Whether you are looking to replace your old, outdated garage door with custom garage doors , or are building a new home, there are a few things you need to consider before you make the purchase. Factors including where you live and the resale value should factor into your decision. Keep reading to learn more factors you should consider before purchasing a new, custom garage door for your home.

Location

Garage doors are extremely heavy objects, therefore, they require necessary hardware and tracking that is dependent upon your location. Based on weather and climate safety measures your new garage door may require additional bracing or other installation specifications.

Wind and water aren’t the only elements that can impact your garage door. The direction that your garage door faces can also affect your door. If your garage door faces the sun, your home and garage are more likely to heat up from air escaping from the garage. If this is the case for you, consider purchasing an insulated garage door to improve energy efficiency throughout your home.

Energy Efficiency Requirements

As with most custom items, a custom garage door will cost more than your typical garage door. But, a typical garage door won’t be able to save you nearly as much on your utilities as a custom, insulated door would. Choosing to purchase a door that has a higher energy efficiency rating will not only aid in keeping your home warmer or cooler around the garage, but it will also save you money on energy bills.

Market Value

Any investment you make in your home will increase your home’s resale value. Before you make a final decision on the garage door that you want to purchase for your home, you should first calculate the cost of your home. This will allow you to determine how much value will be added to your home when you purchase a new door.

The price of garage doors vary, so knowing how much return you’d get on your investment can help to justify your decision to purchase a new door.

Type of Door

There are different types of doors to choose from. The ultimate deciding points for estimating how much your custom door will cost is the type, build, and design. Some of the most common types of doors include:

• Aluminum: lightweight, yet comes with a higher price tag. This is a good option for wet climates, as aluminum doors hold up better to rust than steel doors.

• Steel: If you are looking for variety, you’ll want to invest in a steel door. Available in different colors, insulation and flexible price options make steel an attractive choice. These doors are strong and light and can be equipped with foam insulation to protect against heat and cold.

• Wood Composite: Wood doors have a classic look and feel to them, but they don’t tend to last as long as other materials. Although, wood composite doors are widely available and cost effective.

• Fiberglass: Fiberglass is great due to its durability. Fiberglass is known to hold up well against insects and most elements. Fiberglass is not a good option for cold climates where temperatures are known to drop below freezing.

• Vinyl: Vinyl doors are one of the more expensive options available. They are great for those who are looking for a particular look or a different visual appeal than they can get with other door types. An advantage of vinyl doors is that they require less maintenance than most other options and are rust resistant as well.

• Carriage House Doors: Generally, carriage house doors are more affordable than you might initially think and add a lot of curb appeal to your home. These doors are the most aesthetically pleasing style of custom doors available.

As you can see, there are many things to consider when choosing custom garage doors. If you are looking to have a custom door installed, contact the professionals at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors today to learn more about your options and get the right door for your home!

Whether your garage door makes a racquet every time you open or close it, or a spring has sprung and you are in drastic need of garage door service , you are going to want to find a reliable company to quickly get your door back to working order. Here are few things to keep in mind when scouring the internet looking for a garage repair company.

License and Insurance

Finding a company that is both licensed and insured should be your number one priority. This can help to ensure that you find a company that will do good work and be there in the future when you need additional parts or maintenance.

Failure to find a company that is properly licensed and insured means that you could ultimately be held financially liable if an accident were to occur while working on your garage door.

Check References and Reviews

There are numerous resources online where you can read business reviews from previous customers. This allows you to check the reputation of a company and read how satisfied other customers were and how likely they are to refer the company to others. A few websites that are known for producing reputable reviews include:

• Angie’s List

• Yelp

• Google Plus

• Facebook

• Better Business Bureau (BBB)

Timely Service

There is never a convenient time for your garage door to malfunction and stop working. While some problems are more problematic than others, it is essential that you get someone out to look at your door in a timely manner. You don’t want to risk compromising the safety and security of your loved ones or your home by having a garage door that isn’t secure.

Make sure the company you choose to perform your repairs offers timely service and can get your door repaired and back to work quickly.

Fair and Honest Pricing

In most cases, a repairman is going to need to come out to your home and see the door in person in order to be able to accurately identify the problem with your garage door. Work with companies who offer free estimates and provide the estimate in writing. Know what is included in the estimate so that you are not surprised by additional costs, such as labor.

Knowing what to look for when shopping around for garage door service guarantees you the best service around. Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors offers professional service at competitive prices. Don’t trust your home security needs to just anyone, trust them to Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors!

There are many different components that make a garage door function properly. Each part is intended to help the door function with the assistance of the motor, so that it easily goes up and down without any hiccups every time you push your remote. Knowing what components are included on a garage door and what their functionality is can save you time and money when something goes wrong. Additionally, knowing the various components of a Pittsburgh garage can help to protect you and your family from any potential harm from a malfunctioning garage door.

Here is a list of the components that make up a garage door:

Sections : Steel panels that create the door part of your garage door. These panels are reinforced with stiles which are then interconnected with hinges and rollers. Sections can be replaced when damaged, without having to replace the entire door.

Bottom Brackets: These devices are located at the bottom of a garage door and provide structural support and attachments for lifting cables.

Cable Drums: Located on the torsion spring, these grooved drums provide a place for the lifting cables to wind up when the door is opened.

Torsion Springs: The means to open and close the garage door through the use of cable winding on the drums.

Extension Springs: These springs extend along both horizontal tracks and assist in the raising and lowering of the garage door.

Operator Hanger: Used to attach the horizontal tracks to the ceiling of the garage, providing additional support.

Track: Used as a guide for the garage door to run up and down on. Tracks are installed on both sides of the door and are often referred to as either horizontal or vertical tracks.

Hinges: Attached to the sections of a garage door and provide support. It is the hinges that allow for a garage door to roll up and down.

Emergency Pull Cord: This cord allows for the motor to be disengaged, allowing for the door to be opened or closed manually.

Motor: This is what powers a garage door, mechanically opening and closing the door.

Operator Rail: Most garage doors operate on either a chain, belt or screw drive.

Rear Track Hanger: This is what attaches the horizontal track to the ceiling, therefore providing additional support.

Bearing Plate: Attached to the header, the bearing plate is used to support the spring and shaft.

Photo Eye: The part of the sensor’s safety measure that transmits an infrared light from one sensor to another. If the beam of light is interrupted, the garage door will not be able to close. These must be properly aligned in order for the garage door to operate properly.

It is obvious that there are numerous components that are in place to not only assist a Pittsburgh garage to operate efficiently but to provide safety as well. When a garage door doesn’t open, the most common problem has to do with a damaged spring. As springs are the most dangerous component of a garage door, do not attempt to repair a spring yourself.

Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors has trained garage door technicians who know how to work on garage doors and return them to working order. When you find that your garage door needs repair work done, call on the experts at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors!

Installing a new garage door on your home or business is not the time to break out YouTube and attempt a DIY to save a few bucks. In order for a door to function properly, it needs to be installed or repaired perfectly, which is why it is in your best interest to hire professional door installation Pittsburgh . Additionally, garage doors can be dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing, which is why it is in your best interest to hire the professionals. Here are 4 other reasons why you should call in the professionals to install your garage door!

Experience

While a video found on the Internet may give the illusion that installing a garage door yourself is easy, in reality, it’s not as easy as it appears. Most videos are of professionals who have years of experience, which is what allows them to make it look like a simple project. With no experience, installing a door can be quite challenging and dangerous. Professionals are highly trained and are equipped with the necessary skills and tools required to complete the job. Professionals will not only ensure that the door is installed correctly, but they will also save you a lot of time and frustration!

Correct Parts and Tools

When you hire a professional to install your door, you can rest assured that you will be sure to have the correct opener and parts for your door based on the size and weight. When you have the right opener for your door, you can avoid the hassle of having to change it later to work with your door. Not to mention, professionals will have all of the necessary tools to be able to handle your installation, which means that it will be done quickly and correctly, allowing for your door to work correctly. There are many intricate parts that go into ensuring that your door is installed properly and will function flawlessly. This includes the correct alignment of the photo eye, proper wiring, proper securing of the door opener, and properly installed pulleys, springs and cables. The weight of the door needs to be properly balanced as well.

Safety

There are many safety concerns when it comes to installing doors. This is especially true when working with the springs. Aside from the springs, the doors themselves are heavy, large, and awkward to manipulate, which makes them dangerous. In addition to the door itself, the opener requires working with electricity, and requires training to know how to safely work with electricity to install. Following installation, the professionals will be able to test the door, ensuring that all the safety measures are working properly.

Warranties

The nice thing about garage doors, is that most come with a warranty; however, there is a catch. In order for the warranty to be valid, the door must be installed by a professional. If you attempt to install or repair the door yourself, chances are you will void the warranty. Don’t risk losing your warranty by trying to do the work yourself.

The professionals at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors know what it takes to accurately perform door installation Pittsburgh. Don’t trust your garage door needs to just anybody, trust the experts at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors. With years of experience, we know how to work on various types of doors, and guarantee that you’ll be satisfied with our work when we are done!

Picking out the right awning to complement your home or business is more involved than just saying you want an awning. There are different types of awnings, materials, colors, etc. that need to be considered. Choosing the right awnings Pittsburgh can help to minimize heating and cooling cost by protecting windows from outside elements. Below is a list of things that you need to consider to ensure that you get the right awning to meet your needs.

• Size: The right size will keep the appearance of your home or business looking balanced, and pleasing to look at.

• Style: With different styles to choose from, it is important to select the style that will complement or work with the existing style of your home or office.

• Material: Awnings come in various materials—canvas, vinyl, aluminum or plastic. Some materials are better able to protect your windows than others. The same goes for the amount of sunlight that is allowed to enter your home. This will be dependent on the material that your awning is made of.

• Pre-Assembled: Retractable awnings come pre-assembled and are ready to be installed. When you purchase a retractable awning, all of the necessary mechanisms will be included and will be in good working order.

• Customizable: Awnings can be customized by color, style, and material. Awnings can be customized to the specific size of your window to provide maximum coverage. The awning that you design should complement your home or office and provide you with added curb appeal.

To find the perfect awnings Pittsburgh, check out Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors . At Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, we’ve been providing Pittsburgh homeowners and business owners with beautiful, quality awnings that enhance their property and provide protection from the elements. Come in and talk to us today and learn how we can help you find the perfect awning for your home or office!

Having a garage door is convenient, yet at the same time a garage door is one of the most vulnerable parts of your home. Because Pittsburgh garage doors can leave your home vulnerable to break-ins, we’ve compiled a list of safety tips to secure your garage door and protect your home from potential break-ins.

1. Be sure to know your neighbors. Nosy neighbors can be a huge deterrent for wannabe burglars. When you leave town for the weekend, or for an extended vacation, will your neighbors be wary of suspicious vehicles in your driveway or your garage door being open? If you don’t know your neighbors, will they even notice that you are out of town? If not, be sure to get to know your neighbors long before you’ll need them to keep an eye on things.

2. Be sure to keep your garage door closed at all times. While this might seem like an obvious safety measure to take, many homeowners leave their garage doors open frequently. This not only leaves your home vulnerable to break-ins, but it also advertises what you have stored in your garage. Potential thieves love it when you leave your garage door open, making their job easier.

3. Hide your garage door remote. Many homeowners who have a garage door remote have it clipped to the visor in their car. While having it clipped to your visor is convenient for you, it is time to move the remote where it isn’t so easily seen. When your remote is in plain sight, like on your visor, this makes it easier for a potential thief to steal it out of your car, especially if your car is sitting in the driveway unlocked.

4. Lock the door to your house. All homes have a door that leads from the garage into the living part of the house. Many homeowners leave this door unlocked, due to the false security that they feel when their garage door is closed. This makes it easy for thieves who make it into your garage to walk right into your house without any deterrent from your locked door. Not only are you making it easy for someone to break into your home by leaving the door open, but they will also be concealed inside your garage, shielding them from people driving passed your home.

If you feel as though it is time to update your Pittsburgh garage doors to enhance your home’s security, contact Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors today. With a wide selection of doors, operators, and accessories available, you are guaranteed to not only find a door that will add some curb appeal to your home, but you will enhance the security of your home as well. Don’t put off securing your home and garage door, contact Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors today!

Investing in a new garage door is a big purchase that homeowners have to make when their current garage door stops working. In some cases, you might be able to save some money by just repairing your existing door, in other cases a new door is necessary. Because homeowners don’t have to purchase new residential garage doors often, we’ve compiled a list of 5 questions that you should ask before you commit to purchasing a new garage door.

1. What is the architecture of your home?

Is your home a Victorian style? Bungalow? Ranch/rambler? Or more modern? Despite the architecture of your home, there is a garage door design that can complement your home including: classic, rustic, all glass, wood or metal. Each style and material have their own advantages and disadvantages that should be taken into consideration prior to making a final decision. It is important to remember that because a garage door comprises a vast majority of the exterior of your home, your home’s design will be the most important aspect to consider.

2. How much insulation are you going to need or want in your door?

Will your garage be used for other activities besides parking your car (i.e., game room, additional living space, craft space, storage, etc.)? If you plan on utilizing the space in your garage for anything other than parking your car, you are going to want the best insulation possible. You’ll also want to ensure that you are getting the best seals for your garage door and its components.

3. What is your budget to replace your garage door?

Aside from the house design, budget is another important aspect to consider when selecting a new garage door. In some instances, it is possible to replace a garage door for less than $1,000. But adding insulation, design or windows in your garage door, or a new opener & other parts will increase the cost.

4. Are you going to want a door opener?

Most homeowners desire to have a door opener, especially on days with inclement weather. In fact, due to modern technology, garage door openers are keeping up with the evolving technology. Some openers can now be operated with a smart phone.

5. What size is your garage door?

If you are building a new construction, you’ll be able to choose the style and size of door that you prefer and will work best for your unique situation. If you are replacing a door, be sure to get accurate measurements before purchasing your door. Most manufactures produce garage doors in uniform sizes and one-inch increments to accommodate custom size door openings.

If you are ready to replace your residential garage doors, contact Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors today. With a wide selection of garage doors to choose from, you are sure to find the right door that will complement your style. We guarantee that you’ll be glad that you got your new doors from Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors!

Having automatic garage doors is something that most often we take for granted amidst our busy lives. While they provide us with easy access to our homes, and protection for our vehicles, do you know how to operate your door in case the power goes out?

Some people might panic, trying to figure out how they will get their car in or out. Forget about your vehicle, others might be concerned with trying to figure out how they will gain access to their home. Are you going to have to pay a service charge to have a professional garage door service company come out and open your door? Thankfully, the answer is no! Once you know what to do, opening your automatic door when the power is out is easy!

Enable the Bypass

Most automatic doors are equipped with a bypass function, that allows you to disengage the automatic opener and operate the door manually. For most doors, the bypass function is a rope that is hanging down from your doors opener system.

When you pull down on this rope, the opener is then disengaged from the automatic system that is rendered useless due to the power outage. It is recommended that you only engage the bypass when your garage door is in the closed position, as the weight of the door could cause it to slam down; potentially injuring or damaging to objects, animals, or people that are standing nearby.

Once you have enabled your doors bypass, you are then able to operate your door manually. While this is not ideal, and requires more effort on your part, don’t let the power outage prevent you from using your garage as you normally would.

What to do when the power is restored?

When the power is restored to your home, you’ll need to reattach your garage door to the automatic opener. Just like when you enabled the bypass, you’ll need to pull down on the rope again. Once you have pulled on the rope, you’ll need to pull up on the door until you hear or feel it snap back into place. If you prefer, you can also push the button on your remote. This option will allow for you to see the spring attachment reconnect once the opener reaches a certain point.

When the power goes out, there is a possibility that your door may fail to engage with the operator again. If this happens it is important to call a professional garage door repair technician to hook your door back up.

Safety First

Even with the power out, your garage doors are still an extremely heavy object in your home. It is important to practice safety measures around your door, especially when manually operating the door. While it is possible to disengage and engage your door, never put your safety or the safety of others above a working garage door. A few hours of inconvenience are not worth the potential risk to your safety.

At Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors we have expert technicians who are able to help with any garage door problems that you might be experiences. Whether you are needing service, maintenance, repair or a complete replacement, we have the knowledge to get you what you need. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for all your garage door needs!