Garage Door Replacement is Ideal for Increasing Home Value

Fact: you can remodel your home and get most of your money back when you sell it down the line. Remodeling Magazine publishes a “Cost versus Value” chart each year, showing which home remodeling projects best increase the value of your home. Some projects can recoup you virtually all of the money you spend on the project, and garage door replacement is close to the top of the list!

According to Remodeling Magazine, replacing your garage door can recoup, on average, up to 88.4 percent of the cost of the entire replacement job. Who wouldn't like an 88% return on investment?!

If you’re thinking about replacing your garage door, here are some reasons why Overhead Door Company of Lansing is the best company to help you with the process!

Style Options Abound 
A brand new garage door can greatly enhance the overall beauty of your home. Ideally, you will want to select a door that reflects the overall “feel” of your home. Modern, Deco, or Craftsman style – there are hundreds of options available. At Overhead Door Company, we pride ourselves in our ability to help every customer find the perfect door to fit their budget and style preference.

Experienced Installation 
For decades, Overhead Door Company of Lansing has served central Michigan, offering the finest in residential garage doors and openers.

Qualified Service 
If something should go wrong, we offer 24-hour emergency and same-day service to meet your needs. Our technicians are highly trained and certified to provide you with the highest level of professional service.

Free Estimates 
We offer free estimates on new door installation. Contact us online to request a quote.

Does Your Garage Door Need to be Replaced?

Unless you’re a garage door expert like us, it’s hard to examine a garage door and figure out if it needs to be repaired or replaced. If it’s been extremely damaged by weather and is clearly broken beyond repair, then clearly it’s time to be replaced. But if it’s just been acting funny and could use some updates, then you’ll want to give us a call for a free estimate.

Typically, a garage door can be repaired easily if it isn’t too old. If one day your garage door just doesn’t work, don’t automatically think you need to replace it! Usually, it’s a simple fix that one of our experts can fix quickly so you can continue your day!

One of the big reasons people choose to replace their door rather than repair it is pure looks! The garage is a huge visual point when it comes to the house’s overall look. If you updated the rest of your home, it’ll look out of place if the garage door is outdated. We come across this a lot and it is the most popular reason to get an updated door. If you’d like to see our portfolio of garage doors that we’ve replaced, check out our portfolio on our website!

We recommend that you get a free estimate before deciding whether to repair or replace your garage door. We’ll let you know if it’s in your best interest to spend the money and replace or if your current door has a lot of life left.

Garage Door Options - How to Pick the Right One for You

Buying a new garage door can bring a lot of value to your home. Whether it’s because you are moving and trying to sell your home or because you think your garage door is outdated and unsafe, there are a lot of questions to be answered before choosing the right door. Buying a garage door is a larger investment than most other purchases and needs to be backed with some research. This type of shopping isn’t done too often so it’s hard to really know what you’re looking for.

Before you purchase your new door, you’ll need to know what type of door you’re looking for. You’ll figure this out by understanding what you use your garage door for the most. Are you looking to update the garage door just for curb appeal? Or do you use your door every day and need something that will last long? Or maybe you live in an area that gets hit with bad weather often and you need something that can last through a hurricane or bad storm.

After you answer these questions, you’ll be able to narrow down what type of door best fits your home. Here are the options that we offer here at Overhead Door Company of Lansing:

• Traditional Steel 
• Carriage House 
• Modern Aluminum 
• Wood Doors 
• Vinyl Doors 
• Insulated Doors 
• Wood-Lock Doors 

It’s not an easy decision and that’s why we’re here to help! If you’re not sure what type of door is best for you – just ask! We know which doors offer the best quality and which ones increase the most value of a home after it’s installed.

The Importance of Garage Door Safety

Garage doors can be extremely dangerous, especially if you have children. Your garage is a huge access point into your home and is used every day. Whether it’s for storage, a playroom for the kids or a workshop, it’s important to make sure that you and your family is aware of certain safety measures you should take if you have a garage.

Organization/Storage Safety: Most of the time, garages are used for storage; whether it be a car, tools or just holiday decorations. It’s a great place for storage because it’s out of the way and isn’t a main entertainment area of a home. However, the placement of certain items can cause huge dangers to your home. Any flammable items should be placed out of reach from children and inside a locked cabinet or box. Any tools like hammers or power tools should also be placed higher up and in a locked area. Not only can children find their way to these items, but items that are not secured can fall from a cabinet. Installing cabinets on the sides of your garage is a very popular way to store items and helps with the safety of the garage and keeps everything out of the way.

Garage Door Safety: The biggest cause of accidents in garages is the door not working properly. Whether it won’t open, or closes when it shouldn’t, a lot of accidents can happen if your garage door is not maintained properly. One way to make sure that your garage door will not close when it’s not supposed to is to place something underneath the door to make sure it reverses when it senses the object. If your garage door isn’t functioning the way it should, give us a call - we can inspect the garage door and figure out what repairs need to be made to get it back in working order!

Child Safety: The first step to making sure that your garage is a safe place for your children to play or be around is to lock it from your home. Make sure that the door to your garage has a lock that only you are able to unlock. This will keep them from going into the garage unsupervised. Next is to make sure that they are not able to reach the button or remote that can open or close the garage door. This will also ensure that they won’t be able to use the garage without adult supervision.

Garages are great additions to our homes, but it’s important to make sure they are also safe additions. Give us a call if you have any other questions about your garage and garage door - we’d be happy to help!

Michigan Overhead Doors: Your Garage Door Contractor

Whether your first garage is being built, you've had a garage door break, or it's simply just time for a new garage door, a garage door contractor is someone that you need to look into hiring. That’s why we’d like to tell you a little bit about our business.

Fast Service and Free Estimates 

We offer fast service to all of our customers. We pride ourselves in getting the job done quickly and correctly. We also offer free estimates to all of our customers. We will gladly let you know the price you'll have to pay to get the job done without charging you for us to do so.

Exceptional Credentials 

Our business also has wonderful credentials that let our customers know that we are just the business to get the job done. Our credentials include the following: the International Door Association, IDEA accreditation, and Associated Builders and Contractors. This business is also one that is licensed, bonded, and insured for your peace of mind.

Professional Technicians 

Our business prides itself in hiring professional technicians. Our technicians are licensed, bonded, and insured. Our technicians also travel with many of the products that you might need for the job they're going to do in their vehicles. This is beneficial not only for you but for our technicians as well because this ensures they will not have to make an extra trip to pick up a part that they might need.

These are just a few of the reasons that Michigan Overhead Doors is such a great business. To learn more about us, do not hesitate to contact us or visit our website today.

Garage Door Repair in Michigan

Most people today like to use their garage door as the main entrance into their home. It's become so popular that openers are now getting boosted horsepower in order to compensate for the extra usage. You almost can't find a home these days without a garage attached, and, as expected, those garages are going to have a door, otherwise it's kind of pointless, right? Garage doors have become such a key element to a home that a failing door becomes one of the most dreaded things one could face during their time. Nobody wants to get home and find out they're locked out; it's one of the most helpless feelings you can encounter regarding your home.

If you find yourself in this situation due to a broken garage door, you're going to need to reach out to a specialist pretty quickly to get the problem corrected. Many times it could be something minimal, but there are times when it could be something as big as a broken torsion spring.

This is when you need to call Overhead Garage Door Company of Lansing - we'll get your door back in motion in no time flat. No matter how big or small the repair, we are ready to take on your job and leave you relieved and with a smile on your face. Contact us today to set up your appointment. We’ll take care of your repairs and tune-ups. Whatever you need, customer service is our specialty!

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.

Benefits of Our Preventative Maintenance Program

If you're looking to save substantial time and money on the ongoing maintenance of your garage door, look no further than our Preventative Maintenance (PM) Program. Enrollment in the program reduces the likelihood of costly breakdowns and extends the operating life and efficiency of your equipment.

PM Program Benefits:

• Discounted labor rates
• Priority scheduling
• Decreased downtime
• Increased operational efficiency and reliability of your equipment
• Lower risk of malfunctions
• Extended life of your equipment
• Decreased long-term repair expenses
• Written checklists of work performed
• Recommendations of necessary repairs or replacements
• Enrollment is FREE

For all details on the PM Program, head over to our website!

What Are Sectional Garage Doors?

Sectional garage doors are great options for commercial and industrial locations, and are ideal for service stations, fire stations, professional facilities and retail environments. They are practical, durable and engineered for long life, low maintenance and enduring aesthetic appeal.

They are typically constructed with three to eight panels, and they slide up and overhead when opened. Two benefits of sectional garage doors are:

• They do not need any space outside of the garage in order to open, meaning vehicles can park very close to them.
• Each panel has its own connection to the track, which increases overall reliability of the door.

Learn more about the different sectional doors we can offer you at our website.

Shining a Light on Energy Efficient Garage Door Options

It isn't unusual for outdoor temperatures to dip into single or negative digits in Lansing at this time of year. As such, it pays for homeowners to speak with garage door contractors about the insulated doors. Although the doors are not yet ENERGY STAR certified, they obviously play a role in energy efficiency and much more. So today, we wanted to explore that topic in a little more detail.

Like other insulated building materials, garage doors are issued R-values based on how much protection they are able to provide. Although it is important to take that rating into consideration, homeowners shouldn't stop there. It is also vital to take into account the garage door's air infiltration rating, construction and bottom weather seal because they can impact a building's heat loss or gain too.

That said, our garage door sales staff will often recommend that Michigan residents choose models that feature multiple layers, bulb-style bottom seals, air infiltration ratings of .08 cfm or better and high R-values. There are many garage doors that have those types of air infiltration ratings and R-values. Ones that immediately come to mind are the Courtyard Thermacore®, Durafirm®, Signature Carriage and Impression® Collections. They are all designed for residential use.

Of those four residential options, the Courtyard Thermacore® has the highest R-value, ringing in at 11. It's followed by Durafirm® (11.75), Impression® (7.6) and Signature Carriage (4.75). We should also mention Thermacore® Insulated Sectional Steel and rolling service or counter doors. They have similar characteristics but are earmarked for commercial use. When it comes to those models, the first one tends to have the highest R-value, weighing in at an impressive 17.5.

Pricing options vary and may be occasionally offset by manufacturer's rebates. Unfortunately, tax credits or government-sponsored incentives do not apply at this time. To learn more, please contact us in Lansing.

Garage Door Safety Tips

You may have bought and installed a garage door recently and thought, 'That's one thing I can cross off my list for 10 years.' In some ways you're right, but garage doors are used every day and there are plenty of ways to make sure they’re in safe and working order. Check out our tips for ensuring your garage door is in top shape!

1. Complete a Visual Inspection: One of the easiest and most effective ways of catching some obvious issues with your garage door is by inspecting the door itself once per month. Look at the springs, door itself, cables and pulleys! If anything looks out of order, make sure to call a garage door professional in to take a second look.
2. Test the Reversing Mechanism on Your Garage Door: Place a board in the door's path and close the garage door. If your door doesn't reverse after contacting the object, make sure to call an expert to inspect the door.
3. Never Leave Your Garage Door Partially Open: This may seem like a no-brainer, but don't leave your garage door partially open. In addition to being a security risk, when re-activating that door, it could come in contact with any objects underneath or in its path!
4. Look at the Manual: When most people purchase a garage door, they overlook the manual! However, you can learn lots of ways to maintain your garage door's safety and security through the manual. Additionally, you can learn how to use the emergency release mechanism. If your power is out and you need to leave your home, your doors can be changed to automatic with the emergency release. The manual can be extremely useful in a lot of situations.
5. Keep Your Remote Up and Away From Children: Remember to keep the controller away from small children and explain that these controls are not toys!
6. Stay Away from Broken Springs: These springs are under high tension and require special tools to replace!

Our seasoned garage door professionals here at Overhead Door Co. of Lansing can make sure that your garage door remains efficient and safe! Contact us today for service!

Your Garage Door Can Save You Money on Your Heating Bills

Selecting a garage door that is right for your home might also be right for your heating bills! Purchasing an insulated garage door is a smart investment for your home. This purchase can save you years of aggravation and money spent on maintenance and astronomically high heating bills.

Basic garage doors run the risk of leaving your garage either extremely hot in the summer months or unbearably cold in the winter. This, unfortunately, raises your energy bills! The wall that separates your home and your garage allows the hot or cold air from outside to infiltrate your home, which, in turn, causes your HVAC system to kick into overdrive, working harder to counteract the temperature fluctuations. Insulating your garage could save you hundreds of dollars per year in energy costs.

You may be thinking that it's a lot of money to insulate your garage and it may be a major investment you're not ready for. One thing that you can do is 'weatherize' your door. Weather-stripping and/or caulking your garage doors could help! You should never make your garage air-tight (you want exhaust fumes to escape outside of your home), but you do want to make sure that you can seal the cracks and gaps between your garage and home.

Insulating your garage door could save you hundreds of dollars per year in energy costs and the investment would eventually pay for itself! If you're unsure whether or not an insulated garage door would make a large difference in your energy costs, just ask your Overhead Door professionals!