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Garage Door Buying Tips
Author: Mike Davidson
Automatic garage doors are no longer a convenience for only a
few, the new generation of garage door is reasonably priced,
safe and simple to install.
Here are a number of factors to consider when choosing a garage
door.
The Type of Drive System
1. Screw-drive System The screw-drive system has a lifting
apparatus that moves the length of a steel rod. The system
requires little maintenance due to the very few moving parts.
The system body is mounted in the garage ceiling. The cost for
screw-drive system is generally more than $150 and less than
$200.
2. Chain-drive system
The chain-drive system has a metal chain lifting the garage door
up or down along a set of tracks. The chain-drive system is the
most common and usually the most affordable system. The
chain-drive is priced in the range of $100 to $170.
On the downside, the chain drive system makes more noise than
the screw-drive system. The chain drive system is mounted in the
garage ceiling.
Chain drive mechanism: By far the most popular and affordable
opening device.
3. Computer-controlled system The computer-controlled drive
system uses no screws or chain. The body of the system is
mounted directly above the door. Having the system mounted above
the door helps in garages that have low headroom. Also, it
provides more ceiling space which can be used for storage.
The type of power
Select a motor with enough power to raise your door. Have at
least a motor with ½ hp if you have a double door. A large motor
is likely to last longer. Try to find a motor with a "soft"
start and stop. It operates more quietly and minimizes the wear
and tear.
The speed
The more expensive garage door opens much faster, cutting down
the waiting time on your driveway. The quicker opening model
still closes at a slower speed for safety. Consider how much you
are willing to spend for the quicker models.
Safety concerns
All garage doors have a safety feature that prevents the door
from pinning objects. The door reverses in direction if they hit
something. The safety feature is mandated by federal law. The
safety feature is triggered by an electronic beam.
The computer-controlled mechanism measures the optimal operating
time and speed of the door. It can detect and compensate for
varying conditions - like if the door is coming in to contact
with an obstruction or closing too fast.
Security features
The newer generation of garage doors use random codes for
enhancing security. Each time the remote is used to open the
garage door, a new random code is generated. The security
feature prevents you from opening your neighbor's garage door
and vice versa. The random code prevents code theft.
If the power is out, all garage doors have a manual that will
open the door. A few high-end models have a function that allows
the door to open just a little bit so that your dog or cat can
get out.
The remote control
Several models use a single-button remote control, while others
use a remote with multiple buttons that can open multiple garage
doors. The multiple button remote control is the best choice for
people with several garages, each with its own door. The fixed
controller
The fixed controller is mounted to the wall either inside or
outside near the garage door. The fixed controller allows the
door to be opened without a remote controller. The fixed
controller usually does not come with the standard kit, it is
usually an accessory.
The keypad provides you a means to lock the door for a specified
amount of time, like when you are away on a trip. Another
function is delayed closing, a brief pause between pushing the
button and the closing of the door. The keypad provides a lot of
time to exit on foot without running, dodging the electronic
beam and the garage door.
Lighting
Many garage doors have a security light that turns on as you
turn on the system. The light stays on just long enough for you
to step out of your vehicle and get into the house. Most remotes
have buttons that turns on the light without opening the door.
About the author:
For more great garage door information and resources check out:
href="http://www.garagedoorhq.info">http://www.garagedoorhq.info<
/a>
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