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

Written by Kevin on December 9, 2020. 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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3 Signs It’s Time to Remodel Your Garage

Written by Kevin on September 18, 2020. Posted in Garage Doors. No Comments on 3 Signs It’s Time to Remodel Your Garage

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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3 Signs You Need a New Garage Door

Written by Kevin on August 12, 2020. Posted in Garage Doors. No Comments on 3 Signs You Need a New Garage Door

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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4 Benefits of an Insulated Garage Door

Written by Kevin on March 30, 2020. Posted in Garage Doors. No Comments on 4 Benefits of an Insulated Garage Door

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

Written by Kevin on March 16, 2020. Posted in Garage Doors. No Comments on 5 Ways to Improve the Longevity of Your Garage Door

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!

856-431-3952