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Insulating Your Garage Door — When It’s Worth It and When It’s Not

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Garage Doors And Weather. No Comments on Insulating Your Garage Door — When It’s Worth It and When It’s Not

Garage Door Insulation – When It’s Worth It & When It’s Not

Comfort and energy efficiency are factors that may lead you to consider insulating your garage, but are insulated garage doors worth it? The answer may depend on your situation. At Hunter Door, we offer professional, trusted garage door services in South Jersey, including insulated door installation. Keep reading to determine if you should insulate your garage door. 

Reasons to Insulate Your Garage Door

Should you insulate your garage door? For some homeowners, insulating a garage door can be a great investment. Consider insulation in some of these circumstances: 

  • Using the garage year-round: If you need to use your garage in the winter, insulating can help ensure a comfortable temperature. Keeping your garage warm will also help keep your valuable equipment safe and functional. 
  • Quieter space: Are you doing lots of loud work in your garage? Sounds created by noisy equipment can bounce and reverberate around your garage and into your home, causing quite a disturbance. Insulating your garage will provide a barrier that reduces noise. 
  • Insulating the attic or bedroom overhead: Without proper insulation, your garage may leak cold air into adjacent rooms. If your bedroom is above your garage, poor insulation can lead to some cold, uncomfortable nights. Cold temperatures can also damage the personal items you store in your attic. 
  • Blocking fumes and smells: If air and noise can escape your garage and seep into your home, so can unpleasant odors and harmful chemicals. Insulation can seal the cracks that allow air to permeate surfaces, ensuring your family’s safety. 
  • Protecting plumbing: If plumbing runs through your garage, leaving it unprotected can be very damaging. Cold temperatures can cause a burst pipe that may damage your home and require expensive repairs. If piping goes through your garage, you should insulate it. 

Reasons to Opt Out of Garage Door Insulation

Garage door insulation isn’t for everyone. Consider holding out in these situations: 

  • Absence of heating or cooling: Insulation isn’t an all-in-one fix, but rather a supplement to increase the effects of other temperature-controlling strategies. If you aren’t doing anything to control the temperature, insulation won’t have any effect. Insulation helps retain heat, so if you aren’t actively heating the garage, there won’t be any heat to retain. 
  • Detached garage: If your garage is detached from your home, it won’t leak cold air, odors and noise into living spaces, making insulation less necessary.

Is Garage Insulation Worth the Investment? 

There are some scenarios in which garage insulation is definitely worth the investment, especially for New Jersey homeowners. When the cold hits, garage insulation will help keep your home warm. If you use your garage all year long and pump heat into the space, an insulated garage door can retain that heat and help reduce your energy bill. While garage door insulation isn’t for every home, many New Jersey households can see some real benefits. 

Contact Hunter Door to Request an Estimate Today

At Hunter Door, we offer great rates on the best professional garage door services in South Jersey. To learn more about our insulated garage doors or request an estimate, contact Hunter Door today!

A 3-Step Guide to Prepping Your Garage Door for Winter

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Garage Door Maintenance, Garage Doors. No Comments on A 3-Step Guide to Prepping Your Garage Door for Winter

A 3-Step Guide to Prepping Your Garage Door for Winter

Winter is fast approaching, and you need to think about preparing your house for the season. Cold temperatures have a direct impact on door operation, and winterizing is something you can do to save big by avoiding damage and preventing malfunctions. Set an afternoon aside this weekend to get your garage door ready to enjoy proper functionality and peace of mind all season long.

How to Winterize a Garage Door

Winterizing is essential regardless of the door’s size or how it opens. If your garage door breaks during the middle of the winter, things can get pretty uncomfortable. Broken doors can get stuck open, exposing your home and property to the harsh winter climate. They can also get stuck closed, trapping you inside or outside until you schedule repairs.

Take the right steps to prepare or you run the risk of having a garage door that doesn’t work when colder temperatures set in.

Step 1: Inspect Your Door

Give your garage door a thorough visual inspection. This includes:

  • Checking the weatherstripping: Take a look at the weatherstripping all around the door. If you see cracks or any sections lifting away, replace it.
  • Maintaining the door: Take this opportunity to clean the rollers and tracks. Use an appropriate garage door lubricant on all moving parts.
  • Inspecting the hardware: If you see any damaged hardware or parts coming loose, replace them. For complicated repairs, call a professional.

Step 2: Protect the Interior

Garages vary, but most have a wide assortment of personal items stored inside. Yours may also be home to exposed pipes and gas-powered landscaping tools. If you have lawn equipment that you won’t need until next spring, drain the fuel and store it safely away. Cover your pipes with plastic or foam pipe covering to protect against freezing. You can also put tape or covers over your electrical outlets to eliminate minor drafts.

Step 3: Stay on Top of the Snow

Keep the door clear of snow and ice. Ice can freeze the weather seal at the bottom of your garage door to the concrete. If yours does end up freezing, let it melt naturally. Forcing it open or melting the ice with heat or commercial products can wind up trading a temporary issue for a permanent one you will have to pay to fix.

Do Insulated Garage Doors Work?

Whether you have a detached garage or one connected to the home, there are multiple benefits to gain during the wintertime from an insulated garage door. These doors do an excellent job of trapping warm air inside and keeping cold winter winds outside where they belong. With reduced heat loss, you also end up paying less to keep your home and garage warm, saving on monthly costs.

Insulated garage doors have other advantages that extend year-round. As the snow melts and spring rains roll in, insulated doors help keep interior moisture levels low, reducing the chances for outbreaks of mold and mildew. When the summer sun starts beaming down, these doors help keep the garage much cooler inside than the standard alternatives.

Have the Local Professionals Winterize Your Door

Save time getting your home ready for the winter with service from Hunter Door. We provide professional garage door installation and care throughout New Jersey, including complete winterizing services and repairs.

Reach out today to request an estimate for your home or call us at 856-482-2325.

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How Does Winter Weather Affect Your Garage Door?

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Garage Doors And Weather. No Comments on How Does Winter Weather Affect Your Garage Door?

Black home from door with windows

How Does Winter Weather Affect Your Garage Door?

Residential garage doors are large moving objects but are also huge conveniences to homeowners — especially in the winter when harsh weather conditions can impact you the most – the cold, ice and snow. What happens when the cold of winter starts to affect your garage door?

Garage door problems can occur in cold weather that all homeowners should know about. While some of these issues are more serious than others, all of them have a fix.

Frozen Ground

When water pools at the foot of your garage door after a heavy rain or snowmelt, it becomes susceptible to freezing. In this case, the frozen water may seal your garage door shut, preventing you from accessing the garage or storing your vehicle. Luckily, this is an easy fix – you can sweep away any puddles or snow to prevent your garage door from sticking in cold weather.

If your garage door is frozen, try some of the following remedies:

  • Scraping: Use a scraper to scratch off the ice.
  • Release cord: Open the door manually using the emergency release cord – once the door is operating normally it can be reconnected to the garage door opener.
  • Heat gun: Melt the ice using a heat gun (or hairdryer).

 

Ice Between Panels

Most garage doors are sectional or have panels that separate with hinges as the door opens and closes. In cold weather, the openings between these panels can collect moisture and freeze, preventing the door from opening.

Similar to solving a frozen garage door, warm air from a heat gun (or hairdryer) can melt the ice between the panels and allow the door to operate properly.  So as to not damage the door, scraping or pouring hot water on the panels is NOT recommended.

Your Garage Door Is Probably Metal

Most residential garage doors are metal – and most likely steel (although some may be aluminum).  Steel is affected when it’s cold by contracting.  And while this may not affect the garage door panels very much – it can cause issues with the components of the door – hinges, cables and especially springs.  The spring or springs (depending upon your setup) handle lifting and lowering the weight of the door.  When temperatures drop and the garage door and the components spend the night in sub-freezing temperatures your garage door may not work as planned. Sometimes warming temperatures will solve the problem but if the door is opening slow, not opening at all or really noisy when opening then it’s time to sort out what’s going on.  Sometimes, it may just be routine maintenance like lubrication (see below) or it may be time to replace worn or broken parts before the door comes off track or causes damage to the garage door sections.

Routine maintenance is a great project for a homeowner, however other repairs like hinges, cables and springs – may be best if left to a garage door professional for service.

Lubrication Issues

Your door has a lot of moving parts and must be properly lubricated to ensure that it opens smoothly, especially in the winter or it may get stuck or jam shut completely. On the other hand, too much lubrication can lead to a similar problem and cause the same types of issues.  

For the best results, use a lubricant specific to garage doors or, if you live in an especially harsh environment, a lubricant suited to your specific environment. A good rule to follow is to lubricate ONLY the moving parts of the door – hinges, pullies, rollers and torsion springs (mounted on a tube above the door – not the springs that stretch out next to the track).  Spray lubricant on the part of the hinge where the upper and lower part are joined, for rollers spray where the stem meets the roller (or wheel-looking part that’s in the track) and for torsion springs – give a good spray or two to the full length of the spring.  Normally there is NO reason to lubricate the actual door tracks.

Contact Hunter Door for Garage Door Service Today

If you experience a major issue with your garage door in the winter, the experienced technicians at Hunter Door can help. We offer expert garage door repair and installation services performed by highly trained professionals to ensure that your door looks and functions as it should.  And even if it’s not a “major” issue don’t hesitate to give us a call – sometimes a quick conversation is all it takes to solve the problem and we are here to help! 

Contact us to learn more about our services today!

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3 Signs It’s Time to Remodel Your Garage

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3 Signs It’s Time to Remodel Your Garage

A garage remodel is an investment. In some cases, you may be able to avoid a full remodel by updating garage doors or by repairing a few issues. There are three major signs you need to contact Hunter Door for a new garage door and a full renovation:

1. Your Garage Uses a Lot of Energy

Are your utility bills high or suddenly seeing an uptick? Take a look at your garage, especially if it’s attached to your home. Over time, cracks and gaps can develop, allowing the cold and even pests in. Poor insulation can also use up the available heat.

Garage doors, especially older models, are also often the culprit if your garage seems to be causing your bills to rise. Older models simply do not have the energy savings of newer solutions. Hunter Door can help you select and install energy-saving garage doors to help keep your heating costs in check. In many cases, all it takes is a new door to see measurable savings.

2. You’re Interested in Improving Your Home’s Value

If you’re thinking of selling or you just want to improve your home’s curb appeal, you can clean out your garage to create the illusion of more space. You can also totally make-over and reimagine your garage. An attractive garage door can make your garage look larger, for example. Since the door takes up such a large surface, it can also impact the entire look of the area, whether your garage is at the front of your home or not.

A new garage door can also improve your home’s value in other ways. Buyers would appreciate an energy-saving garage door and one with the latest convenience features. A garage door with a modern opener and safety features to prevent the door from closing unexpectedly are sure to be appreciated.

3. Your Garage Is Old and Shows Signs of Serious Wear

While you can do a great deal with repairs, there comes a time when the mechanisms of a door simply wear out. Your garage door may eventually have dents, dings and other serious issues which affect the overall look and performance, too. There is a point where replacing it will offer more value than trying to salvage it.

If you’re having trouble deciding whether repairs or replacements are best, contact Hunter Door. Our friendly and honest professionals can review your options so you can make the best choice for your home.

Request Your Garage Door Remodel Estimate

Is It Time to Remodel Your Garage?

If you’re ready to redo your garage, it’s important to work with trained professionals. Each year, homeowners are injured by broken garage doors and by trying to fix doors themselves. Garage doors are heavy, and professionals are trained in the handling of the doors and their electrical and mechanical components. Trying to handle the installation yourself can also invalidate your warranty.

If you need new garage doors because your current ones are at the end of their life, request an estimate today. Our team can ensure your door is installed correctly for a long lifecycle. Our wide selection of carriage house doors, modern styles, aluminum options and more is sure to get you the look you want.

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How to Clean and Lubricate Garage Door Rollers, Tracks and Chains

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Taking Care of Your Garage Door Rollers

When your garage door opener isn’t greased adequately, it can become loud and create squeaking or grating noises when it’s opened or closed. If your garage door is not lubricated and cleaned with regular maintenance, it may become damaged and its lifespan may be shortened. Regularly lubricating and maintaining your garage door system helps you enjoy ongoing access to your garage and protects your investment.

Prefer to leave it to an expert? Contact our team of seasoned professionals for all your garage door sales and service needs today.

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Lubricating Your Garage Door

Start by getting the right materials. You will need a cloth and possibly a vacuum cleaner. You will also need the right lubricant. Do not use degreasers or oils, as these can cause your garage door to work incorrectly. Look for a lithium-based grease or a lubricant created specifically for garage doors.

Before you start, stand inside your garage and close your garage door. Then, shut off power to the opening system by unplugging it or by turning off the breaker. It’s imperative that your garage door opener is off and cannot be activated while you work. This will protect you from injury.

Cleaning and Lubricating Your Garage Door Tracks and Chains

You will want to identify the tracks of your garage doors. These are the grooves into which the door wheels fit and move to open and close the door. Using a damp cloth, clean out the tracks carefully. You want to remove all the debris, and you may wish to use a vacuum to reach and remove any trace of dirt. Debris on the tracks can keep your rollers from working correctly.

Gradually raise the garage door, spraying the hinges as they become exposed by the movement. Each hinge should be well-coated in the lubricant.

How to Clean and Lubricate Garage Door Rollers

On the sides of the door, and attached to the hinges, are garage door rollers. These are circular and contain ball bearings. Any exposed ball bearings need to be lubricated. Since it can be difficult to get inside the rollers, some formulas of grease come with thin tool attachments for this work.

After you have sprayed the ball bearings, wipe off any excess grease, which can prevent your door from working correctly. If your door has nylon rollers, make sure you do not leave lubricant on them.

Once you have done that, you will want to spray your grease product onto the springs at the top of the door and onto the bearing plates on each side of the springs. To do this, open your garage door and close it again to redistribute the grease.

Lubricate the lock by spraying once in the keyhole and then lubricate the armbar and the top of the rail on your garage’s ceiling, where the chain moves.

Contact Your Local Garage Door Professionals

Beyond Maintenance

Sometimes, simply cleaning or lubricating does not help the sound of squeaking or improve the operation of your garage door. Or, you may notice an issue while maintaining your garage. In either case, contact Hunter Door. Our garage repair services in New Jersey help keep you safe and protect the life of your door.

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3 Signs You Need a New Garage Door

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3 Signs You Need a New Garage Door

Should you get a new garage door or repair your existing door? It can be difficult to decide, but knowing when it’s time for a replacement is important in saving you time, frustration and money. We’ve put together the three signs to look out for if you’re wondering whether the time has come to explore your garage door options.

How to Know If You Need a New Garage Door

You may need a new garage door if you notice any of these issues:

1. Serious Problems With Performance

Your garage door has an important job to do, so you may notice performance issues first. If you have had to call for repair services several times or have gotten stuck at home because you couldn’t get your car out, getting a new door makes sense and might be most cost-effective in the long run.

If your garage door opens and closes unexpectedly or if the auto-reverse feature no longer works, someone could be seriously injured by the door shutting on them. This is the most serious performance issue and warrants a new garage door at once.

Keep in mind that performance issues can affect the security of your whole home. If your garage door does not close correctly, burglars can get inside and may even be able to access your home. New doors provide peace of mind.

2. Significant Issues With Appearance

Sagging can be a sign of something more serious, such as problems with the tracks or the structural integrity of the door. It can be a danger to anyone who uses your garage and is a clear sign to replace your garage door. If you have wood doors, sagging can be a sign of rot or the wood breaking down.

If you have updated the rest of your home or if your door is no longer attractive, it can impact the overall look of your property. Garage doors are one of the largest items in front of most houses. Outdated, old and worn-out garage doors have a huge impact on curb appeal. A new door can transform the look of your entire home.

3. Convenience Issues

When garage doors work well, they should be something you don’t even notice each day. If you are noticing and being annoyed by your doors, there’s something amiss. Perhaps you’ve been noticing a loud creaking sound, for example. It’s important to rule out an uneven track. Get that checked out, since it affects your safety.

If there’s nothing visually wrong but your garage door still alerts every neighbor that you’re taking the car out, it may be time for an upgrade. If your door gets slightly stuck, you have to manually open the door, or you have to punch the opener a few times each time, a new set of doors will remove the annoyance and allow you to focus on more important things.

Work With the Garage Door Experts

Have you noticed any of these signs with your own door? Get an estimate today from Hunter Door, the garage door specialists throughout South Jersey.

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5 Essential Garage Door Maintenance Tips

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5 Essential Garage Door Maintenance Tips

Your garage door does more than just let your car in and out of the garage. In many cases, it can be a direct entryway into your home and may serve as a storage area for valuable sports equipment or tools. Proper garage door maintenance can help protect your home’s contents, make your garage door more convenient to use and reduce the risk of injury.

The best garage door tips to ensure your garage door doesn’t get stuck, damaged or compromised are:

1. Check Your Door Regularly for Damage

Invest a little time looking over your garage door regularly.

Are there any signs of someone attempting to force the door? Are there pieces that are broken, cracked or damaged? Is anything not working correctly? Getting maintenance now rather than waiting for the door to stop functioning entirely can help you avoid a costly repair bill.

2. Test Your Door’s Automatic-Reverse Feature

At least once or twice a year, you need to test this feature which is intended to prevent the door from closing when a person or your car is in the way. Of all garage door maintenance tips, this can be one of the most important to prevent injury.

If you have a photoelectric garage door system that senses motion and stops the door, start closing the door and wave a piece of wood or a large object under the door to ensure it stops.

Otherwise, place a large and sturdy object under the door and close your garage door. Your auto-reverse system is working if the door automatically opens again after reaching the object. If this feature does not work, contact repair professionals at once. Your door may be a safety hazard.

3. Keep Your Door Lubricated

Using a lubricant specially designed for garage doors, regularly lubricate your garage door’s hinges, chain or drive screw, rollers and tracks. This will keep the mechanism running smoothly. The process of greasing and cleaning your garage door also helps you notice any damage and repair it before it affects performance.

4. Check Your Door’s Balance

Regularly pull the release handle and open the garage door about halfway. If the door doesn’t stay in position without your interference, the tension springs may be out of balance and could use adjustment. If your springs are not adjusted, the door will wear out more quickly than it should because it works harder during opening and closing than a properly-balanced door.

5. Inspect the Hardware

Regularly take a look at your door’s roller brackets, bolts and other hardware. Tighten occasionally when needed, since these parts can become loosened with time and use.

Do you need help getting your garage door repaired? Don’t try to do it yourself, in case you get injured or invalidate your warranty. Instead, contact Hunter Door. We’re the experts in garage door repair, installation and maintenance in South Jersey.

Whether you have a squeak in your garage door that you can’t identify or you suddenly can’t access your garage because your door won’t work, you can count on our friendly expertise to get things back to the way they were.

Request Your Garage Door Service

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How Long Do Garage Door Tension Springs Last?

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How Long Do Garage Door Tension Springs Last?

If your home is equipped with a garage door, you probably know that these installations open and close thanks to springs. Garage doors move thousands of times each year, but how often do you inspect components for proper function? The springs that make up your assembly are vital for operation, but it is important to understand these parts can become dangerous with wear and tear.

Hunter Door is a leader in garage door installation and repair services across South Jersey, and we want our customers to recognize the warning signs when springs are in need of replacement. The average life expectancy of tension springs is anywhere between five and seven years, but you can prevent accidents and garage door downtime by knowing exactly when to contact a professional.

Types of Springs for Garage Doors

Standard garage door setups contain torsion springs and expansion springs. Torsion springs are usually located directly above garage doors on inside walls where they balance the weight of the attachment. If you have ever lifted a garage door by hand, these are the springs that make it easy to guide the fixture to the open or closed position.

Expansion springs attach to garage door tracks and are primarily responsible for raising and lowering both sides of the door. When the expansion springs are in working order, your setup will look level as it slowly makes contact with the ground.

How Do Garage Door Springs Break?

Both torsion and expansion springs experience wear and tear through use, age and exposure to wet conditions. On average, you can expect a set of springs to withstand about 10,000 cycles of opening and closing. However, homeowners use garages for different applications, so the speed at which your components deteriorate is dependent on how often you use them as well as your environment.

Someone who uses a garage door only occasionally could have springs last for over a decade as long as they’re free from rust. This window for replacement quickly shrinks when you use garages for entryways, workshops and more.

Request Your Garage Door Service

When to Replace Garage Door Springs

For safety reasons, garage door springs should be replaced only by a professional, but you can perform a series of tests to evaluate their strength and condition. One of the most common indicators your springs have seen better days is the garage door will not open or close on command. If you find yourself in this scenario, it is best to call a local expert immediately.

For garage doors in working condition, test torsion springs by deactivating the automatic opener and trying to lift the door using your hands. Open the door completely and see if the assembly stays open without your help. If the door begins to slip to a downward position, your springs are worn.

A second test for torsion springs involves opening your garage door halfway (using your hands) and feeling how much weight is supported by the springs. Homeowners can check expansion springs by looking for gaps in spring coils and ensuring both sides of the door open and close at the same speed.

Garage Door Spring Repair in South Jersey

Hunter Door specializes in garage door repair services across South Jersey. Our team channels over 45 years of experience to bring you solutions for worn springs, broken cables and pulleys for the safety of you and your family. We bring you long-lasting and dependable options to help you get the most out of your investment.

For more information about our garage doors, openers or maintenance services, be sure to fill out a contact form with Hunter Door today!

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4 Benefits of an Insulated Garage Door

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4 Benefits of an Insulated Garage Door

If you live in parts of South Jersey, you understand the ever-changing climate from summer to winter. Experiencing all four seasons, homeowners across this area must always prepare for brutal winds, snow and ice between November and March. If your residential space is equipped with a garage, installing an exterior door with insulation might just be the perfect solution for energy efficiency, protection and warmth inside the house.

On the fence about purchasing an insulated garage door? Here are our top four benefits of having one of these devices attached to your home.

1. Insulated Garage Doors Are Energy Efficient

It is no secret that a garage is a main component of your home. Often times, homeowners forget that these spaces are connected to common living areas such as dining rooms and bedrooms. Having a garage door with insulation better protects your home from unwanted drafts.

A garage door acts as a massive barrier between South Jersey’s outdoor elements and the temperature you set on the thermostat. The more your storage space is insulated, the less chance there is of cold air traveling through shared walls. Effective insulation allows you to cut costs on heating by having your HVAC system run less frequently.

2. Garage Door Insulation for Safer Storage

Property owners tailor garage areas to their unique applications. If you use your enclosure for personal belongings and storage, insulation is excellent for vehicles, power tools and anything else with a battery. Freezing temperatures cause batteries to die prematurely, while an insulated garage door helps to keep electronics, children’s toys, bikes and equipment in a consistent environment.

Unlike outdoor storage, which requires caution for temperature-sensitive items, an insulated garage offers year-round protection for products such as paints, fertilizers and car fluids.

3. Increased Durability: Insulated Residential Garage Doors

Installing an insulated garage door is a great option for ensuring strength and durability. In the modern era, it is common to find exterior doors with layers of polystyrene or polyurethane lodged between protective frames and panels. You can think of this insulation as an extra reinforcement against dents, bumps and warping.

You can rest easy during intense storms and more knowing your garage door is ready for minor impacts.

4. Quiet Opening and Closing

The benefits of insulation extend beyond energy efficiency and durability. Insulated garage doors actively absorb unwanted vibrations each time you use your setup. If your family has a nursery or guest wing, consider mounting one of these doors to help others sleep through the night.

Purchase Insulated Garage Doors From Hunter Door

Hunter Door is proud to offer a wide variety of Clopay® styles for your home. Serving Camden, Burlington, Gloucester and surrounding counties in South Jersey, our technicians will guide you in the right direction whether you prefer aluminum, steel or wooden garage door builds. We take the time to learn about your lifestyle and offer installation and repair services for our collection.

Browse our garage door selections today, and fill out a contact form with Hunter Door for a pricing estimate.

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5 Ways to Improve the Longevity of Your Garage Door

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5 Ways to Improve the Longevity of Your Garage Door

A garage door has the power to transform the entire appearance of your home. Whether you use your garage for storage or as a main entry point for your residential space, keeping your investment in excellent condition is the key to years of functionality. Due to changing temperatures, inclement weather and frequent use, your garage door experiences wear and tear, so Hunter Door is here with professional tips and tricks to ensure your garage door operates as it should.

If you live in parts of South Jersey, here are our top five ways to prolong the life of your garage door setup.

1. Cleaning Your Residential Garage Door

With garage door maintenance, it is crucial to use your eyes and ears. Homeowners can minimize garage door downtime by paying attention to tidiness. Contaminants such as dirt, cobwebs and debris often clog rollers and tracks, but you can prevent this with cleaning sessions throughout the year.

Your garage door plays an important role in the appearance of your home. Between seasons, make a solution of dish soap and water, then wipe down both sides of your garage door. Use a soft cloth to scrub any stains as necessary, and you’ll be amazed with your results.

2. Increase Garage Door Lifespan by Lubricating Parts

Garage doors are full of metal parts responsible for opening and closing your installation. Upon setup, your installer should walk you through the sections of your garage door to show you components such as hinges, rollers and torsion springs. These areas of your garage door require lubrication at least once each year to reduce the chance of unwanted noise and grinding.

Speak to a garage door professional about the best lithium, petroleum or silicone-based lubricant for your configuration.

3. Inspect Garage Door Weatherstripping

All garage doors have a form of weatherstripping that makes contact with the ground. These pieces help to block rain, snow and heavy winds from entering your home. Remember to inspect the condition of rubber weatherstrips throughout the year, removing dirt and buildup every few months.

It is normal for your garage door weatherstripping to crack and deteriorate over time, but you can correct this with do-it-yourself kits or by contacting a professional for replacement.

4. Leave Room for Proper Function

A garage door can only open and close as long as there is plenty of room for movement. Many installations are available with sensors for safety, so always make sure nothing is blocking these devices. If you use your garage space as a storage area, keep boxes, power tools, bikes and vehicles far enough away from tracks and rollers.

5. Tightening Nuts, Bolts and Hardware

Garage doors old and new are prone to vibration each time you use the device. If you notice sections of your garage door assembly are starting to rattle, conduct a visual inspection to spot any loose hardware. Equip a socket wrench with the correct size attachment and fasten brackets for stability.

Keep in mind garage doors contain several high-tension cables and springs. Adjustments in these areas are to be performed only by a trained professional.

Looking for Garage Door Repair Services in South Jersey?

Hunter Door is your trusted source for garage door repair services across South Jersey. We channel over 45 years of experience to assist with track misalignment, worn pulleys, broken cables and more.

For more information about our garage door openers or repair services, fill out a contact form with Hunter Door at your earliest convenience!

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