Benefits of Sealing Garage Doors

Your garage doors are your home’s largest access point, so if your garage doors have a faulty seal, your house risks exposure to the elements and unwelcome pests like insects and rodents. If you’re looking to save energy, reduce your heating or cooling costs, protect your garage from water damage and keep pests away, sealing your garage door can do all of the above. While all garage doors come with a weather seal, they wear out over time and need replacement. Weatherstripping your garage door provides you with peace of mind by ensuring nothing can get into your home. 

What Is Garage Door Weatherstripping?

Weatherstripping seals air leaks around moving components of buildings, like windows, doors and garage doors. The seal improves energy efficiency and protects your home from invading pests and the elements, and these are only some of the benefits of weatherstripping on garage doors. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, when you weatherize your home by sealing doors and windows, you can save an average of $283 in annual energy costs. Garage doors with faulty weatherstripping pose a significant energy drain on your home through increased heating and cooling needs. 

Garage doors come with weatherstripping on the bottom that should create an airtight seal against your garage floor. The seal helps keep your garage cool in the summer and warm in the winter, while preventing water and pests from entering your home. 

As with most things, the seals on garage doors are susceptible to wear and tear with regular use. As the weatherstripping becomes worn, the seal is no longer sufficient, and you may notice water entering your garage when it hadn’t previously. A water leak is a sure sign that you need to replace your weatherstripping. If you don’t re-seal your garage door, the stripping will continue to wear away and will become even less protective over time. Bugs like ants or cockroaches and even larger pests like mice or rats can squeeze through poorly sealed garage doors and make themselves comfortable in your house, so it’s vital to ensure your weatherstripping is still doing its job. 

Sealing Garage Door Benefits 

The benefits of garage door weather seals are numerous and extend from lowering your energy costs to protecting your home from damage.  

1. Offers Protection From Water and Flooding

Water damage often happens before you can react to it. Even average rainstorms can cause damage if your garage doors don’t have a proper seal. Water leaks underneath garage doors and can quickly spread over the ground, damaging anything you have on the garage floor. Then, once the water starts to evaporate, the condensation will struggle to escape and can damage any electronics or vehicles you have stored in the garage. The condensation can also gather around windows in your garage and may encourage mold growth over time. Mold can spread throughout your home and often requires extensive renovations to eliminate the health risks it poses. 

Sealing your garage doors with weatherstripping will protect your home and possessions by creating a sturdy seal that will keep the rain outside, even if you’re facing heavy storms. Garage door weatherstripping is vital to keep your home safe from water damage. 

2. Decreases Energy Bills and Increases Insulation 

Cold air in the winter or hot air in the summer can enter through any cracks in your garage door sealing. These drafts cause your cooling and heating systems to work harder, which increases the associated costs. As time goes on, you may have to spend extra money on maintenance because your air conditioning unit cycles on and off more frequently than it should. Drafts can also make your garage uncomfortable to be in by creating temperature differences from the rest of your home.

By installing weatherstripping on your garage doors, you will only need to heat or cool your garage when it’s necessary. Drafts from outside will no longer penetrate your garage because a strong seal will be airproof. You should notice a decrease in your energy bills after sealing your garage doors. 

3. Keeps Insects and Rodents Out 

If you start to notice vermin such as insects or rodents in your house, your garage door sealing may be to blame. These pests can squeeze through any small imperfection in your garage door’s seal and infiltrate your home. Your garage door is your main line of defense against these creatures because once they’re in your garage, it’s easy for them to enter the rest of your home. Insects and rodents are prolific breeders, so what starts as a small problem can quickly lead to something much more devastating. Vermin can carry fleas and diseases into your home, damage your possessions and get in your food. 

By sealing your garage door, you ensure that no pests will have access to your home. 

4. Decreases Damage to Your Garage Door

When your garage door has reliable weatherstripping, it will require less frequent repairs than if the sealing was no longer sufficient. The weatherstripping protects your garage door from the pests and elements that most often damage garage doors’ structure and mechanisms. Water and vermin, in particular, can cause damage to your door that requires immediate repair. The weatherstripping also protects your garage door if it slams shut by offering a padded cushion. You prolong your garage door’s lifespan by sealing it. 

Do You Need a Professional to Seal Your Garage Door?

You must seal garage doors with precise measurements and high-quality materials. If the measurements are off by even a fraction of an inch, your garage is still at risk of water damage, drafts and vermin. The materials used to seal garage doors should be of premium quality to withstand the constant friction and movement that garage doors experience. 

We recommend having professionals complete this task for you. They can assess your garage door and create a comprehensive plan to seal it with the best materials for your specific garage. You may also need repairs to the garage foundation if there are any cracks in the concrete. If you apply weatherstripping, but don’t fix the foundation, your garage doors will not form a full seal. Professionals are experienced at handling garage sealing and will ensure your home has adequate protection. 

How Long Does Weatherstripping Last?

V-shaped neoprene rubber strips attached to both sides of the garage door often seal the doors’ tops and sides. These strips do a great job keeping out dirt, vermin and water, but the rubber can dry up and begin to crack or warp over time. 

Similarly, U-shaped rubber or vinyl tracks attach to the bottom of garage doors to create a seal at the garage’s foundation. The rubber will begin to warp and crack as it ages, which weakens the seal and exposes your garage to nature. 

How long your garage door weatherstripping lasts depends on your location, climate and weather conditions. Your sealing may wear out sooner if your garage door often experiences extreme temperature fluctuations and frequent weather events.

You can expect your weatherstripping to last an average of two years with normal wear and tear. 

Here are some warning signs to look for when deciding if it’s time to replace the sealing. 

• Visible distortions in the stripping, such as cracks or color changes.
• The seal is no longer bouncing back into place and leaves a gap between the garage door and the floor. 
• Water begins to enter your garage near the door. 
• Pieces of the weatherstripping are breaking off when you touch it. 

Contact Best Overhead Door to Seal Your Garage Doors

Why seal your garage door? Garage door weatherstripping protects your home and your possessions from water, wind and pest damage, so it’s vital to ensure that your sealing is doing its job. Daily wear and tear will have an impact on your garage door sealing and increase your utility bills. At Best Overhead Door, we can apply new weatherstripping to your garage door to create a durable seal, so the door can fend off anything that tries to enter your garage while lowering your energy usage. We service the following areas: 

• Beaverton, Oregon
• Lake Oswego, Oregon
• Portland, Oregon
• Sherwood, Oregon
• Tigard, Oregon
• Tualatin, Oregon
• Wilsonville, Oregon
• Vancouver, Washington

If you notice your stripping is no longer working as effectively as it once was, please reach out today to schedule service. You can also request a free estimate online. 

How to Maintain a Wooden Garage Door

Your wooden garage door adds warmth and style to your home’s facade. It accentuates your home’s originality and charm, elevating any architectural choices. If you want your garage door to look and function like it’s brand-new, you’ll need to keep up with regular maintenance. Some tasks you can take a few moments to do on your own — others may require professional service. Either way, simple preventive maintenance can save you a great deal of time and money in the long-run. Learn how to properly maintain your wooden garage door.

Why Should You Maintain Your Wooden Garage Door?

Maintaining your wooden garage door has both visual and practical benefits. It can improve the appearance and function of your door. When you keep up with regular maintenance, you’ll likely notice the following results:

• Keeps its nice appearance: Proper maintenance will keep your door beautiful, preserving its original look. Remember that your garage door makes up a large portion of your home’s facade. A clean, well-kept door will boost your home’s curb appeal and resale value.
• Increases the lifespan: Your door will have a longer lifespan with regular care and maintenance. You’ll be able to postpone repair and replacement much longer. Simple preventive care will save you time, energy and money in the long-run.
• Improves overall performance: Maintenance also ensures your door can operate as it should. When you take appropriate measures, your door will be able to withstand heavy use and exposure to the elements.

Difference Between Steel and Wooden Garage Door Maintenance

Steel and wooden garage doors require different maintenance. Both materials are sturdy and robust, but each has unique qualities. For instance, steel is prone to dents and corrosion, while wood is prone to cracking or warping under harsh weather conditions. To maintain your wooden garage door, you’ll need to sand and stain once every couple of years. You might also choose to reapply paint to perk up the appearance. In addition, you’ll need to replace any damaged parts, including panels or hardware.

How to Maintain Wooden Garage Doors

Keeping a wooden garage door like-new in appearance and function requires some maintenance. Follow all of these steps to keep your door in top shape. Some steps you can tackle yourself, while others are best left to the professionals. Before making any major alterations, like repainting or refinishing, contact your Authorized Dealer to ensure your warranty will stay valid. Here are some things you can do to maintain your wooden garage door.

1. Sand and Smooth the Wood

First, make sure to remove any peeling or chipping wood. Clear away any splintered wood pieces and paint chips. Use a paint scraper to remove loose or peeling paint. Rub sandpaper on the exposed surface. As you sand, try to apply even pressure. Otherwise, you may end up with gauges or dips, producing an uneven surface.

A smooth base will ensure an even coat of finish or paint. Resand the door at least once every few years or after an especially harsh season. Extreme heat, cold or humidity can degrade wood’s quality, which makes sanding necessary.

2. Keep the Door Clean

Built-up moisture, dust or dirt can cause warping or bending. Cleaning your door will make it look nicer, reduce damage risks and decrease how often you need to re-stain. A quick wipe-down is all it takes. When you clean the door, use regular dish soap and warm water, along with a cloth or soft sponge. Wipe down all components to remove dirt, dust and grime. If you notice mildew, use a special mildew-removing solution. You may want to wear gloves and a mask for your health and safety.

When you clean, avoid abrasive scrubbers, which may remove the wood’s finish. You should also refrain from power washing, though using a regular garden hose is usually fine. Use this method to clean your garage door at least once a year or so. If you live in a harsher climate, you might want to clean your door more often.

3. Add a Coat of Finish or Paint

You’ll want to reapply a durable, weather-resistant stain every few years. This refreshes your door’s appearance and helps protect it from the elements. A garage door faces exposure to every outdoor element — wind, rain, humidity, beating sun, snow, ice, as well as extreme hot and cold. It needs proper protection to withstand those conditions. Consult with the manufacturer to make sure you’re using a safe stain for your door’s wood. To refinish your door, follow these simple steps:

• Clean the door with soap and water to clear away any grime or debris.
• Let the door dry — you might need to give the door a day or two to dry off.
• Use a brush or roller to apply the stain onto the wooden surface.
• Let the stain coat dry.
• Go over the wood with a dry brush. This will remove any excess stain.

If you want to renew the look of your garage door, you may choose to repaint. You can choose a color that better suits your taste or fits modern trends. Like a coat of finish, a new coat of paint will offer added protection to the wood surface. If you lack the time or materials to repaint your door, you might consider hiring a professional service. To repaint your garage door, be sure to clean and sand the surface first. Use masking tape to cover any non-wood elements, and let the door dry between coats.

4. Lubricate Metal Elements

It’s important to apply a lubricant to all metal parts and hardware elements. This allows for smoother operation. If you notice any unusual noises or sticking as your garage door opens and closes, the metal elements may need lubrication. These effects can be annoying, but they also signify serious issues. Ignoring strange sounds or uneven movement can shorten your door’s lifespan.

Applying lubricant when needed allows for convenient, quiet operation and lengthens your door’s lifespan. The harsher an environment you live in, the more often you should take this precaution. You may want to ask the manufacturer what type of lubricant to use. Avoid thick grease, which can clog the tracks and result in built-up dirt. When you’ve chosen the right lubricant and you’re ready to apply it, follow these steps:

• Make sure all nuts and bolts are tightened. Replace any worn or broken metal components.
• Check your rollers to ensure they’re sturdy and aligned, not wobbly.
• Wipe the track clean using a damp rag.
• With the door open, lubricate the hinges, rollers and ball bearings.
• Lubricate the metal springs and plates, as well as the top of the rail.
• Avoid any nylon or plastic elements and wipe away excess lubricant as you go.

While many homeowners apply lubricant as a do-it-yourself task, you may opt to hire a professional service. This will ensure the use of the proper lubricant and minimize any risks. A professional tune-up will include reapplication of lubricant.

5. Inspect for Signs of Pests

A wooden garage door can be a target for wood-consuming pests. Termites, snails, slugs and beetles can wreak havoc on your door. Check for tunnels and holes in your garage door’s surface. If you notice signs of pests, you might use an insect repellent spray or poison trap. Be sure to keep these chemicals away from children and pets. You may need a garage door repair service to fix pest damage. It’s best to catch these issues as soon as possible before large sections of your door become compromised.

6. Inspect Working Parts

Check all of your door’s working elements, including hardware, sensors, openers and tracks. Open and close your door, watching for any snags and listening for unusual sounds. Whether or not you notice anything out of the ordinary, it’s a good idea to hire a professional service to examine the technical elements of your door. A preventive tune-up can save you from expensive repairs later down the road. A professional service will:

• Examine elements to ensure proper function.
• Re-tension springs.
• Tighten nuts and lags.
• Re-align the track if needed.
• Lubricate moving elements.
• Perform a safety inspection to make sure the door’s sensors are working.

Does Your Wooden Garage Door Need Repairs or Replacement?

While some conditions require nothing more than a little elbow-grease, others may necessitate professional repair or replacement. If you notice any of the following conditions, contact an expert garage door repair or replacement service:

• Warping
• Extreme cracking
• Aging materials
• Operational issues

In any of these cases, a professional may replace single elements or the entire door. Sometimes, you can resolve an issue by replacing just one panel or technical part. If the damage is too severe, however, you may need to replace the entire door.

Protect Your Wooden Garage Door With Proper Maintenance

Your wooden garage door adds to your home’s beauty and value. You want to keep it looking good and operating well for as long as possible. With regular maintenance, you can preserve the appearance of your door and extend its lifespan. Simple maintenance tasks yield long-term results. For all your garage door service needs, contact Best Overhead Door today.

How to Clean Your Garage Door

Your garage door is one of the most important and practical features of your home. Cleaning your garage door is a way to invest in that crucial amenity. The experts at Best Garage Door have created this guide to help you learn more about the importance of cleaning garage doors. Read on to discover how to properly clean your garage door.

Why Should You Clean Your Garage Door?

Here are a few of the reasons you should clean your garage door:

• Extend your garage door’s life span: Your garage door takes a beating throughout the year. Rain, snow, dirt and salt can do a number on your garage door, wearing it out prematurely. Clean your garage door to remove these harmful substances and keep your garage door working for years to come. 
• Keep it looking great: When you pull up to your home, you want your garage door to enhance the beauty of your facade. Cleaning your garage door enhances your home’s curb appeal. This is important if you’re selling your home or thinking of selling it soon. Protect your garage door’s finish and prevent rust by cleaning your garage door. You can impress potential buyers and increase your satisfaction with your home’s visual appeal with a beautiful-looking garage door. 
• Discover other issues: Cleaning your garage door provides a great opportunity to inspect it. After you clean all the dirt and grime from its surface, you’ll have a better view of the hardware, finish and other components. You may discover some areas that need attention. Use this time to inspect the rest of your garage door, including the rollers, roller tracks, cables and springs. 
• Protect it from future damage: When it comes to garage doors, issues add up and can lead to costly repairs. A dirty garage door can contribute to other garage door issues down the road, so clean it to reduce your chances of more problems. 

How Often Should You Clean Your Garage Door?

We recommend giving your garage door a routine cleaning session every spring and fall. Cleaning in the fall prepares your garage door for the impending harsh weather. Giving it some spring cleaning removes the built-up grime it accumulates over the winter. You could take it a step further and clean your garage door seasonally. We know life is busy, so try your best to clean your garage door at least every fall and spring. 

You can take part in different garage door cleaning methods at different times of the year. Several tasks come together to give your garage door a complete cleaning over the course of the year. You may prefer giving your garage door a standard cleaning once or twice per year and save projects like repainting and re-staining for every other year. Find a regimen that works for you and your schedule. Over time, you’ll fall into a rhythm that will keep your garage door in great shape. 

How to Properly Clean Your Garage Door

It’s essential that you clean your garage door the right way. Here’s how to properly clean your garage door:

• Use non-abrasive sponges: Think of your garage door like your car. You wouldn’t use a rough sponge or cloth on your car. Treat your garage door the same way. A non-abrasive sponge or cloth will protect your garage door’s finish while removing dirt and grime. With a soft cleaner, you can use extra force without worrying about damaging the finish. 
• Mix the right cleaning solution: Use a solution of warm water and mild detergent to clean your garage door. This solution will be strong enough to remove grease and dirt, but it’s also gentle enough to preserve your garage door’s finish. Using this gentle cleaning solution with non-abrasive sponges is a great starting point for cleaning your garage door. 
• Rinse with a gentle hose: After scrubbing your garage door with a non-abrasive sponge and mild cleaning solution, you’ll need to rinse it off. Connect your garden hose to a nearby spout and use the water to rinse off all the suds and dirt. No need to use any attachments, as the pressure from the hose should be enough to get the job done. 
• Dry with a clean and soft cloth or towel: Make sure you dry your garage door after rinsing it off. If you’re researching how to clean a metal garage door, remember that water contributes to rust in metal garage doors. Wooden garage doors can absorb water, which can lead to bulging and warping. Drying your garage door with a clean and soft cloth is key toward keeping it clean and protecting it from other issues. 
• Clean the inside and outside: Cleaning the outside of your garage door is obvious, but remember to clean the inside, too. Some of the dirt and grime from your garage floor can make its way to the lower section of the inside of your garage door. While you’re cleaning the outside of your garage door, remember to give the inside some attention. 

What to Avoid When Cleaning Your Garage Door

To ensure your cleaning remains successful, take a look at the following garage door cleaning practices to avoid:

• Pressure washing: The force exerted by pressure washers is too much for your garage door’s finish. It could remove the paint or stain from your door, which does more harm than good. Remember that with garage doors, gentler is better. 
• Abrasive sponges and cloths: Cleaning your garage door is all about protecting the finish. Abrasive sponges and cloths run the risk of scratching the finish. This can result in ugly scratches and scuffs on your garage door instead of the beautiful final product you’re seeking.
• Detergent and bleach solutions: Bleach is great when removing stains from white laundry. It is also an effective cleaning agent for some of life’s toughest messes. But when cleaning your garage door, bleach has the opposite effect. It can discolor your stain and even do permanent damage to wood. You’re better off sticking with the mild detergent and water mixture. 
• Air drying: Water can contribute to rust on metal garage doors and warping in wooden garage doors. Make sure you have a soft drying cloth nearby to remove the water from your garage door after cleaning and rinsing. 

Maintain Your Garage Door With the Help of Best Overhead Door

Cleaning your garage door is essential to improving its life span and its appearance. As you clean your garage door, you might realize it’s in need of some repairs. If you’re in the Portland or Vancouver area and need garage door maintenance services, Best Overhead Door is the company for you. 

We’ve been in business for over 30 years, so we are experts when it comes to keeping your garage door in great shape. We even offer brand new residential garage doors if you think it’s time to invest in a new door that will last you for years to come. Contact us today to schedule a garage door service visit or learn more about our other services.

How to Prepare Your Wood Garage Door for Spring and Summer in Oregon

In springtime, a homeowner’s thoughts often turn to ways to spruce up their home. In the middle of all the landscaping and spring cleaning that often comes this time of year, there’s one home improvement project that often gets overlooked — garage door maintenance.

These days, the majority of people use their garage door as the primary entrance to their home. Because you use this door so much, it’s necessary to prepare your garage door for spring and the upcoming summer months as well.

If you have a wood garage door, then it’s even more critical to make sure you’re keeping a close eye on the condition of your door. Wood doors are a beautiful addition to any home, but in cold, moist climates like what we have in Oregon, if you don’t know how to keep a wood door from cracking, you could be in for an unpleasant surprise.

If your home has a wood garage door — or you’re considering purchasing one — it’s important to understand what’s involved with owning and maintaining these works of art. This article covers some of our top wood garage door maintenance tips.

Table of Contents

• How Does Weather Impact Garage Doors?
• Painting and Staining a Wooden Garage Door
• How to Prepare a Garage Door for Spring

Because they’re on the exterior of your home, garage doors will take a beating from the sun and weather your area experiences each year. In the Portland area, wood garage doors are particularly susceptible to water damage. Why?

1. Water Saturation

Wood garage doors absorb water. In wet climates, these doors are constantly exposed to moisture, and they absorb a lot of water. When a door absorbs a lot of water, it becomes heavier. Over time, the additional weight of a water-saturated door adds additional strain to the garage door springs, eventually causing them to stretch or even break.

2. Swelling

The water that wood garage doors absorb also causes the door to swell. When a door swells to be larger than the original size, it becomes more difficult to open and close. This puts a lot of extra strain on the garage door opener and, if left unaddressed, can damage the opener or cause it to wear out and need replacing sooner than expected.

3. Cracks

Wood doors are known to develop cracks as they age, especially if they aren’t serviced regularly. When a door has cracks, moisture can make its way into the cracks. If it’s cold enough for that water to freeze, the ice will cause the crack to expand. When cracks are left undetected over time, this cycle of freezing water and expanding cracks can lead to significant damage.

4. Exposure to Sunlight

In addition to the issues associated with living in a particularly moist climate, sunlight can also damage and affect wood doors, especially if they face east or west and get a lot of direct light during sunny days. Sunlight can trick your garage door sensors into thinking something’s in the way of the door, which causes the sensors to malfunction when you’re trying to put the door up and down. Warm weather combined with a humid coastal climate can also result in the door absorbing moisture more quickly than in drier climates.

Because wood doors are more susceptible to year-round problems in high-moisture areas like Portland’s coastal climate, it’s necessary to make wood garage door maintenance an annual part of your home maintenance routine. Checking the doors and identifying trouble spots is a simple thing to do. However, it’s essential to remember that a professional garage door company should perform most garage door service and repair. When you hire an experienced garage door professional, they can give your door a thorough inspection, identifying any areas of concern that need to be addressed before they become a big problem.

Painting and Staining a Wooden Garage Door

Besides regular maintenance, one of the best ways you can protect and preserve your wood garage door is to paint or stain it regularly. Whenever we mention this to customers, their first question is, “How often should I paint my garage door?”

There’s no hard and fast number when it comes to frequency. If your garage door faces north or south — meaning it doesn’t get direct sunlight — you’ll probably only need to repaint every five to six years. But, if your door gets direct sunlight throughout the day — faces east or west — then it may be more susceptible to fading, cracks or other weather-related damage. It will need to be repainted more frequently to prevent moisture from breaching the seal of the stain or paint. If you’ve opted to stain your garage door instead of painting it, you should plan to stain and seal your garage door once each year.

Now that you’ve bumped this critical project to the top of your home maintenance list, it’s time to get started. While there are many similarities between the process of painting and the process of staining a garage door, there are also some meaningful differences that you’ll want to be aware of before you get started. Be sure to read through the entire process before you begin.

1. Examine the Door for Any Visible Cracks

If you find any cracks, caulk them, and then allow the caulk to dry completely before painting. While you’re doing this, you can also scrape away any peeling paint or rotted wood on the door. If you need to remove a small piece of wood rot, you can repair it with wood filler. Please don’t skip this step. This preparation process is crucial because it improves the integrity of your door and guarantees a smooth finish after you’re done painting.

2. Sand Away Rough Spots

Once the caulk and wood filler dries, use an electric sander to smooth out any bumps or rough edges left behind. The sander is also a great tool to use if your door has large patches of peeling paint since it might take too long to scrape off large patches by hand.

3. Wash the Door

Apply a degreasing cleaner to the door, and then scrub it down using a large sponge or brush. If you find any patches of mildew on the door, apply a mildewcide as well. Then, rinse the door with a hose and allow it to completely dry. Yes, we do recommend using a garden hose rather than a power washer. Even though your door is made of solid wood, it’s important to protect it and avoid the powerful streams of water that you’ll get on most of the power washer’s settings.

4. Prepare the Area

Once the door is dry, use painter’s tape and masking paper to cover any hardware or windows on your garage door. You’ll also want to lay a drop cloth down along the ground and tape masking paper on the walls alongside the garage door to prevent paint or stain from coming in contact with your siding.

You’ll also want to prepare yourself. When using a paint sprayer, it’s a good idea to wear a mask to prevent from inhaling particles of paint and disposable gloves to make your clean up easier later.

5. Prime First

If you’re staining your garage door, then you can skip this step. If you’re painting, priming is necessary.

The best tool for this job is a paint sprayer. They’re relatively inexpensive, so if you don’t already have one, it’s worth the investment. Fill the sprayer with primer, then apply to the door using a back-and-forth motion, overlapping your previous strokes so there aren’t gaps in between. This will work best if you hold the paint sprayer about one foot from the door. Consult the manufacturer’s directions on the primer to determine how long primer should dry before you move on to paint.

While the primer is drying, remember to clean out your paint sprayer so that the primer doesn’t get mixed in with the paint you’re about to use. After all, you don’t want it to dilute the color you’ve chosen.

For new doors, it’s best to prime all six sides of the door to keep water from seeping in, so keep this in mind if it’s the first time your door has been painted.

6. Paint or Stain Your Garage Door

Once the primer is dry — or you’ve skipped that step because you’re using stain — it’s time to apply paint or stain to your garage door. Using the same back-and-forth technique you used when you were priming, apply an even coat of latex paint or oil-based stain to the garage door. Once it’s covered, allow it to dry. Then, if needed, add another coat to achieve the shade you want. If you’re using stain, you’ll likely only need one coat, but paint may require an extra coat or two to achieve the color you want.

Also, while we do recommend using a paint sprayer for this task, you can use a roller or brush. Just be careful to apply even brush strokes and take your time so that it looks good when you’re done.

7. Make It Look Shiny

If you’ve applied stain to the door and you want it to have a glossy look, you can apply a layer of polyurethane or exterior varnish. Just be careful because these products will peel over time, which means you’ll need to stain again even sooner.

8. Keep an Eye on the Door

Once your garage door is dry, you’ll want to keep a close eye on the paint or stain to see how it wears over time. In general, staining requires more maintenance than a paint job, so plan to refinish your door once each year to keep it looking nice and new. Since wood doors tend to crack in the heat and sun, it’s a good rule of thumb to plan to stain your door in the spring after the rains clear but before it becomes too hot. That way, your door will be ready to withstand the sunshine and heat of summer.

Besides staining or painting, you can plan to perform seasonal garage door maintenance to keep your garage door in good shape and prepare it for the warm weather and sunshine that accompany spring and summer.

1. Inspect the Door and Its Opener

Take a few minutes to look over your garage door. Take note of any cracks, dents or dings that might allow moisture to worm its way into the wood. Also, note any places in the existing paint or stain that seem to be wearing or peeling.

Once you’ve inspected the door, take some time to look at your garage door opener. Inspect the tracks and springs to make sure they’re operating smoothly. You can even run the door up and down a few times, listening for any noises that might indicate that it’s not moving as smoothly as it should.

2. Replace the Batteries in Your Garage Door Opener

Your garage door opener is most likely wired into your home’s power supply, but some models have a battery backup feature in case your home loses power. As you’re inspecting your door, make a point to check to see if your backup batteries are charged and change if needed.

3. Clean Your Garage Door

Even if it doesn’t need a fresh coat of paint, make a point to clean your garage door each spring. Garage doors are subject to dirt and rain and debris on an ongoing basis. Keeping them clean prevents the debris from getting stuck in the garage door opener’s track or doing damage to the door itself over time.

4. Add Lubricant to Moving Parts

Repairing a garage door or opener can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. But lubricating the moving parts of your garage door opener helps prevent the need for repairs in the first place. Apply a lubricant to the hinges, spring, rollers and bearings to keep everything operating as it should. Of course, if you aren’t sure where these are — or you aren’t comfortable doing it yourself — then it’s a good time to schedule a service call with an experienced professional.

5. Know When to Call a Professional

DIY home improvement projects are on-trend right now, but when it comes to your garage door, it’s dangerous to do repairs and maintenance yourself if you don’t have experience working with garage doors. Yes, painting and staining a door are things that homeowners can do without much trouble. But, if you suspect that your door is broken or the garage door opener needs repair, it’s time to call a professional garage door company for help.

Even if your door appears to be in good working order, it’s not a bad idea to have a garage door company you can call with questions, like, “How often does my garage door need to be serviced?” or “What do I do if my wood garage door cracks?”

Keep Your Garage Door Looking Nice in Spring and Summer

Even in our area, many people aren’t aware of how humidity affects wood garage doors. It can be a challenge to keep them looking nice and new, but their classic beauty is worth the effort.

When it comes to seasonal garage door maintenance, a little elbow grease is all it takes to keep your door in working order. But, sometimes things happen, and you need to call a professional garage door company for a repair. Best Overhead Door is the premiere garage door company in Portland, Ore., specializing in sales and repair of residential and commercial garage doors. A Portland fixture for nearly three decades, Best Overhead Door offers experienced service at reasonable prices. And, if your door can’t be repaired, then we’re here to walk you through the process of selecting a high-quality, long-lasting replacement.

If your garage door needs a tune-up or you’re in the market for a replacement, look no further than Best Overhead Door. We offer estimates via phone, email and video conferencing or we can bring our showroom to you with hand samples and brochures. Schedule service or request an estimate online or by calling (503) 620-1205.

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How To Tell If Your Garage Door Hinges Wear Out

Although small and somewhat easy to ignore, your garage door’s hinges are an essential component, guaranteeing the proper opening and closing of your garage door and allowing your door to accurately follow the track to eliminate any swinging. If the garage door hinges wear out, it may be extremely difficult or impossible to safely open your garage door.

Whenever your garage door operates, many parts are under a great deal of tension, weight and pressure — including the hinges. Garage door hinges can often wear or become broken as a result of being damaged — for example, by a car impact or improper maintenance. You can typically determine your hinges are wearing out if there are loose or missing screws, the roller shafts do not slide side to side, rust buildup, a squeaking noise whenever you operate the door, or if the hinge looks bent in anyway. This can cause drag on the door causing the door and opener to wear out sooner. Once you suspect your hinge is wearing out, or if the hinge has already broken, it’s best to go ahead and replace the hinge with a newer, sturdier, heavy steel option.

Whenever you need garage door repair or maintenance, it’s always best to trust a professional. It can be very tempting to get a garage door hardware kit from your local big box retailer but DIY repairs put you at risk of avoidable injury. Our technicians at Best Overhead Door have the necessary tools and knowledge available to safely make repairs without risk of personal injury.

Trust Us for Preventative Garage Door Maintenance

Once you’ve replaced your garage door hinges, conduct routine maintenance to ensure they’re always in good working shape. The best way to ensure the lifespan of your garage door is to trust a professional to perform maintenance at least once every year. During maintenance, a professional will check all moving parts and ensure everything is properly lubricated. This includes checking on the functionality of the dooor hinges and torsion springs. As needed, they will make any repair recommendations or upgrades to ensure your garage door is always operating properly and safely with all the necessary hardware.

For Garage Door Repairs, Trust Best Overhead Door, LLC

For all your garage door repairs, it’s best to trust a professional to guarantee safety and proper repairs using quality tools and equipment. For nearly 30 years, Best Overhead Door has been the premier garage door installation, maintenance and repair company for Portland, OR, and Vancouver, WA. If you’re ever stuck with an improperly functioning garage door, call our technicians, who are available 24-hours a day, and can promptly and reliably repair your garage door.

To learn more about our services, complete our online contact form or speak to one of our team members today at (503) 620-1205.

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Does My Garage Door Need Regular Maintenance?

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Many homeowners choose to forego routine inspections and maintenance for their garage doors because they can function many years without noticeable problems. This lack of maintenance can lead to inconveniences, like being stranded inside or outside of your garage — and can lead to costly emergency repairs or frequent technician visits. As the primary entrance for most homes, the garage door is estimated to operate over 1,800 times per year for average homes.

To ensure your garage door is always in top-notch condition, garage door professionals recommend having a garage door tune-up at least once per year. Having regular garage door maintenance can improve safety conditions, reduce repair costs and increase the life expectancy of the garage door opener and garage door parts and hardware.

Best Overhead Door Preventative Maintenance

When you trust the trained professionals at Best Overhead Door, LLC for your annual routine maintenance, you’re guaranteed affordable and comprehensive services that will keep your garage door in safe operational condition. For our customers, we offer a special annual garage tune-up rate of only $79 — which is much less expensive than having emergency repair services performed. When our technician visits your home, they’ll perform the following checks:

• Look over the spring system and assess signs of excessive wear or rust.
• See if the springs have relaxed over time and need to be re-tensioned.
• Tighten nuts and lags or other hardware.
• Remove excess debris buildup from the photo eye sensors and tracks.
• Align the tracks, ensuring they’re straight and tight.
• Apply grease or lubricant to moving parts.
• Inspect cables, drums, shafts, bottom fixture, bearing plate and spring anchor attachment.
• Perform a 25 Point safety inspection on the door and 21 point safety inspection on the opener.

After performing a check on all systems and hardware, our technician will put your garage door through an additional cycle, noting any obvious signs of needed repair. Also, during these checks, your maintenance professional will make any necessary repair recommendations to ensure the safety and proper operation of your garage door.

Homeowner Garage Door Maintenance

When you’re between annual maintenance checks, you should be paying attention to your garage door’s daily operations and noting any unusual garage door behavior or noises. As a homeowner, you should note the following:

• Debris buildup: With access to the outside, your garage door tracks and photo-eye sensors can accumulate excess dirt and debris buildup, which can impact proper garage door functions.
• Parts maintenance: As the door moves, parts can become loose or lose lubrication. As needed, make sure to tighten or replace any loose or missing parts and keep the chain and springs well-lubricated to prevent rust buildup.
• Unusual noises: Note if your garage door begins making loud noises aside from the normal operating sounds, such as rattling, grinding or shaking.

6 Benefits of Regular Garage Door Maintenance

You receive numerous benefits when you schedule regular garage door maintenance. Here are the top six benefits:

1. Prevents significant repairs: Routine door maintenance can help you avoid major repairs. Service technicians can detect minor problems and provide a repair solution before they become significant. Addressing these problems early saves you money in the long run.
2. Maximizes your door’s life span: A garage door can last a minimum of 15 years with proper maintenance. Maintaining your door ensures you get the maximum amount of years from it before you must replace it. When you repair the minor issues, you keep it in good condition.
3. Ensures everyone’s safety: Broken garage doors can cause injuries if they become stuck or fall. Routine inspections can detect any problems that would cause your door to break before it happens.
4. Enhances security: Most homeowners use their garage as the main entrance to their home because it’s more convenient. But, if your door malfunctions, it can serve as an entry point for intruders. You can enhance your garage and home security by maintaining your door’s functionality.
5. Keeps your system updated: Technology is constantly evolving and improving. You can incorporate these new features into your system to prevent intruders and system breakdowns.
6. Increase your home’s value: When you have a well-maintained garage door, it increases your property’s curb appeal and value. You can preserve your door’s aesthetics by addressing scratches, dents, fading paint and other issues as soon as possible.

How Often Should You Service Your Garage Door?

As long as your garage door is functioning correctly and you haven’t noticed any issues, an annual maintenance visit is all you need. However, once you notice any problems, you should schedule repair services. Some signs that your door needs repairs include the following: 

• Your door won’t open or close: When your door won’t open or close or only does it halfway, it may have a part that needs replacing.
• Your door is making unusual noises: If your garage door makes loud, odd noises, it needs repairs.
• Your door is off-balance: A sagging garage door or one that closes unevenly can indicate that it’s off-balance. You can test your door’s balance by turning the opener off and manually opening or closing the door halfway. If the door continues moving up or down after you let go, it’s off-balance and a professional needs to inspect it.
• Your door has a slow response time: It should only take a few seconds for your door to open or close. If your door appears to be straining or taking longer than usual to open or close, contact a professional to diagnose and solve the issue.
• Your door comes off its tracks: The rollers allow your door to open and close smoothly. If they come off the tracks, it will be dangerous and difficult for you to operate your door. If your garage door is off track, do not operate it and call a service technician immediately, as the door may pose a safety risk.

Call Best Overhead Door for Your Annual Tune-Up and Other Repair Needs

To keep your garage door in proper working condition, call the experts at Best Overhead Door to perform your routine garage door maintenance. We have nearly 30 years of garage door installation, repair and maintenance experience and guarantee all of our customers throughout Portland, OR, and Vancouver a hassle-free, reliable, affordable and friendly experience. To schedule our annual maintenance services, fill out our online form or call us at (503) 620-1205 to set an appointment with one of our team members.

In addition to annual maintenance, Best Overhead Door can repair or replace your garage door. We can service all parts of your garage door, including the springs, cables and the opener. When you entrust us with maintaining the condition of your door, you can be confident that we will keep your door in excellent condition and ensure everything functions properly.

To schedule our annual maintenance or other repair services, fill out our online form or call us at (503) 620-1205 to set an appointment with one of our team members.

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How Often Should Your Garage Door Be Serviced?

Your garage is most likely the primary way your family enters your home — homeowners use their garage door 1,500 or more times per year. Most homeowners make the mistake of only having their garage door inspected when a part or component breaks. To keep your garage door in proper working condition, professionals recommend having regular garage door service on your door once every year. 

Benefits of Regular Garage Door Maintenance

Regularly scheduled maintenance for your garage provides numerous benefits to ensure this convenient feature lasts.

Cost Efficiency

Your garage door will most likely show signs of use years after installation. You may notice more minor issues such as loud creaking or the pin pad not working. These smaller problems are routine for technicians and typically take only a few hours to fix. 

When you regularly schedule residential garage door maintenance checks, professionals can assess these problems and look for any potential significant issues from your garage door. Fixing these complications now saves you a considerable amount of money down the road when they turn into much more significant matters without the proper care. Schedule regular maintenance to save money by avoiding having to replace your entire garage door. 

Appearance

Regular residential garage door maintenance can restore your garage door to look brand-new. With every annual tune-up, your garage door gets a refresh as technicians make necessary repairs and replacements. Professionals can also ensure your sensors are clean enough to continue working.

Home Value

A well-maintained garage door can increase the value of your home. If you plan to move in the next few years, you can benefit from regularly scheduled door maintenance appointments. These technician visits allow your door to undergo significant and minor repairs that enhance its appearance and mobility. These changes can extend the door’s life, making your home more desirable for potential buyers. 

Security

Any technician’s top priority during a maintenance appointment is ensuring that a garage door provides as much safety as possible. Since families use garage doors as entrances to their homes, safety features are crucial at all times. 

During a regular maintenance visit, professionals check the tracks that attach the door to the inside of the garage. They assess that the tracks fully support the weight and motion of the door so it will not become uneven over time. These steps ensure you and your family are safe as you pass through the garage threshold daily. 

Annual Garage Door Tune-Up

When you call the professionals at Best Overhead Door for your annual maintenance check, we’ll send a trained and knowledgeable technician to your home to perform a visual inspection. They will have your garage perform a cycle to check for any obvious signs of wear or damage. After seeing a cycle, the technician will clear dirt and debris from the photo eye sensor or in the rollers and tracks that can prevent proper door functionality.

At this time, the technician will inspect all parts for signs of excessive wear and tear, tighten any loose lags, screws or nuts and adjust any misaligned parts. 

These garage door parts include: 

• Sections
• Garage door springs
• Tracks
• Cables
• Bearings
• Rollers
• Drums
• Spring anchor bracket
• End bearing plates
• Center bearing
• Hinges
• Torsion tube
• Top and bottom fixtures
• Horizontal and vertical tracks

Our annual maintenance includes properly lubricating all moving parts and checking the balance and operation of the garage door. Then we test the garage door opener and adjust the limits and force settings as needed while performing a safety check making sure it will be trouble-free for a long time.

A garage door annual maintenance contract is excellent for gaining peace of mind.

When Is the Best Time to Service Your Garage Door?

After the harsh cold of the winter seasons, you can start to schedule garage door services in spring. These warm months with longer days give technicians more time to assess any repairs or maintenance your door needs after handling months of heavy snowfall. 

The environment can have a lasting impact on the longevity of your garage door. Servicing your garage door in spring allows professionals to make repairs that can provide benefits throughout the year until the winter months arrive. You can then start the cycle of regular maintenance. But if you notice any concerns with your garage door any time of year, it’s best not to wait to schedule maintenance services.

What to Look for When Checking Your Garage Door

During your annual maintenance visits, you should listen and note any unusual garage door sounds or mishaps. As a homeowner, look for and perform the following:

• Unusual sounds: While doors can be noisy, note if your door is making odd sounds like creaking, rattling or grinding.
• Door balance: Disconnect the door from the opener and see if it will stay halfway open by itself. Only a professional should make a spring adjustment.
• Debris buildup: As needed, remove dirt and buildup from your tracks and rollers.
• Lubricate Parts: Keep the garage door opener chain or screw, bearings, rollers, hinges and springs well-lubricated to ensure proper functionality and prevent rust buildup.
• Tighten hardware: As the garage door moves, parts can become loose or fall out. Check hardware and tracks occasionally to ensure nothing needs tightening.
• Maintain door quality: In addition to a reliable garage door, you also want to maintain the look of your door. For wood doors, check them often for water damage and warp. Also, look for cosmetic fixes like chipped or peeling paint. If you have a steel door, look for rust that can be sanded, primed and painted. As needed, wash the garage door with a mild, all-purpose cleaner.

For Your Annual Garage Door Service, Trust Best Overhead Door

To guarantee your garage door is continuously operating smoothly, trust the professionals at Best Overhead Door, LLC with your annual garage door tune-up. Our company has over 30 years of experience repairing and maintaining garage doors for residents in the Portland Metro area and Vancouver, WA. For our customers’ convenience, we also offer emergency 24-hour services. Schedule your garage tune-up today by completing our online form or calling us at (503) 620-1205.

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How to Paint & Maintain Your Custom Carriage House Garage Door

Instructions for Painting and Maintaining Your Best Custom Wood Carriage House Doors

To the Homeowner:

Please note that our custom wood doors are made to our high standards with top quality products. We DO NOT provide a finish on our custom wood doors. The finish warranty is the responsibility of the painting company you choose and the finish should match the quality of our doors to maintain the beauty and integrity of your investment. Below are instructions that we recommend to you, the homeowner, to pass on to your painting contractor. We recommend that you NOT use dark stains or colors. These absorb heat and can cause excessive cracks and bows in the wood.

Warranty:

Best Overhead Door, LLC warranties our custom wood doors for one-year parts and labor. We DO NOT warranty the finish. That is the responsibility of the company YOU choose to finish your door. We require that each custom wood door is completely finished to the standards below before we will install the door. Not doing so voids the warranty on the door entirely. Delays in finishing that allow the wood surfaces to be exposed to moisture or contaminants, improper storage or transportation or allowing the surfaces to be damaged or exposed will void the warranty.

Some coatings are NOT recommended. Oil paint, Alkyd paints, Wood Shake or Wood Shingle paints, Vinyl acetate acrylic co-polymer, Vinyl acetate (PVA), or Vinyl Acrylic paints.

Preparation:

Preparation is a critical step when you paint a garage door. Whether or not you know how to repaint a garage door, before you start, all surfaces must be clean and free of any dust, oil or other contaminants. Any scars, scratches, etc. that occur while the doors are transported or after storing or handling must be properly sanded out to the original condition. A light sanding of all surfaces with a very fine grit sandpaper is recommended to ensure the best finish possible. If you try to repaint a garage door without the proper preparation first, the paint will not go on evenly and will not look right.

Priming:

All surfaces must be primed before applying the finish coats. These include the interior and exterior surfaces and all edges, six (6) surfaces in all. Certain woods require special primers/paint to prevent tannin stains from bleeding through the finish coats.

Please consult with your painter or paint company when selecting your paint products for the appropriate products. Remember, you have an exceptional door that deserves an exceptional finish. It may be tempting to attempt to paint without priming, as it can be very time-consuming, but there is no point in trying to refinish a garage door without priming first. The paint may not adhere to the door, and you may damage the surface of the door in some cases as well.

Painting:

Painting is the most important stage of this process, so it’s important to take great care to make sure you do it correctly. We recommend a high-quality exterior grade 100% Acrylic Latex finish Paint. Apply primer. Then apply an exterior grade, paintable clear caulk around the edges of all trim boards. Then, apply 2 (two) finish coats according to manufacturer’s label and allow proper drying times between coats. Please follow the paint and primer manufacturer’s label instructions exactly. Both your paint supplier and your garage door dealer can help you determine the right color and type of paint for your garage door. Make sure you have a paint you are confident you will be happy with so you will get the custom garage door you want in the end.

Finishing with Stains or Clear Coats:

Even if you know how to refinish a garage door, you’ll want to take special steps if you are using stain instead of paint. This is because you may find using the wrong stain can be a problem much more difficult to correct than using the wrong paint. For stains, select stains that are appropriate for the type of wood used for your door. Be sure to consult your painting professional or supplier to determine if the stains and varnishes are compatible with the woods used. First, stain all 6 surfaces of each panel (if using a stain) and allow proper drying time according to manufacturer’s specifications. After staining add an exterior grade, paintable clear caulk around the edges of all trim boards. Then apply the first coat of varnish to the outside and edges of each section and allow recommended drying time. The back of the door panels does not need to be. This allows the door to “breath” should any moisture get into the door. Varnish should be Exterior Alkyd type (Marine type varnish). Sand all varnished surfaces and edges with 320 grit sandpaper (smooth face finish only) and clean all dust from the door. Apply the second coat and allow the door to dry according to manufacturer’s instructions. Doors are ready to hang. If NOT using a stain, apply a third coat of varnish and allow the door to dry. Doors are now ready to hang.

How to maintain and refinish your wood door:

Please annually inspect your door. This inspection includes all surfaces and moving parts. Improperly aligned rollers or tracks need to be repaired to help avoid wear on the wood surfaces that will affect your door. If repainting your door, you will need to have the surfaces sanded and re-primed following the same steps as listed above. If your door is stained and varnished or varnished only, the steps needed depend on the wear shown. Please consult your painting professional or paint company and follow the steps recommended by them. Following these steps can greatly extend the service life of your custom wood door and help maintain the beauty of your home’s exterior. If you’re not sure when to refinish a garage door, you can always consult with your local garage door dealer, who is likely to have experts on staff who can advise you.  Generally, it is a good idea to refinish whenever you notice significant wear on your garage door surface.

For More Information, Contact Best Overhead Door Today

Best Overhead Door has decades of experience providing garage door service in Oregon, and we urge you to take advantage of our knowledge. When you order a high-quality Clopay® garage door from Best Overhead Door, we can customize it so it comes in the right color or stain to match your home’s exterior décor and/or your overall style.

Over time, however, that finish may wear down and require repainting to protect your garage door and restore a cohesive, appealing look to your home’s exterior. If you have any questions on how to get a new Clopay garage door or how and when to refinish your current door, give us a call today at (503) 620-1205 or contact us online now.

We are available for emergency and 24/7 calls at (503) 707-0848. You can also schedule service or request an estimate online. We serve the Portland metro area as well as Vancouver, WA. We look forward to helping you with your garage door needs.

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