… and a very Happy New Year

Garages That Say, `Welcome Home, Cars’

When the car became the dominant means of transport in this country, every new house of any size had to have a garage.

Many if not most of these garages were given a prominent front-row spot – they faced the street. The phrase “attached garage” was a price booster. To be able to walk straight to it from the kitchen without braving the elements was a sign of arriviste luxury.

Often necessitated by lot size, a garage door dominates. Even when it’s not protruding, but set flush in the structure’s front, it manages to draw the eye, to make you look at – because they are closed most of the time – blank walls. The house becomes a backdrop.

“Welcome home, cars,” seems to be the greeting. Here’s the problem: Our cars are bigger and our garages are bigger. Most of our garages face the street so you can’t miss them. Bulky, boring garages make houses look bad and cheap. In certain neighborhoods, the homes look so much alike that the only way to find your house is to use the garage-door opener and see which one goes up.

There is a need to make the front elevation of the home inviting, and not a moment too soon, for communities that could fairly be described as a vast wasteland of ugly garages. Adding distinctive architectural styling to the garage, simply, can add curbside drama.

… and to all

a very Merry Christmas.

Overhead Door – Wayne-Dalton Deal Approved by Regulators

Wayne-Dalton Corp. was officially purchased for more than $14 million by the Dallas-based Overhead Door Corp. and its parent company, Sanwa Holdings Corporation in Tokyo. The change in ownership will not mean any current changes in the products produced, the location of the factory or the number of employees working for Wayne Dalton.

Overhead Door announced Sept. 2 that it had reached an agreement with Wayne-Dalton to purchase the company. The deal was approved by regulators Dec. 7.

According to information from the Holmes County Auditor’s office, the facilities, property and holdings of Wayne Dalton sold for $14.3 million. Under the agreement, Wayne-Dalton will remain a separate brand and the facility in Mount Hope will continue operating.

Overhead Door began selling garage doors in 1921 and sold the first electric door opener in 1926. The company has 19 manufacturing facilities in the United States and the United Kingdom. Its parent company, Sanwa Holdings, was established in 1956 as a shutter manufacturer.

Garage Door Opener Security

Automatic garage doors can leave you susceptible to intruders. The technology does exist for someone to obtain your garage door opener code. Reduce your risk of break-ins by using different types of garage door opener security.

Rolling Code Systems for Garage Door Opener Security

A rolling code system changes your garage door opener code every time you use it. Billions of code combinations are randomly chosen by your rolling code system. This makes it impossible to capture your code into any kind of code grabber system used by a thief.

Code Encrypting Systems

Use a code encrypting system with your remotes when you don’t want to buy new remotes with a rolling code system. The encrypting system attaches to your existing remotes and works by sending a signal to the garage door opener to change the code each time the door operates.

Garage Door Opener Security When You Are Away

A full proof method to discourage intruders while you are away from home is to unplug the garage door opener when you don’t have a rolling code system.

Change Your Garage Door Security Codes

Intruders are known to trigger garage door openers by using a factory code. It is a good idea to change the codes on both your garage opener and remotes after purchasing them.

Also, change the garage door opener security code when moving to a new home.

Big vs. Small Remotes

Garage door remotes are usually big and clip on a car visor. They can invite the attention of a thief to gain access to your garage. Newer remotes are smaller and often fit on your key chain making it a more secure alternative.

Garage Door Opener Security Receiver

The receiver is an added security measure. It can be placed inside your home so you can easily see a flashing light that indicates your garage door is open.

Garage door Opener Security Light

Most garage door openers have a light that automatically comes on whenever the door is operating. This allows you to safely enter and exit your garage at night. 

Automatic garage doors can leave you susceptible to intruders. The technology does exist for someone to obtain your garage door opener code. Reduce your risk of break-ins by using different types of garage door opener security.

Rolling Code Systems for Garage Door Opener Security

A rolling code system changes your garage door opener code every time you use it. Billions of code combinations are randomly chosen by your rolling code system. This makes it impossible to capture your code into any kind of code grabber system used by a thief.

Code Encrypting Systems

Use a code encrypting system with your remotes when you don’t want to buy new remotes with a rolling code system. The encrypting system attaches to your existing remotes and works by sending a signal to the garage door opener to change the code each time the door operates.

Garage Door Opener Security When You Are Away

A full proof method to discourage intruders while you are away from home is to unplug the garage door opener when you don’t have a rolling code system.

Change Your Garage Door Security Codes

Intruders are known to trigger garage door openers by using a factory code. It is a good idea to change the codes on both your garage opener and remotes after purchasing them.

Also, change the garage door opener security code when moving to a new home.

Big vs. Small Remotes

Garage door remotes are usually big and clip on a car visor. They can invite the attention of a thief to gain access to your garage. Newer remotes are smaller and often fit on your key chain making it a more secure alternative.

Garage Door Opener Security Receiver

The receiver is an added security measure. It can be placed inside your home so you can easily see a flashing light that indicates your garage door is open.

Garage door Opener Security Light

Most garage door openers have a light that automatically comes on whenever the door is operating. This allows you to safely enter and exit your garage at night.

Garage Door Emergency Release Latch

Well you probably don’t think about the electricity cutting out in your home. If it happens to you, how can you get your garage door open? No need to worry, there are solutions to your problem.

The first solution is using the “emergency release latch” which all automatic openers provide. The latch allows you to manually open the garage door by hand. 

To do this:

1. Locate the release mechanism. Somewhere along the track between the motor and the door should be the drive carriage and a release mechanism with a cord hanging down. Usually it will be closer to the door assuming it is closed. If the power is out and your garage is dark, you may need to use a flashlight to help you see.
2. Pull the handle to release the carriage. It may take a little force especially on an older opener that might be stuck. Pull all the way until it stops to be sure it is completely released. If not fully released, attempting to manually open the door could damage the opener.
3. Manually open the garage door. Now the garage door should be able to freely open and close. Be aware that anyone will be able to open the door from outside. You might want to use a latch if this is not a temporary solution.
4. Re-engage the automatic door opener. Once the power has been restored or the opener has been repaired, pull the release cord again to make sure it is fully open. Manually raise or lower the door until the carriage locks into place. Verify that the opener works as expected.

Lifting up a garage door is a trivial action for the majority of us; nonetheless, utilizing the emergency release latch can turn out to be a daunting task for the elderly or the young.  There is an alternative.  A battery-operated power backup is a proven and effective solution; although, it does come at a price.  Essentially, the battery backup is powered by the mains when not in use and kicks in automatically when required.  Due to the fact that it is battery operated, it has a limited number of uses before recharging is required – an important note for those prolonged power outages.

A Garage Door’s Value: Well Worth the Cost

A quality garage door adds value to your home and increases security. There are many styles to choose from including traditional tilt up designs. For most homes door on the garage is selected to enhance the exterior home design and for most homes brings added curb appeal to the overall look of the property. An ill fitting or sloppy looking garage door is a turn off to potential buyers but can easily be fixed with proper repair, maintenance service or with a beautiful new model.

A garage useful for many purposes is a space that adds value to the property. Many people use the garage for storage space or even convert it into an extra room. It is large and can provide a smooth surface for games or sports practice. In summer weather the garage might be used as a summer patio area, offering protection from inclement weather.

If the heating and cooling system for the home is located in the garage area having an insulated and weatherproof garage will help keep utility costs down. A secure garage space gives the homeowner additional peace of mind along with monetary utility savings and is well worth the additional improvement costs.

Experts can install a door of various sizes in width and height. Single, double and one and a half size doors are made in standard widths from 8 to 20 feet. Most overhead doors are 7 to 8 feet tall but a custom unit can be made to fit openings with special sizes. Materials include wood, vinyl, steel, fiberglass or aluminum. Door sections may be flat, paneled, or have windows. Styles include simple lift up, sectional, barn door, sliders and swing-out doors.

A good reason to fix or replace damaged doors on your garage is the security factor, since most garages have direct access to the interior of a home and often the entrance to the home is unlocked or easy to force open. A well-designed door system operating properly adds security to the entire area including entry to the home. Units that fit snugly in the frame are not easy to jimmy open and heavy systems operate easily with remote control devices and mechanical lifting systems. Being energy efficient helps reduce energy consumption while adding comfort and protection from weather.

Proper installation is important for the alignment and fit of the door to the opening. Costs are determined by the type of garage door, materials and installation.

Remember, a good looking garage door will add to your home’s value in the long run.

Fish House Made of Garage Doors

Minnesota’s lakes are welcoming fish houses to their frozen surfaces. Fish house variety is what makes the structures so unique and appealing, no matter their dimensions. From single person shelters, the size of a large dog house, to mini Taj Mahal look-a-likes, each shanty has its own personality.

A most unique form was built by Terry Bartness, a former Park Rapids School Superintendent who passed away Nov. 4.

Using discarded insulated garage doors to build what would become known as his “fish house condominium.” It even has a birdhouse attached!

Kudos to Terry for Most Creative Use of Discarded Garage Doors, and for being so resourceful!

Source: Jason Durham, Park Rapids Enterprise

Overhead Door completes Wayne-Dalton buy

Dallas-based Overhead Door Corp. has completed its purchase of the door and storm-panel operations of Wayne-Dalton Corp., based in southern Ohio. Here we go folks!

The deal creates the largest maker and distributor of residential and commercial overhead doors in North America, with a combined 3,800 employees, 24 manufacturing facilities, 79 regional distribution centers and 2008 revenue of about $1 billion. For now. We’ll see how long it lasts until they start laying off people and closing facilities due to overlap.

Overhead Door, said in a statement the acquisition would enhance the company’s position within the residential and commercial door market and help ensure long-term growth. It also will allow both groups to continue to focus on product innovations that will generate better and feature-rich products for the marketplace. Unlikely.

As part of the integration, the brand identities, product lines and distribution channels of both Overhead Door and Wayne-Dalton will be preserved. We’ll see if that happens. It’s been attempted before and never lasted. Turned out to be a fiasco.

Today’s History Lesson: The Garage Door Opener

The garage door opener as we know it- electrical, that is- was first created by a man named C.G. Johnson in Indiana in the twenties.

Electrical garage door openers do not actually supply the lifting power to close or open a garage door- that actually comes from the springs (counterbalance springs) that exert pressure to lift the garage door by way of cables. The electrical opener exists to control to what degree the door opens or shuts, not to actually supply the lifting power. (In modern garage doors, openers also serve as locks.)

An electric garage door opener is mostly a power unit- this contains the motor, and is attached to a track. There’s a trolley, attached by and arm to the top of the garage door, that slides backwards and forwards on the track, forcing the door to open and shut. This trolley is forced along the track by one of three possible mechanisms: a chain, a rubber belt, or a metal screw that twists as the motor turns on. The trolley also has a mechanism that can quickly release the garage door for power outages or other situations in which the doors needs to be manually operated.

All of these mechanisms hang above the garage door inside the garage, with the power unit near the rear.