As with most things around your house and garden, regular maintenance of your garage doors is essential to avoid damage and unneeded expense. Most people simply do not take care of their garage doors until something goes wrong and they must pay a professional to come out and repair them, or even replace them completely. Not all garage doors are created equal, it’s well worth knowing exactly what type of garage door you have and how it operates, so if something does go wrong you know what type of help you need or if it’s something that you feel confident you can resolve yourself.

Here are some top Garage Door Maintenance Tips that will keep them in good condition and maximise their lifespan.

1. Tighten up the Hardware

A garage door is opened and closed thousands of times in its lifespan, inevitably, parts will come loose. To reduce jerkiness and ensure smooth opening and closing of your garage doors, routinely check over the roller brackets and bolts, tightening up with a socket wrench when necessary.

2. Replace Rollers

Over time the rollers on your garage door will wear and need replacing, to prevent damage to the tracks and other internal mechanisms, you should replace the rollers, on average, every seven years. Inspect the rollers twice a year and if you notice they are cracked or worn replace them as soon as possible.

3. Inspect Weather Stripping

Garages are a safe, secure and dry place to keep valuable items such as cars, DIY tools and sports equipment. To prevent mother nature from causing damage to the interior of your garage and the items you keep inside, it’s important to ensure the weather stripping at the base of your garage door is in good condition. Regularly check the stripping for cracks and wear and change when needed.

4. Lubricate Tracks and Moving Parts

To increase the lifespan of your rollers and tracks and ensure smooth opening and closing of the doors with minimal noise, lubricate your tracks and other moving parts regularly. Oil based lubricants attract dust and build up grease so it’s recommended to only use silicone based sprays.

5. Test Door Balance

To avoid injury to yourself and others when operating the garage door and prevent damage to your door opener, it’s important that your door is evenly balanced. A balanced door will hold the halfway position without assistance. If the door pulls back up or falls the tension needs adjusting, it’s best to call a professional to do this for you.

6. Check the Cables

Visually check the high-tension cables that lift your door for signs of damage and fraying. If you can see visible damage do not tamper with or attempt to change them yourself, as you risk serious injury or even death. Always call a professional.

7. Take Care of Your Garage Door

Over time it is inevitable that wooden and steel doors will wear with age. Water damage can cause wooden doors to warp so it’s wise to reseal or paint annually to prevent this. Steel doors can develop rust spots that if not treated can spread; sand down rust spots when they first appear and seal with an exterior paint suitable for steel.

8. Annual Service

Finally, it is recommended that you have your garage doors serviced by a professional annually. They will identify and fix anything that needs repairing and ensure your garage doors stay in tip top condition!

Your garage door is one of the most important parts of your home, and oftentimes the most overlooked too. Not only do we need to look after our homes internal areas but also its external areas too. These external areas, such as your garage door, are the first aspects of the home to be seen by visitors and passers-by alike.

Your garage door, just like the car that might be parked inside of it, consists of a complex system of mechanical parts that are designed to provide you with the convenience of opening and closing it upon demand. They are one of the most used areas of the home, and are often neglected.

Therefore, regular garage door maintenance is extremely important:

• It ensures the update of any safety features
• It will keep you from encountering any costly repairs, as well as the problematic headache that comes with a malfunctioning system
• A comprehensive system check ensures the lubrication of all moving components, that adjustments are made to the tracks and opener and re-alignment of the safety eyes is carried out, etc.

At Garage Doors Durham you can choose from a variety of quality garage doors to suit you and your home’s specific needs: from up and over, roller, sectional and side hinged, to automated and wooden garage doors.

As well as providing you with exceptional garage door installation, Garage Doors Durham can also make repairs to any existing garage doors. Our service is second to none. We are trustworthy, reliable and professional. You can guarantee that our skilled engineers have encountered and overcome every problem before and have the skill, expertise and equipment to take on any job, providing you with a competitive cost effective repair solution.

Our repair services include:

• Replacement garage door: cables, wires, springs, locks, handles, rollers and roller spindles
• Additional garage door security options
• Automatic garage door repairs and servicing
• All roller garage doors repaired and serviced
• A fitting only service

Garage Doors Durham provide you with a fast response to call-outs, including same day service where possible, genuine replacement parts with a 24 month guarantee for parts and labour, highly trained engineers, a reputation built on twenty years of trust, reliability and excellence, with customer satisfaction guaranteed, and free quotations.

At Garage Doors Durham we believe that the security of your home is important. Your garage door can be a huge security risk, so it is vital to make sure that it is in top shape to aide in the protection of your home. There are lots of things to consider when looking for a garage door, especially security.

Garages come in a wide variety of buildings, and all have different security needs. They don’t just store vehicles either and can be used as offices or storage spaces. This type of usage means that there is a great deal of value stored in your garage, and is at risk of being stolen. Garages can also have entrance ways into the home, posing a further security risk.

The very first thing you will need to consider is the price. How much you are prepared to spend impacts what type of door you are likely to by. Prices can vary quite a bit, so we’ve put together a list of price ranges for garage doors (lowest to highest):

• Steel up and over doors
• Roller garage doors
• Steel/GRP side hinged doors
• uPVC up and over doors
• GRP up and over doors
• Steel sectional garage doors
• Aluminium roller shutter doors
• Timber up and over doors
• Timber side hinged doors
• Timber sectional doors
• GRP sectional doors
• Timber round the corner doors
• Silverlox timber up and over doors

From the list above there is quite a large amount of types of doors that are available. Each one has pros and cons, but the security they offer is what is vital. A good lock is the first thing to look out for. Look out for the industry standard, euro profile cylinder lock with handle and internal locking rods. Roller garage doors have a different locking system with many components to make it work. If the lock is secure you’ll need to check the material of the door. Something plastic might be susceptible to being cut through with a sharp knife to gain access to the internal lock.

Detached garages are usually constructed with brick and prove to be less of a security risk to the main property. Some will have a pedestrian door, as well as a vehicle door. Some will also have windows. They are usually set back from the street a bit more as well, and are generally considered safer than other types of garage.

Attached garages are often made of the same materials as the dwelling it is attached to. There is often a pedestrian door inside the garage that leads straight into the home. If you have a garage attached to a modern house, then it is common for an interconnecting door between the garage and the dwelling. You’ll need to make sure that the interconnecting door is fireproof for at least half an hour, and to make sure that they are tested to BS 476 Part 22. This is standard and is required by building regulators and the door also needs to be self-closing. If the door isn’t fire resistant for at least half an hour then consider changing your door to one that is.

If you want to improve the security of your roller shutter garage doors then contact your supplier. Don’t attempt to improve them yourself, as the retro-fitting of the locks may cause damage to the safety and motor systems. The same can be applied to up-and-over doors. If you want to improve the security of yours then make sure to contact your manufacturer for advice.

Finally, there are a few other small ways to improve the overall security of your garage. Always make sure any vehicles inside are always locked. Add additional locks to the inside of any garage doors for extra security. Secure any windows you have and make sure to lock up any bikes or tools that are stored inside.

There are many reasons to buy new garage doors in Durham. For example, you might have explored the possibility of having your garage door fixed, only to discover that it would be cheaper to have it replaced. If this is the case, it is crucial to carefully consider the garage door you will install next so that it fulfils your current and future requirements.

Types of garage door
Up and over doors are the most common option available. Canopy up and over garage doors are identifiable by a 2 foot overhang. A retractable up and over garage door does not have a canopy and is flush with the door frame when open. Roller garage doors are a sensible choice if your property has a small drive. This is because it functions in a very compact space. It also does not occupy valuable roof or wall space unlike other garage doors. Side-hinged doors are an appealing choice if someone is using their garage as a home office or art studio, because it normalises the space so that it feels less industrial. Wooden garage doors are an appealing option for those who want to commission a highly customisable design which is decorated and painted to match the rest of their property. Sectional garage doors also provide an attractive feature because of their intricate mechanism. The horizontal hinged sections move vertically and conceal themselves within the garage roof interior. The automatic garage door is a very convenient option because you do not even have to leave your car to open the garage door. It is particularly useful for people who have restricted mobility.

Quality
It is crucial to assess the quality of your garage door before purchasing it. If this is not possible, you could carefully monitor customer reviews on your chosen company’s website. Some garage doors are made more cheaply than others which could affect their functionality. For example, the slats in roller garage doors can be inferior in quality. They might be an adaptation of a slat used in a basic window shutter which will not be strong enough to withstand frequent use. A cheap slat might not last because of the wear and tear when the slats deflect and drag on the floor causing damage. Components might also be poorly produced which will affect the long-term functionality of the garage door.

Durability
Certain types of garage doors might be more durable than others. For example a custom-made, heavy duty wooden garage door might last for a longer period than an up and over door which is cheaper to produce, mass-made and lightweight. It is crucial to consider how frequently you will use your garage doors and which type of door is practical for both yourself and your family. If you source a garage door from a reputable company, the durability of your garage door should be significant. However, this is also helped by choosing a type of garage door which is practical. If you are often in a hurry, an automatic garage door might be the best option as opposed to opening and closing an up and over garage door in haste which might cause unnecessary damage to its components.

Longevity
You can guarantee that your garage door will service you well for years to come by analysing your current and future needs in great detail. If you can foresee mobility problems in your future, it might be wise to invest in a side-hinged garage door or even an automatic garage door which will safeguard yourself and your family from additional stress and inconvenience. Choosing a garage door whilst reflecting on the future will also avoid extra costs and prevent you having to replace it too early.

Ease of use
Certain garage doors are easier to open and close than others. A heavy solid-wood garage door might be a challenge to open and close as we get older. We might also struggle to use a retractable up and over garage door if we have restricted mobility because there is no overhang to grasp, or handle to hold, which is situated at a lower level. Many people buy automatic garage doors because these are the easiest to use at the simple touch of a button. This is an excellent option for very busy people as well as people who are elderly or disabled.

Cost, and availability might also be considerations when purchasing a garage door.There are many garage doors to choose from yet different types appeal to the unique requirements of each family.

Garage doors can be costly to replace when they become faulty. However this expensive option can often be avoided by having your garage door repaired. What security benefits are gained when choosing a reputable repair company to mend your garage door?

Garage doors can sometimes become damaged or fail to function as they should. Some home-owners grow concerned at the costly prospect of having to replace their garage doors. It may be tempting to repair the door themselves. However, the lack of appropriate tools or skills can result in the door become less secure. Heavy wooden or metal repairs may weigh the garage door down and cause strain to the door’s fixtures and fittings. It may also become an eyesore and attract disparaging looks. However, worse than this, an ill-repaired garage door may harbour unwanted attention and encourage criminal activity because the door has a weak-spot that can be easily accessed.

A repair carried out by an experienced professional will prevent unwanted attention because the integrity of the garage door structure will no longer be compromised. The quality of the workmanship and materials used will provide a secure solution. A professional repair will also safeguard any interior doors that may be accessible from the garage.

A garage door will often last for decades which means that it is no longer suited to our needs as our lifestyle evolves. There may be occasions when your existing garage door can no longer be repaired. If this is the case, you have the opportunity to choose another type of door which may be better suited to yourself and your family. Perhaps your garage door became damaged because it was not the correct type of garage door for you, for example, you struggled to reach the door to close it. This problem can now be averted because there are many types of garage door presently available and one is bound to meet your requirements.

A garage door which is ideal for people with limited movement or mobility issues is the side hinged garage door. This can be installed with a “split” positioned on either side, as well as a central or off-centre split. Its side hinges ensure that it is easy to use for everyone because there is no heavy lifting required. This is unlike most garage doors where you need to be able to reach the garage door from a significant height to pull it down and secure it shut. Another great option is an automated garage door which can be opened or closed at your convenience. Once you push a button on the remote control to open the garage door, you can drive straight in without having to exit your car. Both types of garage door are excellent choices if you struggle to gain access when using a typical garage door.

The side hinged garage door and the roller garage door are perfect options if you have a small garage and do not want the garage door to impinge on space. A side hinged garage door can be used despite the height of the garage or if there is internal shelving inside. The roller garage door is similar in this regard and can still function even if there is limited roof or wall space. These garage doors are ideal if you use your garage as a home office, gym or extra bedroom and want to capitalize on the space available. The roller garage door is also helpful if you have a short drive because it has no outward swing, ensuring that it uses the smallest amount of space possible.

If you are on a budget, up and over garage doors offer high functionality and quality at great value. The canopy version of the up and over garage door is the most basic choice. Its door forms a canopy when open by creating a 2 foot overhang from the door frame. The retractable option does not protrude but is a better choice if you want your garage door to be automated. Up and over doors have a basic design and are very easy to maintain which ensures that they are highly cost effective.

Wooden garage doors and sectional garage doors are very striking, elegant choices. If your garage door requires replacing, you might want a stylistic overhaul by choosing one of these garage doors. The sectional garage door has horizontal hinged sections which slide vertically and rest inside the interior roof of your garage. This intricate and beautiful structure is highly appealing. Its robust construction ensures the protection of items kept in your garage. Wooden garage doors are equally sturdy and reliably secure. They are highly autonomous: you can choose from a wide range of woods, finishes and glazes which make them a great choice for many and suitable for all types of homes.

Garage door repairs are imperative to provide a safe environment to store your valuable or sentimental belongings. A cost effective repair service is the best way to ensure that you have a secure garage once again. However, if it is not possible to repair your garage door, there are many cost-effective alternatives which guarantee that the security of your garage is upheld.

When people buy a garage door, they do not often think of the implications of making the wrong choice. Garage security is not always considered as essential as home security which is a common misconception. Garage doors are ideal gateways for potential burglars and need to be secure. Here are some tips to improve your home security.

Use a credible company from which to buy and install your garage doors
Sometimes our choices may be governed by the cost of a product. However, the cheapest purchases can ultimately work out to be the most expensive. Inexpensive garage doors may be fitted in an inferior way which allows for easier unauthorised entry. They may also include substandard materials that are prone to rust and rot. The doors might initially appear robust and hard-wearing but will soon deteriorate and provide an obvious point of entry for criminals.

A robust garage door represents your level of home security
Your choice of garage door says a lot about your general attentiveness and attitude towards the security of your home. If you have a well-maintained, robust door, it is an effective barrier against burglars. Often people that are seen to secure the entry points to their homes are viewed as people that would also safeguard their homes with other measures, including a security alarm, durable locks and other devices. If your garage door looks like it is inadequate, it will become an easy target for thieves.

Prevent “fishing” with well-fitted garage doors
Fishing is a technique that burglars use by fashioning wire and inserting it into the catch of the garage door, which releases a mechanism to open the door. This technique is much easier to carry out when encountering doors that have a gap at the top. The wire can be easily inserted and in some cases the location of the opening mechanism is revealed. This situation can be prevented by garage doors that are accurately measured to fit the space to perfection. Home owners can safeguard themselves further by investing in a door that makes “fishing” impossible. These garage doors include openers that have a release mechanism which will only work if the cord is pulled straight down as opposed to at an angle. These garage doors prove a greater challenge to burglars.

Lock the overhead door to increase protection
Some home owners are lured into a false sense of security by unplugging the opener of the garage door, however this does not prevent fishing. It is much more effective to secure the actual door itself by locking the latch. If your garage door does not have a lockable latch you can actually correct this with some straight-forward DIY. Locate the track situated just above one of the rollers and drill a hole in it. You can then insert a robust padlock of the appropriate size. Just remember to keep the key in a secure and memorable place.

Do not keep the garage door remote in your vehicle
You may keep your remote in your car for convenience. After all, it does seem obvious to keep it in the location that you will need it the most and where you are most likely to remember its location. However, this is an obvious location of which criminals are aware. If a criminal notes that you have an automated garage door, they will suspect that your car houses its remote. You may think that storing it in the car would only be a problem if your car is parked in the drive. This is an incorrect assumption because the glove box often holds clues to where the car owner resides. It is much safer for you to keep the remote on a keyring with other valuable objects. You will ensure it is safe and it will always be on your person.

Select a garage door that suits your requirements
You might like the appearance of a specific garage door or the finish of another, but do those garage doors suit your requirements? It is vital to select a garage door that will suit your personal needs. For example, a single panel door may not be a great option if you are arthritic and it is a challenge to raise your arms above a certain height. An unnecessary struggle may cause unintentional damage to the garage door long term making it an easier target for burglaries. It is important to foresee any health problems which will help you to choose the best garage door for long-term use.

Ensure your garage door is always locked
This may seem obvious but it is surprising how many people close their garage door without locking it. This may fool some people into thinking that the door is locked. However it is always better to avoid this short-cut and lock the garage door securely. This is particularly crucial if your garage is attached to your house and contains an entry door. If you are prone to forgetfulness, a garage door sensor is a useful gadget with a monitor placed in a prime location. Another useful piece of technology is an automatic door closer which takes less than an hour to install. This will provide you with peace of mind knowing that your garage door will stay closed even when you forget.

If you own a car, chances are you couldn’t live without it. Vital for many of us to get to and from work, transport our families and generally just live our life, having a car stolen is so much more than just losing a piece of property, it is an attack on our personal freedom. But when was the last time you thought about how to ensure your car is safe from thieves whilst it’s at home? Here’s 5 ways to help ensure the safety of your car at home:

Think of investing in a tracker
If you’ve got a particularly expensive vehicle is a very good investment. Although a tracking system won’t prevent your car being stolen, it will ensure you have an excellent chance of recovering it and hopefully catch the culprits too. Some cars are so much more than just a piece of property so despite their expense, a vehicle tracker can make an excellent purchase.

Mark your car with its VIN
Do you know what a VIN is? It’s your Vehicle Identification Number and is unique to your particular car. If you can’t afford a tracking system (or just want another layer of car security) then get your windows, lights and mirrors etched with the last seven digits of your VIN. If your car does get stolen, it can make life difficult for thieves when processing your car as it’s time consuming to replace these parts. Like a tracking system, it can also help reunite you with your car if found.

Keep valuables away from prying eyes
You may think that your car is safe when parked on your driveway or on the road in front of your house. You may think that it’s fine to leave your sat nav, laptop or other valuable items on display, but you’re not. You wouldn’t leave them on display in a public carpark, so why do it near your home? The fact is, you never know who is passing and valuables can make your a target. Once they’re in your car to steal your valuables, they may only need a minute or so to take away your whole car.

Look after your keys
Did you know that according to recent statistics, because car security has gotten so much better over recent years, over 70% of car thefts these days involve the use of the vehicle’s key. That means it’s essential you keep a careful eye on your key. Ensure you keep them out of sight at all times and when at home, don’t keep them near your front door as thieves have been known to hook them through people’s letterboxes to gain easy access to people’s cars.

Ensure your garage is secure as it can be
Many people think that once their car is in their garage that it’s safe. It’s certainly a lot safer than parking outside of your garage but there are still things you can do to further ensure the safety of your car. Firstly, if you have a home security alarm, ensure your garage is fully covered by it, because if it’s not you’re not only putting your car at risk, once a burglar is in your garage, it may give them easy access to your house too if you have an internal door. The other thing to consider is your garage door. If it’s getting on a bit in years, it may be worth thinking about investing in a new one. Garage door security technology has improved rapidly over the last few years, which means for a relatively small outlay, you can seriously improve the security of your garage. At Garage Doors Durham, we have a large range of doors suitable for any home all of which have high security specs.