A Guide to Garage Door Maintenance in The Spring
With spring fast approaching, now is the perfect time to embark on some routine maintenance of your wooden garage doors. Garage door maintenance is often neglected but spending some time in early spring inspecting and repairing where necessary will keep your door functioning well for years to come. Here are some tips on proper garage door maintenance for the coming season.
Observe Your Door in Motion
Take some time to observe your wooden garage doors opening and closing. Do they open smoothly or is there a jerkiness to their motion? Are they quiet or do you hear scraping noises as they move? If your doors are not opening smoothly and quietly then check the system, including springs, cables and pulleys, to make sure that they are all clean and symmetrical.
Clean and Clear the Tracks
In order to easily open your garage door, the tracks need to be clean and free of any blockages such as debris. Use a level to determine if the tracks are perfectly even. Any bends or damage can put stress on your doors, so either call in a professional to fix it or consider purchasing a replacement.
Check For Loose Hardware
There are many moving parts that make up the opening mechanism for your wooden garage doors. Over time these parts can loosen, which poses a risk to how well your doors operate. Using screwdrivers and an adjustable wrench, make sure to tighten any loose screws and bolts holding your brackets and fasteners in place.
Inspect the Rollers
Over time your garage door rollers will become chipped or loose, making your doors harder to open. Replace any damaged rollers you find by removing them from the brackets and inserting a new one. Keep in mind that you should not remove the bottom rollers as these are attached to the garage lift cables. If you need to replace these, always call a professional.
Check Pulleys and Cables
Your lift cables and pulleys help lift the wooden garage doors, and if these become damaged the doors will be harder to open. Inspect the cables attached to the bottom roller brackets as well as any cables or springs in the pulley system overhead. If any loose parts or fraying is detected, do not try to fix it yourself, but call in a professional instead.
Clean and Lubricate Moving Parts
Use a lubricant spray such as lithium grease on rollers, brackets and tracks and other moving parts. This will help reduce stress and improve their lifespan. If any parts become stiff and hard to move, apply a penetrating solution like WD-40 to loosen them.
Test Garage Door Balance
If your wooden garage doors are off-balance then they will force your opener to work harder, leading to possible early failure. To test the balance, disconnect the door from the opener via the safety cord and manually lift it to halfway. If you let go and the door remains in place then it is well balanced. If it slides up or down you will need to contact a professional to rebalance it.
Test Auto Reverse Features
All modern garage doors have a safety feature that stops them from closing when an object is detected. Test the pressure sensor by placing an object such as a board under the door as it closes. If the door does not reverse when it touches the board then consult a professional. Afterwards, test the door’s photoelectric sensors by waving a broom handle in front of them. If this movement does not trigger a reversal, check there is nothing blocking the cameras. If the problem persists, call a professional.
Check the Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping is necessary for keeping your garage doors insulated throughout the year. Check the bottom and sides of the doors to see if the stripping is clean and in good condition. If it has become worn down, replace it by removing any nails to disconnect the old weatherstripping and put in a new one. You can purchase weatherstripping from any hardware store.
Repaint Your Wooden Garage Doors
Once you have checked that your door is functioning perfectly, check the condition of the door itself. Check for any warping or water damage as well as chipped or peeling paint. If you find any remove the paint, sand the door and repaint it.
Eastern Garage Doors
At Eastern Garage Doors we have a range of products and services that will provide you with the perfect garage door for your home. To find out more about our bespoke wooden garage doors visit us online or contact our friendly team via phone today.
A Guide to Garage Door Maintenance in The Spring
Unfortunately, Christmas is a time of increased break-ins as thieves go looking for presents to steal. Although most people take the correct precautions to protect their front and back doors, garages are sometimes overlooked and present an easy way in. We’ve put together some of the steps you can take to keep your garage – and by extension, your home – safe and secure over Christmas.
Keep the remote hidden
If you have an electric door, keep the remote in a safe place. These doors are becoming more and more common in the UK, and it’s tempting to keep the remote in your car for convenience. However, this makes it easier for thieves steal it and gain access to your garage. It’s best to get into the habit of bringing your garage door opener into the house with you, then keeping it somewhere safe inside. If you absolutely have to leave it in your car, keep it in the glove box so it’s harder for thieves to access.
Cover up any windows
If there are windows that look into your garage, cover them up to avoid any potential thieves from getting a look at what’s stored inside. Garages with uncovered windows are more likely to be broken in to, and the risk is even greater if you have tools and other valuables kept in there.
Keep it shut
This might sound like the most obvious advice, but it’s pretty normal for people to leave their garage door open for long periods of time while they’re at home. Although you might be okay leaving it open and going back and forth from the garden while working on a DIY project, you never know who could be taking notice of the expensive tools and equipment that you keep in the garage. Keeping the door shut if you’re going to be round in the garden for a while is your best bet for extra security.
Keep the entry door locked
If your garage is attached to your house, the door between the two should be just as secure as your front and back doors. If any intruders do somehow make their way into your garage, you want to stop them from getting any further into your home with a securely locked door.
Use a secure door from Eastern Garage Doors
One of the most important factors in keeping your garage safe is a sturdy, secure garage door. You can find plenty of different doors in our range that includes options such as sectional, roller, remote-controlled and many more.
Every single one of these doors is secure as standard, but they can be tailored to your needs for further security, for example with the addition of automation.
Why not improve your home security as part of your garage winter maintenance? Get in touch with us today for a free garage door quote.
How to keep your garage safe and secure this Christmas
When you arrive at home or look out into your garden, your garage is probably one of the first things you see. So it’s important that it looks smart and catches the eye for the right reasons. Perfect for period or traditional homes, wooden garage doors can also bring classic style to a modern property.
At Eastern Garage Doors, we supply and install a wide range of wooden garage doors, but what are the benefits of choosing a timber design?
Built to last
Wood is naturally hardwearing, making it an ideal material for a garage door. With the correct finish and a little care, wooden doors can last for many years. Plus the natural grain of wood hides minor scuffs and scratches well. If re-sanded and refinished every three to five years, your wooden garage door will look as good as new.
Customisable
Our wooden garage doors can be finished in any colour. Match your garage to your front door and window frames, or make it stand out with a contrasting shade. The choice is yours. And because a wooden garage door can be repainted, you can easily update its colour as and when you like.
Suitable for automation
An automated garage door can make a big difference to your home. They are particularly useful if you find yourself struggling to safely lift a heavy garage door. Or if you park your vehicle inside your garage.
We can adapt our wooden garage doors for motorised operation, making access safer and more convenient. So even the heaviest timber door can be opened with ease.
Security & insulation
The strength of wood gives you added peace of mind that your garage and its contents are secure. Wooden garage doors also benefit from better insulation thanks to the thickness of the timber. This will protect the contents of your garage from the elements. And your garage will be warmer too – perfect if it has been converted into a home office, gym or play room.
Get in touch to find out more about the wooden garage doors we can install, or to arrange your free, no obligation survey.
A Guide to Wooden Garage Doors
Not only are garage doors meant to protect your vehicle and other valuables from the elements, but they represent a very real asset in terms of security. While most doors are built to last, the fact of the matter is that garage door servicing will be required from time to time. So, how can you tell if a garage door repair will be sufficient as opposed to when an entirely new unit is the most logical option. Let us take a quick look at a handful of variables to address so that you can make the right decision.
When Garage Door Repairs are Sufficient
Minor issues can normally be addressed through a targeted DIY garage door repair. Some of these include:
- Issues with caulking
- Chipping or peeling paint
- Small patches of rotting wood
- Machinery that needs to be oiled
All of these situations can be tackled within a relatively short period of time and little to no prior experience is required. However, there are other times when a simple face-lift is hardly sufficient.
Signs that a Garage Door Needs to be Replaced
What might signal that you require a professional garage door repair? One of the most common issues involves wood that has rotted through all of the panels. As this cannot normally be treated with superficial techniques, a garage door replacement may be the best option.
Another situation to keep an eye out for involves profound mechanical problems. For example, the motors designed to lift and close the door can burn out or otherwise become too weak to supply the appropriate level of power. It is often much more economical to purchase a new garage door as opposed to replacing the entire motor as well as the armature.
You might also be looking to increase the levels of security associated with your existing garage door. In this case, it is often wise to upgrade to a sturdier model. The same holds true if you garage becomes extremely cold during the winter months. Insulated variants will provide you with a host of thermal benefits and as a result, you are likely to save a significant amount of money in terms of heating costs.
To Repair or Replace…That is the Question
We should finally note that obtaining a garage door repair from a professional represents an excellent return on investment. Not only will this newer model last for years at a time, but it can also increase the value of your property. Let’s also not fail to mention that you may also be able to upcycle garage doors; ideal when re-purposing their materials to create objects such as tables and outdoor chairs.
It can still be rather tricky to know whether or not a replacement is warranted. This is why customers choose to speak with an expert at Southern Doors. We will be pleased to give you an honest evaluation and to point you in the right direction.
Replace or Repair? How to Know When it’s a Good Time to Purchase a New Garage Door
Thanks to more than 30 years of experience within door installations, it is a natural progression to move into residential and commercial security solutions. Eastern Garage Doors is therefore pleased to introduce our customers to the range of products offered by our sister company, Eastern Security Doors.
Residential and Commercial Security Doors
No one can ever put a price on peace of mind. Unfortunately, many burglaries will occur as a result of substandard security solutions. This is why a growing number of property owners are choosing to have a combination of more secure alternatives put in place. We offer a wide range of configurations based around your requirements. These include:
- Roller shutters
- Retractable grilles
- Steel security doors
- Retractable bollards
These are especially relevant for commercial locations, as such models are built to the highest of standards and designed to withstand forced entry. The mere presence will often act as an effective deterrent.
Bespoke Security Solutions
The term “one size fits all” should never apply to modern security doors. After all, the needs of two properties are never alike. Unlike some other firms, the team at Eastern Security Doors will configure designs around the bespoke requirements of each customer. It is possible to work-in additional elements such as windows, a built-in access panel and even colour customisation across products. All doors are fully compliant with all insurance and fire standards.
Protect Against the Elements
Intruders aren’t your only concern when protecting a property, mother nature can threaten the contents of a building. Unfortunately, traditional doors and windows can easily become damaged. This can lead to grave consequences in terms of repairs and replacing expensive contents. The good news is that our line of security doors will offer a weatherproof barrier against all of the elements.
Reliable and Transparent Guarantees
We are so confident in our line of security products that all doors are backed up by rock-solid warranties in terms of maintenance and repairs. These doors will not rust and in the rare event that an issue occurs, our on-site services will be provided in a timely fashion so that the safety of your property is never called into question.
Have you been looking for a bespoke line of security doors and grilles for your domestic or commercial property? If so, please do not hesitate to contact us so that we can schedule an initial consultation to find you the perfect solution.
Advanced Security Products Now Available
What elements serve to define the exterior “personality” of your home? While window dressings and wall colours will often come to mind, we need to remember that a bespoke front door will leave a lasting impression. This is why many property owners are straying away from generic designs in favour of the bespoke options offered through Eastern Garage Doors.
While there is no doubt that we have become famous over the past 30 years for our line of garage entrances, it is just as important to mention that we are also front door specialists. What are some of the services which we can provide?
Uniquely Designed Front Doors
Whether you wish to embrace a contemporary appeal or you are more interested in matching the traditional decor of your home, look no further than Easter Garage Doors. One of the reasons why we are capable of offering such a kaleidoscope of options involves the fact that we work with numerous well-respected manufacturers including:
- Hormann
- Silvelox
- Apeer
Famous for their numerous security features Hormann front doors are excellent options if you have been looking for a superior means to protect the contents of your home. Options include nine-point locking systems and highly resistant materials that adhere to RC4 security standards. However, we should also mention that Hormann has devoted just as much attention to the styles of the doors themselves. You can choose from a wide array of colours, sizes and designs.
Silvelox has likewise earned a second-to-none reputation for their numerous high-quality front door designs. If you have been less than satisfied with “cookie-cutter” options, the chances are high that you will love what is in store when examining our Slivelox line. Much like Hormann models, these units can also be employed to match any front garage doors that may already be present.
Composite front doors have also become extremely popular options due to their durability as well as their cost-effective designs. Eastern Garage Doors is therefore pleased to supply a selection of Apeer Doors alongside numerous styles, hardware and design options will help to satisfy even the most demanding of requirements.
Five Year Warranty on Front Doors
Whether referring to our line of garage doors or front doors, we are fully confident in our selection of products. This is why Eastern Garage Doors offers a full five-year warranty on all products as well as a ten-year guarantee on door surfaces. It is therefore clear to see why we are your go-to source when nothing but the best for your home will suffice.
If you’d like to schedule a no-obligation on-site consultation in order to better understand your options, please take a few moments to contact us when the time is right.
How to Choose the Perfect Front Door for Your Home
Garage doors have become an integral part of the modern home. While at one time considered to represent somewhat of a luxury, these fascinating devices are now seen within millions of properties throughout the United Kingdom. Not only can these doors address some of the most important classic car maintenance requirements, but they are also capable of adding a stylish touch to any home.
How have garage doors and their associated mechanisms changed over time? Let us take a quick look at why technology and innovation have both played important roles in order to appreciate the big picture.
Traditional Car Enthusiast Tips from the Very Beginning
The earliest garage doors were actually attached to separate structures known as “carriage houses”. Similar to barns and storage facilities, most carriage houses were equipped with doors that swung outwards. This was inconvenient due to the fact that they would require a great deal of space. Also, there were always chances that the vehicle could accidentally come in contact with the doors themselves.
Simple and Yet Powerful Solutions
It was not until 1921 that an upward-swinging mechanism was introduced to the general public. It did not take long before this model was often included within many car enthusiast tips, and for good reason. The most obvious advantage of this design was that it saved a great deal of space when compared to previous versions.
However, another issue presented itself. Some garage doors were extremely ornate and therefore, rather heavy. This made them very difficult to raise and lower. One solution which is still seen on occasion involved the introduction of sliding doors. It was much easier to open and close these models. The only issue was that the dimensions of the garage itself needed to be wider in order to accommodate the sliding mechanism. This would obviously be challenging for those who wished to undertake classic car maintenance within a limited amount of space.
The Introduction of the Electric Overhead Door
Garage doors equipped with electrical motors were first introduced in the first half of the 1970s. The main advantage here was that the doors no longer required manual labour to be opened and closed. Initially a luxury, the 1980s witnessed the mainstream introduction of remotely operated units, so the doors could be activated with the click of a button. These also reflected the fact that the cars themselves were changing over time. Just as vehicles began to use modern solutions, it only stood to reason that car enthusiast tips involved mechanised doors.
We now live in an era associated with composite doors, superior levels of insulation and even affordable, smart systems that are able to detect the presence of a vehicle as it enters the driveway. So, it is clear to see that we have come a long way in less than a century. This is why professional car enthusiast tips should always address the presence of a reliable garage door. If you would like to learn more about the services offered at Southern Doors, please contact us directly.
Garage Door Trends Over Time: A Brief History
Keeping your garage doors in its best condition requires some work but making time to complete maintenance means you can enjoy a long-lasting door, with minimal effort over time. We’ve got some simple tips to prolong the lifespan of your garage doors.
Give them a look over regularly
A visual inspection is a great place to start with your maintenance. Have a look at the components including the arms, cables, springs, rollers and hinges. If you spot any wear and tear, it’s best to get this sorted out by a garage door specialist as soon as possible to prevent any serious damage to your door.
Keep the parts oiled
This basic maintenance task will ensure your door runs smoothly as well as stopping any annoying squeaks and creaks. Oiling the moving parts such as the hinges, pivots points and the rollers even just twice a year with a quality spray lubricant, will add years onto the lifespan of your garage door.
Keep it clean
No matter the material of your door, clean it regularly with warm water and a sponge to prevent dirt from building up and casing damage. It also keeps it looking it’s best! If you have a steel door, this is also an opportunity to keep an eye out for any spots of rust forming. Any rust spots should be sanded down, primed, and painted over. Wooden doors can suffer from chipped paint due to water damage or warping, so if you spot this while cleaning, sand it down and repaint over the chips.
Test the door balance
If your garage door isn’t balanced properly, the door opening mechanism will be put under more strain and it won’t last as long as it should. The springs should balance it well enough that it lifts with only a few pounds of force. You can test this by manually opening the door halfway. When halfway open, it should stay in place without you needing to hold it there. If it doesn’t remain in this place on its own, then it’s improperly balanced and will be wearing out the springs. This is another case where a garage door professional should be your first call.
Garage door maintenance, servicing and repairs
No one wants their garage door to stop working prematurely. At Southern Doors, we provide garage door maintenance services to keep your door in its ideal condition for years to come. Get in touch with us today to book maintenance that ensures your garage door operates and looks how it should.
Looking for a long-lasting garage door? Here are some easy ways to prolong lifespan
Automatic garage doors offer plenty of benefits over manual ones. They can be an invaluable addition to your home, with extra convenience, security and much more. In this blog, we’ll discuss the benefits of automatic doors and how you can have the ideal door supplied and fitted by Southern Doors.
Convenience
The most apparent benefit is convenience. With an automatic garage door opener, you can open your door from the comfort of your car. You don’t have to get in and out to open and close the door, so going out into the rain is a thing of the past.
Most automatic doors also have lights to illuminate your front garden and garage. This is helpful in the winter or during bad weather, where increased visibility is vital.
Automatically closing doors are also available, so you don’t even have to remember to use the remote yourself; the doors will open and close themselves on their own for the ultimate convenience.
Safety
An automatic door removes the risk of fingers getting jammed or a faulty door falling down on someone. This makes them an ideal option for those with younger children or anyone with a medical condition such as arthritis that makes manually closing the door more difficult.
Security
Your garage door is an important part of your home security. As well as storing important and valuable possessions, lots of garages have a door that leads through to the main house, so having a secure door is paramount. The automatic doors that we supply come with plenty of security features, including remotes that operate with a unique code so only you can gain access and settings that disable the remote control completely.
Low energy use
Despite being more technical than a manual door, automatic doors don’t need much power to work. Installing one won’t have a dramatic effect on the cost effectiveness of your home, or its carbon footprint.
Maintenance
These low maintenance doors will keep working their best for years, and in the rare event that something goes wrong, we’re on hand to help with our repairs service. We also offer regular servicing to prolong the life of your garage door and prevent future problems from happening.
Cost
With all the convenience offered by automatic garage doors, lots of homeowners see them as an expensive luxury; however, you can find a range of affordable, quality doors in our range that suit any budget.
Find the ideal automatic garage door
Are you interested in an automatic garage door? We pride ourselves in offering an outstanding range of doors that are suitable for a range of homes and budgets. After finding your perfect door, our skilled team will also fit it and provide follow up servicing, along with repairs in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. Get in touch with us today to get started with your new garage door.
Benefits of Upgrading to an Automatic Garage Door
YouTube is one of the best places to find diverse content about whatever interests you. This is especially true for motoring enthusiasts, with plenty of content creators putting out high-quality videos on everything from supercars to modifications, to reviews of the latest everyday choices. We’ve put together a list of some of our favourite motoring YouTube channels that are perfect for any car enthusiast!
EVO is a magazine dedicated to supercars, with a successful YouTube channel that boasts over 600,000 subscribers. EVO is a fantastic way to find in-depth reviews and comparisons of exotic cars such as Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches, as well as popular (and more affordable) hot hatches and sports coupes.
Carwow features an interesting mix of videos, with some featuring supercars going head-to-head in a drag race and others with reviews of the latest standard cars from all the manufacturers you’d expect. This channel is well known for its trusted reviews for those looking for their next car, whether that be for a family-friendly crossover or something a bit sportier.
Doug DeMuro is a car reviewer and columnist who is best known for his YouTube channel. He regularly uploads reviews and vlog-style videos to his 3,000,000+ subscribers, featuring everything from supercars to accessible luxury cars to popular everyday cars. Doug’s entertaining personality and breadth of knowledge makes his channel one of our favourites.
Best known as a former late-night talk show host, Jay Leno is also an avid collector of rare and classic cars. If you’re after quality footage of rare exotic cars with entertaining commentary, you can’t go wrong with Leno’s YouTube channel. Just don’t expect much in the way of reviews or journalism – these videos are all about admiring a massive collection of jaw-dropping cars.
Eastern Garage Doors
Has motoring YouTube got you considering that classic car you’ve always dreamed of? Or, perhaps you need something bigger that’s suitable for a growing family? Whatever your reason, certain cars need an accessible garage to live in. At Eastern Garage Doors, we can adapt your garage with a lintel conversion that turns a single door garage into a double, offering more room to get in and around the space.
Take a look at our site for some garage inspiration and get in touch with us today to get started with your garage upgrade.
