Unlike old-fashioned garage doors that swung open and closed on hinges, sectional doors run up along tracks, assisted by spring-balanced motor operators. They are durable, low-maintenance and excellent insulators.

Wood and wood composite doors provide a cozy feel and can withstand moisture better than steel or vinyl. Higher-end options include appealing high-density fiberboard filled with polystyrene, which provides great energy efficiency. Contact New Garage Doors Yukon OK for professional assistance.

As humans have evolved, so has our need to transport ourselves and our possessions from place to place. This need has created many innovations in transportation, including the garage door. It may seem like a simple thing, but this garage door has gone through some significant changes over time to become the streamlined, space-saving design we use today.

The first garage doors were similar to carriage house doors, in that they hung from hinges and swung outward. This was fine for the times when horse-drawn carriages were the norm, but as car ownership grew and Model T’s began to take over the world in the early 1900s, people needed a place to store their new, smelly automobiles that wasn’t a smelly carriage house.

Entrepreneurs stepped in to meet the growing demand by opening up large garages for rent where people could park their vehicles for a monthly fee. Some builders also began to build garages attached to homes, which was a great convenience for those with cars but not enough space in their yards for the vehicles to be stored outside.

In 1921, C.G. Johnson invented the garage door as we know it today. Instead of opening outward, this new type of garage door opened upward, which was much more convenient and allowed for a lot of extra storage space in the garage. The garage door as we know it today was a huge success, and builders quickly adapted this new innovation into their designs for residential garages.

As the garage door developed, it was eventually possible to have a sectional door that folded in sections and saved a great deal of space. This is what we call an overhead door and it’s still the most common type of garage door sold today.

As garage doors developed, it was important to make them safer as well. In the 1970’s, when garage openers were popular, it was easy for children to get under a swinging garage door and be crushed by it. This was a serious problem that led to a requirement in 1993 that all new garage doors be equipped with photoelectric sensors and pressure-sensitive safety sensors. These sensors, which are mounted 6 inches from the ground, detect if an object is under the garage door as it’s closing. If the sensors detect an object, they reverse the direction of the garage door and immediately open. This technology has helped to ensure that injuries caused by garage doors are extremely rare.

Types of Garage Doors

There are a variety of garage door styles to choose from, each offering its own unique benefits. For example, some garage doors are insulated to help regulate the temperature in the garage and save energy costs. Others are designed with wind load options to withstand high winds and extreme weather. There are also different colors and finishes to complement your home’s exterior.

The most popular style of residential garage doors is the sectional garage door. This garage door is composed of panels that split into bendable sections and are held together with hinges to roll up a vertical track and into the ceiling. This type of garage door is available in a variety of designs to suit any taste and is highly customizable, making it an ideal option for homeowners who want a more modern look.

Another type of garage door that opens horizontally is the bi-fold garage door. This style resembles the folding closet doors in your home and works by pushing the front of the door toward the frame to open it. These garage doors offer a sleek, minimalist aesthetic and are a great choice for homes with limited space in the driveway or for those who want more privacy when entering their garage.

If you’re looking for a garage door that offers more security than the typical models, consider an anti-burglar door. These are reinforced with steel or aluminum to prevent unauthorized entry and feature a built-in alarm that sounds if someone tries to force the door open.

When choosing a garage door, you’ll also want to consider the material that’s best for your climate and lifestyle. For instance, wood garage doors are visually appealing and easy to customize but are prone to rot and warping in damp conditions. A more durable option is a wood composite garage door, which offers the same visual appearance as a natural wooden door but is resistant to warping and rotting.

Another option is an ABS garage door, which is made from a tough yet flexible material that’s often used in car bumpers and is known for its “bounce-back” property. If your garage is frequently used by the kids and pets, this is a good choice because it will be able to withstand impacts without denting or bending.

Materials

Depending on the intended use of your garage door (whether it’s to showcase automobiles or protect inventory in a warehouse) and your location, different materials are suited for your needs. For example, if your garage is located in a climate that regularly experiences harsh weather conditions like snow and rain, you may want to choose a more durable material, such as steel.

Regardless of the material you choose, your garage doors can be made more energy-efficient with added insulation. This can help reduce your electricity bills by keeping the hot and cold air from escaping through the garage door.

The most common garage door materials include wood, aluminum and steel. While these are the most popular, other options exist.

Wood garage doors give your home a traditional look and are typically crafted from high-quality, sturdy woods like cedar or adler. They are a beautiful option for homes with classic architectural style and can be custom-made to suit any design aesthetic. However, wood garage doors can be expensive and require regular maintenance to keep them looking good and operating correctly. They are also susceptible to warping and rot.

While metal garage doors are strong and durable, they can rust in certain environments. For this reason, it is important to choose a model with a baked-on primer and polyester topcoat finish to ensure that your garage door will resist corrosion and stand the test of time. Metal garage doors are a great choice for areas that are not prone to humidity and rainfall, as they are less likely to warp or rust.

Another common type of garage door is made from vinyl, which is flexible and easy to maintain. It is available in a wide range of colors and styles, so it can be customized to suit your home’s design. It’s also resistant to dents, scratches and rusting. However, it’s important to note that vinyl is not as insulating as other materials and may become brittle in cold climates.

Another option for your garage door is fiberglass, which is a lightweight, durable material that offers good insulation and can be customized to match your home’s style. It is also resistant to dents and scratches, but it is not as durable as steel or aluminum.

Installation

Garage doors come in a wide range of sizes and styles, and the cost depends on the material, style and customization. A basic paneled door costs less to install than a French or carriage door, but the price increases significantly when you add windows, patterns and other features.

Choosing the correct size is essential for proper installation. A door that is too small or large will not fit and can cause damage to the structure of your house. Use a tape measure to determine the exact width and height of your existing garage door opening. Measure the height from the bottom of one reveal to the ceiling or first obstruction, such as a light fixture. This will give you the headroom needed to accommodate your new garage door.

When installing your new garage door, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Normally, the roller track is installed first and then the assembled panels are placed on top of it. This helps to avoid having to shift the entire weight of the assembled panels during the installation process.

If you have a torsion spring system, check for the proper alignment of the springs. If the springs are not aligned properly, they can cause damage to the components of your garage door. Also, be sure to position the stationary cones on the ends of the springs correctly. The red cone spring should be positioned on the left-hand side of the center bracket and the black cone spring should be positioned on the right-hand side of the center bracket.

The next step in the process is to install the hinges and brackets. This can be a little tricky, as the springs are under tension and may be dangerous to handle. If you’re not comfortable working with these components, it’s best to hire a professional to do this for you.

The next step in the process is to install your door’s vertical tracks and jamb brackets. Make sure to leave 3-4 inches of clearance between the vertical tracks and the concrete stem-wall of your door opening.