Garage Doors FAQ
Choosing a New Garage Door:
What type of garage door should I choose?
The right garage door depends on your specific needs and preferences. We typically start by exploring the design style you’re interested in—whether it’s traditional, modern, or carriage house. From there, we consider important factors like steel strength, insulation requirements, and available color options. Since many manufacturers offer similar styles, we can help match your preferred look with the right brand to ensure the perfect fit for your home.
How important is insulation?
Insulation can offer several benefits, especially in Arizona’s unique climate. While it won’t fully regulate your garage’s temperature—particularly if your garage roof isn’t insulated—it can help reduce heat transfer during the summer and retain warmth in cooler months. Insulated doors also tend to be stronger and operate more quietly, thanks to reduced panel flexing.
If your garage is attached to your home, insulation becomes even more important, as it can help improve your home’s overall energy efficiency and comfort by minimizing temperature swings near living spaces.
How much does a garage door cost?
Garage door prices can vary widely depending on the material, style, size, and features you choose. Basic non-insulated steel doors are generally the most affordable, while custom designs, wood doors, or doors with insulation and windows will cost more. We’re happy to provide a free estimate based on your preferences and needs to help you find the right door within your budget.
What are my options for garage door openers?
Garage door openers come in several types, with chain-drive and belt-drive systems being the most commonly installed for residential use. Chain drives are durable and cost-effective, while belt drives offer quieter operation—ideal for garages attached to the home.
We recommend and sell LiftMaster openers due to their proven reliability, long lifespan, and smart technology options. We’re happy to help you choose the best opener based on your needs and budget.
What are the different types of garage door styles?
Garage door styles come in a variety of designs to match your home’s aesthetic. The most common styles include:
- Raised panel designs, with either short square or long rectangular stamps
- Carriage house styles, which offer a more traditional or rustic look, often with decorative hardware
- Modern flush panels, which feature clean, smooth surfaces and can include custom window placements for a sleek, contemporary feel
You can also choose from a variety of window options to let in natural light, and customize colors, woodgrain finishes, and textures to complement your home’s exterior. Whether you’re going for classic charm or a modern vibe, there’s a style to fit your home perfectly.
Do I need a lock on my garage door?
If your garage door is motorized, we don’t recommend adding a manual or mechanical lock. Using the opener while the lock is engaged can cause serious damage—often leading the door to go off track or bind.
Modern garage door openers already include built-in security features, such as automatic locking mechanisms and rolling code technology, making additional locks unnecessary in most cases. If extra security is a concern, we’re happy to discuss safe and effective options.
Are there smart lock or keypad options for my garage door?
Yes! Many modern garage door openers, like those from LiftMaster, offer smart technology features including keyless entry keypads, smartphone app control, and automatic locking.
With a smart garage door opener, you can monitor and operate your door from anywhere using your phone, set schedules, and receive alerts if it’s left open. Keypads also allow for secure, code-based access—great for family members, guests, or service providers without needing a physical key or remote.
We can help you choose the best system based on your lifestyle and security needs.
What are the different types of garage door springs?
There are three main types of spring systems commonly found on residential garage doors, each with its own characteristics and maintenance needs:
- Torsion Springs
The most common and reliable option today, torsion springs are mounted horizontally above the garage door. They provide smooth, balanced lifting and typically last 10,000 cycles (one cycle = one open and close). Regular maintenance—like checking for rust, wear, and proper tension—can help extend their lifespan. - We use high cycle springs for our customers’ that last 20,000-50,000 cycles
- Torque Tube Systems
These systems feature springs enclosed inside a metal tube, offering a clean appearance often found on newer or builder-grade doors. While they require less frequent maintenance, diagnosing a broken spring is harder since it’s hidden. Lifespan can vary depending on the manufacturer and usage. - Extension Springs
Usually found on older one-piece doors that swing up and out, extension springs stretch along the door’s sides. They tend to have a shorter lifespan and are more prone to wear or failure if not properly maintained. These should always have safety cables to prevent injury if a spring breaks.
Pro Tip: If your garage door starts making unusual noises or feels heavier than normal, it might be time to inspect the springs. We’re happy to provide maintenance or a spring replacement if needed.
Troubleshooting Garage Door Problems:
Why won’t my garage door open or close?
This issue can usually be narrowed down to two common causes:
- If your door won’t open, the problem is often related to either a spring system failure or a motor malfunction. A broken spring or motor issue can prevent the door from lifting properly.
- If your door won’t close, the most likely culprit is a problem with the safety sensors. These sensors, located near the bottom of the tracks, ensure the door doesn’t close on obstacles. Make sure the sensors are clean, aligned, and free of obstructions. If the lights on the sensors are blinking, that could indicate an issue.
In both cases, if troubleshooting doesn’t resolve the issue, it’s best to call a professional for inspection and repair.
What should I do if my garage door is stuck?
If your garage door is stuck, it’s usually an issue with the door mechanism, such as a broken spring, misaligned tracks, or loose cables. Most modern garage door openers will automatically reverse when they detect an obstruction, but if the door remains stuck, it’s important to proceed with caution.
Important: If the door has cables that have come off or is visibly out of alignment, do not attempt to force it open or close. These situations can be dangerous, as the door is under significant tension. For your safety, it’s best to call a professional technician to inspect and repair the door
Why is my garage door opening slowly?
If your garage door is opening slowly, the issue is often related to either the door’s balance, springs, or the motor itself:
- Balance or Springs: If the door isn’t properly balanced, it can cause slower operation and put excess strain on the opener. A broken or worn-out spring can also make the door feel heavy, affecting its movement.
- Motor Issues: If the door is balanced correctly, the problem could lie with the motor. Modern garage door openers with DC motors and dual voltage capabilities are equipped with transformers that may fail over time, causing the motor to run slowly or inconsistently.
If troubleshooting the balance or springs doesn’t help, it’s best to have a technician inspect and repair the motor to prevent further damage.
What should I do if my garage door opener remote isn’t working?
First, try replacing the battery in the remote and test it again. If your opener has LED lights installed, remove them and check if the issue persists. Some low-quality LED lights can emit radio frequencies that interfere with remotes.
Next, check if the issue occurs only when the motor lights are off, or if there are light ballasts near the motor. These can also cause interference with the remote signal.
If you’ve tested multiple remotes and the issue continues, the problem may lie with the circuit board, and it’s time to contact a technician for further diagnosis.
What should I do if my garage door keypad isn’t working?
Start by trying to reprogram the keypad and replacing the battery. If the keypad still doesn’t work after reprogramming, and the remotes are functioning properly, then it’s likely the keypad itself is faulty and may need to be replaced.
Why is my garage door making noise?
Garage door noise can originate from either the motor or the door itself. To pinpoint the source, try running the door and motor separately:
- From the door: Noises could be caused by worn-out parts like rollers or bearings. Regular lubrication can help reduce friction and noise. If parts are damaged, they may need to be replaced.
- From the motor: Older motor cores or dry screw drives can create noise as they operate. If lubrication doesn’t help, the motor may need maintenance or replacement.
If the noise persists after lubrication or simple fixes, it’s best to contact a professional for further inspection.
What should I do if my garage door cable is frayed?
If you notice that your garage door cable is frayed, do not attempt to repair it yourself. The cables are connected to the spring system, which is under significant tension and can be extremely dangerous to work with.
For your safety, contact us, and we will come out to inspect and replace the cable. Attempting a DIY repair could result in serious injury.
What should I do if my garage door spring breaks?
If your garage door spring breaks, do not attempt to repair it yourself. While springs may seem simple, they are under extreme tension and can be very dangerous to handle without proper training. Attempting the repair without the right tools or expertise significantly increases the risk of injury.
For your safety, it’s best to call us, and we will send out a qualified garage door technician who is trained to handle spring replacements safely and efficiently.
How do I lubricate my garage door?
To keep your garage door operating smoothly, we recommend lubricating the rollers, hinges, and bearings once a year. Be sure to use a lubricant specifically designed for garage doors, as it will provide the right type of protection and performance.
Important: Avoid using WD-40, especially in Arizona’s dry environment. It can attract dust and dirt, leading to faster wear and tear on the parts. Instead, choose a lubricant made for garage doors to ensure longevity and smoother operation.
How do I replace the weatherstripping on my garage door?
Replacing the weatherstripping on the sides and top of your garage door is something we specialize in. While you can purchase weatherstripping from big-box stores, it’s often thinner than professional-grade products and may warp in the heat shortly after installation. For the best results and longer-lasting protection, we recommend using high-quality materials designed for your door.
Bottom weatherstripping is more complex, with multiple types such as dual T-channel, single T-channel, dovetail, and Wayne Dalton, among others. We recommend consulting with one of our technicians to ensure the correct type of bottom rubber for your door.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out for expert advice!