How to Choose Garage Cabinets

You probably don’t need garage cabinets, but you might really want them. While open shelving is less expensive, very strong, and easier to install than cabinets, cabinets offer a more finished look and keep your things out of view. Additionally, when you install cabinets you can potentially keep dangerous items behind locked doors, making your garage safer. If you’re interested in making your garage look more organized and function more efficiently, cabinets may be for you. Before you jump into this project, however, there are a few things you’ll want to consider.

• Make a plan that fits your garage. If you’re like most people, your garage is a bit of a catchall for all of your extra stuff. When you’re making a plan, think about why you want cabinets. How much stuff do you need to store? How heavy are these things, and how much room will they require? You’ll want to make sure that the cabinets not only have enough space to store your belongings but also have sturdy enough shelves to withstand the weight of what you’re wanting to store. Do you plan to set up a workshop area, or are you just looking to declutter your garage space? How will you use your garage? Once you answer these questions, you’re ready to move ahead with your project. Sketch out your ideas and in the next step, fill in some measurements.
• Measure your space. Decide where to put the cabinets, and how much space you have to spare. Will you use base cabinets? If so, you’ll need to allocate floor space. How deep should the garage cabinets be to make the best use of your space, taking into account the things you need to store? Garage cabinets are made in a variety of widths, heights, and depths, so you’re sure to find some that fit your space, but it’s important that you bring accurate measurements with you when you pick out your cabinets. If you’re planning to hang wall cabinets, make sure they won’t interfere with the operation of your garage door. Think about options like rolling cabinets, or cabinets built to fit into a corner, so that you can make the best use of your available space.
• Consider a purge. Another way to make the best use of your space is to free some of it up before you get started with cabinets. By getting rid of things you haven’t used in a while, you will reduce the amount of stuff you’ll need to store in your cabinets.
• Think about the garage’s environment. Your garage is not like your kitchen or laundry room, so it will require sturdier cabinets. Think about how much rain and snow come into the garage with your car, and then consider which materials would be sturdy enough to stand up to the environment inside your garage.
• Decide if you want new or used cabinets. Is your garage utilitarian, or is it a showplace? Do you just want to contain your stuff, or do you want to create the ultimate workshop? Think about the way you plan to use the cabinets, and you’ll be able to easily decide whether you need to buy new cabinets or if reused will suffice.

Once you’ve measured, sketched up a plan, considered the materials that will work best, and decided between new and used cabinets, it’s time to go shopping. If you’re in the market for recycled cabinets, there are several different ways to go. One extremely cost-effective way to install new cabinets in the garage is to repurpose them from some other room of your home. If you’re redoing your kitchen, for instance, it might be a good idea to move some of the kitchen cabinets into the garage. You can also talk to local builders to find out what they do with cabinets they pull out during remodeling, look up “building material salvage” online to find a likely source, or visit the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, where you can often find good, sturdy cabinets at reasonable prices. If you want new cabinets, you might try a large chain hardware store or a big box store. It’s a good idea to look online before you shop, to get an idea of what you’ll find in the different stores so that you can have a better idea of what you want. Some of the cabinets you’ll find include:

• Molded plastic: These cabinets, made of plastic or “resin” are affordable, easy to clean, waterproof, and rust-proof. They’re typically easy to assemble, and you can find units that have lockable doors and adjustable shelves. The drawback of plastic cabinetry is that it may not be able to support heavier items as well as wood or metal.
• Wood-based: Often, particle board, MDF (medium density fiberboard), and plywood are used to build garage cabinets, often with outer skins made from a laminate or melamine material. These cabinets can be very attractive, and come in a wide variety of styles and colors, but are heavy and susceptible to moisture.
• Metal: Metal cabinets are the most expensive option for garage cabinets, and for good reason. They’re sturdy, durable, and attractive. Their only drawback, aside from the expense, is that some can be prone to corrosion or rust.

Garage cabinets help make a garage more functional, but they’re not essential to the day to day use of the garage. The garage door, however, is a vital component of your garage. It’s important to keep our garage well-maintained, in good working order, so that it doesn’t cause problems in your daily routine. Check your garage door regularly to make sure it’s running smoothly on the tracks and not making any unusual noises. If it needs repairs, have it fixed before a small problem turns in to a big one. If the necessary repairs are extensive, it may be time to consider replacing the door.

Whether you need a repair or a whole new door, A1A Overhead Door Company is here for you. Our knowledgeable staff can help you determine exactly what’s needed, and complete your installation efficiently and professionally. Family owned and operated, A1A Overhead Door serves the entire metro Jacksonville area. In fact, we even go up to fifty miles into the outer countries. We are licensed and insured to cover both the client’s property and ours, and we’re proud to work with our clientele and will match or beat any competitor’s written estimate. For more information, you can call 904.579.1123 or contact us through our website.

Garage Inspection & Maintenance Tips

If you’re like most people, your garage is one of the most neglected areas of your home. Because people don’t tend to hang out in their garages, these spaces typically move to the bottom of the to-do list. The garage is also probably the largest room in your house, though, so if you’ve neglected its maintenance, it may be a good time to take a close look at the garage. Here, we offer some garage inspection and maintenance tips to help you get your garage functional, clean and in good working order.

The first thing to do is thoroughly inspect your garage. You may go in and out of your garage several times a day, but you might not really look at it as you’re passing through. Taking some time to really take stock of the condition of your garage is a good way to start caring for it.

• Look for changes in the garage door, inspecting the surface and making sure there’s no rust on the springs or pulleys.
• Check to see that your garage door opening mechanism is in good working order.
• Examine the floor and walls, making note of any changes since the last time you looked.
• Make sure your garage gutters are not obstructed.

It also may be a good time to give the garage a thorough cleaning. If it’s cluttered or filled with items of questionable importance, you might want to spend some time organizing and purging things you no longer need. Once your garage is tidy enough for a deep clean, it’s time to get started. Clean the floor by hosing it down, and pay attention to any spots that may need repair. Look for damaged spots in the walls and foundation too, so that you can catch problems like moisture or cracks before they need a major repair. Clean the interior gutters and doors, and look for signs of pests that may be hiding in your garage. You may find ants, spiders or termites, or animals like mice and rats or even possums and raccoons. Finding signs of an infestation early on gives you the upper hand, and helps you eradicate pests before they become a major problem.

Next, turn your attention to the garage door. Your garage door is one of the biggest machines in your house, and it can open and close many times over the course of a day. Preventive maintenance is important because you’ll want your garage to keep running at peak performance for many years.

• Open your garage door and close it again. Look and listen to make sure it’s running smoothly, with no grinding or scraping sounds, and no misalignment or jerky motions. Observe the moving parts, checking to see if any connections or hardware seem loose.
• Disconnect the garage door opener. When you’re working on the garage door, it’s important to have it disconnected to prevent injury.
• Clean the door. First, use a leaf blower to blast away any bugs, dirt, or debris out of its parts. Follow this with a broom or brush and then a rag, to make sure nothing is left behind. Clean the surfaces of the door by hand, using a low phosphate detergent dissolved in five gallons of water. Never pressure wash your garage door.
• If you’ve found any rust on the garage door’s springs or pulleys, see if you can clean it. If it’s truly corroded, consider replacing the rusted parts, to prevent the garage door from having a major malfunction.
• Inspect the rollers. This should be done twice a year, and if the rollers are worn, chipped, or cracked, it’s time to have them replaced.
• Use a lubricant. Lubricate the opener’s chain or screw with white lithium grease, and use a spray lubricant to coat the springs. Keeping the moving parts of the door well-greased is a simple way to extend the opener’s longevity.
• Check the weather stripping. If the rubber seal on the bottom of your door is cracked, brittle, or worn, have it replaced as soon as possible.
• Tighten everything. Check out all the brackets and bolts, and tighten them, paying special attention to anything you noticed looking loose when you raised and lowered the door.
• Inspect the cables. Look for worn or broken strands, but never try to replace the cables yourself. Instead, call for a professional who has the equipment and experience to safely fix the cables.
• Make sure the door is operating safely. Open it manually, half way up. If it doesn’t stay up, you may have a problem. Another smart idea is to perform a test of the auto-reverse safety feature, placing a roll of paper towels in the way of the door, reconnecting the door, and watching to see if it reverses itself before crushing the paper towels. If it doesn’t stop, clean the photo eyes on either side of the door and try again. If there’s still a problem, it needs to be repaired or replaced.

If your garage door needs repair, it’s not a good idea to try and do it yourself. Invest in the services of a professional, and you’ll be sure the job is done correctly and well. What’s more, you’ll avoid the risk of accidents and injuries that can occur when someone untrained and unfamiliar with garage door repair attempts to tackle the problem on his own.

Whether you need a repair or a whole new door, A1A Overhead Door Company is here for you. Our knowledgeable staff can help you determine exactly what’s needed, and complete your installation efficiently and professionally. Family owned and operated, A1A Overhead Door serves the entire metro Jacksonville area. In fact, we even go up to fifty miles into the outer countries. We are licensed and insured to cover both the client’s property and ours, and we’re proud to work with our clientele and will match or beat any competitor’s written estimate. For more information, you can call 904.579.1123 or contact us through our website.

Reasons Why your Garage Door is not Working

An automatic garage door opener is a real blessing, but what happens when it doesn’t work properly? You might be stuck outside, unable to get in because it won’t open, or unable to close it when you’re ready to leave. You might be scratching your head, wondering why the door keeps reversing or won’t close all the way. Whatever the problem, there may be a simple fix to get your garage door working again.

Why isn’t it opening? There are many different reasons your garage door may not open when you push the button, ranging from the simple to the complex. First, let’s look at some simple, easy to fix reasons it may be stuck.

• The eye is blocked. Most garage doors have a photo eye that keeps the door from working if a person or object is in the way. This eye is 4 to 6 inches off the ground and is about the size of a pea. It works by shooting a laser across the length of the garage: if the laser is interrupted, it will cut off the signal that raises and lowers the door. If nothing seems to be blocking the eye, make sure the cord attached to the eye is not cut or damaged. You might also need to clean it with a tissue, to prevent dirt or dust from clogging the eye.
• The unit is unplugged. It may seem obvious, but sometimes people accidentally disconnect the garage door opener and then wonder why it’s not working. Sometimes it’s unplugged, but sometimes the outlet into which it is plugged is not functioning. Check to see if the outlet is working by plugging something else into it, or check your fuse box or circuit breaker.
• The unit has been turned off. Garage door motors come with a disconnect switch, so make sure you haven’t accidentally tripped it.
• The sensitivity is adjusted incorrectly. It doesn’t matter if your door is newly installed or older, the sensitivity can go out of adjustment. If it’s set too high or too low, the door will not open, but you can read the manufacturer’s instructions and reset the sensitivity yourself.
• The remote control has malfunctioned. If the remote won’t open the door, it could be a problem with the remote rather than the door. It could just be that you’re out of range, or your remote may need a new battery. If nothing seems to be working, you might need to reprogram the remote.
• The door is locked. When the motor is running but the door won’t open, it’s possible that you may have inadvertently locked it. Check to see, looking for any metal parts that may have slid down to block access, then finding the locking knob or handle and disengaging the lock.
• The door may be off the track. If the door is not rolling smoothly on its track it may not be able to open. Check the track for bends, bumps, gaps, and obstacles, and listen for squeaking or sounds of friction. If the door slows or gets stuck as it moves along the track, it could mean that section of track is misaligned. You can fix this yourself with a rubber mallet, by loosening the screws that hold the track to the frame and tapping the track back into the proper position. Make sure to retighten the screws when you’re finished.

If none of these simple fixes seem to be working, you may need the help of a professional. Your garage door might need a repair for a complicated reason that could be dangerous.

• The torsion springs may be broken. If you hear a loud noise, perhaps a sound like a gunshot or a firecracker, it could mean that a spring has broken. This is a common problem, but it’s crucial to call a professional for help. Do not try to open the door, because a broken torsion spring causes a very dangerous situation that can only be fixed by someone with the proper tools and skills.
• The cables may have snapped or slipped. Picture a bicycle chain becoming disengaged from the sprocket. The same thing can happen to a garage door cable. Sometimes, a torsion spring breaking can cause a cable to snap entirely, which can cause damage to a vehicle, wall, or person in the way. If something is wrong with a cable, call in a professional to help.

Are you trying to solve a different problem? Here are some examples of common issues and their solutions.

• The door keeps reversing or pops back open as it’s closing. This could mean that there’s an obstacle in the way. Garage doors are designed to automatically reverse if they encounter an obstacle, so if there’s something in the way it will go back, even if you can’t see an anything blocking it. Check the tracks, making sure there are no rocks, pieces of trash, or other bits of debris, and wiping them down to dislodge anything that you may not be able to see. Another reason it may pop open when you’re trying to close it is that the limit setting needs adjusting. Reading the owner’s manual can help you determine how to adjust these settings and make sure they’re set properly.
• You can’t get the door to open all the way. This might be a sign of a broken spring, or it could mean the limit setting needs adjusting. On the other hand, you might just need to spray the track with lubricant.
• The door won’t open when the weather is cold. Sometimes the rollers get stiff in cold weather, and lubricating them might help. You might need to adjust the sensitivity of the opener, which can usually be done using a screw on the motor unit. To be sure how to adjust it, consult your owners’ manual.
• The motor keeps running when the door isn’t moving. The photosensors might be misaligned, or the cables may not be working properly. This could also indicate that the up-limit switch needs to be moved away from the motor unit, but when this unusual problem occurs, it’s usually right after the garage door opener is installed.

Whether you need a repair or a whole new door, A1A Overhead Door Company is here for you. Our knowledgeable staff can help you determine exactly what’s needed, and complete your installation efficiently and professionally. Family owned and operated, A1A Overhead Door serves the entire metro Jacksonville area. In fact, we even go up to fifty miles into the outer countries. We are licensed and insured to cover both the client’s property and ours, and we’re proud to work with our clientele and will match or beat any competitor’s written estimate. For more information, you can call 904.579.1123 or contact us through our website.

What is the Best Garage Door Opener?

Has your garage door opener finally given out? Instead of automatically replacing it with a newer version from the same brand, you might be interested in comparing different options to help you find the best garage door opener for your Florida home.

Because everyone’s needs differ, garage door openers are not one-size-fits-all. Many brands and models will get the job done, but your final selection should be based on the style and weight of your garage door, any safety and security concerns you have, smart home compatibility requirements, and other desired features. Here, we’ll help you sift through the most important qualities of a garage door opener so you know what to shop for.

Horsepower

Most single- or double-car garage doors made of steel or aluminum pair well with a 1/2 horsepower opener. If your garage door is oversized or made of heavy wood, consider a 3/4 to 2-horsepower model.

The simplest way to determine what horsepower you need to lift your garage door is to check your existing unit. If this opener worked well for many years, buy a replacement with the same horsepower. If it struggled to lift your door or failed prematurely, upgrade to a higher-power unit, especially if your existing one is a 1/3 horsepower model.

Lift System

There are three primary types of garage door lift systems – chain, belt and screw – plus two newer options introduced in recent years called direct drive and jackshaft. If budget is your top priority, a chain-driven opener is the best choice for you. If you’re concerned about noise, consider a belt-driven opener. For low maintenance, a screw-driven system is your best bet.

As for top performance and durability, direct drive and jackshaft lift systems are best, although these cost more than their traditional chain, belt and screw counterparts.

Noise

The lift system you choose has a significant impact on how loudly your garage door opener operates, but this isn’t the only factor to consider. The best garage door openers feature motor vibration isolation to help eliminate unwanted noise. If your home has a bedroom, nursery or other living space above the garage, vibration isolation can help reduce the disruption of opening and closing the garage door.

Speed

The average garage door opens at a rate of seven inches per second. If you want yours to move faster than this, look for an opener with a higher operating speed. If the opening rate doesn’t matter to you, a slower speed may help reduce wear and tear over time. Be aware that an opener’s speed rating doesn’t indicate its quality.

Power Options & Backup Batteries

As you shop for the best garage door opener, you’ll find that different models run on AC or DC power. Both types plug into a standard power outlet and operate seemingly the same. However, DC models tend to be smaller and quieter and have softer stops and starts. You also need a DC-powered unit if you’re interested in battery operation.

A high-end garage door opener with a backup battery can save you from getting stuck inside or outside your house during a power outage. This is not only convenient but can even be lifesaving if you have an emergency and must evacuate your home or get to the hospital during a blackout. Expect the ability to open and close your garage door up to 20 times on backup battery power.

Safety

A vast majority of garage doors come with two primary safety features: infrared beam sensors and automatic reverse. These tell the door when an object lies in its path as it closes, at which point the door reverses directions to prevent an accident or injury. These sensors are only active on the close cycle.

Security

Garage doors are designed to protect your car and keep intruders out. Of course, this is only effective if the door is closed. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to accidentally leave the garage door wide open. That’s why timer-to-close is such a beneficial security feature. Models that offer this convenience allow you to go inside with your arms full – no need to come back out and close the garage door. It also eliminates the worry that someone could leave the garage door open on accident.

Other security features, including rolling codes and lock mode, are more mainstream. Rolling codes make it virtually impossible for criminals to steal the code from your remote because it changes every time. Lock mode is useful when you leave town because it prevents remotes or keypads from opening the door. When you return home, you must enter the garage through the house and program the opener out of lock mode before you can use it normally again.

Lighting

Most garage door openers have two light bulbs: one in the front and one in the back to help illuminate every corner of the garage. These bulbs activate automatically when you open or close the garage door and remain on for a predetermined amount of time (usually 4.5 minutes).

Motion sensor lights are another option. These come on automatically when you enter the garage or leave your car, eliminating the need to fumble around in the dark for a light switch.

A less common safety feature is light activation when you cross the infrared beam. This is a popular feature amongst Florida homeowners who like to sit outside on summer evenings with the garage door open.

Remotes & Keypads

Most garage door openers come with two remotes, which are traditionally clipped to the visor in your car. If you have an in-car remote system, such as HomeLink or Car2U, make sure you buy a compatible garage door opener. Then, you won’t need to keep the remotes in the car, which improves security.

Keypads are another popular way to enter and exit the garage. All garage door openers come with a control panel to open and close the door from the inside, but not all come with a wireless outdoor keypad. This offers convenience when working in the yard or coming home on foot. You can even program a temporary PIN number for houseguests or maintenance workers. When comparing keypads, look for a flip cover to protect against the elements and a backlight for ease of use in low-light conditions.

Ease of Installation

If you’re keen on a DIY installation, it’s helpful to select a garage door opener that’s easy to install. Features such as pre-programmed remotes, snap-lock rail systems, and online tech support and installation videos set some models apart from the rest. Of course, if you get stuck, you can always call in a professional for help with the installation.

Smartphone Control & Smart Home Compatibility

A high-end garage door opener with built-in Wi-Fi lets you monitor and control your garage door from anywhere. For peace of mind, you can set up activity notifications to receive alerts any time your garage door is opened, closed or left open. It’s even possible to establish customized schedules to automatically close the garage door at certain times.

Built-in Wi-Fi also creates the opportunity for smart home connectivity. This makes it more convenient than ever to operate your garage door. For instance, you can coordinate your smart thermostat, locks and lights to react when your garage door opens and closes at certain times of the day, indicating that you’re either leaving or coming home. Check the compatibility of the garage door openers you’re considering with the type of smart home system you have.

Warranty

The final way to determine if you have found the best garage door opener is to assess the warranty coverage. There should be three categories: motor warranty, lift system warranty, and parts and accessories warranty.

The motor is the most vital part of a garage door opener, so it should have the longest coverage. In fact, the best models have lifetime motor warranties. Lift systems are often covered for one to three years, though some manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty. If a lift system fails, it’s usually easy to replace it without buying a whole new opener. A parts and accessories warranty – which covers remotes, wall switches, keypads and other components – should last for one to five years.

Garage Door Opener Services in Jacksonville, Florida

Whether you prefer a LiftMaster, Genie, Chamberlain, Craftsman, Linear or another brand of garage door opener, A1A Overhead Door Company can help. Tell us what your top priorities are from the list above, and we’ll match your needs with a model that will work flawlessly for you. For more information about garage door opener installation and other garage door services in Jacksonville, FL, please contact us at (904) 579-1123.

How to Prepare and Paint your Garage Door

Painting the garage door is a chore most of us never think about, but it’s important to keep your door looking its best. Your garage door can make up about a third of your home’s exterior face, so if it’s looking shabby, it greatly decreases your curb appeal. Fortunately, while painting the garage door is a time-consuming task, it’s not especially difficult.

• Determine the material. Most garage doors today are made of aluminum, but many older homes have wooden doors. While latex paint is a good option for both aluminum and wooden doors, aluminum doors need an oil-based primer, while wood can take oil-based or latex.
• Watch the weather. It’s best to paint when the weather is temperate, with low humidity, indirect sunlight, and temperatures between 50 and 75 degrees. Bear in mind that you’ll probably need three full days to complete the job, so make sure the weather will hold.
• Wear protective gear. Work gloves, a dust mask, and safety goggles will keep dust, debris, and paint from being inhaled or splattering into your eyes.
• Do your prep work. A wooden door with a flaking or peeling surface will require scraping and sanding before you apply the primer and paint. An aluminum door may have some rust spots or uneven places that can be scrubbed off with a wire brush and then sanded smooth. Finish preparing the door by washing it with all-purpose cleaner, a scrub brush, and a hose. Dry it with rags or towels, and let it dry completely before beginning to paint it.
• Keep paint where it’s supposed to be. Put down drop cloths to keep paint from dripping where it’s not wanted, both inside and outside the door. Use heavy duty painters tape to tape off handles, locks, and trim around the garage door, in order to ensure precision in your paint job.
• Apply the primer. To make it easier on your back, disengage the electric garage door opener and manually lift the door to a comfortable height, then begin painting from the bottom and work your way up. If your garage has inset panels, prime those first, with a 2-inch nylon bristled paintbrush. Wipe away any excess that’s made its way outside these panels, to create a smooth finish, before priming outer areas, using the brush or a ¾ inch roller. Allow the primer to dry for a full twenty-four hours before you apply your paint.
• Apply two coats of paint. This might not be necessary on an aluminum door unless you’re going from a darker color to a lighter shade. You might want to use a large brush to paint the door, to save time getting the job done. If the door is wooden, you’ll want to go with the grain. If it’s aluminum, you have more leeway, but should try to apply the paint as smoothly and evenly as possible. Allow the paint to dry completely before applying the second coat, at least twelve hours. Once you’ve completed your second coat, remove the tape and let the paint dry overnight before opening the garage door.
• Consider getting creative. You don’t have to stick to paint, or even a solid color. If you’ve got a wooden garage door, you can strip it down and stain it, for a unique look. With an aluminum door, you can paint it however you’d like: you’re limited only by your imagination, your home owner’s association or neighborhood regulations, and how good you are with a brush.
• Know how to clean up properly. Once you’re finished, and you’ve finished taking down the tape and putting away the drop cloths, it’s time to clean your brushes. It’s important to clean brushes thoroughly because paint left in brushes will make them stiff and unusable. If you’ve been using latex products, you can wash your brushes out with soap and water. On the other hand, if you’ve used oil-based paint, you’ll need to use a solvent like turpentine or paint thinner. Dip the brush in a generous amount of solvent until all the paint has come out, and then finish cleaning it by washing it in a thick solution of liquid dish soap. It can be helpful to separate the brush with your fingers, looking at the rubber base inside the bristles to make sure you’ve gotten all the paint off of the brush.

You can make a big difference in the appearance of your door with a coat of paint. When it’s time to get a whole new door, though, it’s time to contact A1A Overhead Doors Company today. Our knowledgeable staff can help you determine exactly what’s needed, and complete your installation efficiently and professionally. Family owned and operated, A1A Overhead Door serves the entire metro Jacksonville area. In fact, we even go up to fifty miles into the outer countries. We are licensed and insured to cover both the client’s property and ours, and we’re proud to work with our clientele and will match or beat any competitor’s written estimate. For more information, you can call 904.579.1123 or contact us through our website.

Understanding the Differences between Garage Door Openers

What kind of motor drives your garage door? If you’ve got an older model, it’s probably a chain, belt, or screw driven opener. In recent years, the introduction of the residential jackshaft and direct-drive openers have changed things, though, including conventional wisdom regarding the standard options. How much do you know about these different options? Do you have a thorough enough understanding to know which one is best for you?

• As you’d expect, chain driven models involve a chain. It’s similar to a bicycle chain, and it pushes or pulls a trolley that connects it to a metal bar. This bar is called a J-arm, and it’s attached to the garage door. Chain-drive garage door openers are the most affordable in the industry, and they’re durable and long-lasting, but they also tend to be noisy. This may not be an issue unless you’ve got a bedroom over the garage.
• Belt-driven openers are very similar to chain-driven models. The difference is that they use a reinforced belt to push or pull the trolley, rather than a chain. The belts are made of different materials: typically fiberglass, polyurethane, or steel-reinforced rubber. These belt-driven openers are quieter than chain-driven openers, but just as reliable. In fact, with periodic maintenance, you can expect your belt-drive unit to last for many years with no problems. You do pay for the extra quiet because belt-driven openers tend to cost $30-$60 more than chain-driven units.
• If you are really interested in a quiet model, you might consider a direct drive unit. These are supposed to be the quietest type of garage door unit because the only moving part is the motor. An example of German innovation, they feature a motor that travels along a stationary chain embedded in an overhead rail. A J-arm connects the moving motor to the door. This type of unit costs about the same as a belt-driven model, and have lifetime warranties.
• Screw-openers feature a trolley that rides on a threaded-steel rod. A motor rotates the rod, and because this design has fewer moving parts than most, it’s supposed to require the least maintenance. Screw-driven openers encounter problems, however, in regions with large swings in temperature. They’re also noisier than belt-driven openers, though manufacturers of this kind of opener are working on these problems. Working in their favor is the fact that they’re among the speediest of openers, opening a garage door at 10 to 12 inches per second as opposed to the 6 to 8 inches of most doors. All garage door openers close doors more slowly than they open them, at about 7 inches per second, for safety.
• A jackshaft opener is different from other systems. This kind of system mounts on the wall beside the garage door and uses a system of pulleys and cables to turn the torsion bar and raise the garage door. Driven by a 24 volt DC motor, this type of system is reliable and quiet, and keeps the ceiling free for overhead storage. It’s also a good option for a garage with a high or low ceiling. This is the most expensive of the garage openers.

How do you know which type of garage door opener is right for your home? If budget is a priority, consider a chain-driven opener. These are also good for large, heavy garage doors, like oversized or solid wood doors. On the other hand, if your primary concern is noise, a belt-drive opener may be a better bet. Of course, if your door is noisy as it goes along the track, a quieter opener may be a moot point. If your budget permits a direct-drive or jackshaft model, you might want to go with one of these, because they’re quiet and extremely dependable. If you’re looking for a nice, solid, middle of the road option, consider a screw-drive opener. They’re not as quiet as belt driven or direct drives, but they’re quieter than chain drives. Be aware, though, that screw-driven openers require regular maintenance to keep the rod from stripping the teeth of the drive. Because of this tendency to wear out, they’re not the best option for large or heavy doors.

Whether you need a new garage door opener, or you’re ready for a whole new garage door, contact A1A Overhead Doors Company today. Our knowledgeable staff can help you determine exactly what’s needed, and complete your installation efficiently and professionally. Family owned and operated, A1A Overhead Door serves the entire metro Jacksonville area. In fact, we even go up to fifty miles into the outer countries. We are licensed and insured to cover both the client’s property and ours, and we’re proud to work with our clientele and will match or beat any competitor’s written estimate. For more information, you can call 904.579.1123 or contact us through our website.

How to Fix a Noisy Garage Door

Few sounds are as annoying as the screech, whine, or thud of a garage door that’s not operating as quietly as it could be. It can be particularly grating first thing in the morning, but it’s not much of a treat at the end of a long day, either. The good news? It may be easier than you think to fix your noisy garage door.

Before we begin, a caveat: Safety first. If your garage door is hard to move, opens very quickly, or seems to have derailed from the tracks, do not attempt to fix it yourself. Leave the major garage door repair to the professionals, rather than running the risk of injury or death. If it doesn’t seem like the necessary repairs are serious, though, you can proceed with making it quieter.

• Tighten it up. All the nuts, bolts, screws, and hinges can make the door noisy if they’re getting loose. Working with a partner, for the sake of safety, tighten everything and spray it with lubricant. Make sure not to over-tighten, though, because you can strip the screws.
• Out with the old, in with the new. Worn rollers and hinges can create a racket, so it may be time to replace them. If you’ve got metal rollers, consider replacing them with nylon, which are more expensive but quieter and don’t need oiling.
• Give it a good greasing. Well lubricated parts will make the door operate more smoothly, and that means less noise. Spray the hinges, roller bearings, and springs with a garage door lubricant, and lubricate the opener track with grease.
• Mind the vibration. Anti-vibration pads between the mounting bracket and ceiling or noise insulators between the brace and the motor block can keep the garage door opening mechanism from shaking around and making noise.
• Call for reinforcements. Sometimes, garage doors require more know-how than the average homeowner possesses. Don’t be afraid to call in a professional, for a safe and effective solution to your garage door problems.

Whether you just need help getting rid of irritating noises or you’re ready for a new garage door, contact A1A Overhead Doors Company today. Family owned and operated, A1A Overhead Door serves the entire metro Jacksonville area. In fact, we even go up to fifty miles into the outer countries. We are licensed and insured to cover both the client’s property and ours, and we’re proud to work with our clientele and will match or beat any competitor’s written estimate. For more information, you can call 904.579.1123 or contact us through our website.

Is your Garage as Secure as you Believe? How to Ensure your Garage is Secure

Most of us consider our garages to be safe places to store our things. That big, heavy door, solid walls and concrete floors make the garage seem like a nearly impenetrable fortress. But is your garage really secure? Perhaps not, but there are some simple ways you can make it safer.

• First, keep the door closed. This may seem obvious, but sometimes it’s easy to forget, especially if you have several family members going in and out.
• Next, store the garage door remote inside your house. It’s convenient to keep it in the vehicle, but it’s also easy for thieves to find. If someone breaks into your car and the remote is there, he or she has easy access to your house. A keychain remote opener may be the best solution because you can leave it on your keys and never forget it as you enter and exit the house.
• Lock the inside door. A deadbolt on the door that leads from the garage into your house is a good deterrent for thieves. Make sure that the door to your garage is a strong as the front door of your house, and install a peephole so that you won’t have to open the door for every strange noise.
• Choose a garage door with no windows. If that’s not a possibility at the moment, frost or cover the windows, so thieves can’t look in and see when your car is gone.
• Secure your emergency release handle. This is easy to do, just by connecting a zip tie to a loop in the emergency latch. You could also just remove the emergency pull, being aware that in the case of an emergency it will take a few minutes more to release the garage door.
• Maintain your door. Pay attention to all the mechanical parts of your garage door, and make sure nothing is corroded. Check the frame, lock, hinges, and any replaceable items on the door from the garage to the house, and the exterior side door, if applicable.
• Take additional security precautions. Install a garage door alarm and motion sensor lights. If there’s a side door to the outside, use the kind of doorstop that screws into the ground and keeps the door from being compromised.
• Install a new door if necessary. Choose a sturdy garage door, made of metal or solid wood and strong enough to stand up to anyone trying to break in. Especially on older homes, garage doors are often low-quality, and not as sturdy as the ones on newer homes.

If you need garage door repair or maintenance, new security features for your garage door, or are ready for a new garage door, contact A1A Overhead Doors Company today. Family owned and operated, A1A Overhead Door serves the entire metro Jacksonville area. In fact, we even go up to fifty miles into the outer countries. We are licensed and insured to cover both the client’s property and ours, and we’re proud to work with our clientele and math or beat any competitor’s written estimate. For more information, you can call 904.579.1123 or contact us through our website.

How to Freshen Up a Stinky Garage

The garage is home to your cars, workbench, sporting equipment, gardening supplies – and a number of unpleasant smells. If the stink makes it unbearable to spend more than a few minutes at a time in the garage, you may find it impossible to pursue hobbies like carpentry, gardening and car restoration. Freshen up your stinky garage so you don’t have to plug your nose every time you step out there.

What Makes a Garage Stink?

Before you attempt to deodorize the garage, you must identify which malodorous offenders are to blame. Here are some of the most common culprits:

• Garbage cans and recycling bins
• Cardboard and paper products
• Fumes from cleaning products, motor oil, garden chemicals and paint cans
• Oil spills
• Chronic mold and mildew
• Sink and floor drains
• Pet bedding, litter boxes and kennels

Clean and Deodorize the Garage

Once you recognize what’s causing your stinky garage, it’s time to combat it. Here are some cleaning and deodorizing tips to try:

Clean your garbage cans and recycling bins: Start by hosing them down. Then, mix up a gallon of hot water and a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid. Dip a sponge into the soapy solution and scrub the cans inside and out. Rinse them with water from a garden hose and let them dry completely.

To help your garbage cans stay fresher longer, line the bottom of each one with several sheets of newspaper and a sprinkle of baking soda to absorb odors. Replace the newspaper and baking soda every week on trash day.

Rethink storage: If you keep items in cardboard boxes on the garage floor, take a moment to examine them closely. You’re likely to find soggy, moldy spots that contribute to your stinky garage. Clearly, it’s time to throw them out.

To prevent soaking up moisture and encouraging mold growth in the future, replace cardboard boxes with durable plastic containers. Label these carefully and stack them on shelves or overhead storage to free up space in your garage.

Discard old products: Empty all shelves and garage cabinets of cans, containers, spray bottles and other items. Assess the age and condition of each one and throw out any that are past their prime. Be sure to dispose of old motor oil, paint, chemicals and other products at a designated hazardous waste disposal facility.

Clean up oil spills: Old motor oil on the floor contributes to the stink in your garage. Instead of toiling over spills, try covering them with kitty litter. This product has the ability to soak up liquids and eliminate odors, allowing you to clean the floor with hardly any effort. After one to two days, sweep up the kitty litter to reveal the oil-free floor beneath.

Clean the garage with bleach: If you detect a musty odor in your garage, chronic mold and mildew could be to blame. Combine one cup of chlorine bleach with a gallon of water in a large bucket. Use this solution to mop the floors and walls of the garage.

For your safety, leave the garage door open while cleaning with bleach to ensure adequate ventilation. Rinse the floors and walls with clean water and allows it to air dry for at least 24 hours before closing the garage door.

Address smelly floor drains: If the drain on your garage floor has a trap, the water inside may have dried up after months of non-use. This can become a source of sewer smells in the garage. Because floor drains are likely to remain unused for a long time, you can keep foul odors at bay by pouring 3/4 cup of mineral oil down the drain and into the trap. This evaporates slower than water and prevents sewer stench from seeping into the garage for longer.

If the smell remains despite your efforts, this could mean the drain doesn’t have a trap. To block odors rising from the sewer without sealing the drain completely, lay down a piece of heavy plastic over the drain, and tape down three of the four sides. This way, you block most of the odor, but standing water can still enter the drain.

Clean pet supplies regularly: Perhaps you put Fido’s kennel or Fluffy’s litter box in the garage to prevent them from stinking up your home. The only problem is now they’re stinking up the garage! The simple fix is to give these pet supplies the same care you would if they were within the living space. Clean litter boxes daily, launder pet bedding weekly and hose out kennels twice a month.

Keep Future Smells at Bay

Now that your garage smells relatively fresh and clean, you want to keep it that way. Here are some ideas for maintaining a fresh-smelling garage:

• Soak up future odors by setting out containers of undiluted white vinegar, baking soda, clean kitty litter or activated charcoal. These odor absorbers help manage smells in the garage. Replace them once a month to ensure they remain effective.
• Secure garbage can lids. If possible, leave your trash by the side of the house instead of inside the garage.
• Install a ceiling- or wall-mounted exhaust fan or ventilation system. This helps regulate temperature and moisture levels to discourage mold and mildew. It also draws stale, fumy air outside to keep your garage smelling fresh.
• Move hazardous chemicals and half-empty paint cans to an unattached shed, if possible. These products smell because they release volatile organic compounds into the air, which can be harmful to your health.
• Check items on shelves and in cabinets regularly for problems that could cause bad odors, such as leaking bottles or spoiled food.

Enjoy Your Fresh-Smelling Garage!

Now that the offending odors are long gone, you may have new thoughts about how to make the most of your garage. Whether you want to start working on your car again, or you have alternative uses in mind for your garage, you need a quality garage door to secure the space.

An insulated garage door helps with moisture and temperature regulation if you plan to heat or cool the area. Lightweight aluminum, sturdy steel, low-maintenance vinyl, and timeless wood are all possible garage door materials. Different styles – such as modern flat panel, traditional raised panel or timeless carriage doors – help you match your home’s aesthetic design.

For garage door installation and repair in Jacksonville, please contact A1A Overhead Door Company at (904) 579-1123.

Home Security and Your Garage: Don’t Neglect Garage Door Security