Modern garage doors are available in a variety of materials. Each coming with its own unique aesthetic, durability, and capabilities. So how do you choose the right garage door for you? Between personal preference, exposure to the elements, and budget it can be hard to know where to begin. To make this process easier, we’ve put together a list of how to choose the best garage material for your home.

Steel

Steel offers flexible design, durability, and an all around great value compared to natural wood. Lighter than their wood counterparts, these doors can withstand all climates and can even be insulated to provide more strength and R-Value. The main drawback to steel is that these doors are susceptible to corrosion and rust. Particularly if you live in an area where excess salt is used for de-icing in the winter months.

Wood

Wood garage doors bring a timeless elegance to every home they adorn. As a renewable resource, wood offers a more eco-friendly option to consider when purchasing a new garage door. Available in a variety of Overlay Carriage House designs, wood types, and customization options, wood garage doors are an excellent option for homeowners wanting a custom, unique look. In addition to the higher upfront cost of a wood garage door, it is also important to consider the cost of the maintenance required to preserve its beauty. Without proper, regular maintenance, a wood door will begin to fade, rot, warp, or chip. Drastic changes in outside temperatures as well as frequent contact with moisture (from rain, snow, or humidity) can cause wood to expand and warp as it absorbs this moisture. These doors are best for a place with a mild climate.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is one of the best options for someone who wants a wood garage door without the maintenance and warping. Available in both overlay carriage house and raised panel designs, fiberglass provides an economical, low-maintenance alternative to wood. Because fiberglass is semi-transparent, this material will also allow more natural light into your garage. The downsides are that these doors are not suitable for windy climates, and the fiberglass can not be repaired if it becomes damaged.

Adams Door Systems has the largest selection of residential garage doors in the Greater Toronto Area. We strive to meet the needs of every homeowner. Our commitment to quality and energy efficiency means that you will have the best in garage door innovation, technology, and insulation.

Garages have a knack for becoming the multi-purpose room of a home. Sure, you can store your car there. Or it could be a place for cultivating hobbies, a workshop, a game room. Or simply the space where you random items that don’t have a “place” go to live. And then one day you notice this open space has become a mountain of clutter. Just like your garage door, the garage area needs yearly maintenance to keep it clean, organized, and accessible. To help you clean smarter and not harder, we’ve put together a clean garage checklist!

Declutter The Area

Start by removing everything from the garage that’s not nailed or screwed down and sort the items into three piles: keep, donate, discard. A good question to ask yourself as you go through items is whether you have used it in the past year. If it no longer sparks joy and is simply gathering dust – toss or donate it! For discarded items, be sure to check product labels for pesticides, motor oil, solvents and other chemicals to determine best disposal methods.

Sort And Store The Items You Will Keep

Sort the items you will keep by category. Such as tools, gardening equipment, outdoor gear, cleaning supplies, etc. You will want to assign each category a designated area within the garage. Finding storage solutions are critical for maintaining a clean and organized garage. Utilize shelves to store things like paint or cleaning supplies. Plastic tubs and bins beneath shelves are practical for storing other items such as helmets or fishing gear. Tools can be stored in drawers and tins can be used to hold nuts, bolts, or zip ties.

Wipe, Sweep, Clean, Repeat

Before moving items back into the garage, you will want to wipe down all shelves and surface areas, sweep the floor, and then repeat the process for good measure. Our garages have a tendency to collect dust, dirt, and even salt deposits from the snow.

Monthly Upkeep

To maintain the hard work you’ve just completed, we recommend monthly maintenance of the garage area. Survey or inventory items, sweep out the room, and wipe off the surfaces when you have a free weekend morning. And every time you relocate an item from the house into the garage, assign it a designated area and efficient storage solution.

Does your garage door reflect the sparkling, organized space within? Your garage door can significantly impact your home’s overall appearance and increase its resale value. A garage door replacement could be the thing needed to take your curb appeal to the next level. Our enthusiastic team is standing by to help you with your garage door options. Contact us today at info@adamsdoorsystems.com!

Did you know the average life-span of a garage door is close to 30 years with the proper maintenance? While newer technology and improved aesthetics may encourage you to purchase a new garage door, staying up to date with care and maintenance will prevent you from needing to replace yours before necessary. If you want to ensure your garage door looks great and lasts for years to come, follow these 4 tips.

Keep It Moving

Lubricating all the moving parts on your garage door system is one of the easiest ways to expand its life expectancy. Once a year, take 10 minutes to spray lubricant on the opener’s chain or drive screw and on the door’s rollers, hinges, and tracks. You should also inspect the rollers at least twice per year as these parts only have a lifespan of 7 years.

Keep It Secure

Every time your garage door opens and closes, it creates vibrations that loosen the hardware – now consider that the average garage door is used 1,000 times per year. Regularly tightening your bolts and roller brackets is an important part of automatic garage door maintenance.

Keep It Balanced

A garage door that is off-balance creates unnecessary strain on the opener, shortening its lifespan. You can check your door’s balance by disconnecting it from the opener, pulling the manual release cord, and stopping when the door is about half-way up. If the door is properly balanced, it will stop on its own. If the door slides down or rides up, this is an indication that the spring’s tension needs an adjustment.

Keep It Sealed

Your garage door should always be sealed from the elements. If the weatherstripping below your garage door starts to decay, it can create dangerous situations and lead to damage. If you notice puddles in your garage, rusting around the door, or drafts coming in under the door, it’s a good sign that your weatherstripping needs some attention.

Uh-oh…have you been neglecting to keep up with your garage door’s maintenance? Let us help! Our professionals are standing by to assist with all of your repair and maintenance needs. Contact us today at info@adamsdoorsystems.com!

Digital doorbells, smart locks, climate control apps… There are so many nifty gadgets available these days that make entering and controlling your home easier. And while these gadgets may get all the love, it is not to underestimate the humble garage door opener that has been putting in the work to make traversing your car port as simple as a tap on a button or a spoken word. Below, find our top 3 picks for smart garage door openers/gadgets:

myQ Chamberlain Smart Garage Control

You don’t need a Chamberlain garage door opener to get the most out of their Smart Garage Control. This garage-based smart home hub works with your garage door opener to provide control and monitoring. Equipped with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi-capability, the myQ Control allows users to check the status of their garage door from anywhere in the world, receive alerts whenever a door opens, schedule door opening and closings, and operate their garage door on demand. All from their smartphone or watch!

Alcidae Garager 2

Smart Camera meets Garage Door Opener in the Alcidae Garager 2. Not only does this gadget allow owners to easily open and close their garage door, but it also allows them to survey their garage with sound and motion detectors. As if that wasn’t cool enough, the Garager 2 also features a built-in mic and speaker, allowing users to speak directly to intruders, be they robbers or raccoons.

Nexx Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Controller

Looking for a compatible garage door controller for your older garage door opener? Enter Nexx, offering options and compatibility for older model openers. With Nexx, owners can operate all of their garage door functions via their smartphone. Or, thanks to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, Nexx users can simply speak to their garage door to gain entry or exit. And thanks to Nexx’s Just Drive technology, the device will work in conjunction with your smartphone and home Wi-Fi network to automatically raise your garage door as it detects you are approaching. Now that’s cool!

Wondering which gadget might be right for you? Our team of qualified professionals is here to help! Contact us today at info@adamsdoorsystems.com.