Arriving home at the end of a long day of work will have any homeowner looking for ways to make their life easier. An electric garage door is one of the ways that can simplify life, allowing your car to glide into the garage with the touch of a button. However, as with any form of technology, there is plenty to consider before going forward with this purchase.

If you’re looking to install an electric garage door in your home, what are the features you should be considering? Of course, when working with any mechanical device, homeowners want something that is safe, reliable and functional. Lucky for you, we have done our homework and have 5 major points for homeowners to consider before purchasing a garage door!

5 things to consider about electric garage doors!

1) What are your needs with the futre garage door?

Of course, when making any significant purchase, it is important to consider the needs of your home, so make sure to ask yourself what is it that you need before buying a garage door. First things first, think about how your garage door interacts with the rest of your home. Is your garage attached or is it detached? Is it located in the front yard or in the backyard?

These are important questions that need to find an answer before choosing the garage door for your home, as this will determine the type of door you should install. If your garage is attached to the house, you will need a quieter model than if it were separate from the façade. Will your car be moving in and out daily, or will it be staying shut for the most part?

Lastly, is there enough space to accommodate an electric door? This can be determined by the amount of space that is available above the door. Homeowners should measure this before moving forward with a purchase. Do your homework and it will be easier to determine which door would be the right one for your garage.

2) Choose features wisely

source: Pixabay, skeeze

Although certain materials may favour over others indoors, doors that rest outside 365 days a year are a different story. That’s why it’s important to keep in mind that certain materials may look appealing but their appearance will be harder to maintain. An example of this is using real wood for your garage door, as it will cost a significant amount of money for maintenance and upkeep.

Instead of choosing real wood, consider using embossed steel with a faux wood finish, which mimics the look of wood without the cost of upkeep. If you’re willing to lay down a few more dollars initially, you can consider wood composite overlay or a fibreglass skin. Also, make note of materials that will hold up in your climate better than others might, as the weather will have the largest impact on your doors longevity. 

Another feature of your garage door to consider is the windows, as they will completely transform the look of the door. Aside from adding personal style, windows allow for light to enter the space. Consider what you will be using the garage for, as well as whether your garage is insulated, as windows will let out a lot of heat in those colder months and climates. 

3) Spring upward!

Springs are one of the most important aspects of owning an electric garage door, as they are what allows the door to move upwards with ease and downwards with grace. Most garage doors employ a spring called a torsion spring, and the standard torsion spring has a lifespan of around 10,000 cycles. Although that number may seem like enough, if you are opening and closing your garage door several times a day, this will add up. Therefore, depending on your needs, it would be worth investing in a door with torsion springs of a higher rating. For a few extra dollars in hand, homeowners can purchase a spring with twice the lifespan and this can save a painful reinstallation job in the long run!

4) Electric garage door safety

source: Pixabay, Pexels

Electric garage door safety is paramount. Especially for children, a moving garage door might look like fun, but they are highly dangerous if interacted with or treated incorrectly. Garage doors are incredibly heavy, and their weight is a potential hazard. Make sure that children are aware of these dangers, and they don’t view the door as a toy.

Luckily, safety measures have greatly improved regarding electric garage doors and therefore, doors on the market today meet ambitious standards of operation. However, when purchasing an electric garage door, there are features homeowners can look for in order to keep them as safe as possible. Specifically, look for a model that features a mechanical locking option as well as built-in lighting, as this will secure a higher level of safety and efficiency.

Further, electric garage doors should be set up by professionals, as the installation process is quite complicated and includes several parts that must work in tandem for them to operate correctly. It is worth it to shell out the extra few dollars to keep friends and family safe, comfortable and happy!

5) Hire a professional

Although installing your own electric garage door can be done, as stated above we’re suggesting that you hire a professional to take on this job. Why? Although you may initially spend a chunk of cash, it will save you the stress, hassle and safety issues that a DIY installation would entail. Firstly, there are several bits and pieces that need to be corrected fitted together to make the mechanism successfully run.

Aside from this, winding the springs can be a dangerous job, as it calls for both special tools and a significant amount of arm strength. If you hire a professional, you will keep yourself as well as friends and family safe, and further, you can rest assured that the job has been completed correctly.

Also, if you’re replacing an existing garage door, most professionals will haul away the old door following the installation. Lastly, if there happens to be a problem with the door, you’ll always have someone you can call!