Garage Door FAQs

Q. Why should I use a professional garage door dealer/installer?

A. At South Coast Home Solutions, we believe that the installation of a garage door is definitely not a do-it-yourself project. A garage door is the largest moving object in your home and because of the large number of small parts and large panels, installation of a garage door is highly technical. The connecting of the springs can be particularly dangerous and may cause serious injury; and proper installation is critical to the performance of your door.

Professional and LICENSED 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 an incorrect installation can void certain warranties.

Q. Is 25-gauge steel thicker than 24-gauge steel?

A. No. When comparing strengths of steel the lower the gauge number, the thicker (and stronger) the steel.

Q. Why should I choose an insulated door if my garage is not insulated?

A. 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 doorways and un-insulated walls into your living area.

2) If you use your garage as a workshop or place for the kids to play, yours and their comfort will be a top priority.

3) If your garage is below another room in your home, air can travel through the un-insulated ceiling of the garage into the room above. An insulated door will keep temperatures in the garage fairly stable to reduce the temperature fluctuation in the room above. Increased heat in that room may result in the need for excessive use of the home air conditioning.

4) An insulated door, either steel back or vinyl backed, are heavier and generally quieter and has a more attractive interior than a non-insulated door.

Q. What is required for installing an electric opener?

A. In the event that an electric opener is installed, the top section of the garage must be reinforced with a strut or angle iron spanning the length of the top section. Additionally some homes have no power supply for the motor. South Coast Home Solutions is a licensed General Contractor and can assist you in adding the necessary power, according to your cities building codes.

Q. When I replace my existing door, can I keep my old track?

A. South Coast Home Solutions, and most manufacturers, recommend replacing your track when you replace your door because each brand of garage door has been specifically designed to work with a specific type of track. The new door comes with tracks, pulleys, cables and all the necessary parts for installation. In addition, replacing your track is an inexpensive way to insure that your entire garage door system is as safe as possible. By replacing your track you also ensure that your warranty will apply, in the event that you have a problem.

Q. I have a one-piece door now. Can I replace it with a sectional door?

A. Yes. South Coast Home Solutions can install a sectional door for you by installing track and springs to accommodate a sectional door. Depending on the construction of your garage, other modifications might be necessary.

Q. My garage has very little space (headroom) above the door. What is the minimum headroom required to operate a sectional door?

A. Standard installations/applications require 12 3 to 18 3 of space between the bottom of the opening (header) and the unobstructed ceiling. However, South Coast Home Solutions specializes in custom-built applications and we can work with clearances of less than 12 inches. Please ask your salesperson for help with this.

Other special track applications available:

1) Vertical lift track, for use in situations where the ceiling is extremely high and the garage door has room to lift straight up.

2) Follow-the-roofline track, which is used when the ceiling of the garage is pitched at the angle of the roof, making it desirable for the door to follow the same angle, thus providing additional overhead room.

3) Hi-lift track, which is used when the ceiling is unusually high, but the door must still retract to a horizontal position.

Q. I’ve been comparing R-values of various doors and am surprised at the variance among them. Can you explain this?

A. Many manufacturers use R-values to show the energy efficiency of their product. This number is calculated based on the thickness of the insulation and its chemical properties. Therefore, most of the published R-values reflect only the R-value of a section, not of the installed door. A door s insulating capabilities can be greatly affected by the door s construction.

Q. How do I know if my door is properly balanced?

A. There are several tests you can perform to tell if your door is balanced. (Before testing your door you will need to disengage you electric opener).

1) Raise your door in 1-foot increments, and the door should stay in place.

2) When you lower the door, the door lowers in a controlled manner and doesn t slam down.

3) When you raise the door, the door rises at a controlled pace.

4) When the door is fully raised in the open position, the bottom of the door should be aligned with the bottom of the header of the door opening.

Q. Do I need a lock on my garage door?

A. If an electric garage door opener has been installed on your door, it may not be necessary to have a lock. Newer electric openers function as the lock, making it improbable that an intruder would be able to lift your door from the outside. If you have an older opener, check to see if your door can be lifted from the outside. DASMA, the trade association for the garage door industry, discourages homeowners from attaching a lock when an opener has been installed, because too frequently, a child or other family member will accidentally lock the door. If someone then tries to open the door using the electric opener, the opener will pull against the lock causing the door to be damaged.

If no opener is installed on your garage door, a lock is highly recommended.

Q. What type of spring is better &extension or torsion?

A. 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.

Q. What type of care and maintenance is necessary for my  Steel Doors and hardware?

A. We recommend that you wash your steel door a minimum of one (1) time per year with: (a) One cup of TideÆ (or other common detergents which contain less than 0.5% phosphate), dissolved into five gallons of warm water. NO BLEACH.

The use of a well-soaked cloth, sponge, brush (with very soft bristles) or low pressure spray washer is recommended. Once the door is washed, thoroughly rinse with clean water to eliminate the possibility of residue. A good rule of thumb is; only use the same tools you would use to wash your car.

In addition, lubrication of rollers and hinges is recommended on a yearly basis. Visually inspect springs and cable for wear and binding once each year and contact a professional garage door dealer/installer if damage is suspected. Do not attempt to remove, repair or adjust springs. HIGH SPRING TENSION CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.