• Benefits of Roll-Up Commercial Garage Doors

    Garage Doors

    Three Advantages of a Commercial Roll-Up Door

    When it comes to selecting a garage door, many business owners are unsure which type to choose. Every commercial door has its distinct traits.

    For many businesses, overhead roll-up doors are the best for their needs. This sort of door is easy to use and, in most instances, allows the use of a remote. Not only that, but it also guarantees a quick installation. Here are a few advantages of commercial roll-up doors:

    Roll-Up Doors Provide Excellent Insulation

    Because rolling steel doors are made of metal and Styrofoam, the doors have more than adequate insulation. So whether your area is incredibly hot or cold, your company will be well-insulated thanks to the roll-up door. This is great for your energy bills, as they will stay low because of the extra insulation. Insulated doors are a popular choice among business owners because of their energy efficiency. Roll-up doors can be used as garage doors or window coverings.

    Roll-Up Doors Require Less Space

    Whenever it comes to warehousing, there is no substitute for space. When a roll-up garage door opens, it rolls upward and stores in a barrel above the opening. Other door alternatives, such as those that open inward or slide along grooves, frequently take up more room.

    Overhead Roll-Up Doors Involve Minimal Upkeep

    Rolling steel doors are designed to withstand a great deal of stress. Hail, snow and wind aren’t a problem for this type of door. These types of doors also defy rust fairly well. Roll-up garage doors are frequently equipped with features that protect them from various types of harm when opened and closed. Furthermore, these doors are resistant to cracking, buckling and shattering.

    You can count on a roll-up shutter door to meet your needs, save space, keep the workplace secure, and save you money on energy bills. To learn more about roll-up garage doors, contact Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc.

  • 3 Tips for Preventing Injuries Caused By Garage Doors

    Garage doors

     

    Many American families enjoy a wide array of conveniences such as power tools, televisions, and toasters. Each device, however, has inherent risks. Homeowners take necessary precautions, both indoors and outdoors, to avoid floods, fires, and other mishaps. Home safety should also include the garage. Here are some tips for preventing injuries caused by garage doors. 

    Safety Mechanisms

    Garage door companies aim to minimize the risk of injury to homeowners. One way such businesses achieve this is to offer various safety mechanisms for the garage door. A key safety feature is known as “auto reverse.” This feature means that the door will stop closing (or opening) if it encounters a physical obstacle. Motion detection sensors will cause the door to open if a potential obstacle crosses the path of the garage door. Garage doors should come equipped with a manual release, which allows the homeowner to open and close the door by hand if necessary.

    Monthly Inspection

    Every month, take inventory of which garage door components seem to need extra attention. Look for rust on any metal parts. Commonly worn areas include the rollers, springs, and cables. A garage door should always run smoothly, even if it is old. Check for unsteady movement or unusual sounds. Wipe clean any very dirty areas, and ensure that metal joints are well-lubricated. If you notice something suspicious, contact a professional for an evaluation. Even if the issue proves minimal, it’s better to err on the side of caution.

    Professional Maintenance

    Garage door manufacturers recommend that a door be serviced every six months. Doing this will allow potential problems to be corrected before they become a safety issue. The professionals at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. can determine when belts and bolts have become “too worn.” Our experts often check areas where a homeowner may not have considered. Preventative maintenance should only be performed by a professional. The garage door opener is a delicate, powerful system. Avoid mishaps by leaving maintenance and repairs to the experts. 

    We want our homes and property to be functional, beautiful, and safe. Homeowners vigilantly monitor home security, fire hazards, and other safety concerns. A garage door is generally used several times a day. Like a home entry door, a garage door must be maintained, and repaired when necessary, to maximize safety for the family. The process above will help prevent injuries caused by garage doors. 

  • 7 Reasons to Always Park Your Vehicle in a Garage

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    It is said that preventive measures are always worth the investment, especially when you are protecting a valued possession such as your vehicle. Most people understand how important it is to protect their cars. Although we understand that not everyone has a garage, if you have one, it may be time to rethink using it exclusively for storage or as a workshop.

    Parking your car outside exposes it to many dangers including theft and nature. Let’s look at 7 reasons why you may want to make space for your car in the garage.

    1. Safety

    Parking the car on the street exposes it to all types of safety threats such as theft and vandalism. When you park your car in a garage, you eliminate these problems. Also, depending on the garage, you may want to invest in high-tech security cameras and an alarm system to keep your vehicle safe. 

    2. Protection from the elements

    The elements can also do great damage to your car if left outside for extended periods of time. Rain, mud, slush, wind, extreme heat from the sun, can all damage the exteriors of a car for life. Parking your car inside a garage protects it from the elements. 

    3. Protection of rubber components

    Your vehicle has many rubber components that can wear out if they get exposed to the harsh weather and fluctuating temperatures for an extended period. This can cause problems such as rattling and squeaking.

    4. Preserves car coating

    Most cars today come with a Teflon and wax coat to protect the vehicle’s paint. However, if these coatings get exposed to harsh conditions for a long period, the vehicle’s paint can start to get chalky, fade or peel. 

    5. Protection against birds and their business

    Bird feces on your car can ruin your day. Also, if this happens often, the acidity in bird feces can irreversibly damage the paint job of your car. 

    6. Longer engine life

    The temperature inside a garage stays fairly consistent. As a result, the engine stays lubricated and the engine oil remains at its optimal viscosity for engine start-up.

    7. Increased effectiveness of air-conditioning and heating

    When you park your vehicle in a garage, the air conditioner and heating system will maintain a more moderate temperature and when you start up your car, because it hasn’t been exposed to the outdoors, they will work faster and more efficiently.

    If you regularly park your vehicle outside, you expose it to many dangers. To limit these dangers and extend your vehicle’s lifespan, it is best to park it in a working garage. For more information and resources about garage doors and garages in general, browse the Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. blog.

  • Halloween Garage Door Decorating Ideas

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    Halloween – the spooky time of the year – is almost upon us and it is time to think of creative ways to make your home look frightening and fabulous. Most people focus on decorating the home and yard and completely forget the garage doors. Decorating your garage doors can be a great way to put a big smile on the face of those trick-or-treaters or scare them half to death, depending on what you’re going for. The best thing about this is that creative decorations for garage doors can be easily made. Most often, paper or cloth, tape, and paint are all you need. Below are five ideas to decorate your garage doors and help you increase the fear factor of your curb appeal.

     

    1. A Giant Spider Web

    Spiders are scary no matter what, but when they’re giant?! They become spooktacular! Garage doors can easily be turned into a spider web with giant spiders for easy scares! This is sure to scare the soul out of everyone who simply gazes upon these garage doors. This look is easily created with some streamers and construction paper. 

     

    1. A Witchy Landscape

    Garage doors with witches, a burning fire, and a bubbling cauldron is always a delightful scene for trick-or-treaters and passersby. This creepy cut-out silhouette is made even scarier by backlighting. Creating this scene is simple, all you need is black craft foam and some scissors. 

     

    1. Jack Skellington

    This naughty character is often seen on many garage doors and is willing to scare anyone who cares to look at it. This one is also quite easy to make, all you need are a few magnets, some trash bags, black vinyl or construction paper, and a little bit of tape.

     

    1. Bats & Cats

    Black cats and bats are the perfect tools for scares and giggles! This Halloween, adorn your garage door with eerie silhouettes of these spooky creatures. The best part is that these silhouettes are easy to create, all you need is some cloth tape and cut-out foam. 

     

    1. Monster Mouth

    Spook the kids with a huge, house-size monster with a mouth the size of a garage door! Give this monster mouth its sharp scary teeth by using a painted tarp. 

     

    Halloween is right around the corner! This year garage doors must not be left out of all the holiday fun. Transform your home from friendly to downright spooky with these easy to create Halloween ideas.

  • 5 Garage Door Design Trends You’ll Want to Steal

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    If you’re looking to take your home’s curb appeal up a notch this summer, you may want to consider replacing your Pittsburgh garage door. Looking for the perfect door will help to increase your home’s curb appeal. Not sure where to start? No worries, we’ve got you covered. Here are five different styles of garage door design trends you want to steal. 

    Custom-Made Designs

    2019 has proven to be quite the year for custom-designed garage doors. This is particularly good for those who aren’t fond of the “one size fits all” method. It gives you the freedom to have a say in how your garage door is designed from beginning to end. You’ll be in charge of choosing the material and selecting the final touches such as decorative hardware and windows. This is the ultimate way to tailor your door to fit your personality and personal taste.

     Old-Fashioned Accents

    This year we’ve also seen the comeback of the classic-style garage door. The wooden doors used to be costly, but now they’ve become more durable and affordable. The great thing is that for those who want the looking but are worried about the upkeep, there are designer fiberglass doors available which are lower maintenance. The only person who will notice the difference is you!

    Cutting-Edge Technology

    In the last decade we’ve seen the rise of smart technology incorporated into virtually everything in our lives. One example is the newer Wi-Fi connected garage door openers and the fact that people can now operate their garage doors from an app on their smartphones. These spiffy little apps allow you to close and open your garage door from surprising distances, making it helpful for opening it when you’re just down the street and want to just slip your vehicle inside. It also allows you to have control over it while you’re out of town. You can give people like the babysitter or house sitter access at certain times. 

    Choosing Bold Colors

    Nowadays, white garage doors aren’t as sought out as they once were. Many families prefer to go for darker, bolder colors. Adding a colorful garage door to your home makes a statement. We suggest choosing a color that blends well with the exterior colors of your home. In 2019, it seems one of the most popular colors is black. 

    Now it’s time to go and check out a door installation company near you. If you’re in the area, consider Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors for your Pittsburgh garage door installation needs.