An outdated garage door in need of repair or replacement can cause a number of problems. Your electric-powered door might freeze in place and need to be pulled open or shut by hand, or you may notice squeaking, creaking, or grinding sounds coming from the door or its motor. When your garage door fails to close completely, cold air may drift in through the cracks, resulting in a higher-than-usual electric bill for your family.
You might often expect your garage door to operate flawlessly year-round. However, plunging temperatures and the ice buildup that often comes with it can make it surprisingly difficult to open and close your garage door. If you want to avoid these problems this winter, then you'll want to take a look at more information for preventing a frozen garage door.
Dealing with Ice Formation
Cold weather combined with moisture often equals ice formation on a variety of surfaces, especially those that happen to be cold and metallic.
A garage door can last for a long time. The average garage door has about a 20 year lifespan, though you may need to replace a spring or repair your automatic garage door opener during that time. However, your door will begin to deteriorate aesthetically long before it reaches the end of its useful life. With constant exposure to the elements, the paint will begin to fade, crack, or even peel off.
When it's time to replace your garage doors, there are many factors to consider. Possibly the most important one, however, is the door's material. Garage doors are made from steel, wood, fiberglass, aluminum or a combination of materials. The best type for your home will depend on your answers to the following four questions.
Are There Kids Around?
For many people, children are a joy. There's no denying, however, kids can cause quite a bit of damage to a home.
There's a good chance that your garage door has performed flawlessly over this past summer. As you prepare your home for the winter weather ahead, however, you should also consider how the season's colder temperatures will affect how your garage door operates. Here are a few ways your garage door reacts to cold temperatures, as well as ways you can mitigate those effects.
Shrinking Metal Components
During exceptionally cold temperatures, you might start having trouble opening and closing your garage door.
