How to Secure Your Home and Garage

In matters of home security, the saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” rings true. Homeowners often assume surveillance cameras are the best way to secure their homes. But burglars who have perfected their craft do not care for surveillance and will easily prey on weak entrance and garage doors. Thus, sturdy door installation in Pittsburgh is of utmost importance. Professional door installation is the first step to securing your home and garage. Let’s look at how professional door installation in Pittsburgh will help secure your home:

The Front Doors

Most intruders will try to enter a home through the front door first. Therefore, it is important to make front doors as secure as possible. Professional door installation is the first step to securing your Pittsburgh home. Additionally, upgrading from conventional locks to smart locks is also a smart idea worth considering. However, keep in mind that all these safety upgrades mean nothing if your door installation in Pittsburgh wasn’t completed by a professional.

 The Garage

The garage is becoming the most sought after entry point for criminals. Therefore, garage door installation must also be completed professionally to offer the utmost security. People usually don’t lock garage doors when they’re connected to a garage door opener. Also, the door from the garage to the house is usually not as secure as the front door to the house and often even left unlocked. To prevent burglars from entering your home through your garage door, make sure your garage door is installed properly and the connecting door installation was also done with security in mind. 

Also, it is best to keep the garage door opener in the house rather than keeping it in the garage. For extra security, keep the garage door window adequately covered and consider securing garage doors with the help of extra locks and zip ties if possible.

Professional door installation in Pittsburgh is the first step to keep your home safe and secure. Today, a proficient surveillance system is no longer sufficient. Remember, your front door and garage door are usually the first entry points intruders will try. It is, therefore, best to make these doors as secure as possible, which starts with proper installation.

A Buying Guide for Contemporary Garage Doors

Garage doors are a great way to improve the curb appeal and value of your home. They cover roughly between 25 to 35 percent of your home’s exterior. They make a statement and tell passersby your style. Many people like the modern and sleek look. It may be difficult to decide which style of garage door you should pick since there are so many different types. We can help with that. Here’s a buying guide to contemporary models prior to garage door installation Pittsburgh.

What are “Contemporary” Garage Doors?

The term “contemporary” refers to present trends. The sleeker looking garage doors you see driving down the road, that’s what we’re referring to here. They have a simple, minimalist architectural look and feel to them. Think clean lines. They’re commonly made of wood, steel, aluminum, or a combination of these materials. Each of these styles have distinct features and characteristics that will fit your needs. 

Glass and Aluminum

Glass and aluminum garage doors will give your house a modern look and also provide natural light in the daytime and a warm glow at nighttime. Many companies feature a variety of door panel options, which give you the chance to choose the level of natural light and privacy you desire. Tempered and acrylic glass panels come in tinted, obscure, frosted, and clear styles. For those who want to increase their home’s energy efficiency, there are insulated glass panels to pick from. Solid aluminum panels are for those who want the maximum amount of privacy but want to keep the look modern. 

Steel 

The beauty of the steel style is that it gives your home a contemporary feel but also gives you the durability of steel. This material stands up against the elements and is resistant to breaking apart, warping, cracking, and rusting. Some companies provide them in one to three-layer constructions. They’re also made with a combination of steel and either insulation or polystyrene. These doors are usually available in flush or grooved panel options and glass window panels that come in a variety of design options.  

Classic

The classic look keeps the aesthetics of yesteryear and combines them with today’s modern garage materials. They come with traditional raised panel construction with a variety of window and steel panel options in many different colors. This style comes in a wide range of construction and design options that give you the freedom to customize your garage door to fit your specific taste. 

Wood

Some people still love the look and feel of natural wood. Many companies have a variety of wood style garage doors available in different designs and a variety of finish and stain color options. They’re particularly beautiful with homes that have an earthy tone and style to them, especially those that go for the southwestern style. 

At Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, we partner with several garage door manufacturers that carry amazing contemporary looks or can even custom design a garage door with you. When you’re ready to install your new door, call Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors for experienced garage door installation Pittsburgh.

How to Prepare for a Garage Door Installation

Congratulations, you have ordered a new garage door to be installed. But there are a few things that you can do to help ensure your door installation Pittsburgh goes as smoothly as possible. Many of these steps are simple and can make the experience easier for you and the professionals who you’ve hired to install your new door. Here are a few things you can do to prepare for your garage door installation.

Clear Out Garage

The first thing you can do before having a new garage door installed is to make sure your garage is clear. This means parking all vehicles outside before installation. As a courtesy, try to park your vehicles in such a way that allows the installation professionals to park their vehicle with the necessary tools and materials as close as possible to the garage.

In addition to removing vehicles from the garage, be aware of any yard equipment, sports equipment, garbage cans, and any other items that might be located near the garage door and tracks. Any items that are located near the opening should be moved to the back of the garage prior to the installer’s arrival. A good rule of thumb is to have a minimum of one-foot on each side of the track and fourteen-feet back into the garage; this will allow the installer to set up ladders, removing the existing door, and set up a new door system easily.

Keep Track of Pets and Kids

If you have pets at home, be sure that your pet is kept in a safe place away from the garage throughout the duration of the installation. Far too often, homeowners allow their pets to roam freely during an installation, which is dangerous not only for your pet but for the installer as well. Even if pets are friendly, it is best to keep them away, as it is easy for installers to trip over pets and drop something. Pets may even end up chewing on something they shouldn’t.

Along with pets, children should be kept away from the garage while installers are working. It is natural for children to be curious and want to watch, but children need to be kept away for their own safety as well as the safety of the installer. The installation process requires working with heavy items, overhead items, and items that are under spring tension. Because of this, only those who are trained to work on garage doors should be allowed in the garage during installation.

Consider Location of Wall Consoles or Keyless Entry Pads

Spend some time thinking about where you want to have your wall console or keyless entry pad located. As a general rule, most wall consoles are located next to the personnel door that enters the garage from the house, on the garage side of the wall. Most keyless entry pads are located on the left side exterior jamb of the garage door, roughly five feet off the ground. If you would like either one to be located somewhere different, be sure to talk to your installer before they begin working.

If you need residential or commercial door installation Pittsburgh, Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors can meet and exceed all your garage door needs. Whether it be repairs or a new installation, Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors can do it all!