FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GARAGE DOORS

- Private group -
Thu, 01/08/2015 - 5:00am

At WinsMor Garage Door Co., Inc. We strive to provide great service to our customers and that often includes answering a lot of questions. We've compiled a list of some of those most commonly asked. If you have a question regarding your garage door that is not listed here call our Belfast Showroom at 930-3667 or if you are in Southern Maine, our Portland number at 930-9467 and we'd be happy to provide you with some answers to assist you with your Garage Door needs.

What are the standard sizes of residential garage doors?
Standard sizes are whole width increments starting at 8' wide and going to 20' wide. Some door series have sizes smaller than that.  Standard heights are 7' and 8' tall. Odd-heights and odd-widths are also available and vary by individual door series.


I have a low ceiling in my garage. Will a garage door and opener work in this space?
Yes. A residential garage door requires a minimum of 4 1/2” of headroom space. Your garage door system may need a low-headroom track system or a low-headroom-torsion rear-track system. For a garage door opener, you will need slightly more headroom (about 6 1/2” minimum).


I am building a new garage; what size should the rough opening for my garage door be?
The rough opening should be the same size as the garage door you wish to purchase. The garage door fits against the opening from the inside. The rough opening should be finished with an exterior perimeter seal or stop molding to seal out rain and wind. We are able to provide and install this seal/molding with the installation of your door. Please advise us of this request so that we may include it in your estimate.


Why would my garage door need service?
A garage door raises and lowers with the assistance of springs. Broken and or worn springs will cause the door to be heavy and thus cause an extra load on the garage door opener. The extra load can be dangerous for reversing mechanisms and cause premature failure of the garage door opener. Having a technician check the garage door springs, rollers and garage door opener is good preventative maintenance for your garage door.


Can I replace a section of my door, or do I need to replace the whole door?
Depending upon the damage involved to the garage door system, replacing only a section of your garage door is possible in some cases.


Can my garage door be painted?
While we offer several popular color options for our residential and commercial steel garage doors providing you the benefits of a baked on finish, you are able to paint them yourselves any color you choose. We recommend 100% acrylic latex paint. Haas has provided an instructional video to provide you with some helpful tips.


What type of spring is better...extension or torsion?
The two types of springs used on garage doors today are extension and torsion springs. Extension springs are attached on either side of the door and stretch along the horizontal track when the door is closed. Torsion springs are typically located just above the top section of the door and are mounted to the header. They are wound springs and do not expand or contract when the door is moved. Some homeowners prefer torsion springs because these springs offer more safety and provide better balance to the door for smoother operation


Should I purchase a new garage door opener or repair my old one?
Many garage door openers can be repaired and may be a less expensive option. However, there are times when opener replacement is recommended. According to LiftMaster, the leading manufacturers of garage doors openers, all garage door openers manufactured prior to 1993 should be replaced, rather than fixed. This is to ensure the highest degree of customer safety and satisfaction due to a Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) law. Many garage door openers prior to 1993 are not equipped with infrared sensors or other external entrapment protections devices and do not meet today’s standards for garage door opener safety.


Why should I choose an insulated door?
A garage door opening is very large. Insulated doors will help to reduce the transfer of heat or cold air into your garage. This is important for a number of reasons:
1) If your garage is attached to your home, air in the garage can travel through the doorway to your living area. An insulated garage door will reduce the transfer of air from the outside to the inside.
2) If you use your garage as a workshop, your comfort will be a top priority. An insulated garage door will help keep the temperature in the garage within a narrower temperature range as compared to the extreme range of the outside temperature.
3) If your garage is below another room in your home, air can travel through the ceiling of the garage into the floor of the room above. An insulated door will keep temperatures in the garage fairly stable to reduce the temperature fluctuation in the room above.
4) An insulated garage door is generally quieter and has a more attractive interior than a non-insulated door.


Why should I use a professional garage door dealer / installer?
A garage door is the largest moving object in your home and because of the large number of small parts, installation of a garage door is highly technical. Connecting the springs can be particularly dangerous and proper installation is critical to the performance of your door. Professional garage door dealer/installers can typically install a door in a few hours and are careful to make sure safety requirements are met. Installations by most homeowners typically span several days and cause much frustration. In addition, incorrect installation can void certain warranties, so we recommend a professional handle the job for you. One of the other services we at WinsMor Garage Door Co. provide is the disposal of your old door, if you are replacing a door.

 


 

What are the measurements I need to order a garage door?

Garage Door measurement guide

 


 

For answers to additional garage door questions not listed here, please contact us at
207-930-DOOR (3667) or by email at winsmor_garagedoors@yahoo.com
You can also visit our website at www.winsmor.com or find us on Facebook & like our page for more updates as well as see pictures of local garage door installations.

 

$799 Special with opener no windows$695 Carriage House Special (no electric opener)