Do you really need an insulated garage door? We hear this question every week. It’s really not as simple as a “yes” or “no” answer. The fact is everyone has different needs, architectural layouts, garage environments and mini-climates, etc. What might be a yes for you might be a no for another person, and so forth. I can tell you the reasons why insulating your current door or installing a new insulated garage door might be a good option for you. Keep reading to learn more. For topnotch garage door repair in Raleigh, call Hanson Overhead today.

Benefits of Non-insulated Garage Doors

There is nothing wrong with having a garage without insulation, however, the only real benefit is the cost. These garage doors cost less when comparing apples to apples. Here are my top reasons for having a non-insulated garage door.

If you have a shed, or detached garage that’s only for storage and parking, spending extra money on insulated garage doors doesn’t really make sense. This is especially true if the walls and ceilings do not have insulation. On the other hand, if your shed or detached is your she-shed, mancave, hangout spot, family entertainment area, home gym, art studio, etc., insulation could make sense, especially if the walls and ceilings have insulation.

Non-insulated doors are good options for house flippers, remodelers, landlords, or other customers with budgets that do not allow for extra options. If you own rentals and want to extend your dollars, non-insulated doors are the way to go when replacing.

The Cons

Garage doors without insulation operate louder than their counterparts. The insulation acts as a noise dampener and absorbs much of it like a sponge as the door travels. Doors without insulation can also be less rigid as the backs of the panels are hollow. The picture above is a great example of the differences.

Hollow back doors, especially without support struts, can bow, flex, and sag over time, which can cause panel tearing and splitting. Once a panel starts to tear, it will need to be replaced. If not, it will fold in on itself when opening or closing, which is very dangerous.

Why Insulate?

There are lots of really good reasons for going with an insulated garage door. The biggest advantages are quietness, temperature control, and longevity.

If noise is a big concern for you then you will absolutely want to insulate. Like I mentioned above, there is a big difference in the loudness between non-insulated and insulated Raleigh garage doors. I often like to use my “can of soda” analogy. A full can of soda is very stout. However, after pouring the liquids out the hollow can now feels flimsy and weak. You can make the can pop and crackle by twisting it and squeezing it. The same can be said for a hollow back non-insulated garage door.

Is your garage space too hot or cold? An insulated garage door might help. Depending on the R-value, an insulated garage door can make a big difference in the temps you see inside the garage during both the winter and summer. You might be asking about what R-value means. We’ll get into that in a later post, but, it’s the insulative properties of the garage door. The higher the R-value number, the more insulation it provides.

Most insulated garage doors also have a longer life span. Insulated panels are more durable because the backs are not hollow. The insulation gives the panels support as the door travels up and down. This helps in preventing panels from tearing. Most insulated garage doors can also last roughly 20 – 30 years. Results vary.

Come back soon for more helpful and educational garage door repair in Raleigh tips. In the next installment, we’ll talk more about the different types of garage door insulation. Want to get your existing garage door fitted with an insulation kit? Contact Hanson Overhead today to discuss your options. These kits work for most non-insulated metal garage doors, however some limitations do apply. For more information about why Hanson Overhead is the number one garage door company in Raleigh, keep reading.

Garage Door Repair in Raleigh That You Can Trust!

Garage door repair in Raleigh NC gets no better than what you find with the pros at Hanson Overhead. We’re proud to offer the best prices, products, and warranties in the Triangle. General maintenance, repairs on all types of doors and motors, and new installs for replacement doors and new construction homes, Hanson can do it all.

Call us today at 919-829-0940 to learn more about all of the amazing services we provide. We also offer garage door repair in Clayton, Smithfield, Four Oaks, as well as other parts of Johnston and Wake Counties.

Making sure we are prepared for any and all emergency situations is a large part of being a homeowner. While we can’t prevent natural disasters and extreme weather conditions, we can be as prepared as possible to deal with them as they come. Below, you’ll find a list of items you can pull together to make your own emergency home kits so that you’ll have them ready to use when need be.
According to nsc.org, the following items should be gathered and placed together in a place where they can be used when needed:

• Assorted zip lock bags and heavy duty aluminum foil – to keep food fresh once opened
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities to keep children entertained and occupied
• Cash or credit card with an available balance – You may need cash and it’s possible  ATMs could be down or out of money, making it difficult to purchase needed supplies, or you may even need to evacuate your home and check into a hotel
• Copies of important family documents stored in a waterproof container, such as birth certificates, health insurance cards, account numbers as well as a listing of doctors and phone numbers of your close contacts
• Disposable cups, plates and utensils – this is important for sanitation as you wouldn’t want to wash your dishes with your limited supply of water or with unsanitary water
• Enough nonperishable food (for at least three days) and can opener – it’s best to keep protein-packed foods you can cook without electricity, such as tuna, peanut butter or granola bars and have appropriate food for everyone in your family, especially infants and even pets
• First aid kit with the basics, such as gauze, tape etc. and an emergency reference material, such as NSC First Aid quick guide
• Flashlight with extra batteries to get around safely should the power go out
• Hand crank radio or battery powered radio with extra batteries – to stay up-to-date on the latest weather alerts
• Hand sanitizer, moist towelettes and garbage bags for sanitation
• Paper and a pencil or marker – you may need to create a sign for help or leave a note
• Plastic sheeting & duct tape – in case a window breaks or you get a leak in your roof
• Prescription medications and glasses
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
• Toolkit with scissors and basic tools in case you need to shut off utilities etc.
• Water (one gallon per person, per day for at least three days)
• Whistle to signal for help in case you get stuck and rescuers need to locate you
• Wooden stick matches in a waterproof container – to start a fire in your fireplace or charcoal grill if needed

We hope this list of items will help you get as prepared as possible for an emergency, should it happen. For more home safety tips, be sure to visit back with our blog again, soon.

Hanson Overhead | Raleigh Garage Door

Home safety is a major concern of ours and it carries into the safety of your  Raleigh garage door, as well. To have a maintenance check done, to ensure your garage door is working properly and safely, contact us, today. We will schedule an appointment for our repair specialist to come out and assess your garage door and how well it’s working so you don’t have to worry about whether or not it’s safe!

Green Your Garage | Raleigh Garage Door Repair

Having a “green” home is a very popular home trend and has been for the past few years. While building a green home can be very costly, there are a few ways you can turn your current home and garage into a more eco-friendly space! That’s right! There are a few strategies that you can implement to make your garage green and functional!
New Garage Door. Is your garage attached to your home? If so, is it completely insulated? An uninsulated garage door can majorly increase your energy usage. Insulated garage doors are very green, and they can save a ton on energy! In addition, consider looking for energy-efficient windows and doors, as well. At the very least, make sure all windows and external doors are weather-stripped to keep air flow out. You can even use sustainable and renewable materials such as light sensors and low or no-VOC paints. According to the EPA, indoor air quality is considered one of the top five hazards to healthy home living and the paints you use contribute to that.
Rain Conservation. A great way to be green is to conserve water. If you’re looking to make your garage green, consider only using collected rain water to wash your car, clean out the garage, and in the sink you have in your garage. A rain barrel is great for these things and the uses for that conserved water are endless!
Remove appliances. Extra refrigerators and freezers are popular items to have in your garage. Unfortunately, they use a good bit of energy. Because most garages have a damp temperature, the refrigerator and freezer work harder to compensate for the temp difference, therefore, using more energy than they do inside the home. Try to live without a fridge or deep freezer in the garage and you’ll notice a huge energy bill difference!
Hanson Overhead | Raleigh Garage Door Repair
Making these changes can really impact your energy use and turn your garage into an eco-friendly space! If you’ve been contemplating whether or not you need new a garage door, now might be the best time to purchase them. Weatherproofed, insulated doors are great for keeping the upcoming warm weather out of your garage and home. Contact our Raleigh garage door repair experts to schedule a consultation for new doors, today!

Stage Your Garage | Raleigh Garage Door Repair

You probably know at least one homeowner that has a spotlessly clean and organized garage. Chances are, the tools are organized, the walls are clean and the floor is painted. They also have their garage door maintained regularly by a Raleigh garage door repair guy, as well.
While you might feel inclined to go into their garage and throw everything on the ground and kick it around a bit, it’s best to just take advantage of the situation. You’ll be able to take their garage and use it as an example of how yours will look when you’re done cleaning and organizing!
You don’t want to get mad at the fact that their garage is better than yours – you want to appreciate it and aim to get yours in that same condition!
Now comes the (not-so) fun part! First, you’ll want to pull each and every item out of your garage, until the entire room is empty. Then, clean the garage until it’s spotless. Of course, cleaning a garage isn’t anything like cleaning the inside of a home. There are going to be oil stains, grease on the walls, and more grime that you don’t typically find inside the home.
The best way to tackle the grime and remove it is to power-wash it. Once, you’re done, use a paint scraper to remove anything that’s left behind such as paint splatters and other things that are stuck on the walls or floor. For oil stains, use an oil and grease remover cleaner to make sure they are lifted from the surfaces.
Once you’re done with all the cleaning and your garage is spotless, it’s time to paint the walls and floor! Use a semi-gloss paint for the walls and an epoxy coating for the floor. You’re going to be very pleased with things once the paint dries and you’re able to see how much work you’ve actually done!
The next step is to get organized! All that “stuff” you’re storing in the driveway right now must go somewhere! Hopefully, not all of it will find its way back to the garage.
Some of the best items to use for organization are:

• Pegboards
• Built-in cabinetry
• Heavy-duty storage bins
• Shelving with smaller storage bins

For hanging tools, the pegboard will be great! As for the built- cabinets, store your bulky items so that there’s not much sitting around on the floor of the garage. After all, you’ll want to show off that newly epoxy painted floor! Using the built-in cabinets, storage bins and shelving will help keep your garage looking well-maintained and orderly!
Donate all items you don’t need or want and put the rest of the things you won’t need while the house is on the market in a storage facility, or at a friend or family member’s house. You’ll want to keep as much out of your garage as possible during showings. Also, be sure to move the cars out of the garage during showings, as well.
We hope these tips will help you get your garage in tip-top shape so that it will wow potential buyers as they come to view your home!
Hanson Overhead Garage | Raleigh Garage Door Repair
Hanson Overhead Garage Door Service is a quality company that does quality work. Along with new garage door installation, our team also does garage door repair. We even sell garage door openers. If you are having trouble with your current garage door or opener, or need help deciding what kind of doors your garage needs, be sure to contact us for more information about our Raleigh garage door repair company.
 

Enhance the Look of Your Garage! | Raleigh Garage Door Repair 

Are you looking to enhance the look of your garage this coming spring? If so, our Raleigh garage door repair team is here to offer you a few tips to help you plan!
Integrate Landscaping
The exterior of your garage is a great place to integrate landscaping. There’s almost always a nice spot for planter boxes on the windows or on either side of the garage doors. If you have a detached garage, the possibilities are endless. Oftentimes, you can landscape the front or side of your detached garage just as you do your home! Small trees and shrubs are great additions to the exterior of a detached garage!
Add a Porch
Detached garages are usually placed out of the way, toward the side or back of the home. Because of this location, it’s easy to add a porch (open or screened in). Adding a porch on to the side of your garage – even if it isn’t detached – is a great way to add a warm and inviting characteristic!
Enhance Style
According to bhg.com, “With well-chosen materials and features, a garage can become a major factor in the overall design of a home.”
Especially when a garage occupies a dominate effect at the front of a home, you’ll have tons of visual opportunities to enhance it. Add a stone exterior, wooden carriage garage doors or a balcony to create interest and style! If your home is painted a lighter color, consider painting your garage a darker color to add visual interest. Thinking outside the box when adding style to your garage is key for creating curb appeal.
Lighting
Exterior lighting is always a great way to enhance the exterior of your home. It’s especially beneficial around the garage area for more than one reason. In addition to adding interest, exterior garage lighting also offers benefits to those that have early morning or late night arrivals home in the dark. Be sure to add lights to the front walls of the garage, next to the garage doors, as well as a few lining the driveway and walkways. Also consider adding an automatic light that turns on as your garage door opener opens the garage doors.
Special Features | Raleigh Garage Door Repair 
Adding a special feature to your existing garage to help enhance it is key. A weather vane on top of the roof ridge, window caps or a garage door that stands out above the rest of the enhancements will offer a personal touch.
Enhancing your garage is easy with these tips! If you’re interested in talking with our Raleigh garage door repair team about other ways you can enhance your garage or if you’re looking for new garage doors,give us a call! Our company reviewed hundreds of different brands of garage doors before settling on the best quality doors available on the market. The quality and look of our doors can’t be beat. We are proud to serve you with these products and would be happy to come out and do a free consultation for a new garage door installation. To learn more about our garage doors, contact us!