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Glass Garage Doors for Houses with Advantages and Disadvantages

glass garage doors for houses

Garage doors were once the necessity of homeowners, but now, they are available in as many fancy designs and materials as other home doors. This not only makes them available in a wide range for the homeowners, but they also offer great looks and value to the home. In other words, the garage doors now, are not piece of steel shutters. They are a great way to enhance to overall looks of the home and make it look more appealing from the outside.

Today, the garage doors have evolved as more modern and efficient doors that aren’t more functional but also are available in a wider range for the buyers. You can opt for battery-operated, or smart garage doors that can sense your presence and open or close on their own.

Apart from being smarter than before, garage doors are now available in a wider range of materials too. You can choose the wooden garage doors or go with a more fancy look by opting for the glass garage doors. In this article, we are going to talk about the all-glass panel garage doors.

If you are looking forward to buy a unique looking garage door and aren’t too keen to make compromises with functionality and safety, you can opt for the glass garage doors for your home. The glass garage doors have gained enormous popularity in the past few years. They not only look amazing but also offers great usability and easy maintenance to the buyers.

So, if you are also looking to install the glass garage door panels at home, then we have gathered some pros and cons about the all-glass garage doors. Have a look at them and in the end, you will be able to decide whether going with them will be a better choice for you or not. So, be with us until the end of the article to know the important information about the glass garage door that you should know as a buyer.

In order to decide about glass or any other kind of garage door, it is essential that you look at the usability and safety features. And this is what we are going to talk about here in the section. In this section, we will be talking about the pros and cons of the glass garage doors. Go through them and then make the final decision.

Glass Garage Doors

Pros of having glass garage doors

Excellent appearance

The first and most talked about benefit of installing the glass garage doors is the outstanding looks. The glass doors look fabulous and no matter how big or small your garage is, this is going to enhance the overall look and feel of the garage.

Customized looks

Another plus point that you can look for while choosing the glass garage door panel is the customized look. You can talk to the dealer for a more personalized glass garage door panel so that it goes perfectly well with the exteriors of your home. Also, they are more customizable than the traditional or wooden garage doors. So, if you are after customization, the glass garage doors are going to be an ideal deal for you.

Makes the garage look bigger

Due to extra light and reflection, the glass garage doors make the place look bigger than usual. And this makes it an ideal choice for the buyers who are having smaller garages and are looking forward to make them look bigger and brighter.

No compromise with safety and durability

Though it looks like that the glass garage doors are not strong enough for providing safety and are more of a fancy item than an actual useful thing, believe us guys, you won’t face any safety or sturdiness issues with these garage doors. Despite common belief, these garage doors are made up of high-quality and durable tempered glass that provides them outstanding strength and usability. Though they are not as strong as the metal garage doors, they still are great for common home buyers who are decent performance and safety.

You just need a damp cloth to clean them up

Another plus point that makes the glass garage doors a great buy for the users is the easy cleaning and maintenance. Unlike the other garage doors, you will need only a piece of damp cloth to clean the door up. With better performance and easy maintenance, this is one of the most practical garage doors for homeowners.

Apart from these, there are numerous other benefits that you can avail of by choosing the glass panel doors for your home. Try them and you are not going to regret your decision.

Now once you are well aware of the common pros of having glass garage doors, let’s focus on the cons of the garage doors. After this, you will be able to make the decision whether these doors are worthy enough to go with or not.

Cons of glass garage doors

Expensive

The first thing that we didn’t like about the glass doors is they are expensive. As a premium and fancy garage door, you will have to pay the premium price for installing them. So, if you have a tighter budget, you should go with traditional garage doors.

Won’t be a suitable buy for every user

Practically, the glass doors aren’t for every garage owner. They are fragile when compared to metal doors and have expensive maintenance. So, if you are living in an area where the garage opens on road, we won’t recommend the glass garage doors for you.

Conclusion

In all, if you are looking for a unique looking garage door for your home and have a good budget, you can easily opt for the all-glass garage door options. They are great to look at and will offer a great appeal to your garage. Also, they are great for those buyers who aren’t too keen to clean up garage doors too often and want maintenance-free garage doors for them.

Garage Door Springs Types

garage door springs

Springs are one of the most important parts of the garage doors that help open and close the garage door smoothly. Every garage owner probably knows the importance of springs in their door mechanism. However, most people might not even think of this mechanism until they face any problems while opening or closing the garage door.

The main function of a garage door spring is to counterbalance the weight of the door so that the opening and closing operations can happen smoothly. In other words, these springs work the same way as the counterweights to balance the weight of garage doors.

Generally, garage doors weigh hundreds of pounds, and you will need the same amount of force to lift your garage door without any damage. Practically, this can’t be achieved without garage door springs. Even automatic garage door openers are not capable of doing this. That’s why garage door springs need special attention compared to other components.

Therefore, if you face any difficulties while closing or opening your garage door, it is worth checking the garage door springs. If you find the garage door springs have been damaged or broken, then you will need to replace them to ensure the proper functioning of your garage door. But one thing that you need to keep in mind that garage door springs are one of the crucial components of your garage door. So, you will need to find the right size springs for your garage door to ensure the same amount of force that your existing spring is offering.

Also, you will need to understand the type of garage door springs and their functions to get the right springs for your garage door. Many people also have faced injuries and accidents while replacing the garage door springs because of improper knowledge about the functions of these springs. This is why many people think that it is dangerous to replace the garage door springs.

However, by having a better understanding of garage door parts and springs, you can conduct your garage door repairs efficiently. Here we have included all the essential things that you need to know about garage door springs to perform your garage door repairing tasks without any hassle.

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Types of Garage Door Springs

Before you find springs for your garage door, first, you will need to know about their types. Generally, garage door springs are available in two types, namely Torsion springs and extension springs.

The springs that have attached above the closed door are known as Torsion Springs. On the other hand, extension springs can be found above the upper tracks on both sides. Let’s know about each type of garage door springs in detail.

Garage Door Torsion Springs

Torsion springs are usually found above the garage doors attached to a metal shaft. The location of these springs can vary according to the design of your garage door. In some garage doors, the metal shafts pass through the springs, while in some other garage doors, the metal shaft houses the springs. Also, the spring can be located in the middle or at one end of the metal shaft.

The garage door Torsion springs apply torque to the shaft to balance the garage door. The shaft is attached to drums at each end, which is further connected to the bottom of the door with the help of cables. This way, the torsion springs open and close when the garage door opens and closes. Torsion springs come with a cycle life that defines how many times the spring can open and close the garage door before breaking.

The lifting capacity of a Torsion spring is determined by the torque it produces. Some essential points that you need to consider while choosing torsion springs include length, wire size, and inside diameter. One garage door can have one to four torsion springs according to the weight and size of the door.

Garage door torsion springs are further divided into standard, EZ-SET, torque master, and steel rolling torsion springs. Let’s discuss each type of torsion spring in detail.

Standard torsion springs

Standard Torsion Springs

Standard torsion springs are categorized into two types, namely standard residential torsion springs and standard commercial torsion springs.

Standard Residential Torsion Springs

These torsion springs are mostly used in residential garage doors. They are usually mounted on the spring anchor bracket above the garage door. Also, some designs have residential torsion springs in an offset mount. Where two torsion springs are needed to balance the garage door, they are mounted on the spring anchor bracket above the garage door. This design is considered to be safer than other designs. In this case, if one spring breaks, the other spring balances the garage door and prevents it from falling.

Standard Commercial Torsion Springs

In commercial garage doors, a minimum of two torsion springs in used to operate the garage door. The torsion springs used in the commercial garage doors are mainly designed in four ways, namely linear, duplex, triplex, and mixed.

The linear torsion spring system is usually used for wider garage doors. In a linear torsion spring system, at least four or more springs are combined to fit the wider garage doors. The main advantage of this torsion spring system is that it is cheaper compared to duplex or triplex systems.

In the duplex torsion spring system, you can find two large springs on both halves of the garage door. Moreover, this system has another two springs inside the torsion springs. This spring system offers more torque to lift the wider garage doors without requiring any additional space.

The triplex spring system works the same way as the duplex system. However, this spring system contains two springs inside the outer spring.

In the mixed spring system, you can find a combination of the linear, duplex, and triplex spring systems. If the garage door is heavy, then you can consider using the mixed spring system to ensure better performance. The main disadvantage of the duplex and triplex spring system is that it is difficult to identify if there is a break in the innerspring.

EZ-SET Torsion Springs

Though they are similar to the standard torsion springs, they have different hardware. The EZ-SET torsion springs are mounted on the middle of the torsion shaft. Also, most wider garage doors have two EZ-SET torsion springs. In such designs, the torsion springs are mounted on the left side of the garage door.

Apart from that, you can also find some wider garage doors with two shafts and a coupler to connect the two shafts. This design helps you to replace the EZ-SET torsion springs with ease. In the case of wider garage doors, you can find the support bracket in the middle, but the single car garage doors don’t include any supporting bracket.

Torque Master Torsion Springs

The torque master torsion springs are designed to offer better safety than the EZ-SET torsion springs. These springs have a nested design that stays fastened inside of the shaft. Also, the shaft doesn’t have a circular cross-section, so one part of the shaft is extended outward.

Some torque master springs also come with a winding cone that expands more than the shaft and passes through the cable drum. There is a winder to mount the winding cone. The torsion spring can be wound with an electric drill.

The cable drums are made of plastic and are used to support the ends of the shaft. The three grooves of the torque master torsion springs are designed to sit at a Hight than the other grooves. On the other hand, the rest of the grooves are designed to wrap around the drum with a 2-inch diameter. The center support bracket has a circular piece that rotates with the shaft when the garage door opens. This way, the torque master torsion springs function.

Steel Rolling Door Torsion Springs

As you know, the steel rolling doors are not similar to the most garage doors available in the market. They usually have some interlocking shafts connected together to form the door section. This design offers higher mobility for opening and closing the garage door. Such garage doors have a barrel on the top on which the door gets wrapped securely. This way, it is very easy to operate steel rolling garage doors.

In general, the barrel includes a torsion spring inside it to counterbalance the weight of the door. Some steel rolling doors also come with two springs to balance heavier garage doors. Moreover, these springs are not visible outside because the barrel remains closed on both sides. The barrel also includes two head plates on both sides. Inside the barrel, two shafts are passed through a bearing and the head plates. There are idler brackets inside the barrel, fastened using screws to support the shafts.

The main purpose of these shafts is to support the torsion springs inside the barrel. One end of the spring has a cone that is attached to the shaft, and the other end is secured with the help of an idler bracket. This way, the steel rolling door torsion springs function.

How to measure garage door springs size? No chart watch video Tutorial below:

 

garage door extension springs

Garage Door Extension Springs

Garage door extension springs can be mounted above the horizontal tracks or along the sides of the garage door. These springs counterbalance the weight of the garage door by extending and contracting when the door opens and closes. Residential garage doors use only two extension garage door springs, while commercial garage doors use multiple extension garage door springs.

According to the design, you can find garage door extension springs in open-loop, closed-loop, and clipped end design.

Open Loop Extension Garage Door Springs

Compared to other types of extension springs, open-loop extension springs are the weakest ones. These springs have a wire at the end, which determines how the spring will function. If this wire gets damaged, then the spring is not ideal for use, and you need to replace it.

Closed Loop Garage Door Extension Springs

These springs are stronger than open-loop extension springs because they have two coils at the end. These coils get connected to the pulley and eyebolt for smoother operation.

Clipped End Extension Springs

This type of extension spring is a robust one compared to all extension springs. These springs can be used with garage doors weighing up to 200 lbs. for better performance. Moreover, the clipped end garage door extension springs can last for a long time and are used in most garage doors.

As per the size of the door, the extension springs are two types, and those are as follows:

Sectional Garage Door Extension Springs

These are the most common types of extension springs to use. These springs pull the cables to counterbalance the garage door. These springs get stretched to balance the door because the weight of the door is on the cables while closing the door. This way, it helps operate the garage door easily.

In residential garage doors, two extension springs are used on both sides of the door. One end of these springs gets connected to the pulley, and the other end is connected to the eye bolt.

In the case of commercial garage doors, there is a special kit to connect multiple extension springs for better operation. However, they have the same setup as the residential garage doors.

One Piece Garage Door Extension Springs:

One-piece garage doors are one large piece that opens and closes. There are tracks in this door setup that guide the garage door for opening and closing. In this setup, extension springs are attached to a pivot pin that extends to counterbalance the weight of the garage door. These types of garage doors usually use two to four extension springs to balance the garage door appropriately.

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Garage Door Springs Color Code

Color Pounds Kilograms
White 10/110/210 5/50/95
Green 20/120/220 10/55/100
Yellow 30/130/230 15/60/105
Blue 40/140/240 20/65/110
Red 50/150/250 25/70/115
Brown 60/160/260 NA
Orange 70/170/270 30/75/120
Gold 80/180/280 35/80/125
Light Blue 90/190/290 40/85/130
Tan 100/200/300 45/90/135

How to adjust and Replace Garage Door side extension Springs

Conclusion

Now, you know different types of springs used in the garage doors and their functions. Torsion springs are usually mounted above the garage doors, while extension springs are mounted along the side of the garage doors.

So now, you can identify the type of springs used in your garage door and determine the damages. Then you can easily replace the springs in your garage door and experience optimal performance.

Garage Door Weather Stripping Bottom Seals

Garage Door Weather Stripping Bottom Seals

Garage Doors are the most important thing to consider while designing a garage door at home. With the perfect design and usability, these doors offer perfect safety to your vehicles and other belongings that you usually keep in a garage. Though garage doors are extremely durable and designed in a perfect way, still there are cases where you get some issues when you are looking for making the garage a completely sealed place.

And this is why it is essential to choose the right size of doors for your garage. However, if you somehow missed it and your garage door doesn’t seal the bottom perfectly, there is one simple way to achieve this, and that is the garage door bottom weather seal.

What are Garage Door Weather Stripping Bottom Seals?

Garage door weather stripping bottom seals are the simplest and the most effective way to seal the garage and keep the insects and dirt away from the things that you have in the garage. Also, they are great for the winters and keep the belonging and vehicles safe. Garage door seals are available in different sizes and types that make them an ideal choice for garage door owners.

Here, we are going to talk about the different types of garage door bottom seals that are available in the market and popular among the buyers. With the right type of garage door bottom seal, you can easily find the most efficient and reliable results to keep things safe without making a large investment.

Different types of Garage Door Weather Buttom Seals

In order to get the best-in-class performance and safety, it is essential that you choose the right type of door bottom weather seal. And you can easily find a better type of garage door bottom seal by knowing them all. So, here is a brief introduction to different types of garage door weather bottom seals that you can buy today. Have a look at them once and then start searching for the best bottom seal from your garage door.

  • Bulb Bottom Garage Door Seals

The bulb garage door bottom seals are among the most common and commonly used garage door seals available in the market. With a longer body and narrower top than other common types of door seals, these garage door bottom seals are great for uneven surfaces near the garage door. With a better life and performance, these garage door seals are perfect for all types of single channel garage doors.

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The bulb garage door seals are among the simplest and easiest to install garage door bottom seals and even if you are looking to install them by yourself, you won’t face any major issues. Just a bunch of basic tools and the right procedure is what you need to install these garage door seals. So, if you have a single channel garage door and are looking for a perfect garage door seal that keeps the dust and insects away from your garage, you should once try hands on Bulb garage door bottom seal.

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  • Beaded Bottom Garage Door Seals

Beaded Garage door seals are another popular type of bottom seals that are extremely useful and efficient for the users. Unlike the other bottom seals, the beaded garage door seals are meant for the double channel garage doors that make them a worthy choice for the users who have such kind of garage doors. With the better build and easy installation, these garage door seals are completely worthy buy for the buyers who are after performance and usability. Try your hands on these door seals and you are going to love the overall performance. The circular grooves and strips are meant to work flawlessly with each other to completely seal the gap between the door and the ground.

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The beaded door bottom seals are also one of the most effective ways to get rid of the chances of water entering the garage. SO, if your primary goal is to prevent the water from running through the door, you should not look any further than beaded door bottom seals.

Are you planning to insulate your Garage door? This post on How to Insulate a Garage Door might help.

  • J-type Bottom Garage Door Seals

The next type of door seals we are going to talk about here is the J-type garage door bottom seal. These garage doors are named because they form a “J” when the door gets closed on both sides. With the simple operation and decent protection for the single channel garage doors, these are the most common and decent performers for the price. Though you can’t claim them to resist water to flow in the garage, still they are great for normal protection from insects and dirt to enter the garage. Also, they are extremely easy to install and are compatible with a variety of garage doors.

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So, if you are after a decent performance and great value for money, you should once try hands on J-Type garage door bottom seals.  These are perfect for first-timers and those buyers who are after perfect value for money.

Replacing a Garage door spring can  be easy if you know how to do it. Here is a help tutorial post on How to Replace a Garage Door Spring you might want to check out.

  • T-Type Bottom Garage Door Seals

For those garage door owners who are looking for decent performers but aren’t too keen to go with the J-type door seals due to space limitations, the T-type garage door bottom seals are the best option to go with. With simple installation and perfect performance, these door seals are great for the users who are looking for reliable performance from a relatively smaller garage door weather seal. Once closed, these seals look like inverted T, and thus named as T-type door seals. Being smaller than the J-type door seals, you can easily choose them for all kinds of compact single channel garage doors without an issue.

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Along with the shapes of the Garage door bottom seals, they can also be classified into different types according to the material. These classifications are Vinyl Door stops, Bottom seal, rubber garage door seal, and brush seal.

How To Replace Bottom Garage Door Seals

Smart Garage door opener makes our life easy. But if you don’t program your garage door opener you might face minor issues on operating it. Have a look at How to Program a Garage Door Opener so you can learn how to program a garage door properly.

Conclusion

To conclude, if you are looking to have an excellent door seal, it is essential to choose the right type. Keep the above-listed garage door bottom seal’s information in mind and you are going to find the ideal door bottom seal according to your needs and budget.

Garage Door Cables

garage door cables

Garage doors are a single moving part of any home that functions as a whole system to secure your garage. Moreover, this is the front of your home, so you need to know about its function and parts to keep it functioning optimally. When it comes to the parts of a garage door, there are many components to consider. A garage door mechanism comprises several parts like garage door panels, extension & torsion springs, garage door opener, cable drums, and garage door cables.

When all these parts work together, your garage door opens and closes. The track of your garage door keeps the door and its parts aligned to ensure smooth operation. Torsion and extension springs lift the door for closing and opening, and the garage door opener helps open and close the garage door without human efforts. Further, the garage door cables and cable drums are there to support the door if the springs fail to function.

But if any of the parts of your garage door stops working, then your garage door will face difficulties while moving. Also, you can’t use your garage door until that part gets repaired or replaced. Sometimes it is very easy to repair a part of your garage door, while some other time, you will need professional assistance to repair your garage door.

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Mostly, homeowners neglect the role of garage door cables because they are there for failsafe purposes. They are available as a backup for the springs, and without them, your garage door is not completely safe to operate. These cables are available in different types to meet specific purposes. Here we are going to discuss different types of garage door cables, their function, and the reasons that cause problems in cable operations.

Purpose of Garage Door Cables:

As mentioned above, garage door cables help the torsion and extension springs to open and close the garage door smoothly. These cables are available on each side of the garage door. So, when one cable breaks or damages, the other cable will get more pressure or stress, and, in the end, it will break. Therefore, both these cables are proportional to each other, and you can’t use your garage door if one cable is broken.

The garage door cables are attached to the bottom of the garage door and a cable drum to operate the door smoothly. Further, the cable drum is attached to both ends of the torsion spring shaft. In this way, the torsion spring turns the cable drums to wrap and unwrap the cables around the drums. When this happens, the garage door opens and closes.

Therefore, if one of these cables breaks, then you can’t open or close the garage door efficiently. The entire weight of the door will be on the other cable, rollers, and tracks of the garage door opener. Finally, the other cable will also break. So, you should give attention to your garage door cables and repair and replace them when damaged.

Types of Garage Door Cables:

Garage door cables are generally categorized into two types the first one is garage door lifting cables, and the second one is garage door safety cables. The function of the lifting cable is to lift the garage door using the energy of the springs. On the other hand, safety cables ensure your safety if there is an accident with the garage door springs. So, let’s know these two types of garage door cables in detail.

  • Garage Door Lifting Cables:

In general, a garage door has torsion springs on the top that help the garage door operate smoothly. However, these springs are not connected to the door directly. They are connected to the pulleys or cable drums over which the cables wrap and unwrap. This way, the energy of the springs is converted to the lifting force to open and close the garage door. So, there is one lifting cable on each side of the door to lift the door, and if either one fails, then the second one also fails to operate the door.

The garage door lifting cables are further divided into torsion spring cables and extension spring cables. Here are the details of these cables.

Torsion Spring Cables:

Torsion springs are usually located above the garage door against the wall, so they in parallel to the garage door. These springs have energy in their coiling that is used to lift the garage door. When closing the door, the torsion springs wrap and store their energy.

The torsion spring cables are wrapped around the drums at each end of the spring shaft. In this configuration, when the shaft rotates, the cables function to open and close the door. The torsion spring cables are usually long-lasting, so you can use them efficiently for many years. However, if they break earlier, then you will need to service your garage door to find out the problem and fix it in the first place. In this way, you can ensure the smooth operation of your garage door.

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Here is a video tutorial on replacing both cables on Garage Door Torsion Spring System

Extension Spring Cables:

The energy of extension springs is stored when they are extended. These springs sit perpendicular to the garage door and parallel to the tracks. These springs extend when the garage door closes and release when the garage door opens.

The extension spring cables are wrapped over a pully that is attached to the end of the extension springs. So, you can’t lift the door if one of these cables breaks. You will need to replace the cable to operate your garage door efficiently.

  • Garage Door Safety Cables:

Like the name, safety cables are there to keep you safe when there is an accident. They are attached to the door frame and goes through the extension spring, where the other end is attached to the hook screw, which is holding the spring. In this way, these cables are completely attached to the door track so that they can prevent damages when an extension spring breaks.

In case the extension springs break, the safety cables prevent them from falling and causing severe injuries. If there are no safety cables attached to your garage door, then the springs will fall when they break, which can cause heavy damage. So, it is essential to keep your safety cables in proper condition to deal with such situations. Otherwise, you may face severe damage during such accidents. In most cases, people die or get injured while operating their garage door due to the absence of safety cables.

 

Why Does the Garage Door Lifting Cables Break?

In most cases, these cables break due to daily wear and tear while opening and closing the door. The lifting cables function whenever the garage door is opened or closed. Further, they are attached to a drum that is linked with the torsion springs, so they engage every time the garage door is opened and closed.

Due to moving up and down, these cables create a lot of friction, which affects their lifespan. Also, the winding & unwinding and the weight of the garage door cause these cables to damage. Moreover, environmental effects like cold, moisture, and heat weaken the garage door lifting cables, eventually affecting their performance. This way, these cables get affected by corrosion over time resulting in poor performance.

The lifting cables also will get damaged if the garage door is not aligned properly. Even a bit of misalignment can give a lot of stress to the lifting cables. Because of this problem, the parts of your garage door will rub with each other and create lots of friction. In this way, the garage door lifting cables get affected by wear and tear and damage earlier. All these factors work together to break the lifting cables.

Some Common Signs That Indicate the Lifting Cables Has Broken:

If you want to know whether your garage door lifting cables have broken, then you can know it by paying attention to multiple things. Usually, many things are there that can indicate to you that your garage door lifting cables have broken, and here are some of those.

  • Difficulties While Opening the Garage Door:

This is a common sign that determines the garage door lifting cables have some problems. In this case, the motor and the springs seem to work properly, but due to some other reasons, the garage door faces difficulties opening. If this happens to your garage door, you can confirm that either the springs or the lifting cables have broken. Sometimes most people get annoyed due to some unknown reasons while opening the door. However, if you find the spring or the lifting cable is broken, then you should repair it immediately to ensure appropriate performance.

  • A Hanging Wire Beside the Garage Door:

If a loose wire is hanging beside your garage door, then probably your lifting cables are in danger. You can check this to ensure whether the cable is broken. Due to extreme wear and tear, the cables get damaged because of which the wires come out. If you don’t do anything, then this issue will increase with time and break the lifting cables. So, when you notice this, you should consider repairing the garage door lifting cables to prevent future difficulties.

How Do I Prevent My Garage Door Lifting Cables from Breaking?

Now, you know the reasons why the garage door lifting cables break, so you can easily avoid such conditions to keep your lifting cables in good condition. However, here are some tips to prevent garage door lifting cables from breaking.

  • Conduct Scheduled Maintenance:

This is one of the best ways to keep your lifting cables in proper condition. You should schedule regular maintenance for your garage door to make sure that every part is functioning appropriately. When a professional inspect the parts of your garage door, he can easily notice the faults and replace the lifting cables if they are damaged.

  • Inspect the Cables Visually:

You can check the lifting cables yourself in a certain interval to ensure that they are working fine. By doing so, you can notice if there is any wear and tear in the lifting cables and repair them in the first place.

Why Do Lifting Cables Slip Off Their Drums?

Usually, when you command the garage door opener to open your door, several processes happen in the background. During this situation, the cables may slip off due to many reasons, and here are some of those.

  • The Tracks Have Blocked:

If the tracks of your garage door are dirty, then they may create resistance while operating and put a lot of pressure on the motor. If this happens, the cables may slip off due to a lot of pressure.

  • Broken Spring:

Some old model garage doors contain one torsion spring to operate the door. In case the spring of the garage door mechanism breaks, then the drum will rotate freely. This will loosen the tension of the cables, crashing the door down. But if the door has two torsion springs, then the other spring will keep the door in a hang position without putting it down.

  • Wrong Spring:

As springs are a crucial part of the garage door, you should replace the right springs for the right purpose. If you have installed the wrong sprig in the garage door mechanism, then it can’t function properly and put a lot of stress on the cables. This may damage the cables, or sometimes the cables may slip off the drum.

  • Auto Reverse Feature Failure:

As you know, the latest garage door openers come with an auto-reverse feature for safety purposes. It creates a light beam across the door opening to stop and reverse the door if the beam breaks while closing the door. In case the auto-reverse system is not functioning, then the door will collide with the car or other objects in the way. Also, the cables will continue to rotate, and sometimes they may slip off the drum.

  • Improper Drums and Cables:

If you have installed the wrong drums and cables, then they will mismatch with each other and put more strain on the cable. This can damage or sometimes break the cable.

Conclusion:

Now you know about garage door cables, their types, and the reasons why they malfunction sometimes. So, you can easily solve the problems related to garage door cables.

Garage Door Locks – The Definitive Guide for Choosing the Right Security Lock

garage door locks

After reviewing many news and investigation reports, we found out that the most common way the burglars enter the home is via the front door. You may have already secured your front door, but it is also essential to secure your garage door since it is not far from the main entrance. As per one of the reports, a lot of burglaries also happen through the garage door. In such a case, it becomes even more essential to secure your garage door.

Another reason to secure the garage door is that as many as 25% of burglaries escalates into a personal assault. The gentle burglaries are a myth, and there is always a chance of getting into a confrontation with an armed burglar.

With this in mind, it becomes essential to secure your garage door. It is not only necessary to lock your garage door, but it is also vital to choose the right lock for your garage door. There are different types of garage door locks available in the market, and we have listed all the possible information about choosing the right garage door lock for your home. From heavy duty garage door lock, automatic garage door lock to old style garage door locks you can use them depending on your security preferences.

Different Types of Garage Door Locks

In this section of the page, we have listed the different garage door security locks available in the market. You can check out the options available and stay up to date with the security measures. While you are paying attention to the garage door lock, we also want you to secure your home’s living area. You should also secure the front door and the windows. Securing the garage door properly will ensure that the motorcycles, bikes, cars, power tools, and other things remain safe. So, go ahead and check out the details below.

T Handle Garage Door Locks

T Handle Garage Door Locks

These types of locks are very popular, and they are great at keeping the garage safe. These options are certainly not high on tech, but they are the securest option available to you. Most of the T Handle Garage Door Lock would need you to step out of the car, and you will have to lock it again after you moved your car out of the garage.

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Keypad Garage Door Locks

keypad garage door locks

People looking for the hi-tech option can also rely on the keypad garage door locks. In these locks, you need to memorize a code to unlock the door. You can unlock the door as and when it is required. In addition to this, it is challenging to pick the keypad garage door locks. The level of encryption and security is very high. While using these locks, you would still need to get out of the car until you have an RFID version of the lock available.

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Fingerprint Garage Door Locks

fingerprint garage door security locks

The next option on our list is the fingerprint garage door lock. This lock would need you to sync the fingerprints of the people who would want to access the garage. Bypassing this lock is impossible. There is no way that someone can steal your lock code. Apart from this, you can also use a PIN apart from the fingerprint. The only disadvantage of this type of garage door lock is that this is expensive.

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Side Door Bolt Garage Door Lock

manual garage door lock

The last option available regarding the garage door lock is the side door bolts also known as manual garage door locks. The people from outside would not notice the side door bolt lock securing the garage door. The burglars have a hard time in attempts to locate the lock. This solution is simple; however, it may not be as secure as it sounds.

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Recommendations from the Expert

We also consulted the industrial experts to understand what locks are the best ones for garage doors. We also consulted many repair companies to understand what suits the client the most. You would not be surprised to know that most of the experts recommended a fingerprint lock system along with a deadbolt on the door. As per the experts, this two-level approach will provide the maximum level of security to you. This combination will be hard to break. You might feel that it will be a lot of work to step out of the car to unlock the fingerprint device, but we are sure that you would not want to compromise on the security at the same time.

If you are trying to set a trade-off between the garage door lock’s price and the convenience it offers, you indeed have a limited number of options available. You can look at the points listed below to understand the different options if you are trying to get the right trade-off between the price and the comfort.

  • You can also install the retractable garage door, which comes with an automation system. There are accessories available on such systems that can also retract the garage door deadbolt. You might need professional help to get this setup installed, but it is certainly worth the effort. The automatic system will eliminate the need for you to step out of the car.
  • You can install the side bolt lock that can be manually activated after you have reached home. These systems can also activate the deadbolt that is placed between the garage door and the living space.
  • People who want to avoid this whole trouble can forego the garage door lock. In this case, you would need to ensure that you are securing the living area properly. The chances are that if the burglar breaks into the garage door, he would not be able to access the living area, and it will avoid any loss or confrontation.

Final Verdict

These are the different options available in regards to the garage door lock. You can buy automatic locks, and you can even purchase the ones which need a physical interaction between you and the lock. The automatic locks are secure, and they would save you from getting out of the car to lock or unlock the door. Apart from this, if you are looking for a cost-effective system, then you can even buy the keypad lock for your car. The keypad locks are cost-effective, and they are a lot cheaper than the fingerprint lock system. If the lock’s cost is the primary concern, you can opt for a traditional lock with the bolt action. They are certainly the cheapest option in the market, and it is all that you would need to secure the garage door.

If you have more questions about the garage door lock, you can write to us, and we will surely help you find the right garage door lock to secure your home and keep your family and valuables safe.