HOW TO PROTECT YOUR GARAGE FROM EXTREME TEMPERATURES

If your garage serves as more than only a storage space for your car ~ for example, doubling as a shop, office, game room, or den, then it’s important to have an insulated garage door. When you insulate your garage properly, you’ll achieve maximized thermal efficiency with optimal reduction of air infiltration. That way, no matter what the temperature, a well-insulated garage will give you a functional space all year round, so you’ll stay fully comfortable. You’ll keep as much heat out as possible during summer and as much cold out as possible during winter.

Protection in Cold Weather

Even if the temperature drops below freezing in winter, if your garage is winterized, you’ll save money and time.

Insulate the walls of your garage. Proper installation of insulation in your garage requires that you closely study the installation guide. Be sure you choose the correct insulation thickness for the garage walls. Normal mistakes folks often make are: cutting it too short or too long for the location; not fastening the batt insulation securely; or not correctly supporting it. Keep in mind that the insulation must fit snugly, but don’t jam it in too tightly.

Repair or replace your weatherstripping. Weatherstripping will create an effective seal between your garage door and your garage door opening. If you experience a cold draft leaking into the garage between the garage door frame and the garage door, then remove the existing weatherstripping if you notice that it’s cracked or brittle. Scrape off any remaining sealant, with a flat scraper or pry bar, and putty knife. Make sure the surface is as clean and even as you can. After you remove the old weatherstripping completely, then measure correctly so that you can apply the new weatherstripping. To align it, shut the garage door and be sure the rubber flap flattens against it slightly. You’ll have a perfect seal, and the garage door will now operate smoothly.

Insulate your garage door. A large variety of products is available to insulate the garage door, including a kit specifically designed for doing so. Effective insulation choices include foam board, reflective barriers, and Fiberglass batt insulation.

Whatever choice you make, first you have to cut the insulation to fill the garage door panels. Next, secure them using adhesive, placing each piece firmly. If your garage door doesn’t have recessed panels, the job will be easier.

For most folks, the prospect of insulating the garage yourself is too much. If it’s indeed overwhelming for you, then it’s time to hire a dependable expert to install a modern-designed insulated garage door for you.

Insulate the entire garage. If your garage ever becomes too cold, it can damage not only your vehicle, but also anything else you keep stored in the garage. Are your washing machine and dryer in the garage? If your washer has any water left in the pump or lines, it can freeze and crack. The same risk exists with your automobile’s fuel gels, which can freeze in the combustion engine. Remember, too, that paint can separate and become ruined during a prolonged span of freezing temperatures.

Place a unit heater in your garage. Weatherstripping and insulation protect your garage from extremely cold temperatures in winter, but if you want extra warmth, add a unit heater. On the other hand, if winters are mild where you live, then an electric unit heater is likely enough, since you’ll need heat only occasionally. You can heat your garage with minimal construction costs and space requirements. Gas-fired units are typically less expensive to operate, but they’re more difficult to install since they require a gas supply and exhaust venting. There’s an electric model, too, which takes less effort to install but it’s more costly to manage. A particularly efficient electric option is the mini-split heat pump, which gives efficient heating and cooling for the garage with just a 3″ hole through an outside wall.

Protection in Hot Weather

In the summer, your main objective is to increase the airflow throughout your garage. Taking even only one of the following measures is worth considering.

Wall insulation keeps out summer heat with exceptional efficiency. Apply wallboard or other paneling so as to encapsulate the material. You’ll prevent toddlers, pets, and teenagers from tearing things out.

Insulate the garage overhead door. If you have a metal garage door, add a layer of rigid insulation 2″ thick, attached to the inside of each garage door panel with contact cement. Or, an insulated sectional overhead door is a superior alternative.

Insulate the ceiling of the garage. If you use paper-backed batt insulation, ceiling wallboard won’t be necessary. Install the insulation using staples, paper side down; or, you can keep the insulation in place using netting. You can also use staples to attach the netting. Professional garage door service technicians recommend that you do both.

Install a stationary vent on your roof. This is an economical way to create an exit point for the hot air that becomes trapped in the attic of your garage. If you can fit it into your budget, install a mechanical exhaust system. Fans will draw cooler air from the garage into the attic. You’ll cool the attic down as well as the area below.

Leave your garage door open slightly, about 12″ away from the floor. You can also add a fan.

Fasten an adjustable rollaway awning onto the garage’s sunny side. In the heat of summer, the shade will help to cool things off.

Plant a tree. A hardwood or deciduous tree is an aesthetic and inexpensive way to cool your garage down during summer. And, it will even keep your garage warm during the winter. Plant your tree between the garage and the position of the sun during the hottest part of the day so the leaves will provide shade. And, winter’s bare branches will allow sunlight to shine through, providing warmth.

If you have questions about how best to protect your garage, and you live in Goodyear, Arizona, consider hiring a reliable professional from a reputable garage door company such as Goodyear Garage Door Repair, where free consultations are available.

Aricle source here: HOW TO PROTECT YOUR GARAGE FROM EXTREME TEMPERATURES

Goodyear Garage Door Repair: Garage Door Closure Problems

The garage door is a major part of any home’s exterior. Often, we don’t even notice how significant it is until something goes wrong. Goodyear Garage Door Repair works with customers in the Goodyear, AZ area so that they are able to obtain and enjoy garage doors that work properly all of the time. Of course, people in other parts of the country might ultimately end up with problems with their garage door – specifically, garage door closure problems. These are sometimes able to be resolved with ease – other times, however, the issues will require the hands of an expert. If you’re facing a concern, like your garage door reversing whenever you try to close it, then read on. You just might find this information to be useful.

The typical scenario goes something like this: you’re leaving your house to go to work for the day. Then you click the remote in your car to close the garage door. As you’re backing carefully out of the driveway, you suddenly realize that your garage door is still open. You press the button on the remote again, watch the garage door drop down about halfway, but then it starts to open again. This is frustrating, of course, because you have things you need to get done, but you don’t want the garage door to be left wide open while you are gone. So what do you do? Have a look at some of the common issues outlined below. This will provide you with guidance so you have a better idea of what to do the next time you have garage door closure problems.

1. Garage door won’t close all of the way – it reverses every time you attempt to shut it.

The simple check is to look for some sort of object in the garage door’s track. If the door senses that something is in its path, then it will reverse. This is a safety feature which is meant to prevent the door from coming down on a person or animal. Look for small items like leaves and sticks.

Another issue that could be causing the garage door to reverse is the track. Notice their condition and shape. Are they bent? This might be triggering the problem with the garage door. If you have checked this, as well as for a potential obstruction in the track, then you can look at the opener’s limit switch. If parts are loose, tighten them up using a screw driver. If none of these things work, then the next step would be to call a local garage door repair expert. You are sure to be able to find someone reliable in your area.

2. The remote isn’t working correctly.

Yes, the cause for concern when a garage door is having closure problems could be that the remote isn’t working. First, try the batteries. Does the remote work if you swap out the batteries? If so, the problem was simple: it was just a dead or dying battery. If this isn’t the problem, then check the remote eyes. Are they clean? Can you see dirt? Clean them off. If these things don’t solve the problem but you think that the issue is in fact the garage door opener remote, talk to an expert about the next step, which might be to get a new remote altogether.

3. Safety sensors are causing the garage door to fail to close correctly.

Safety sensors were made to keep things safe. Unfortunately, things can still go wrong. These sensors can be found at the bottom of the door. One thing that you will notice with sensors is that they light up. But if the lights are blinking, this could mean that there is an issue. Perhaps they are not properly aligned, for example. Make sure they are realigned. Also ensure that nothing is in the sensor’s path.

4. There is an issue with the wall switch.

A malfunctioning power source with the opener could cause an overall problem with the wall switch. To check for this, you need to know what to look for in the circuit breaker in terms of fuses. If there is ever something that you are not comfortable fully with, it is very important to call an expert in for help. This can save you from getting hurt or from damaging the garage door.

This information was merely meant to provide some guidance to property owners dealing with garage door closure problems. They are not meant to be instructive steps – it is a better idea to call an expert for help when dealing with the garage door and its various parts so that everything is properly done. The most important thing is to be safe when working with a garage door and attempting to diagnose issues. Even something as simple as examining components can prove to be dangerous. Just imagine if the very heavy garage door came falling down fast. You don’t want this to happen due to a small mistake. If very basic steps don’t work for you, then look up a garage door repair service in your city. You can do this easily on Google. If you’d prefer to go off referrals, then ask your friends and other people you know you can count on. Chances are, someone in your social circle has hired a garage door repair specialist in the past. Listen to their advice and take advantage of the business that they recommend.
Garage door closure problems in Goodyear, Arizona can be fixed by Goodyear Garage Door Repair. If you are in this area, give our team of professionals a call. But be sure that no matter where you are, you hire a company you know you can count on. Look for one that is licensed and insured, too. Best of luck with your garage door! Be sure to keep it closed to prevent unwanted persons (and critters) from getting in.

Aricle source here: Goodyear Garage Door Repair: Garage Door Closure Problems