust their eye during installation and conclude that their seeing is level. However, it is best to find an expert in rollup garage door Toronto when installing  your sectional garage door.

Over-Turning the Door Spring

When tensioning a commercial rollup garage door spring, following the manufacturer’s instructions is very important. If you turn the door more than the manufacturer recommends, you can over tension the spring and cause it to break. Incorrect tensioning can also make your sectional garage door more difficult to control.

Misaligned Drum

If your drum is misaligned, it can prevent your door from lining correctly. This misalignment can cause your door to roll crooked. When purchasing a rollup garage door, be on the lookout for one with a corrugated drum. This design will strike out every tendency of misalignment.

Tight Guides

If your rollup garage door guide strips are too tight, the door panel will drag against the guides. This will make it difficult to close or open the garage door. Over time, the tight guides can cause damage to the door sheet and even cause paint to scratch off.

How to Maintain a Rollup Garage Door?

How to Maintain a Rollup Garage Door
How to Maintain a Rollup Garage Door?

One of the main benefits of a rollup garage door is how easy it is to maintain. You can keep your garage door in top function by doing the following:

Install a strip door

If you spend a significant amount of time rolling your garage doors up, then you might want to look into a strip door. Strip doors are affordable additions that help protect your rollup garage door from moisture, debris, dirt, and pests. Strip doors also conserve cooling and beading costs and enhance the buildings daylighting.

Keep your rollup garage door clean

One of the easiest and simplest maintenance tips for rollup garage doors is keeping them clean. The surrounding areas, tracks, and equipment for your rollup garage door should be free of dust and debris. If you allow dirt to accumulate on your garage door, it will be a lot more difficult for it to function.

Organic materials tend to absorb water. Debris such as twigs and leaves can expose the metal of your rollup door to moisture, making it more prone to corrosion and rust.

Ensure you have a suitable operator

Door operators are available in different types. It is your responsibility to check that the operator and other door equipment are the right fit for your needs. High-functioning rollup garage doors might require an upgrade so they can withstand their current frequency of use.

Lubrication

Many rollup garage doors experience metal-to-metal interactions. This leaves them susceptible to corrosion and rust. Ensure that you keep your metal mechanical parts and tracks lubricated adequately so that your door can work efficiently. Do not forget to lubricate the locks, springs, and hinges.

How Much Do Rollup Garage Doors Cost?

A rollup garage door can cost anything between $500 to $5000 depending on several factors. You can get a single roller door for $500 to $1500, while a double roller door will cost anything from $1500 to $2000. A double sectional garage door might set you back $2000 to $5000.

Can I Install a Rollup Garage Door Myself?

If you have a certain level of mechanical skills and then the ability to follow instructions, you should safely install a rollup garage door. It is possible to safely install a sectional garage door with a simple set torsion spring system or extension springs.

However, standard torsion spring doors should always be installed by a professional. A rollup garage door is a heavy object that moves with the hero of electric motors and springs under extreme tension. Springs under tension, moving objects, and even electric motors can result in severe injury or death. To ensure your safety, contact a rollup garage door expert Toronto.

Benefits of a Rollup Garage Door

Choosing a rollup garage door has many advantages over a traditional sectional garage door. Some of these include:

Increased security

The material rollup garage doors are made from providing more security than a standard sectional garage door. The strength of the steel keeps your valuables locked in and intruders out. These doors are also less susceptible to vandalism and provide fire resistance.

Energy efficiency

Insulated rollup garage doors have multiple benefits. They help with temperature control leading to increased energy efficiency. Insulated rollup garage doors also help to cut outdoor noise. The insulated stainless steel rollup doors offer added security that can help reduce your home insurance premiums.

Durability

Steel is easily resistant to both everyday wear and tear and harsh weather conditions. This resistance means that your rollup garage door lasts longer than traditional garage doors made from other materials.

Easy to maintain

One primary reason rollup garage doors are a popular choice is how easy they are to maintain and operate. Many manufacturers offer fully automated rollup doors that can be worked using an app on your smartphone.

Saves space

Rollup garage doors are folded into a roll instead of opening along tracks. Most sectional garage doors require a space to be allotted for them to be stored inwards. Rollup doors, on the other hand, make use of very little overhead space.

Types of Rollup Garage Doors

When choosing a rollup garage door, you have several options to pick from. Some of the types of rollup garage doors you can find include:

High-performance rollup doors

High-performance rollup garage doors are designed for high traffic areas. They provide fast and reliable operation. You can find these types of doors in a wide range of materials, including rubber, steel, vinyl, and aluminum.

Rollup sheet doors

A rollup sheet door is made of corrugated steel and mimics the operations of rolling doors.

Quality rollup sheet doors are forged from aluminum or cold steel and are generally used for lighter-duty applications like outbuildings, self-storage facilities, and retail spaces.

Rolling fire doors

Rolling fire doors are fire-rated rollup doors that prevent the spread of fire. These types of doors have a fire detection mechanism and fire-resistant materials that contain the spread of fire. Fire doors are usually insulated rollup garage doors made of heavy-duty galvanized steel interlocking slats. This type of garage door is designed for regular use in industrial and commercial workplaces.

Conclusion

If you are a new homeowner or a commercial property owner who needs an expert to install your rollup garage door, check out TBC Garage Doors. We can save you the stress of finding an excellent rollup garage door Toronto.

We handle different doors, from over/tilt-up canopy garage doors, sectional garage doors, rollup garage doors, and side-hinged garage doors.

Our services also include garage door spring installation/repair, garage door framing, new garage door installation, garage door opener belt installation/repair, among many others.

All our technicians are licensed and insured, and we offer you affordable pricing with a 90-day guarantee. We are available 24/7 and offer emergency services. Contact us for the best garage door repair/servicing experience.

READ MORE