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.

10 Reasons Why You Need a Storm Door for Your Home

Having a storm door installed on your home might be the best decision you make this season. Here are 10 reasons why you should get a storm door for your home.

1. Safety & Security – Storm doors add an extra layer of security to your home by stopping intruders in their tracks. 

2. Energy Efficiency – Storm doors act as an additional insulation barrier between your home and the outside elements, helping to reduce energy costs.

3. Noise Reduction – The thick glass used in storm doors helps to block out unwanted noise from outside sources such as traffic or construction sites near your home.

4. Increased Ventilation – Many storm doors come with adjustable vents that allow you to control how much air circulates through them during hot summer days without compromising security or energy efficiency levels in your house.

5. Curb Appeal – Installing a well-crafted storm door can instantly increase the curb appeal of any house, making it look more inviting and attractive to potential buyers or visitors alike.

6. Improved Air Quality – Storm doors help keep dirt and allergens out of your home while still allowing fresh air to enter, improving indoor air quality overall.

7. Easy Maintenance – Most modern storm doors require minimal maintenance; all you need is some soap and water. 

8. Reduced Wear & Tear on Main Door – By installing a storm door on your home’s main entrance, you can prolong the life of its primary entryway by protecting it from environmental damage over time.   

9. Variety of Styles & Options – Choose from dozens of different styles ranging from traditional full-view designs with decorative glass inserts all the way up to modern options featuring high-tech aluminum frames. 

10. Customization Available – The possibilities are endless when it comes to choosing just how customized you want your new storm door system to look. 

It’s easy to see why having a storm door installed is so beneficial, maybe even essential for today’s homeowners. 

So, if you think that a storm door is right for your home but don’t know where to start, contact Thomas V Giel Garage Doors Inc. today. We offer a wide selection to choose from and can get you started on putting together the perfect storm door setup for your home. 

Vinyl vs Fabric-Which is Best for Retractable Patio Screens?

Retractable patio screens help you enjoy the outdoors without worrying about too much sun, wind, debris, and bugs. But which material is best for your patio screens? The debate between vinyl and fabric can be daunting, but we’re here to help you decide by looking at the pros and cons of each.

Pros and Cons of Vinyl

Vinyl retractable patio screens are made from durable PVC-coated polyester that can withstand extreme temperatures and weather conditions. They are also waterproof, making them a great choice for climates with more rain. Additionally, vinyl patio screens are easy to clean and maintain since they don’t require any special treatment or cleaning products.

The downside of vinyl is that it can be noisy during windy days and could eventually crack or tear with too much exposure to sunlight. It can be damaged easily by heavy objects or sharp edges. Vinyl retractable patio screens also tend to be more expensive than fabric screens.

Pros and Cons of Fabric

Fabric retractable patio screens are usually made from mesh or canvas material that is lightweight yet strong enough to provide adequate protection from insects and other pests. These screens are available in various colors and patterns, so you can find something that perfectly matches your home’s aesthetic. It’s also highly breathable, which keeps temperatures lower without trapping moisture inside the cloth.

However, fabric may not be as durable as vinyl in terms of weather resistance, as it can easily tear or become damaged by extreme weather conditions or UV rays over time. You may need to replace it more often if exposed to harsh elements like wind or rain. Fabric retractable patio screens may require more frequent cleaning than vinyl ones due to their tendency to absorb dirt and dust particles more easily.

Which is the Better Option for You?

It depends on your individual needs. If durability is your top priority, then vinyl is the way to go. But if you want something that’s easier to install, fabric screens are a better choice.

No matter which material you settle for, our Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. team will help you find and install the perfect retractable patio screens for your home. Get in touch with us today to find out more about our retractable screens and other residential services.

How Fire Doors Can Save Lives in the Event of a Fire

Each year there are an average of over 350,000 house fires in the US. Thankfully, most result in only property damage, but many people are injured by burns or smoke inhalation and nearly 3,000 people die each year in house fires. 

Fire doors help keep the number of deaths low and using them properly can help get it even lower. Here’s how fire doors can save lives in the event of a fire.

They Starve the Fire

Fires thrive on oxygen. As a fire rages inside a building, the oxygen quickly burns up, but this usually isn’t a problem for the fire as it keeps pulling in a fresh supply of oxygen. 

However, closed fire doors help inhibit the flow of oxygen, helping to smother or at least weaken the fire.

They Slow the Fire

In many cases, buildings aren’t necessarily sealed enough that the fire will extinguish itself because of a lack of oxygen. However, limiting the oxygen does slow the spread of the fire. This offers anyone in the building extra time to escape. 

They Protect Escape Routes

The flames themselves aren’t the biggest danger to people trying to escape a fire. In fact, many people die of smoke inhalation before the fire ever reaches them. 

Fire doors help keep escape routes clear of the treacherous smoke and gasses that accompany a fire. Sometimes that’s all you need to safely make it outside.

Interested in Fire Doors?

While any door will offer a certain amount of protection, the big problem is that they might be open at the time of the fire. Then they become useless, except as fodder for the fire if they are wooden! 

Fire doors are designed to close automatically in the event of an emergency. Plus, they are made from materials that won’t burn easily, which does more to help slow the spread of the flames. 

Interested in installing fire doors in your home or business? That’s a great choice! Learn more from the experts here at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc!

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!

The Pros & Cons Of Having A Manual Vs Automatic Garage Door

When it comes to the installation of garage doors, there are a couple of different options that you are able to choose from. The two main categories, however, are the first thing that you will need to take into consideration. Both manual and automatic garage doors have their benefits and drawbacks. Having a complete understanding of these factors makes it easier to determine what will work best for you. 

Manual Garage Doors

Manual garage doors are simple and easy, and they do not require a connection to a power source. They are also the more affordable option among the two categories, and the risk of being locked out of your own garage is lower compared to an automatic door. 

On the other hand, they do take more effort to open and close. There is no button that you can press to open the door without leaving your car first. 

Automatic Garage Doors

Convenience is one of the key factors that come with an automatic garage door. The opening system allows you to adjust the current position of the garage door by simply pressing a button on a remote. Automatic garage doors are ideal for people who live busy lives, as they can also be time-saving too. 

While there are many advantages of an automatic garage door, a remote failure can create quite a difficult situation. Whether you are inside or outside the garage, when the remote fails, it won’t communicate with the receiver. Automatic garage doors are also much more expensive compared to manual options. 

Conclusion

There are several factors to keep in mind when choosing between manual and automatic garage doors. Just as you pay attention to the garage entry door that comes from your home, you should also ensure the garage door itself provides your family with adequate protection. Choosing a reliable service provider like Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors Inc can ensure you get a door that is an ideal fit for your building. 

References

https://garagemadesimple.com/garage-entry-door-to-house/

https://cambiatuascensor.com/the-advantages-of-automatic-garage-door-openers/

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?

Adding Value to Your Home with a Metal Awning

Are you looking for a home improvement project that makes your home more comfortable and adds value? Adding a metal awning is a great way to do it.

Check out just some of the reasons why here!

Add Aesthetic Appeal

An awning gives your home a welcoming look, which is great for curb appeal. And since metal awnings come in a wide variety of colors and styles, you can find something that will fit perfectly with your home’s aesthetic.

Increase Entertaining Space

Having a deck for backyard parties and barbecues is fantastic, but how often does the hot sun end up pushing your party indoors? There are some days of the year when it just isn’t comfortable to be outdoors.

That is, without some kind of cover! An awning over your outdoor space keeps the hot sun off so you can party every day of the year — and buyers love the idea of a more entertaining space!

Improve Energy Efficiency

Did you know that the hot rays of the sun beaming in through your windows are costing you money? Your air conditioning system has to work harder to cool your home because those sun rays are heating it up. 

An awning blocks the sun from entering your windows, helping to keep the interior cool. You’ll enjoy savings on your energy bill and anything that offers energy efficiency is very attractive to buyers and creates added value.

Snow Protection

The sun isn’t the only thing that metal awnings can offer protection from. Light yet strong, metal awnings can stand up to snowfall, protecting your decking from all that moisture. 

Plus, you can remove shoveling snow off your deck from your to-do list. You will appreciate this benefit just as much as a potential buyer.

Expert Awning Installation

Are you ready to benefit from the added value of a new metal awning? Both you and a potential future buyer will appreciate the benefits these simple constructions can offer. 

Interested in learning more? Contact us here at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc.!

Factors to Consider When Buying a Garage Door

It’s time for a new garage door. There are lots of options available, but which one is right for you? It can be helpful to narrow your search by determining what factors are most important to you when choosing a garage door.

Let’s look at the top factors to consider here.

Material

The material affects everything about your garage door including its function, how it looks, and even the price tag. Choose from relatively inexpensive steel, corrosion-resistant aluminum, or the classic look of wooden doors. 

Aesthetics

No matter how you look at it, your garage door takes up a lot of space on your home’s facade. Thus, it has a huge impact on the overall look of your home. But thankfully, you can choose from hundreds of colors, styles, and glass designs to get a door that not only complements but augments the look of your home. 

Door Noise

Garage doors can be quite noisy as they roll up and down. If you have an attached garage, this racket can be a bit of a pain. Imagine having just got the baby down for a nap, only to have your spouse come home and wake them with the garage door opener!

A door with polyurethane insulation and nylon rollers can help cut down on the noise. 

Price

While the price of your new garage door shouldn’t be the principal concern, it always is a major factor. 

Decide on what type of door will best fit your needs and then try to find something in your price range. If you have to compromise on one of your factors, choose carefully. Not getting the garage door you need because of the price can end up being more expensive in the long run.

Ready to Buy a New Garage Door?

Of course, a great way to make sure you get the best door for your needs is to chat with the experts. Our team here at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. is ready to help you choose the perfect garage door for your home!