There are two things you should do when it’s time to buy a new garage door are:

1) Learn all about the available options you have BEFORE talking to a salesperson. Sales people are great but it’s important to have a general idea of what you want and have some questions prepared ahead of time.

2) Get ball park price quotes, so you have an idea what you’re up against.

Let me tell you what’s going to happen when you call a garage door company for a quote. You’re not going to get one…. here’s why.

In order to give you an accurate quote, the garage door company needs very specific information that they may not be able to get on the phone.

When the company DOES quotes without this information… Watch out! It’s a recipe for relationship disaster. If the phone quote is too low and the company needs to raise it when they come out, it will feel like a bait and switch. It won’t matter whether it was unintentional or not. You’ll end up with a bad taste in your mouth. A trust worthy company will do everything they can to avoid this.

When you call and you’re offered a free quote that is risk-free, you’re still being short-changed.

Now you end up not knowing all of the available options to you OR what questions to ask when they come out.

Precision Door is working to solve this problem.

The Garage Door Designer

This tool is available now. The Garage Door Designer puts all of the options that effect how your door will look on a single page. Windows, Panel Options, Hardware, and Color are all in one spot. You can create multiple combinations with the click of a mouse and see how they look.

We worked really hard to make it in such a way that you can explore your options fast and easy. Most people only need a couple of minutes to get a really good idea of how they want their garage door to look.

Once that’s done, the designer has a button that allows you to email your design for a price quote using the options YOU selected. This allows for a spot-on accurate price quote with no confusion.

We think that a web tool that gives you the ability to explore every available option in under 5 minutes without the pressure of a sales person AND allows you to get a free price quote is the

best way for you to buy a garage door and for us to introduce our organization to you. Our goal is 100% satisfaction.

Please try the garage door designer here: Garage Door Designer

Or watch this video to learn more about how the designer works.

1. Open and Close Your Garage Door

I bet you saw this one coming… sort of obvious I know, but having an app on your phone would let you get in and out of the garage whenever you please. For all you powerwalking/bike riding enthusiasts, you no longer have to worry about bringing your keys along! What if I said you even have the ability to open your garage door from China? You got it, read on…

Having the opener ability on your phone will also let you take the remote out of your car permanently. I know it’s tough to imagine, but that garage door opener remote is a big security risk. It’s true, even the worst of thieves know that access to your home is attached to your driver-side visor…

2. Be Alerted When The Door Opens

Okay so you’re on vacation (a really awesome one, let’s say China) and your garage door opens. You find it weird that your door is being used, well, because no one is supposed to be home… “Houston, we have a problem.” Good info to have, eh?

If the garage is used as an entrance, this would also let you know when your spouse or kids gets home from a late night, which is pretty cool. Especially for all of the paranoid parents out there, (rightfully so, kids these days…), to know when your kids get home from a night of “partying” is good information to have.

3. Receive Alerts If You Forget To Close The Door

This one is both surprising and really useful. The app will use GPS and signal If you get a few blocks from the house and the door is still open. How many times have you driven a couple minutes down the road and turn to your spouse and say “Hunny, did you close the garage?” Well, now those conversations, that almost always lead to classic marital arguments, are completely avoidable. Now that you know the garage door is always closed when leaving the house, that only leaves the oven, stove, iron, fireplace, and…well, I suppose a rather lengthy list still remains.

4. Check To See If The Garage Door Is In The Open or Closed Position From Anywhere

Have you ever gotten snuggled into bed, and you’re really comfortable (I mean REALLY comfortable), and then thought, “Shoot, did I close the garage door?” At this point you really don’t want to get out of your bed which has finally reached the perfect temperature after tossing and turning for the past 20 minutes. Wouldn’t it be nice just to reach over and check your iPhone which is right on the night table? I think we can all relate to that one.

5. You Can Now Open & Close The Garage Door From Anywhere

Your kid calls and he’s locked out of the house. Assuming you genuinely like your child and want him to get in the house, all you have to do is open the app… and voila! You no longer have to leave work and open the door for him/her or need to leave a house key with a neighbor. More importantly and all kidding aside, entry in an emergency situation is easily granted no matter where you are… even China (I just really like China, okay?).

6. Hardware option: Webcam

Now that you can essentially open/close your door from anywhere, check the status of your door, and be alerted when you leave the door open (I think you’re being spoiled, but I’ll continue), you can see who or what is outside your garage door. It allows you to check and make sure the cat is not under the garage door when you close it from who knows where. It would also be nice to get a wave from the kids when they get home from school along with the alert.

Oh I almost forgot– for the social media addicts, there will of course be an option to update your facebook status automatically when you arrive home (I just had to…).

There are many ways to reuse your garage door. The possibilities are truly endless. Following are just a few of the many inventive and creative ways some people have reused their garage doors.

Frame a Compost Pile or Garden

Garage doors can provide the perfect frame for a raised garden or a compost pile. Separate the door into the individual panels to form the walls, and cut one in half to form the back. Use metal cutting shears if your door is made of aluminum or steel, or a circular saw if the door is wood. Next, dig a small trench to partially bury the panels, then place them standing up to create your frame.

Leave one side open if you are making a compost pile so you can easily roll a wheel barrow in. If you are making a raised garden close off all sides then fill with dirt.
Some garage doors are painted, so be sure to scrape down and sand to remove the paint to keep your garden or compost pile clean.

Create a Green House

If you have a garage door in Cleveland or another area that gets cold, this is a great idea. Turn your old garage door into a mini green house. There are some limitations to this idea, as a steel or vinyl garage door just is not going to help protect against the cold. But if you have a wood or wood composite garage door this really works great.

If you are somewhat handy you can easily do this with a table and jigsaw, some Plexiglas, and screws. On particularly cold nights you may want to consider adding some hay or straw around your plants for extra protection.

Garage Door Headboard

You might want to check with your significant other or roommate before doing this, and it probably won’t work if it’s a newer garage door that looks mass produced, but consider making a headboard out of your garage door.

Back in the day, before they started using vinyl and steel, garage doors were made of fine quality woods like cherry, chestnut, and mahogany. If you have one of these, sanding it down and placing it as your headboard can be a nice room accent. Not necessarily for everyone, but it just goes to show how a little creativity can go a long way when it comes to reusing our old stuff.

Do you have a clever or inventive reuse of your garage door? Share in the comments below or email us a picture!

Many companies these days are manufacturing with an eye towards the green movement. Unfortunately the garage door industry is lagging in producing environmentally friendly and sustainable products. Finding a garage door that is actually eco friendly can still be a challenge. That’s why we put together this guide. The Green Garage Door Guide.

Green Garage Doors

From garage doors made of reclaimed wood to affordable yet sustainable recycled wood composite garage doors, this list compiles the big name and small name garage door manufacturers and the green garage doors they offer.

EcoBuilt by Overhead Door

Manufactured by Overhead Door, these garage doors are SCS Certified as having a minimum of 88% Recycled Content. The doors are composed of100% recycled wood fiber, 81% of which is from unused Douglas-fir scrapfrom wood mills.

Specially formulated to resist moisture, thesegarage doors actually outperform regular wood garage doors in tests of weather and time. EcoBuilt garage doors resist splitting, warping and cracking, unlike conventional wood doors, and they won’t dent or bend like steel.

A variety of colors and styles are available in the EcoBuilt line, so you should have no trouble getting the garage door that best matches your design needs.

Amarr Jeld-Wen Wood Composite Garage Doors

Amarr’s line of Jeld-Wen wood composite garage doors are both stylish and environmentally friends. Interior and exterior skins are made containing a minimum of SCS certified 80% recycled wood and resins. For energy efficiency each door is packed with environmentally safe, CFC-free, polystyrene insulation that provides stability with no loss of R-value over time.

Mountain Rustics: Reclaimed Wood Garage Doors

Pine and Douglas Fir from a dismantled, 100 year old Southern Pacific Railroad Trestle weathered years over the Great Sale Lake. Beams and Ramps used to store and move whiskey barrels from the original Seagram’s distillery. Montana Rustics reclaims and recycles wood to build custom garage doors with beauty and character. These doors cost more than doors made of virgin or wood composite, but are just the thing for the home owner looking for an eco-friendly garage door with a story.

Fimbel ADS – Green Manufacturing

Fimbels signature Dur-A-Tek Hardwood Composite Garage Doors is fully composed of SCS certified materials. No old growth wood is used, instead being made from 100% Northern hardwoods; maple, beech, oak, and scrap wood byproduct from other operations.

Non composite hard wood door series Deluxe Estates and Early American Mahogany are harvested exclusively from Permanent Reserved Forests using a rotating selective felling system. This allows for a perpertualy regenerating forest. The timber is not clear cut, nor is the forest converted to a commercial tree plantation with a single species. On average, one to two trees per acre are selected for extraction by foresters, based on forest management principles. Trees are not selected for their commercial value.

It’s hurricane seasons. Are you prepared?

Before you answer that, take a look at this picture. It was taken in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, back in 1992. Winds were so strong they flipped two cars upside down. Note that this is an aerial shot and that the roof has been devastated.

In the booklet “Against the Wind – Protecting your Home from Hurricane Damage” the American Red Cross and FEMA state the loss of the garage door was one of the four major factors in homes destroyed or damaged in Hurricane Andrew.

The Red Cross warns that once the garage door has been compromised, the full power of the hurricane is able to enter the home, blowing off the roof and causing major damage if not destruction. And FEMA puts it simply, “If the garage door fails, winds can enter your home and blow out doors, windows, walls and the roof.” There isn’t much left after that.

As a statistic, the Florida Alliance for Same Homes determined that approximately 80 percent of residential hurricane wind damage starts with wind entry through the garage door.

Garage doors are held in place only by the doors tracks. Hurricane winds exert so much pressure and suction that unless the door is properly reinforced it will easily be overcome.

Because the garage door is so vital to the integrity of a home, building codes were changed and the State of Florida now requires more stringent windloaded doors and missile impact resistance.

However, there remain many homes with garage doors that have not been updated to meet the new code. These homes are in jeopardy and often homeowners do not even realize it.

So, how can you tell if your garage door meets code and is hurricane ready?

If you look at the inside of your closed garage door, you should see extra reinforcements if it is hurricane ready. Some reinforcements may resemble this picture, though it could look different.

If your door is not reinforced, you can purchase kits either online or at a home supply store. However it’s important to note that while bracing systems can help support the door against wind pressure, it does throw off the balance of your door which can lead to a burnt out motor and an inoperable door. It’s also important to know that while these kits help reinforce your door against wind, they do nothing to protect it against missiles; branches, posts, signs, and anything else the wind will throw at the door.

To find out with certainty if your garage door is hurricane ready, Precision Door is offering free hurricane garage door consultations for Florida homeowners. There is absolutely no cost or obligation. Simply fill out this form or call (866) 443-7672. We will tell you for sure if you are hurricane ready so you can rest a little easier at night.

OBEY TRAFFIC LAWS & ‘STOP’ BY EBERLE DESIGN BOOTH AT IDA EXPO

5 Questions with Carl Zabel of Eberle Design Inc.

Although our pre-coverage of the 2010 IDA Expo in Las Vegas primarily focuses on the overhead door industry, the event itself proves to be much like the robots-in-disguise Transformers – “more than meets the eye”.

To the common eye, a door is simply a structure that opens, closes, permits and prevents entry. Yet what goes under-appreciated is the engineering that makes them durable and safe. But the unsung heroes of the door industry are not the structural manufacturers. It’s the ‘other’ guys whose products – such as seals, sensors, operators, detectors, etc. – have made technological advancements in improving the performance of operation and the safety of both vehicles and pedestrians.

We had an opportunity to catch up with Carl Zabel, Director of Marketing and Business Relations for Eberle Design, Inc., and ask a few questions regarding what his company would be showcasing at the 2010 IDA Expo.

Precision Door (PD): EDI is one of the many exhibitors hosting a booth at the IDA Expo. Can you give a us a little introduction to who your company is?

Carl Zabel (CZ): Eberle Design, Inc. (EDI) – celebrating 30 years of excellence – provides access professionals with reliable, high quality mission critical vehicle detection products that will improve the performance and lifecycle of your access control systems. EDI manufactures a wide range of vehicle detection products that help access control technicians save valuable time and maximize profits by quickly installing, accurately trouble shooting, and reliably maintaining access control systems with easy to use hi-tech vehicle detectors. The LMA DEFLECTOMETER™ series provide built-in set-up tools, a frequency meter, a signal “CALL” strength meter, and non-volatile memory to maintain diagnostic history – all of which are invaluable and always available.

PD: What new products will you be featuring at your IDA Expo booth?

CZ: We will featuring all of our DEFLECTOMETER™ Series Inductive Loop Vehicle Detection Devices. We’ll be highlighting the soon-to-be released LMA-1500, featuring a new pull tab for easy removal from Elite OMNI gate operators. Due to the tight detector enclosure on the OMNI operators, the preceding LMA-1500 was difficult to grab and remove from the operator. Additionally, enhanced “Loop Fault” indicators will aid technicians pinpoint and/or diagnose loop problems much quicker.

PD: What are some of the benefits of this new product and how does it differ with others?

CZ: The DEFLECTOMETER™ series of detection products differ from all other detection devices. We provide built-in set-up tools, a frequency meter and a signal “CALL” strength meter that provide the technician/user with complete confidence that he will be able to set-up the detector to detect ALL VEHICLE TYPES, including small motor scooters and high bed vehicles without guessing. Additionally, knowing the frequency of your loop allows technicians/users to confidently set the proper frequency, eliminating any type of cross-talk or interference with other loops located in close proximity.

PD: When will this product be available and how can we learn more about it?

CZ: The NEW LMA-1500 featuring the front panel pull tab will be shipping in May or June 2010.

PD: Is there any additional information you’d like for customers to know prior to the visiting you on the expo floor?

CZ: We offer an exclusive EDI Loop Calc program that automatically calculates the number of turns of wire required for a saw cut loop, the loop and lead-in inductance, the efficiency of the loop network, and the detection height of the loop. Just insert the loop dimensions and it will calculate all the formulas for you! This is located at http://www.editraffic.com/a_loopcalc.html

For more information, visit the Eberle Design, Inc. (EDI) booth on IDA tradeshow floor or online at www.editraffic.com

]]> http://precisiondoor.net/blog/obey-traffic-laws-stop-by-eberle-design-booth-at-ida-expo/feed/ 0 http://precisiondoor.net/blog/dynamic-closures-prepares-to-lockdown-ida-expo/ http://precisiondoor.net/blog/dynamic-closures-prepares-to-lockdown-ida-expo/#comments Tue, 06 Apr 2010 15:38:16 +0000 Derek http://precisiondoor.net/blog/?p=625

DYNAMIC CLOSURES PREPARES TO ‘LOCKDOWN’ IDA EXPO

Interview with Gregory Trimboli of Dynamic Closures

George Clooney and his Ocean’s Eleven team may have outsmarted the Las Vegas pit bosses and blinded the casino’s eye in the sky, but had they come across some of the security grilles produced by Dynamic Closures, that movie would have ended a little different.

As we countdown to the 2010 IDA Expo in Las Vegas, we had the chance to speak with Dynamic Closures’ VP of Sales and Marketing, Gregory Trimboli, who let us sneak behind the gate to get a peek at a few new products that will be showcased on the expo floor.

“Our newest products focus on making the installation simple and safe”, says Trimboli. “There is nothing quite like these in the market. The reaction from the dealers has been very gratifying because they immediately see the benefits of the products.” 

The products include the new Lift Ready overhead rolling doors and grilles. An innovative variety of coiling doors and rolling grilles uniquely designed with manual push-up and electric motor operation.

Described as a revolutionary new design that reduces installation time and effort – and is also light weight for easy installation and operation. The Lift Ready series is available in five modern designs which can be seen here.

Dynamic Closures will also be featuring the EZ Side Folding Line – which is a popular series of aluminum security grilles, the Roll and Fold Portable Wall Series of manual folding partitions, and the Min Roll-Up Line that has three new product offerings of its own.

“The Lift Ready Rolling Line allows the installation of a rolling grille with support tubes to be complete in about an hour,” explains Trimboli when asked about some of the additional benefits of these newly featured products. “The amazing thing is how safe we have made the installation.”

“Likewise with the EZ Closure, it installs in no time at all. Because it has so many standout features and architectural benefits, these products can be installed in areas like no other products can. It’s truly amazing! We have over 10,000 EZ products installed with a fraction of one percent that have had any warranty issues.”

“The Mini Roll-Up Line,” he continues, “ is a nice answer for the small openings such as counters and pass through windows. Again, fairly easy to install and looks great when you’re done!…The Roll and Fold Line is a great answer to providing pedestrian control or close off an area that is not high in security. We find they are used in airports, hotels, restaurants and colleges most often because they are not a permanent structure and answer light security issues with no construction.”

Other than being known as a manufacturer of security gates and closures, Dynamic Closures has a reputation for exceeding customer expectations and who prides itself on its superior customer service. The company’s dedication is constantly proven through continued investments in new technology and employee development.

It’s easy to say, Dynamic Closures will have the IDA Floor in Vegas on lockdown! Be sure to visit their both for full product demonstrations. All of the products that will be featured at the IDA Expo are currently available and have extensive information on their website at www.dynamicclosures.com. For further information, you can speak directly with their wonderful customer service representatives at 800-663-4599.

ADVANCED PLASTIC CORP. ‘ROLLS OUT’ NEW DOOR STOPS AT IDA EXPO

Since founding the company in 1981, owner Harry Koenig has manufactured a diverse line of plastic extrusion products. And rather than showing signs of getting older after sealing garage doors for over 30 years in business, Advanced Plastic Corp. is proving that it can only get better!

At the 2010 IDA Expo in Las Vegas, Advanced Plastic Corp. returns with its highly regarded Rolled Door Stop (RDS) series, featuring an innovative new design to offset the ordering nightmares and freight issues of getting and having on hand the right lengths. The new product is solid but roll-able through a UPS friendly dispenser box. It is now available in 150 ft. rolls that the installer pulls out and cuts to the desired length for each job. A measuring scale is embossed on the seal back for added convenience.

The new RDS series is now also available in 2-inch and 2 5/8-inch widths, and all standard industry colors.

Advanced Plastic recognized and identified the troubles and frustrations that installers encountered by carrying various stock lengths that would sometimes prevent a job from being complete on the first visit. With this new patent pending design, installers always have just the right length to complete the job because they can now cut-to-length.

Advanced Plastic Corp. has been ranked #1 by Professional Door Dealer Magazine in Vinyl Door Products for the design and production of their superior line of weather seals, gaskets and other extruded products for the overhead door industry. As praised in a recent PDD article, “research and development of designs, continued improvement of materials and quality control keep Advanced plastic ahead of it’s competitors. The company’s engineering department is constantly developing new and innovative designs and solutions to address and solve problems in the markets it serves.”

Specializing in standard and custom styles for residential and commercial applications, and providing excellent customer service to meet the needs of its business partners, Advanced Plastic Corp invites you to visit them on the IDA Expo floor to discuss finding your solutions! If you can’t make it out to Las Vegas, you can learn more and contact them at www.advancedplastic.com.

Janus International, a leading supplier of rolling steel service doors, fire doors and grilles, is gearing up to unveil a new line of products just in time for the IDA Expo this April in Las Vegas.

Some of the featured products will include a new Pantheon in-tube motor for sheet roll-up and medium duty rolling steel doors, as well as a new counter shutter product for the rolling steel door line, and a new foamed in place urethane insulated rolling steel service door. But the one that has everyone buzzing and ready to heat up the expo floor is new “Sure-Set” line of rolling steel fire doors.

As described in a recent promotional brochure, *Janus Sure-Set Fire Doors are manufactured to the stringent qualities of full duty service doors, yet easily meet the most current fire protection standards.

Operational choices include three fail-safe motor operated systems and a standard chain hoist system. Janus Sure-Set fire door systems may be easily and repeatedly drop tested and reset from the floor with no tool or equipment requirements. The service durability, simplicity of ownership and proven fire protection make Sure-Set fire doors a logical choice for informed design professionals.

Janus Sure-Set fire doors feature UL and ULC labels for standard and over sized openings and may also be S Labeled for air and smoke infiltration. These fire protection systems are demonstrated and tested for full compliance and UL and NFPA-80 standards both in the Janus manufacturing plant and at test facilities for reliable activation, drop speed, repeatability and endurance. The doors are manufactured under a follow-up inspection agreement with Underwriters Laboratories that verifies production process and materials specifications. The strict nature of testing, manufacturing and inspections makes the resulting labels valuable proof that only the best designs will meet with today’s fire protection demands.

Janus International burn tests all fire protection products for up to four hours at the Underwriters Laboratories facilities in Northbrook, Illinois. The test doors are exposed to sustained temperatures of up to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, and are then removed, red hot, from the oven and subjected to a tortuous fire hose test lasting several minutes. During the entire process, the door must completely protect the opening and not fail at the floor, header, jambs or opening.

Known as a company dedicated to providing quality products, outstanding customer service and innovative installer friendly features, the Janus booth at the IDA Expo will provide demos to learn more about the products lengthy list of features and options. The booth will also provide product quotes and a special show discount for distributors who are interested in carrying the line. If you can’t make it to the expo in Vegas, be sure to visit them online at www.janusintl.com.

*Information provided by the Janus International Sure-Set Fire Doors brochure of the Rolling Steel Door Division at www.janusintl.com

Interview with Gary Macdonald of Trac-Rite Doors, Inc.

Trac-Rite Door, a manufacturer of premium quality rolling steel curtain doors, will be featuring their line of custom built Portable Storage Units and NuSpace Partition Systems this April at the IDA Expo in Las Vegas.

The Sun Prairie, Wisconsin based manufacturers, known for acquiring the best raw materials and building products one at a time to customer specifications, is currently boasting about their worry-free portable storage containers. Designed to provide the independent business owner with a low-risk opportunity to expand and diversify their current business – without the burden of franchise royalties or dealership fees. 

Gary Macdonald, National Sales Manager of Trac-Rite Door, Inc. gave us more details on the latest highly durable and efficient products.

“The Trac-Rite Portable Container features a sturdy steel frame to ensure strength and rigidity,” says Macdonald. “Load bearing wall studs, floor and roof joists, and frame rails are made from thick 12-gauge hot-dipped galvanized steel or painted structural steel. Our wall studs feature industry standard sized ‘E-Track’ slots for tie downs, making it easy to secure contents”.

“On the exterior,” he continues, “heavy duty ‘D’ rings provide a solid point to secure the container to the truck for transport. On the stackable models, raised channels on the rooftop allow the stacked containers to rest directly on their frame rails with their wheels suspended.”

With different sizes comes different features, as was explained to us when asking about comparisons between the 5′, 12′ and 16′.

“With the 5′, we built our little container with big thinking”, explains Macdonald. “It offers taller height for easier loading, and more overall cubic storage than many other containers with the same footprint….The smaller-sized container is designed to work with truck mounted forklifts for flexible delivery in tight spaces.”

“To give our larger containers extra strength, a welded steel subframe is incorporated into the design. The subframe supports the wheels, keeps the container square and provides reliable connections for winching and tie downs…. The 12′ model utilizes two frames, while the 16′ model utilizes a full-length welded frame for added support.”

In addition, Trac-Rite will be rolling out the NuSpace Hallway System, considered practical solutions for converting existing buildings into storage space. Featuring versatile, efficient and flexible designs, these freestanding systems are constructed of quality, durable materials the offer worry-free maintenance and low upkeep costs.

“Regardless of the existing building design,” shares Macdonald, “the hallway systems can be customized to to maximize available space….Additionally, the systems’ unit sizes can be tailored to meet your needs and ultimately increase your rental income.”

“We believe in the Trac-Rite products we build for our customers and endorse our products with industry leading warranties,“ concludes Macdonald. “Trac-Rite’s commitment to our customers satisfaction remains resolute in the age of mass production and automation.”

For more information on Trac-Rite products,  stop by their booth at the IDA Expo floor or visit them online at www.tracrite.com.