Garage Door Accessories You May Not Know About

If you've just installed a new garage door or are looking to revamp your garage, you may be wondering what you can add to make your garage easier to use, maintain and enjoy with the members of your household. Here is our list of a few accessories we think you'll be interested in adding to your garage!

Garage Door Openers: Garage door openers are a convenient and secure way to open and close your garage with ease. Openers can be installed on the inside or outside of your garage, as well as in your vehicle. Automatic openers are designed to handle varying weights and sizes of garage doors, so matter what type of door you have, an opener is a great accessory to invest in.

Garage Door Seals: A seal on your garage door will ensure that your garage stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The seal will provide protection from weather, pests, and even home intruders. A seal is an accessory you do not want to be without.

Fresh Air Screens: Zipper garage door screens allow you to keep bugs and dirt out of your garage while still letting some fresh air and sunshine in. They will not interfere with your door opening and closing and are easy to install. This is perfect for those who use their garage as a recreation or laundry room!

Parking Mats: A parking mat in your garage will catch any debris that falls off of your car. It will help to keep your walkways clean and dry, protecting you and your family from injury. It will also prevent you from dragging any mud or grime into your home. A bright colored parking mat with ridged material can help you to park in your garage as well!

Parking Sensors: Sensors come in a wide variety of models, but all are designed to help you park your car in tight garage spaces and ensure that your garage door has enough room to close behind you. Some models include a light sensor that will turn on to indicate you should stop, or a hanging object that is positioned to touch your windshield when your car is positioned appropriately.

To learn more about garage door openers and other accessories, contact us here at Overhead Door Company of Lansing!

Different Ways to Use Your Garage

Garages can be so much more than just a place to park your car. In order to take full advantage of your garage, consider utilizing the space in other ways. Here are some tips you can follow to maximize the value of your garage area.

Use garage walls for vertical storage. Use mounts and hooks to hang athletic gear, yard tools, and other types of equipment from the walls. Attaching a basket or a mesh bag to the wall can be a great way to secure sports balls and other small objects. Keeping these items off the floor will allow you to free up space and prevent possible hazards.

Don’t waste high spaces. Shelf space near the ceiling is the perfect place for long-term storage. Consider keeping seasonal items and other less-frequently used materials in these high places. Larger bulky items can even be hung from the ceiling with garage hooks.

Mount recycling bins. Keeping these bins off the ground will save valuable floor space, and will also allow you to easily access and sort your recyclables. Shelving units can also be used an alternative to wall mounts.

Build a fold-down workbench. This space-saving technique will allow you to quickly convert your garage into a workshop, without permanently occupying space.

Convert the area. If you decide that your garage is underutilized as a storage area, you may want to consider completely repurposing the space. Although it may be hard to image, your garage can actually function as another living space for your home. Because they are semi-detached from the rest of the house, garage conversions can be an excellent alternative to standard additions.

We hope that this has given you some insight into different ways to utilize your garage space. Feel free to contact the garage experts at Overhead Door Company of Lansing for additional tips and ideas!

Garage Door Openers in Michigan

One of the most common features being put into homes these days is the addition of a garage. At one point in time, a home with a garage was a bit of a luxury item, but as times change, so do trends, and having a garage on your house has become so common that it's almost becoming the primary entrance to any home with one attached. The biggest thing to take into account in this regard now is how big of a garage you'll need: single car, double, so on and so forth. Depending on the size of your garage or door, you'll need to consider your options as it pertains to a garage door opener.

Like so many things today your options for garage door openers come in quite a few variations, depending on if this is for your own home or a rental, or if you're looking for something that's going to offer less noise or more power. If you're planning on the garage door being the primary entrance to your home, you may want to consider going with a higher horsepower motor due to the increased usage. Another feature that seems popular is the inclusion of Internet capability. Some newer garage door openers are even adding in WiFi as an optional upgrade. If you go with one of the Internet-connected openers, you'll save the headache of losing your remote or having to swap out your batteries.

Overhead Door Company of Lansing is ready to help you out in your search for the perfect solution to your garage door opener quandary. Specializing in customer service and knowing what each situation will require, we are available to take care of your every need. Contact us today to set up your appointment – we'll get you scheduled quickly and make sure you're happy with everything that is being done.

Summer Maintenance Tips for Your Garage

As the weather heats up and summer months roll by, we here at the Overhead Door Company of Lansing wanted to remind you of some simple tips to help keep your garage in good shape throughout the year. Luckily, these are pretty basic tips that you can quickly complete without the help of a professional.

Inspect the Hardware

First and foremost, take a look at all garage door hinges, bolts, tracks, screws, cables and pulleys to make sure everything is intact from the previous year. Fixing these issues could be as simple as just tightening a screw.

Freshen Up Your Garage Door

Dirt and mildew can build up over the year, so this is a great time to wash and repaint your garage door. A well-maintained garage door can help the messiest of garages appear clean and fresh.

Clean Your Garage

If you skipped over spring cleaning, now would be a good time to tidy up the inside of your garage. Whether you plan to get rid of the clutter with a yard sale or simply dig out those old pool toys, be sure to utilize the nice weather to get your garage in order.

Keep Out the Heat

Insulating your garage door will help your garage maintain the desired temperature throughout all seasons. During the summer months, an insulated garage door can also help manage temperatures in any potential living spaces above or attached to the garage.

Lubricate

If your garage door is making squeaking or screeching noises when opened/closed, it may need to be lubricated. Lubrication is a great way to keep everything running smoothly throughout the year.

Most importantly, if you come across a problem that you’re not sure how to fix, don’t hesitate to call in a professional. We’re here to help, whether you are looking to book a repair or just a free estimate, feel free to contact us with any questions.

Three Garage Door Problems Caused by Summer Weather

With its ice, snow, and freezing cold, winter can cause a lot of maintenance issues with garage doors and their opening systems. However, winter isn't the only season that's hard on garage doors. Summer also causes a number of problems. Although we associate summer with vacations and barbecues, it is also a time of high heat, humidity, and lots of thunderstorms, all of which can affect your garage door's performance.

The Effect Of High Heat And Humidity

During heat waves and high summer temperatures, garage temperatures can easily exceed 100 degrees. This high heat can also affect the performance of your garage door electronics. This shouldn't come as a surprise: electronics already generate a lot of heat and high garage temperatures make it difficult for them to dissipate their own heat. This may cause your garage door opener to malfunction and prevent it from properly opening or closing the door. Fixing this problem will require some adjustments by a garage door service professional.

The Effect Of Direct Sunlight

If your garage door faces the sun during the morning or late afternoon hours, the garage door may not close because direct sunlight is shining on the sensor eyes. These photo sensors normally prevent the door from closing when it detects an obstruction. However, direct rays from the sun causes the sensors to behave as if an obstruction were present and prevent the door from closing. Therefore, if your door mysteriously refuses to close in the morning or late afternoon hours, this could be the reason for the problem.

The Effect Of Thunderstorms

Lightning strikes can sometimes cause power surges that enter the electrical systems of your home. If the circuit board of your garage door opener isn't protected against power surges, it can be damaged. When this happens, the garage door opener may not work at all or may exhibit odd behavior such as opening or closing on its own.

If your opener suddenly stops functioning during or immediately after a thunderstorm, this is the likely culprit. The circuit board or other affected electronics will require replacement. This problem is preventable by using a surge protector sold at most hardware stores. The surge protector is placed where the garage door opener is plugged into the wall.

If the summer weather has caused any issues with your garage door or garage door opener, we can help! Just contact us to set up a time for one of our technicians to come out and take a look!

Garage Door Service Emergencies

Have you ever experienced a need for emergency garage door service at the worst possible moment? Here at Overhead Door Company of Lansing, we could tell you countless stories about the emergency calls we've had. But one of the most stressful for our customers is when they need to get a car out of their garage to go to work. When this doesn't happen because the garage door won't open, it becomes a nightmare scenario.

If you're having the same problem, it could be due to various reasons. The good news is that we're there for you in getting it fixed in as short of time as possible. We'll also help in future maintenance so it won't happen again.

What Could Possibly Go Wrong With Your Garage Door?

Those who've lived here in Michigan know how rough our winters are. The cold and ice we frequently get can especially wreak havoc on garage doors when the door hasn't had recent maintenance. Ice can sometimes freeze garage door parts if your door is an old one with deteriorated insulation.

Then you have the most typical situation why a garage door won't open: The breaking of high-tension springs. This sometimes happens due to lack of maintenance, or just because the door is too old. Also, weather conditions can make them break as well.

When you call us, we're there immediately to replace those springs so you won't have your car trapped in your garage for hours. Other garage door services might put you on hold and force you to leave your car inside for a full day. This only costs you money because you'd have to take a taxi to work, or pay someone to take you.

No matter what the problem is with your garage door, we have parts on hand when we arrive so you won't have to wait long for repairs. Afterward, we'll provide maintenance tips while also being a continual maintenance source for you so your door stays working efficiently.

Most importantly, if you need a new door, we're also your leading source for doors at reasonable prices. When a door is too old to withstand our Michigan winters, we'll find you one with durable materials guaranteed to last you for years. With proper insulation, you'll also have one that saves money on your heating bills.

Contact us here at Overhead Door Company of Lansing if you need quick garage door repair. You have our commitment to excellent customer service when time is of the essence.

Frequently Asked Questions - About Us

We thought we'd take some time to answer some frequently asked questions related to our company and how we work. Need something else? Don't hesitate to contact us!

Do you take credit cards or personal checks?

Yes! We accept cash, checks and Mastercard, Visa, Discover and American Express credit cards.

 

Do the technicians carry all necessary parts on their trucks?

We try! Our service trucks stock a large number of parts for all brands of equipment that we service. It is very possible that we will have the parts needed for your door without having to make a second trip.

 

Do you give estimates on service? Or only on new/replacement doors and openers?

We charge a minimum service fee to diagnose equipment problems. This is due to the fact that service work involves a site inspection by a qualified field technician.

 

What warranties do you offer?

New doors and motor operators are covered by a minimum one-year warranty on materials and workmanship. Several doors and operators have extended warranties beyond that first year. Service and repair work warranties are 90-days on parts and 30-days on labor.

 

Can I talk to a salesperson?

Absolutely! All of our showrooms have experienced and knowledgeable salespeople ready to answer your questions.

 

How qualified are your technicians?

Our service technicians are highly-trained professionals and are employed exclusively by us. We never use subcontractors – only our own employees.