The Impact of Summer Weather on Your Garage Door Springs

As summer approaches, many homeowners are preparing their homes for the season. However, garage doors often go overlooked during this preparation. This is unfortunate, given the impact that the summer weather can have on garage door parts, especially the door springs. Here are some of the ways that summer weather can affect your garage door springs and what you can do to prevent potential damage.

Hot Weather Can Cause Garage Door Springs to Expand

During the summer months, temperatures soar, causing your garage door springs to expand. This expansion can put additional strain on your springs, making them more likely to break. If you notice that your garage door is moving slower or making unusual noises, it could be a sign that your springs are under stress. If this is the case, replace your garage door springs as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

High Humidity Can Cause Rust on Garage Door Springs

Summer also brings high levels of humidity, which can cause rust to form on your garage door springs. Rust can weaken the springs, making them more vulnerable to breaking or snapping. If you notice rust on your garage door springs, replace them right away. Rust is a sign that your springs are no longer in good working condition and need to be replaced.

Summer Storms Can Cause Garage Door Springs to Weaken

If you live in an area that experiences frequent summer storms, check your garage door springs regularly. Look for signs of wear and tear, such as cracks or dents, and replace your garage door springs if necessary.

Keep Your Garage in Good Shape at All Times

Summer weather can have a significant impact on your garage door springs, but by taking the proper steps, you can keep them in good condition. If you notice any signs of wear and tear on your garage door springs, be sure to replace them right away to prevent further damage. With a little bit of care and attention, you can ensure that your garage door will continue to work properly all summer long.

At Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc., we provide exceptional garage door parts and service to ensure that your garage door is always in top condition. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

How to Prevent Damage to Trucks and Trailers with Dock Bumpers

As any seasoned truck driver knows, navigating tight loading docks can be tricky. Not only is it challenging to maneuver large vehicles in tight spaces, but constant bumping and scraping against the dock can cause serious damage to trucks and trailers. That’s where dock bumpers come in.

Dock bumpers are designed to act as a buffer between the loading dock and the truck or trailer. Below, we explain what dock bumpers are and why they are important for protecting your trucks and trailers.

What Are Dock Bumpers?

Dock bumpers are safety devices installed on a loading dock to prevent damage to trucks and trailers during the loading and unloading process. They are usually made of durable materials such as rubber or plastic and are designed to absorb the impact of a truck or trailer hitting the dock.

The Benefits Of Using Dock Bumpers

Dock bumpers are a must-have if your business needs to back its trucks or trailers up against a loading dock regularly. The bumpers reduce wear and tear on both the docks and vehicles by absorbing the shock of contact. This means less time and money spent repairing or replacing damaged docks or vehicles due to collisions between them.

Dock bumpers can also protect the opening of the loading dock from debris and weather elements. Elements such as rain can damage the structure of the loading dock if it’s not properly sealed. Dock bumpers provide a seal around the edges of the opening, which reduces any damage from these elements.

Coupled with proper loading dock signage, dock bumpers ensure safety during operations. Accidents can occur when trucks and trailers make contact with the dock while loading or unloading. Dock bumpers prevent this by providing a buffer between the two surfaces.

Dock bumpers also have anti-skid properties, which keep the truck and trailer in place while backing up. This helps reduce the risk of accidents due to slips and slides during loading and off loading.

Protect Your Trucks and Trailers With Dock Bumpers

If your loading dock doesn’t have bumpers, it’s time to invest in them to stop putting your trucks and trailers at risk of damage. At Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc., we provide dock bumpers to ensure the safety of your trucks, trailers, and loading docks.

We can customize the bumpers to suit your truck types, dock heights, and other factors. Contact us today to learn more about our loading dock equipment.

Transforming Your Outdoor Space with Retractable Pergola Systems

Are you looking for a sleek and affordable way to transform your outdoor space? A retractable pergola system could offer the perfect solution, providing attractive coverage for your seating or garden area. If you’re wondering whether a retractable pergola is right for you, we’ve listed some benefits and points to consider below.

What is a retractable pergola?

Retractable pergolas look just like traditional pergolas. However, they feature several connected panels you can retract and extend to provide your outdoor space with as much coverage as you need. You can purchase a motorized or manually operated pergola, depending on your preferences, as well as choose from a wide array of frames and accessories.

What are the advantages of retractable pergola systems?

1. Protect you and your guests from rain and sun

A retractable pergola system will allow you and your friends and family to spend time outside even when weather conditions are less than ideal. Pergola systems can also provide cooling shade and repel harmful ultraviolet rays to ensure everyone stays safe during hot weather. 

2. Create more living space

Looking for more space in your home? Attaching a retractable pergola system to your property will create a seamless transition between your indoor and outdoor spaces, making your home feel bigger and more welcoming. Plus, the new installation could boost the price of your home and produce an excellent return on investment in the long term.

3. Add a touch of style to your outdoor area

Do you want to breathe new life into a tired outdoor area? Crafted using sleek aluminum, a retractable pergola system will transform your outdoor space into an inviting and esthetically pleasing living area – great news if you enjoy entertaining guests. 

Invest in a retractable pergola system today!

Ready to transform your home with a retractable pergola system? Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. is here to help. We install systems in a variety of colors and sizes. To find out more, call us at 724-443-1437. We look forward to discussing your project with you.

How to Save Money and Energy with Storm Doors

A storm door is a second door usually installed to serve a number of protective and convenience purposes. But apart from their main functions, storm doors can also serve as money and energy savers. Below are some ways you can save money and energy when you install storm doors.

Weather Barrier and Lower Heat Conduction

Installing a storm door outside your primary entrance door can help save energy in a couple of ways. First, the storm door acts as a weather shield or barrier, thus ensuring that any impact of air leakage through the regular entrance door is significantly reduced. Secondly, a storm door establishes an extra layer of insulation that helps limit heat conduction through the primary door.

More Affordable Replacement to Primary Doors

A storm door is a great money-saving investment for anyone who has an old but functional primary door. This is because the cost of installing a storm door is lower than that of a regular door.

Protect Your Primary Door

The functions of a storm door include protecting your primary door all year round from adverse conditions such as snow, rain, ice, wind, and more. This protective cover can extend the lifespan of your primary door and help save you money on primary door replacement over time.

Safe Access to Energy-Saving Sunshine

A storm door can be a valuable asset for those who love the feel of mild sunshine, particularly during the summer and spring seasons. Moreover, adequate utilization of the natural energy provided by the sun can imply less dependence on electric power. This can also imply lower energy costs and more savings.

Closing Thoughts

Adding a storm door is money well spent because of the extra money and energy-saving benefits it brings. Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. offers a wide variety of storm doors for diverse residential and commercial buildings.

Why Choose Us?

• Onsite Professional staff
• Quality workmanship
• Honesty and integrity
• Fully-insured

Call us today at (724) 443-1437 for more information on all storm, entry, and patio doors.

The Benefits of Automated Garage Doors

Are you considering getting an automated garage door? If you don’t have one yet, you don’t know what you’re missing out on. 

But we’re going to fill you in right here and explain 3 of the top benefits of having an automated garage door. 

Convenience

Does the convenience factor need much explanation? Nope!

After all, who really likes having to jump out of their car to open the garage door when they get home? When it’s cold and raining, the last thing you want to be doing is standing outside trying to find the right key for your garage door. 

The automatic door allows you to open it with a push of a button while nestled comfortably inside your car. 

Security

Aside from just being convenient, automatic garage doors help keep your home more secure as well. They can’t be opened from the outside without a remote and you don’t have to remember to make sure they are locked all the time. 

And if you’re worried about savvy thieves who use remote control scanners, you can put your garage door in vacation mode. This disables remote controls so you can go on vacation and know your home is protected as much as possible. 

Safety

Automatic garage doors are equipped with safety features that don’t allow the door to come down if there is someone or something in its path. Regular garage doors don’t have these features.

All it takes is for the door to come too far forward and gravity will ruthlessly bring it down — regardless of if there is someone standing there. Automated doors have sensors that make the likelihood of being crushed by your garage door almost zero.

The Best Automatic Garage Door

When an automatic garage door system is installed correctly, it’s a huge benefit to your daily life. Of course, proper installation is a must so you’ll want professional help like that of the team at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. Reach out today to learn more!

Essential Safety Tips for Garage Doors

Can you imagine having your 150-pound garage door come down on top of you? You probably can’t and it’s better you don’t. Let’s just put it on the list of things you don’t need to try to know they are a bad idea. 

While the likelihood of your garage door falling on top of you is slim, here are a few safety tips you can follow to bring the risk down to virtually zero.

Check the Sensors

Automatic garage doors have little infrared sensors on either side of the door that send a beam of light across the bottom of the garage door. If anything is breaking this beam, the door won’t close. However, if the sensors get misaligned, this safety feature won’t work. Check them once a month or so to ensure they are working properly.

Test the Reversal System

The reversal system is a big safety feature that is mandatory on all garage door systems. Sensors are used to detect if the door touches something on its way down. If it does, the door is supposed to immediately reverse and go back up. 

Check the system by placing an object on the ground short enough that it won’t break the sensor beam so the door will close. A 2×4 piece of wood works well for this. When the door touches the object, it should reverse direction. 

Listen to Your Door

Garage doors will often complain about their problems, you just have to be paying attention. Listen for unusual screeching, knocking, rattling, or squeaking sounds while your garage door is in operation.

Concerned About Your Garage Door?

If you have any reason to be concerned about your garage door, it doesn’t hurt to call the experts. The team at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. can help you make sure that your system is running properly and safely. 

After all, garage doors can be dangerous, but keeping them safe is a piece of cake. So why not prevent problems before they start?

Top 3 Benefits of Aluminum Awnings During the Winter

There are many benefits to aluminum awnings during the summer months. Have you ever wondered how an awning can help during the winter? Let’s discuss the top three reasons why you will be glad to have aluminum awnings on your home this winter.

Benefit #1: Aluminum Awnings Prevent Snow and Ice Buildup 

Winter snow and rain often fall during the day when the temperatures are slightly above freezing. Then, as night falls and temperature drops, this moisture can quickly form an invisible sheet of dangerous ice creating hazardous conditions, as well as a slip-and-fall liability. Aluminum awnings can shield your windows, stairs, and walkways from the snow and rainfall, preventing the buildup of ice around windows and in high traffic walking areas.

Benefit #2: Reduce Energy Bills with Aluminum Awnings 

During cold winter weather, savings on energy bills is often a consideration when making decisions about exterior or interior home improvement. There are many different ways to keep your home cozy and save on energy costs, and aluminum awnings can help. The design of the aluminum awning can prevent heat from escaping from your windows, as well as shield windows from icy blasts of wind. 

Benefit #3: The Durability of Aluminum Awnings  

Awnings are often installed with the objective of keeping the home cooler in the warmer months by shading your windows, patio, or entryways from direct sunlight. While retractable fabric awnings are very efficient at shading these areas during the summer, aluminum awnings are durable and long lasting, providing you with protection from the elements like rain and snow. Aluminum awnings also require little to no maintenance to stay looking great for decades.

Aluminum awnings are great for covering your porch, patio, deck, windows, or doors. Rust-free aluminum never rots, stretches, or rips. Additionally, there are many different colors and designs available to compliment the color and style of your home. Add to your curb appeal and reduce your energy bills year round with fixed aluminum awnings from Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. Call us today at 724-443-1437 to learn more.

Do Awnings Help Cut Down Energy Costs in Winter?

The cost of heating and cooling your home can add up over time. However, reducing energy usage and energy costs can make a big impact in the long run. A home’s carbon footprint can be significantly reduced by finding energy-efficient ways to heat and cool it. An efficient method of lowering energy costs is by installing window coverings or awnings. Awnings are not just good for summer savings, they can also help save money on energy during winter.

What are aluminum awnings?
Aluminum awnings or overhangs provide a secondary covering mounted to your home’s exterior wall. They’re smart solutions that offer sturdy protection from rain, snow, and sunlight, and they come in a variety of styles and colors. 

Benefits of aluminum awnings
1. Awnings result in a significant reduction in energy and utility bills during winter.
2. They deliver comfort and safety by providing all-weather protection.
3. Throughout different seasons, awnings are secure, dependable, and durable.
4. They shield exterior walls, paint, windows, and doors from harsh weather conditions.
5. They enhance and expand your outdoor living space for fun and relaxation.

Can aluminum awnings reduce energy costs in winter?
Yes, adding aluminum awnings to your house will improve its energy efficiency in winter as well as summer. Aluminum awnings can be used year-round due to their ability to endure wind, hail, and snowfall. By trapping heat around the windows, they can help to keep the area around the windows warmer. During the warmer months, your awning will not only keep the sun out of your home, but it can also reduce the amount of heat that enters your house – allowing your air conditioner to run at a lower setting.

Aluminum awnings or Fabric awnings. Which is better?
Aluminum awnings are weather-resistant, easy to maintain, and reduce energy bills drastically during winter. They provide protection against rain, snow, and wind, and they are capable of preserving heat inside your home as well. Because aluminum awnings are durable, they require little maintenance. It’s unlikely that they will need repairs or patching as often as fabric awnings during severe weather conditions. Luckily, Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. is your one-stop shop for garage doors and awnings installation. Call us at 724 443 1437 to know more about our services. 

Safety Tips for Garage Doors

A garage door is a convenient addition to any home, allowing safe, convenient entry and protecting your garage space and the contents from the elements. It’s important to utilize proper maintenance and operating procedures to ensure it’s safe to use your garage door. Here are a few tips to follow to make garage doors as safe as possible. 

Periodically Test the Electronic Controls

Electric sensors and control units enable modern garage doors to open and close safely. However, if these devices malfunction, your garage door may not sense that a person or animal is in its path.

When a garage door’s electronic controls sense that something is in its path, it reverses course as a safety feature. A garage door without functional electronic controls is a huge safety hazard and can cause serious injury. 

Test the sensors by passing an object in front of them when your garage door is closing; it should immediately stop closing. Your sensors are mounted to the side rails a few inches from the ground. 

Regularly Examine Your Garage Door for Signs of Wear or Damage

Each month, examine the components of your garage door, like the rollers, hardware, springs, and cables, to confirm that nothing is stretched or broken. If something looks broken or worn out, don’t use your garage door until a professional examines and fixes the damaged component. 

Encourage Safe Habits

Make sure that your kids and family members understand safe garage door habits. Your family should understand that the garage door remote isn’t a toy or something for kids to use. Store the remote where it isn’t easily accessible to ensure children don’t accidentally gain access to it.

Teach your kids to stay away from the springs and garage door hardware, as these components can cause injury. Tell them to wait until the garage door is completely open and finished moving before going underneath it. 

Increase the Safety of Your Garage Door

Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. has the experience and knowledge to fix any issues that cause your garage door to pose a safety risk. Contact us at 724-443-1437 to get started. 

4 Benefits of Having an Awning

Awnings are coverings that are installed over an outdoor space. Often used on patios or over a window, they help protect you from the elements and improve your outdoor areas. 

But they more than protect your space from rain. If you’re considering installing an awning, they might have more benefits than you previously thought. Here are 4 of the top benefits of having an awning.

Increase your outdoor space

One of the top reasons families choose to install awnings is to increase useable space in their homes. An awning can help provide shade in the warmer months and block out light rain on cloudy days. This way you can spend more time outside and enjoy time on your patio or in your yard.

A retractable awning can make your space more flexible by extending further or closer as necessary.

Make your home more energy efficient

Adding an awning to your residential property can help block direct sunlight in the summer months. By reducing sun rays, you can reduce the heat in your home – saving on air conditioning costs and reducing your carbon footprint.

Protect from UV rays

An awning that’s strategically placed over a window or doorway can reduce the amount of direct sunlight coming into your home. Not only are excessive UV rays harmful for you and your family, but they can also damage and discolor furniture and finishes over time. 

An awning can provide up to 80% SPF protection and increase the longevity of the interior of your home.

Improve privacy

If you have outdoor spaces that directly face neighbors, awnings can help block direct views into your home. While they don’t give complete privacy, like window coverings, awnings also don’t block out all the natural light. Giving you the best of both worlds.

Awnings can also improve the privacy of your outdoor spaces.

Get an awning for your home today

A professional can help evaluate your outdoor spaces and suggest an awning that will maximize the benefits for you and your home. From retractable to fixed awnings, Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. has a selection for everyone. Contact us today to explore our selection of awnings.