By Joe Wilde Company on May 1, 2013
One of the most common questions that we are asked by our customers is, “Which are better, chain drive or belt drive garage door openers?” Just like many other products, each has their advantages and disadvantages. We’ll help weigh the options for you.
Belt-Drive Operators:
Advantages –
- Belt-driven operators are very quiet. This is often a necessity when the living room is adjacent or in close proximity to the garage.
- Hardly any maintenance is required on a belt-driven operator.
Disadvantages –
- Many explain that belt-driven operators aren’t as durable as their counterparts, however we tend to disagree. The belts located in these operators feature a rubber belt which is hard to damage.
Chain-Driven Operators:
Advantages –
- Chain drive units can lift a large amount weight, which is important for big commercial or wooden garage doors. They often tend to be slightly more durable than their counterparts.
- Chain drive operators are also less expensive than belt drives.
Disadvantages –
- Conversely, chain-driven operators tend to be extremely noisy because the chain in the unit will hit against the guided rail.
- In most occasions, additional maintenance is required. Oiling and maintaining the chain is a job on its own. An over oiled chain can gather unnecessary grit and dust which will stop smooth operating and an oil-lacking chain will cause even more noise.
Our Choice –
We tend to recommend belt-driven operators for an attached garage because of the quietness of the unit. On the other hand, a chain-driven operator is a good choice for a detached garage, where low cost is a factor.
To read more on the subject visit the following FAQ page:
http://www.joewilde.com/resources/faqs.php#OP Types
Posted in Garage Door Accessories, Garage Door Tips, Maintenance | Tagged Belt Drive, Chain Drive, Garage Door Opener, Milwaukee Garage Doors
By Joe Wilde Company on April 1, 2013
Why didn’t the garage door close? Ever have to ask yourself that question? Unfortunately, this happens more than you might realize. Typically when a garage door fails to close it’s a result of the safety beams malfunctioning. They are the little sensors that are on each side of the opening, approximately six inches off the floor. If the safety beams are misaligned or
blocked and depending on brand, an indicator light will either be flashing or not be lit on one side. In some occasions, reflection of light from the sun can cause your safety beams to malfunction. If you think that’s the case, attempting to realign the safety beams might work for you.
If your garage door problem isn’t safety beam related and your door is sitting crooked, has come off the tracks or is not working properly…please call a professional immediately. Leaving the door hanging can be extremely dangerous. Many don’t realize that the garage door is the largest moving object in your home and many have been injured. Be safe & take caution!
If your door still isn’t functioning it could be an operator or transmitter issue. First, try to use the wall button instead of a transmitter or try replacing the batteries in your remotes. Some operators have an indicator light that turns on when service or troubleshooting is needed.
If nothing works, it’s time to call your local garage door company and ask for help! Remember to practice caution and stay safe.
Posted in Garage Door Tips, Maintenance | Tagged garage door, Garage Help, Garage Tip
By Joe Wilde Company on March 1, 2013
Everyone is looking to get the biggest bang for their buck nowadays, especially when it comes to your home. Many people don’t realize how good of an investment a new garage door is. Remodeling magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value survey has found that replacing a garage door ranks among the top 10 home improvement projects for return on investment.
The 2012-2013 Cost vs. Value survey found that garage door replacement is the second-best ranked project for returning value. It’s not surprising as a garage door upgrade can make a dramatic impact on curb appeal, which helps to increase the value when selling a home.
Picking out the perfect garage door to match a home’s style is easy with online tools that allow homeowners to upload a photo of their home and test various garage doors to see how they look before buying.
The study, available at www.costvsvalue.com compares the average cost for 35 popular remodeling projects with the value those projects retain at resale.
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Joe Wilde Company offers over 420 years of combined experience and extensive industry knowledge under our roof. A third generation, family-owned company serving three generations of customers!
Posted in Garage Door Tips | Tagged curb appeal, garage, garage door, return, roi, Tip, value
By Joe Wilde Company on February 1, 2013
Has your energy bill been higher or lower this year? Don’t overlook the fact that your garage door can have a major effect on heat loss in the home. The truth is, winterproofing
your garage door can be a cost-effective way to help retain heat and save money in the process.
Doors should be weatherstripped, especially if a bedroom or living room is above the garage. Add weatherstripping around the perimeter and bottom of the door to keep the cold out. It’s also helpful to add ventilation to your garage to allow moisture to evaporate without condensing on doors and windows.
It’s vitally important to maintain your garage door, especially during the winter months when moving parts can come loose causing your door to be unsafe. Always contact a reputable garage door company to make any repairs, as safety should be your number one concern.
Posted in Garage Door Accessories, Garage Door Tips, Maintenance | Tagged door, garage door, Winter, Winterproofing
By Joe Wilde Company on January 1, 2013
Although we haven’t seen much snow yet this winter, cold weather is right around the corner! Don’t let winter’s freeze be the cause of your garage door seal freezing to the concrete floor. Living in Wisconsin, you’ve probably experienced snow piling up against your door or water dripping from your gutters causing your door to stick.
The simplest fix is to use normal table salt. Sprinkle a healthy amount on the concrete, where the concrete and rubber seal meet. This will minimize the chances of the door freezing to the concrete. Storing a bag of salt outdoors probably isn’t a bad idea.
Throwing down salt may not be enough to fix this problem. Make sure snow is swept clear of the door and reapply salt if necessary. Using this handy garage door tip can help your door operate smoothly during the cold Winter seasons.
Posted in Garage Door Accessories, Garage Door Tips | Tagged Garage Tip, Ice, Seal, Snow, Winter, Wisconsin
By Joe Wilde Company on December 1, 2012
If you’re in the market for a new garage door, you’ll want to consider an insulated door. However, not all garage doors need to be insulated. It’s important to know why an insulated garage door can be beneficial. There are a couple of things which may influence your decision.
- Which way does your garage door face? If your door is in direct sunlight a good portion of the day…maybe your door doesn’t need insulation. However, if your garage door is shaded or faces away from direct sunlight you should consider insulation.
- How do you use your garage? If your garage door is more than just a garage…you might want an insulated door. For example, if the garage is used as an extra bedroom or a workshop, insulation is almost a must. Insulation may also be necessary if there are items in the garage which need to remain at a certain temperature.
- Do you live in harsh weather conditions? If you live in an area that has harsh summers or winters, an insulated garage door will help your garage stay at a comfortable temperature year-round.
An Insulated garage door can save on heating and cooling costs and keep your garage warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Contact a professional (www.joewilde.com) to learn more about the different insulation options available.
Posted in Garage Door Tips, Maintenance | Tagged Insulation, Save Money, summer, Tip, value, Winter
By Joe Wilde Company on October 31, 2012
October has just come to an end, which means only ONE MORE YEAR until Halloween! While you’re eating all of your Halloween Candy, we thought we’d show you some cool garage door covers.
These garage door covers are shockingly accurate and can be attached to your garage door using Velcro. If you’re looking for a way to add to your Holiday decorations, these will make your house stand out! These amazing 3-D images created by Thomas Sassenbach really add a different element to your home. There are many images available including vehicles, landscapes, animals, flags & more! Trick people on your block into thinking you have a tank in your garage!
Make sure to visit his website and let us know what you think!
Posted in Garage Door Fun | Tagged Fun, Halloween, Holiday, Tips, Velcro
By Joe Wilde Company on October 1, 2012
It’s October, and we’re getting ever so close to winter! I bet many of you are ready to move that lawnmower of yours into storage. Don’t you fear, there’s still plenty of grass that needs to be cut! However, thieves are targeting objects that are easy to transport from your open garage, directly under homeowner’s noses.
Lawnmowers aren’t the only targeted item: tools, lawn equipment or even an unlocked vehicle. Here are some general security tips that should be practiced in your garage.
1) Secure everything. Ok, maybe not everything…but items like lawn mowers, snow blowers & bikes.
2) Lock the car & don’t leave a set of keys in the car. Thieves may target your set of wheels first.
3) KEEP THE GARAGE DOOR CLOSED! If you’re working in the yard and out of view of the garage, close the door. A keyless entry is a great accessory for quickly entering your garage without needing a remote. And always keep your door closed at night. An inexpensive garage door monitor can tell you from your bedside if the garage door is open or closed.
The takeaway lesson from these types of crimes comes down to the old saying, “better safe than sorry.” Protect your valuables and make your garage and home a safer living place by using these tips!
Posted in Garage Door Security, Garage Door Tips | Tagged garage, security, Thief
By Joe Wilde Company on August 31, 2012
Many people underestimate the importance of a quality garage door. A garage door serves many purposes, but one of the most important is the value it adds to your home. In what ways can a garage door add value to your home?
Some answers are obvious:
1) A beautiful door adds value to your curb appeal. Let’s face it, one of the first things visitors see is your garage door. First impressions are everything!
2) The garage is a main access point into your home. Having a quality door improves security, protecting your home’s valuables!
3) The garage can serve as a multi-use room! It can be used as everyday storage, a play area, an entertainment room, “man-cave” or additional living space.
The best garage door won’t help if it’s installed improperly. Choosing a reputable door installation company is key. The International Door Association (IDA) provides consumers with a list of IDA dealers.
http://www.doors.org/source/members/ZipRadiusSearch.cfm?Section=Membership_Directory.
Referrals from friends, family and co-workers are another way to seek out a quality installation company. Read our Customer Testimonials and you will see why we’ve been a favorite in garage door installations since 1945 in southeastern Wisconsin.
A garage door is an investment that will continue to add value to your home year after year.
Posted in Garage Door Tips | Tagged curb appeal, garage, garage door, value
By Joe Wilde Company on July 31, 2012
Have you noticed that some people leave their garage doors open just a little bit? …especially during the summer. Home owners tend to leave their garage door slightly cracked open. What’s their reasoning?
You will mainly see this occur during the summer, the hottest time of the year. Leaving the garage door open a bit can help increase the airflow in your garage. This shouldn’t subject your home to the air outside, but it can help cool down your garage. Homeowners who have “heat sensitive” objects in their garage can benefit from this useful technique.
One of the major advantages that many homeowners do not realize is that your garage door opener loves a little bit of cool air. As we all learned in grade school, hot air rises and that is where your opener is located. Your opener is subject to overheating if the motor temperature gets too hot in your garage. Don’t worry, many modern garage door openers have a sensor that shuts down the opener if the temperature rises too high.
If you are against leaving your garage door open, there are other steps you can take to help ventilate your garage. Installing a garage screen will be a huge help in ventilating your garage. Instead of leaving your door open a couple of inches, your whole garage is getting a steady airflow. A garage screen also prevents animals and bugs from entering your garage during the day while your garage is open.
Posted in Garage Door Tips, Maintenance | Tagged garage, garage door, summer, vent
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