The Original All Steel Carriage House Garage Door

The Original STEELHOUSE Door is an innovative “Modern Carriage Door“, manufactured entirely of steel.

The Original STEELHOUSE™ garage doors have two-sided steel insulated facing boards that are textured, roll formed and laminated to steel backers and then mechanically fastened and bonded to a 23 gauge steel section. Four-inch wide, two-sided steel insulated boards are bonded with epoxy cement and mechanically fastened to ensure positive attachment to the face of the door. All Original STEELHOUSE Doors come standard with CFC-free polystyrene insulation.

A “Reinforced Integral Truss System” (RITS™) gives the Original STEELHOUSE doors strength and rigidity that is unmatched by similar products. In addition to their distinctive style and curb appeal, the Original STEELHOUSE patented doors are half the weight and cost of wooden doors. Virtually maintenance-free, the Original STEELHOUSE doors will not warp, crack, or split. Quite simply, it doesn’t get better than that.

From a base of nine models and over 15 designer top sections, Original STEELHOUSE Doors offer more than 200 unique configurations to ensure diversity from one home to the next and from one subdivision to the next. Homeowners, builders, architects and municipalities alike, are using Original STEELHOUSE Doors to bring a fresh, handsome appearance to neighborhoods across the country.

The Original STEELHOUSE Door combines rich traditional styling with three key benefits not found in wooden doors: half the weight, half the cost, and half the maintenance. True to Carriage House style, these doors can be detailed with classically finished handles, pulls, hinge straps, and windows.

Download the Steelhouse Brochure & Specifications here!

Got Wood?

Some things do come back in style if you wait long enough. Think hip-hugger pants, shag carpeting and, yes, even wood garage doors. The wood garage doors of the 1970s are back in a big way. It’s one of many design trends that have come and gone.

The first revolution in garage door materials happened in the 1980s, when raised panel steel doors replaced wood ones. They continue to dominate the market today, mainly because they’re economical and low-maintenance. But for certain homes — especially custom homes or those with an Old World look — a big expanse of cold steel just won’t do. Frequently the garage door is a major part of the front of a home and people are finding that they can do something more interesting.

For this reason, wood has become the most popular option. But these aren’t the humble wood doors of two decades ago. For example, 1^st United Door Technologies offers wood doors in a carriage-house style that has an old-fashioned craftsman look. Made of the finest wood, they offer a much richer appearance and you can expect to pay four times or more what you would for steel doors.

Just as wood is beginning to catch on, the next wave of garage doors is already approaching. If you have a steel garage door, there are ways to ramp up its curb appeal. You can select different patterns or textures and install windows; and there’s always the do-it-yourselfer’s best tool: paint. But if you want your garage door to be a focal point rather than something to disguise, wood may just be worth its price tag.

LAST CHANCE TO EARN BIG TAX CREDIT ON A NEW GARAGE DOOR

The four years of tax credit eligibility for qualified garage doors will expire on Dec. 31, 2010. Now is your last chance to save 30 percent off the price of an energy-saving curb-appeal-inspiring garage door, courtesy of the U.S. government.

The savings come from a federal income tax credit, which is more valuable than an equivalent tax deduction, because a tax credit reduces your tax dollar-for-dollar, while a deduction only decreases the amount of income that is taxed. Through the end of this year, the U.S. government is offering up to a $1,500 tax credit for homeowners who buy and install qualifying insulated garage doors. Full details can be found at firstudt.com, the site for 1^st United Door Technologies, a manufacturer of residential and commercial garage doors.

The government is encouraging everyone to save energy, and the tax credit is an incentive for homeowners. If your home has an attached garage, you’ve probably noticed that the room next to the garage is typically the coldest room in the winter and hottest in the summer. That’s because the winter’s cold and summer’s heat can enter the house through the garage, which increases the amount of energy your home needs for heating and cooling. That’s why insulated garage doors can make a difference in reducing your heating and cooling bills, and saving our valuable energy resources.

Getting Your Share of the Tax Credit

Tax credits are available for qualifying garage door purchases placed in service by Dec. 31, 2010. A taxpayer may claim a maximum of 30 percent of qualifying home improvement products, and a maximum of $1,500 for qualifying purchases in 2009 and 2010. (Note: the tax credits were also offered in 2006 and 2007.) For example, if you replace two garage doors with two new qualifying insulated doors that cost $1,000 each, you may claim a tax credit of $300 per door, or a total of $600, provided you have not exceeded the $1,500 total over the two years of the tax credit period.

To be eligible for the tax credit:

•  The door must be an insulated residential garage door, installed on an insulated garage.
• The door must have a U-factor and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) equal to or less than 0.30, even if the door contains windows.
• The door perimeter must have a means to control air infiltration.
• The door must be expected to remain in service for at least five years.
• The garage must be part of the taxpayer’s principal U.S. residence.

An Appealing Improvement

Beyond saving you tax dollars and energy expenses, a new garage door can also add curb appeal and value to your home. Because an attached garage can comprise a third or more of the front of your home, a new garage door can make a dramatic statement. Over the past several years 1^st United Door Technologies introduced carriage house garage doors that reflect the look of days gone by and provide a touch of charm and elegance to the home. A new garage door can also increase the value of your home. One survey shows that 71 percent of homeowners who replaced their garage doors felt that it increased the value of their home.

DON’T Do It Yourself

Garage door installation is best left to the pros. Why? Your garage door is more than just a door – it’s a system that includes springs, cables, rollers, tracks and other hardware. This system is under high tension that can cause severe injury or even death if improperly installed. In short, it’s not a job for the weekend warrior. To properly install, or even repair, a garage door system, an experienced professional is always your best bet.

Garage Door Options to Consider Before Buying

Purchasing a garage door is not a simple trip to the hardware store.

There are many factors to consider before purchasing. It will take a fair amount of research and energy before making a decision. There are more than a few factors to consider when making a choice and this guide can serve as a checklist to help make an informed and complete decision.

Before anything else it is critical to determine which type of mechanism will open and close the garage door. There are several varieties of openers on the market each of which provide their own benefits and drawbacks. The silent functioning belt driven opener is optimal for homes that desire a quiet operation and they also hold up to cold weather the best. Chain driven openers are a fairly efficient and cost effective choice. There are also screw driven openers for the most durable opener. It is best to check with the garage door installer to determine which style will work best for you.

Another thing that the garage door installer will be able to help with is determining what size is going to be needed. Measuring this entryway can be a tricky process and as such is bet to be undertaken by a professional. Knowing what size will also help in determining what material is going to be ideal.

Primarily most garage doors are made out of steel or wood. With today’s advances in manufacturing steel is the preferred choice for most people. However, if within the budget it is advisable to go with steel filled with foam insulation. This material combines the most temperature retention and noise reduction characteristics and make for a very sound construction. Also very popular is hardwood. This natural material provides superior beauty over the other options but with the disadvantage of being the most expensive. Wood also is not the most durable when it comes to resisting the elements so it is not recommended for areas with large temperature fluctuations or corrosive seawater.

The process of choosing and purchasing a garage door can be daunting but working with a professionally licensed garage door specialist who knows what they are doing will ensure a result that will last for years and add beauty and function to the home.

Garage Door Remotes Often Get Crunched or Slip Away Unnoticed

Did the garage door remote somehow fall under the brake pedal just as it was depressed? Of course it could have merely fallen unaware into the lap as a person steps out to shop. However the remotes break or get lost it could happen to anyone. That’s why you will find remotes obtainable to buy from any garage door dealer.

One particular can basically call a garage door service to come and program a new remote, but some men and women need to do it themselves.

The primary step to adding or replacing any garage door remote is to identify the make and model with the opener. If the manual that came with your opener isn’t accessible a ladder will be necessary. Two persons would make this an effortless job as a person climbs and reads and also the other writes and verifies. You can also go to the manufacturer’s website to get the information you need.

The opener will have instructions for programming it. This may well also need a helper to activate a working remote in order for the new opener to learn the frequency on the remote. Please note that when you program the opener you’re genuinely wiping the memory clean of all remotes and you’ll need to add back all the remotes you need to work while using the method. This is true on the wireless remote that frequently located on the outside from the storage for keyless entry too as the button inside located near the front door towards the property. Most openers can only be programmed using the frequency of five remotes, so unless a person has numerous copies with the automobile keys for various drivers, one should be fine.

Remotes have gotten additionally complex; some will turn on lights or open numerous doors with distinct buttons. One particular may perhaps also have remote as part of the cars program. Don’t get over excited about buttons, and fancy features keychain style or automobile mounted remotes are effortlessly lost or broken. Also if a person does have a remote attached towards the keys; please keep additional careful watch on the keys. Kids love pushing buttons and it would be a shame to leave the garage door open all night due to the fact of the busy set of fingers. Also remember that any storage doorway security feature may be knocked out of place or fail to catch some movement vital on the security of the little child or animal. Auto mounted remote openers are safer. There’s incredibly little reason to open the garage from any room inside residence, unless a person is really fast at hopping into a auto and buckling up the front door really should have plenty of time to raise itself.

Next time that remote gets crunched or slips away unnoticed within the parking lot, look at it as an adventure and get programming.

Tax Credit for Buying Energy Efficient Garage Doors

According to a report by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, 40 percent of the current housing stock was built prior to the availability of energy-efficient options.

The Energy Tax Credit for Replacement Windows and Doors (Section 25C of the International Energy Conservation Code) offers a tax credit to homeowners who remodel their home to make it more energy-efficient. The tax credit is given for such improvements as vinyl replacement windows, solar powered water heaters, and energy efficient garage doors. The tax credit covers 30 percent of the first $5,000 spent on qualified home improvements. That’s $1,500 back into your pocket. You can only claim it once in a two year period, so spend your money wisely in 2010 you can claim your tax credit on your federal income tax return.

When selecting your garage doors, you need to be sure that they are qualified for the tax credit. There are many varieties of garage door that qualify so you can shop around and select the one that best suits your needs. The tax credit generated by the stimulus legislation expires on Dec. 31, 2010.

In your selection process, there are some things you need to know about deciding on your new garage door. The R-value or U-factor, are measurements of the thermal efficiency of a door’s insulation. The higher the R-value or the lower the U-factor which means the more energy efficient the insulation. The tax credit is only available for garage doors with a minimum factor of 0.30 installed on a homeowner’s primary residence. You’ll get the most out of your insulated door by purchasing a garage door with a high R-value and low U-factor.

The garage door must also be attached to your primary home residence, be expected to remain in service for at least five years, the door perimeter must be able to control air infiltration, the door must be an insulated residential garage door installed on an insulated garage, and the door must be purchased and installed between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. The manufacturer of the garage door will be able to provide you with a copy of the Manufacturer’s Certification, which is a certificate qualifying your door for the tax credit.

Replacing your garage door with an insulated door can reduce significant energy loss. Attached garages share one or two walls with the house, so in the winter it could be unnecessarily increasing your heating cost, and in the summer it could be increasing your air conditioning cost. An insulated garage door helps stabilize temperatures and avoid fluctuations from sharing common walls.

Photos: Garage Door Art

For murals and alley art, San Francisco’s Mission District really is the central hub of activity. One could put together a very interesting art walk centralized around the massive amount of color, expression and creativity found on garage doors. Here’s a gallery of garage doors photographed by Joseph Schell

Enjoy!