Companies like Garage Accessories R US advise that there are several other reasons why you should use garage door floor seals; and to quote just a few- garage door seals keep out leaves, dirt, water, snow and unwanted insects and also help to save money by insulating your garage in the winter. The Tsunami Seal® will keep your garage in great condition and can help preserve the life of your garage door. You don’t need any extra skill to perform the installation, anyone can do it.

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Buy your garage door floor seal kit at Garage Accessories R US. This kit comes complete with all the tools you need. Using these garage door seals not only keeps out dust, dirt and rodents but also helps to insulate your garage in the winter months.

If you’ve just got your new garage built, chances are that you had difficult time deciding which was the right garage door opener for your situation. Others may say that an opener is just an opener, and as long as it does its job, which is to open and to shut the garage door, it cannot be wrong. However, going deeper in details, you’ll see how many types of garage door openers are there, thus making your choice difficult.

First of all, there are many brands. My father has a Stanley garage door opener operated by remote, and he is satisfied with it. In my opinion, Stanley or not Stanley, Genie or Liftmaster, or Chamberlain, a garage opener needs to have certain qualities and features as a remote control, a service team ready to install it and to help me with troubleshooting in maintenance and operation, plus an affordable price and an extended guarantee. Is Stanley offering all these? Probably they do, but I think others may do it as well. You definitely need to do some research prior to buying anything.

Garage Door Openers Types

There are three different types of door openers:

1. chain driven opener
2. belt driven
3. screw drive openers

Each of them fits a different purpose, and they are chosen depending on the door’s weight or size. A chain driven garage door opener is appropriate for heavy doors, like the wooden garage doors, which are massive, solid, and usually weigh quite a lot more that other doors made of composite materials or aluminum. So, wooden doors are a match here. Chain drives are driven by a powerful motor, which gives them resistance to bad weather conditions, but which makes them a bit noisy.

Screw drive openers come as the most common option for usual garage doors. They typically work buy having a lifting mechanism that moves along a threaded steel rod. These are quite powerful and come in variety of different horse power motors.

Last but not least, the belt driven model of garage door opener has the great quality of being extremely silent. If your garage is neighboring a bedroom, you may want to choose it for your door. The belts do have a tendency to wear out a little fast then the other types of models. Belt driven openers typically don’t have the power that the others have either.

These are the basics when choosing a garage door opener that will suit the needs of your garage.

For more info, you can check out Tyler Casselman’s site Garage Door Openers Guide

Initially, garage door openers were consisting of common remote and a receiver to activate the opener tools. The function of a door opener would depend on the transmitter’s frequency: there is a frequency which opens the door and another one which give the close command. Unfortunately, it may happen that the same frequency is used by another device within the action range, thus giving interference troubles. Wireless garage door openers were another form of earlier door opener technology that had to deal with shared frequency problems.

Modern Garage Door Openers

The modern garage door opener is based multiple transmission technologies. Such a system requires 300 to 400 MHz frequency spectrum, and mostly the transmitter or the receiver has to do with rolling code technology. This technology safeguards it against the recording of a code and its being replayed. With the transmitting of code, the system automatically creates a new code using an encoder. The offset system of a garage opener lifts the door using torsion springs.

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. This can be useful and convenient for garage users.
Nowadays, garage door openers usually have a remote control system, and they come at affordable prices. There are also various counterweight technologies that permit the door to be moved without having too much pressure.

Generally a trolley actuator is used for residential doors. This system is attached with a motor and a trolley. The motor is hung near the ceiling, while the trolley is connected to the door arm. The door opens and closes with the transversal of rail by the trolley.
A jackshaft actuator is another type of actuator that functions with a torsion spring technology. This system is not attached to the door, but to the spring shaft. The shaft rotation of the technology permits the moving of the door. The one big benefit of this system is that it can be operated from the side of the door without the help of a rail, which is needed in a trolley actuator. Usually jackshaft actuators are not preferred, because of their obvious safety concern. The operator will not be able to know if someone is being crushed by the door.

The latest systems come with a chain loop or a steel-reinforced rubber belt, which moves the trolley across the rail. The function of a rubber belt is to eliminate noise during the opening and closing of the door.

You are required to remember certain things before you purchase a garage door opener.

• Your garage door opener system should be dependable, safe and noiseless. Especially for garages that have workshops, bedrooms or offices overhead.
• Always compare the mechanisms of your system with other systems, to purchase the latest as well as most efficient model in the market.
• Compare the cost of different door openers, because dealers may make a large profit from selling a garage opener to you. Look for a system with appealing stop sensors for correct opening and closing.

There are multiple types of garage door openers you can buy from the shops, but you have to choose a safe and efficient system that has all the features you need. Things such as dependable functions, power and speed, automatic reverse, rolling codes and wireless keypads are usually what most customers are after when buying a garage door opener.

One of the most confusing aspects of homebuilding can be the rough opening for an overhead garage door. It is one of the most frequent questions I am asked.

The rough opening for a garage door, simply put, is the actual size of the door itself. For example, if the garage door is a 7′0″ x 16′0″, then that is the size the rough opening should be framed to. This is also what the opening in the foundation should be. The studs and cripples will then stop right at the edge of the foundation.

The foundation usually drops 8″ to allow the concrete floor to be poured over the top of it. This has to be accounted for when figuring the length of the cripples to get the right height of the overhead door header. Normally the floor is poured 3″ below the top of the foundation wall. If the overhead door is 7′ then 4 and 1/2″ is subtracted from that height. This is the 3″ drop and 1 1/2″ for the bottom
plate. Your total cripple length would be 6′ 7 1/2″.

Once the floor is poured, the door jambs can be installed. The width of these jamb pieces vary with the size of the wall and what the wall is finished with (brick, siding, dryvit, etc). The header piece is installed first, then the two side pieces. These go from the header to the finished concrete floor. Once the jambs are in the door can be installed. With the door installed the door stops are then put on either with or without weatherstripping.

If you know the door size of your overhead door, you know the rough opening. From there its determining where to start and stop your framing.

(c) Mike Merisko www.sawkerfs.com

Last Thursday afternoon I was working on a garage door and regrettably loosened the torsion spring too much. This spring is what relieves or neutralizes the weight of the garage door so the openers can work without burning out and so you don’t have to be Arnold Schwarzenegger to open it.

I released the door from the opener and it began closing way too quickly. As I rushed over to try and slow it’s decent, I grabbed the handle with my left hand and was trying to grab anything with my right hand. Unfortunately, the only thing that got grabbed was my pinky finger – two knuckles up. The 1000 lb. door came crashing down so hard it broke the glass in one of its sections.

When the dust cleared and the glass had stopped clinking- I looked over to see my finger clamped firmly and squashed flatly between two sections of the heavy wooden door. I had no one around, no other neighbors were home, and I was trapped, in lots of pain, and unable to get free or lift the door (what would you do?). I tried pulling my cell phone out of my pocket but inside the garage there was no signal.

I did the only thing I could – I screamed for help through the broken glass…

Now, you may be wondering what in the world this painful story has to do with web design- but read on and I’ll explain…

I yelled for what seemed forever, but in reality was maybe five minutes, yet no one came. Now, for a few minutes I thought to myself – “I have a knife in my pocket- am I going to have to cut my own finger off to get free?” Seeing how flat it was crushed I didn’t really think it had much chance of surviving that trauma anyway…

I wasn’t that desperate quite yet and figured I should try calling for help again – and here’s where some recent training with internet marketing came in…( “What are you talking about, Bob?” you ask.)

Dan Kennedy always talks about “leading a customer through your site”. Don’t leave anything to chance. They want to be told exactly what to do next.

So as I stood there in gut wrenching pain, totally unable to move or get free, I thought to myself, “maybe people are hearing my cry for help, but don’t know where it’s coming from. It could be just echoing around the neighborhood…”

So in a last ditch effort, I started screaming (and I can be quite loud) “HELP! I’m trapped in a garage at 52 Lakeview Ave. and I need help NOW!” Within a minute or two about 5 guys came running down the street from somewhere (I don’t know where) and up the driveway. The specific directions worked! They began trying to pry the door up but it had come off the track and was jammed. So their prying was only clamping the door sections even tighter on my finger. OUCH! So once again, I got specific.

I told 2 guys to stay out side-3 to come around back and come inside. I had 2 go to work on the pulleys on either side and get them back in the track, the other one called 911. After what seemed like ages, the door was back on track and lifted high enough to allow the finger to be finally pulled out from between the sections. Ugh. It was nasty looking, flatter than a pancake…(almost surreal)

Now, how does this relate to Web site design? It’s very clear to me… In a matter of life and death (ok-life and death of a finger), nothing happened until I specifically yelled for help with exact directions where to come. I tried for five minutes screaming just for help- that didn’t work. Only when I screamed the address where I was at and what the problem was, did I finally get a good response. Zero before, 5 after. Hey! That’s a 500% increase!

We need to do the same thing with our web design and linking strategies. Specifics- Lead the client or potential client through the process step by step clearly. Use accurate keywords and descriptive text for all your links. Don’t scream out generically, or they will never know where to go next. All they’ll hear is a vacant echo, as they continue doing what they were doing before. And they’ll probably end up someone else’s client because they can’t hone in on where the cry for action is coming from and where they need to go.

Miraculously, after being rushed to the hospital, blood had begun to flow back into the finger and x-rays revealed only a broken knuckle. Because it had been caught sideways, the tendons and nerves were preserved and not cut, aside from some numbness and pain, the finger is well on its way to a full recovery (Phew! Really glad I didn’t cut it off now).

Moral of the story: Design your site and your linking strategies as if your life (or finger) depended on it. Be specific, be specific, and oh yeah, be specific.

Bob

Bob Volk, Founder of VolkNet Enterprises, is an Internet Entrepreneur and has started/co-founded many sites including http://volknet.com, http://seo-elite-services, and his newest venture, an automated link exchange program with a unique twist at http://Link-Blaster.com.
He specializes in Web Site Design, Marketing, and SEO Consultation for both small and medium size businesses doing $30 – $40 million a year.

Home improvement has become a passion and a hobby for so many of us lately. We all try to compete with each other, in our efforts to make our homes unique and personal, while keeping all comfort we need. The look of a garage door is important to accentuate the look of a house. Many people would never consider this to be the case because the garage is the traditionally overlooked and forgotten part of the house. It’s where the biggest mess is, where the most dirt is and where people rarely spend a lot of time.

As true as that is from the inside, from the outside the garage is a huge deal. This becomes truer with each passing year as architectural trends and consumer needs drive the need for bigger garages. These days a three car garage is quite common in a lot of areas and that means three garage doors spanning the front of the house.

Even one garage door can draw attention away from the outer house’s other features. When two of these are these garage doors are placed side by side it seems to take up at least half of the house. Going on three it’s easy to see how the house’s otherwise beautiful look can be swallowed up unless the doors are thought through carefully.

This is why the manufacturing of garage doors has become a booming industry. Different manufacturers bring different things to the table. Some offer heavier steel or a sturdier design. Some boast doors that can withstand high winds while other garage doors are meant to maintain themselves through varying climate conditions. The better in the business manage to offer it all.

With houses getting bigger and more lavish, though, the best garage door is one that not only has the aforementioned physical strengths, but a look that compliments the house without taking away from it. Because of this need we are now able to walk a street without seeing the same color and style of garage door twice.

Van Whitsett has published a number of articles, both online and offline. To learn more about garage doors, please visit: Garage Door

Do you remember those old garage doors that you had to get out of your car and open manually? you really needed strength to operate those doors. Ladies had no chance, I suppose. 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.

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.

What are you doing when it gets too cold outside? Besides paying a fortune on heating and electricity bills, you think to insulate every single part of your home, from the roof, to the attic, to the windows and doors insulation treatments, or even to getting an additional sweater for each member of your family.

If your house has a garage that communicates with the interior, then you’ve forgotten to insulate a very big warmth hog, the garage door. Garage doors, especially those old ones, that were meant to last for a lifetime or more, are made of inefficient materials, which let the heat go out and welcome the cold inside.

Garage Doors Insulation and the R Value

Since about 6 years ago, all garage doors came with a parameter called “R-Value”. This is an indicator of how well will your garage door resist strong winds and retain heat (or cooling) thanks to its internal insulation. The higher the R-Value, the more “insulated” and energy efficient the garage door. Values fall within the range of R3 – R18, typical doors having an R index between 4 and 7. This insulation is typically either a polyurethane material insulation, a polystyrene compound or some foam injected inside the structure of the garage door, which increases thermal efficiency. The insulation r value is not specific to garage doors. It is a general index for the energy efficiency of various insulation types.

How to get quality insulation for older garage doors

Is your garage door that old that it doesn’t have an R-value? If it is still good, you probably don’t want to change it, because of the costs and hassle involved. You can still benefit from high quality insulation by installing one of the “Garage Door Insulation Kits” that conform to just about any residential garage doors. These kits will permit you to refurbish your actual garage door into a money saving, protective shield from the nature’s fury. If you didn’t know by now, find out that the garage door is usually the largest surface area of your home that is not insulated.

A garage door insulation kit is usually made for an 8 foot single car garage door or a 16 foot double car garage door, which should accommodate most garages in use. The kits are usually made out of polystyrene which is a very good insulator for this purpose which will give you about the equivalent to a R-value of about 5. This is pretty decent, if we think that you’ll save a lot of money by lowering your bills without having to replace the whole garage door with a modern, insulated one.

If you are conscious about the way you spend your money, don’t throw them on the window (or shall I say on the garage door?). A simple, relatively cheap garage door insulation kit will provide you the protection that was missing from your house’s insulation. Sometimes it’s better to do a small garage door repair rather than replace the whole door. This will help you save money and manage your family budget in a better way.

You’d be right to be concerned about security with your wireless garage door opener and remote. An intruder can gain access to your garage contents, or even your home if you don’t follow some simple security steps.

Different radio frequencies are used for communication between the remote and the opener. Tiny switches known as dip switches are used to adjust the frequency used between the two. It is a wise idea to reconfigure the dip switch settings to make sure your garage more secure.

A dip switch is a small block of plastic about the size of a dice cut in half. They are usually colored blue or red with 8 to 10 tiny white switch levers positioned up or down. Only when the up / down switch patterns match on both devices will your garage door opener remote control be able to communicate with the opener unit. By adjusting the switch pattern, you are changing the radio frequency used to communicate between the two.

You should be able to easily locate the dip switch on the opener and on the remote control clicker. But to get access to the dip switch on the remote you might need to open it up if the dip switch isn’t found in the battery compartment. Remove the screws holding the remote together, or carefully pry it apart if there are no screws. Once you have access to the dip switch on the remote, scramble the switch positions, and then match the positions on the openers dip switch block. It does not matter what the pattern looks like, so long as its a random pattern that would be difficult for someone to guess.

If you have trouble getting the remote to work after doing this, verify that the dip switch patterns are the same on both units. Then check the remote battery is in good condition, and as usual, make sure the opener has power, and operates normally using the control panel inside your garage. You might have to read the manual if all else fails.

If you are thinking of getting a new garage door opener or have already gotten one, then you will want to change settings, just to make sure everyone is honest. Don’t forget, your installer or anyone working with him knows your frequency switch settings unless you change them. So go ahead and mix up the switch pattern settings and test that it works.

Even if you are a garage door opener installation do-it-yourself type, you’ll want to make the same changes. Don’t just stay with the factory default settings. If you did, then anyone could just drive down your street with a compatible remote until he finds a door that opens and gives access to your home. Make sure that’s not you.

This advice also applies to anyone buying or renting a new home too. Just like you might change the lock to guarantee there are no spare keys floating around that could compromise your home security. You have no way of knowing how many previous residence there might have been. And you wouldn’t want someone to just walk right into your garage or home.

Garage Door Openers have been saving Americans from back injuries for over 35 years, yet there has been few new modifications or major innovations in these garage door openers. Sure there have been nice new features such as the garage door clicker so you do not have to get out of your car. And lights have been added as well; even timers, which turn off the lights if not in use for a certain number of minutes.

Believe it or not some people have voice activated garage door openers instead of you having to place your little finger over the button when you walk from your house to the garage. Pretty funny and perhaps for the person who has every thing. Yet we need more features for our garage door openers. I know what you are saying;

“Oh for Pete’s sake that is silly” or “That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard.”

Well I submit to you that I have a plan that will revolutionize garage door openers forever. How so you ask?

Well I propose that when you go into the garage and say “OPEN!” that the garage door senses the outside air and says;

“Are you sure, it is negative 12 degrees out there with wind chill, don’t you want to wait until you get into the car and start it first?”

Then you can say; “Why yes Genie, thank you for warning me!”

“By your command!”

Once the car is started the garage door opener senses this additional noise or shock sound waves from the car door closing and then it will open for you. So, the future will be pretty cool. Next the ceiling will open and you can vertically take off in your flying car and go to your next destination. Consider this in 2006.

Lance Winslow