What do Mickey Mouse, the Barbie doll and the iPhone all have in common? These and other famous brands owe their start to someone’s garage.
Single-panel doors are stylish, simple and easy on springs. They can be customized to match a home’s décor. They also offer more design options than sectional doors. Contact Norman Garage Door for professional help.
Throughout history, people have built garages to store their vehicles. These were often just covered sheds that kept the elements out, but they became more elaborate as the popularity of cars grew in the early 1900s. As more and more people were able to afford cars, they needed designated places to keep them in addition to their horses. The first personal garages used carriage house style doors that hung on hinges and swung outward, like a traditional barn door. However, these doors took a lot of wear and tear from having to be opened and closed daily. They also could be difficult to open in winter when the snow was piled up.
In 1921, a man named C.G. Johnson introduced the overhead sectional garage door. This garage door folded upward when in use, which saved space and made it easier to access the vehicle in the garage. Johnson’s invention led to his creation of the Overhead Door Corporation, which is still going strong today. It’s a name that many homeowners know and trust.
After World War II, as car sizes increased, architects began designing homes with attached garages. This way, they could make it as convenient as possible to access the vehicle and avoid having to leave the warmth of home in order to go get it. This trend continued as families started owning multiple vehicles, and it was only a matter of time before the garage came into the modern household.
Now, the garage is one of the most important parts of your home and it can serve a variety of different purposes for your family. It can be a workshop, storage area, or even a playroom. It’s important to maintain your garage and keep it as clean as you can, because this is a place that is used almost every day by the entire household. With this in mind, it’s a great idea to get to know the history of the garage and how the garage door has evolved over the years. Here is a quick look at some of the most important points in the history of the garage.
Materials
A garage door can be made from a variety of materials, each with its own pros and cons. Choosing the right material will determine the overall cost of the door, as well as its insulating and energy efficiency ratings. Some of the most common materials used include steel, aluminum, fiberglass, wood composite and faux or painted wood.
Garage door materials are chosen for their durability, insulating value and aesthetic appearance. A variety of insulation options are available to help reduce energy costs, including polyurethane foam, fiberglass and polystyrene. The IDA (International Door Association) recommends a minimum R-value of R-12 for residential doors and R-20 for commercial ones.
Steel is a popular choice for garage doors because it offers high strength, solid construction and excellent corrosion resistance. The IDA also recommends a minimum of 24 gauge steel for residential and 28 gauge for commercial applications. Steel is not a natural insulator, but it can be layered with polyurethane insulation to provide increased thermal efficiency and to regulate garage temperatures. Steel is prone to dents and dings, however, and care should be taken to prevent collisions with vehicles or other objects.
Aluminum is a lightweight material that offers modern, visual appeal. It is less expensive than steel, and can withstand the impact of vehicles or other objects. It is resistant to rusting and can be easily repaired.
Fiberglass is an alternative to traditional wooden garage doors because it requires little maintenance. It resists moisture, rot and splitting and can be designed with windows to allow more natural light into the garage space. Its lightweight design makes it easy to operate manually and puts less strain on the springs.
Hinges located on the end stiles and centre stile at the meeting rails are necessary to join garage door sections together so they function as a single unit. These hinges are usually welded or screwed to the section and then bolted to the flag angle. The IDA recommends that the thickness of each hinge be inspected to ensure it is adequate for the door’s weight. The IDA also recommends that the hinge cycle life be reviewed.
Styles
There are a wide variety of garage door styles to choose from. Some, like the traditional overhead sectional doors, work well with a wide variety of homes and are highly customizable. Others are more suited to specific home styles. Some garage door manufacturers offer digital visualization tools that allow homeowners to upload a photo of their house and experiment with different colors, panel types, window designs and other customizations to find the perfect look.
For a contemporary design, opt for sleek doors that complement your modern architecture with clean lines and asymmetrical patterns. This style works well with steel and aluminum options, glass doors and minimalist window shapes. If you have a ranch-style house, select a door that coordinates with its low-pitched rooflines and eaves to create a seamless aesthetic.
Craftsman-style houses have roots in the 19th century Arts & Crafts movement. They often feature wood-shingled exteriors and decorative half-timbering, which pairs beautifully with leaded glass garage doors. A wood carriage house style is a great option for these homes, as it blends seamlessly with their classic architecture.
Some garage door brands are designed with a country-inspired feel, featuring wrought iron hardware and rustic finishes. This type of garage door complements farmhouses, cottages and other rural-style houses well. These doors also pair well with windows in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Other garage door styles are more reminiscent of classic European design. They include swing-out doors that open side-to-side, similar to a set of French doors. These doors can be crafted with many options, including windows and decorative handles, for a charming, traditional aesthetic.
A more specialized option is the bifold garage door. These doors, which can be customized with a variety of windows, part in the middle and fold up to each side of your garage. They are a great choice for large spaces because they save headroom and can accommodate oversized sections.
Other garage doors open on a track from side to side, resembling a sliding patio door. They require a larger wall space to operate properly and can be more difficult to install than an overhead door.
Installation
The installation process for a new garage door is a complex one that requires precision and accuracy. It is important to have a professional install your new garage door to ensure that it functions properly and safely for you and your family.
Before the installation process begins, you must remove the old door and any hardware that is attached to it. This process can be challenging because the springs, cables, and pulleys are under a lot of tension. If they aren’t removed carefully, they could break and fly out into the garage, causing damage or injury.
To begin the removal, use a wrench to loosen the screws that secure the hinges on each end of the garage door. Next, apply downward pressure with your feet on the opposite ends of the garage door until it is fully detached from its mounting hardware. After removing the old hardware, mark where you will attach the new brackets on the wall using a level. Then drill holes that are slightly smaller than the screw used to attach the old hardware. Insert the screws and tighten them with an Allen wrench or screwdriver.
Once the new brackets are in place, you can install your garage door track and operator reinforcement bracket (ORB). Next, connect your motor unit that contains the motor and J-arm to the ORB. To provide power to the motor, run the wiring from a ceiling to a wall switch and sensor. The sensors will detect when someone or something is in the path of the door and prevent it from closing.
Once the installation is complete, your new garage door will be ready to be used! Be sure to test it out a few times to make sure that it opens and closes correctly. You should also check that your infrared sensors are functioning properly and are not obstructed by objects or people. If you notice any problems, be sure to call your installer right away.