A Blast from the Past

If you’ve ever seen the movie “Back to the Future,” you know why 1955 is significant. Writers used that particular year as part of the setting to illustrate small-town American life at the time. If we were able to hop in a time machine like Michael J. Fox and land in 1955 in small-town Connecticut, we’d discover the installation of an Overhead Door Corp. garage door opener at a lakeside home. When we decided we’d had enough of the 50s and wanted to come back to present day, believe it or not, that opener would still be working!

After recently purchasing a lakeside home built in 1955 in Columbia, Conn., homeowner Michael Matthews promptly began the renovation work that comes with buying and restoring an old home. That’s when he found a still working, 1955-era Overhead Door Model E Ultronic Door Opener in his garage.

“I love old machinery so when I saw this old opener I was just fascinated,” Matthews said. “The fact that it was still working was even better.”

Made of steel and weighing close to 50 pounds, the Model E Ultronic was an AC, chain-drive opener that, at the time, was state-of-the-art for its operational capabilities. It featured both a chain drive and a belt drive to ensure long-term durability.

While the opener still works just as well as the day it was installed, Matthews said it makes too much noise for its location, directly beneath the master bedroom.

“We’re renovating the entire house, but I thought it would be a shame to just throw it away,” Matthews said. “That’s when I called Overhead Door to see if they would want it for a showroom.”

Overhead Door Co. of Hartford was glad to oblige and even made a trade with Matthews for the functioning antique opener. They installed Overhead’s new Destiny 1200 in Matthews’ home for free.

Reposted from Professional Door Dealer Magazine

Garage Door Openers Become Hi-Tech

As the American home has continued to evolve with the speed of new technology, so has the garage. In order to keep up with the everyday busy lives of homeowners and the need for these homeowners to spread out and utilize all the space within their homes, garages have become a new frontier for functioning space within the home.

The majority of homeowners use the garage as the main entrance way into their homes, making the garage door and its opener imperative to the security of the home, protecting the people and property behind it.

Before, garage doors only opened and closed to let your car in and out of the garage, and you had to be there to do it. But garage doors and openers have improved dramatically in the last decade to do more. If you’re interested in upgrading your home’s security and curb appeal, don’t forget to check out some of the newest high-tech features:

* Control from anywhere around the world: Garage door openers are high tech now, and the LiftMaster openers with MyQ Technology allow you to control your garage door – as well as other household items – from inside your house, while at the office or even from halfway across the world by using your computer or smartphone. This technology lets you monitor if the garage door is opened or closed and allows you the freedom to operate it from a remote location, perhaps to grant access to a family member or allow a delivery.

* Electronic eyes – New garage door openers come with safety sensors that prevent the door from closing if something were to be underneath. If an object breaks the beam of infrared light spanning the width of the door, the garage door won’t close – and if something were to cross the sensor as the door is closing, it would cause the door to reverse direction and open up again. This can help protect small children and pets from being struck by the closing door.

* Timers for closing – You’ve probably forgotten to close your garage door after pulling out of the driveway at least once in your life, leaving your home and property wide open to anyone passing by. New garage door openers allow you to customize the settings on your garage door opener to ensure that the door will close after one minute, five minutes or even 10 minutes of being open.

* Power out? Not a problem – The harsh winter weather can leave many homes without power for extended periods of time. LiftMaster openers are equipped with battery backup, which is very useful during a power failure in severe weather conditions, providing your family with reliable, uninterrupted access to your home and automobiles in the garage.

* Shed light on safety – Exterior lights also have seen technology upgrades, and when placed next to your garage, can deter unwanted visitors. Save money with solar powered lights, or lights that are motion-activated to brightly shine when something approaches the garage. In addition to discouraging unwanted visitors, lights also give your family members a safer environment when arriving home after dark.

Using new technology in and around your garage helps you maintain security and safety and can improve your life in so many different ways.

Learn more about how the LiftMaster garage door openers with MyQ Technology can benefit your home and your family at www.LiftMaster.com.

A Resource for Homeowners: Home and Garage Access During a Power Outage

LiftMaster launched their new site, GetInYourGarage.com, as a resource for homeowners, providing them with tips on how to manage their home and garage access during a power outage.

Coupled with statistics on the frequency of power outages across the country, this site helps connect homeowners to installing dealers who can educate them on and install tangible battery backup garage door opener and access solutions so they are never inconveniently blocked or locked out by a heavy powerless garage door when the power’s out.

Whether caused by inclement weather or grid failures, power outages are inevitable, leaving homeowners with a lot to handle until the power goes back on. GetinYourGarage.com offers a resourceful starting point for homeowners and families on what to do during a power outage and what steps they can take to ensure that access to their home is not jeopardized, leading them to a local dealer to learn more about maintaining peace-of-mind during an outage. 

The site also features information on the LiftMaster 3850 Belt Drive unit with battery backup built right into the opener, as well as a preview of LiftMaster’s new national television spot that highlights the features and benefits of installing this battery backup-enabled unit.

LiftMaster is a brand of professionally installed residential garage door openers, as well as a major manufacturer of commercial door operators, residential and commercial gate operators, telephone-entry systems and related access-control products.

No Power to the Garage Door?

The needs of homeowners and the designs of garages today have evolved to include many distinct needs and applications that demand that garage door openers are diverse in their design and application.

Garage Door Openers are considered a necessity by most homeowners today and often rely on the garage door as the main entrance to the home.

You don’t want to get out of the car in driving rain, blizzards or freezing cold  – just press the button on your remote transmitter and your garage door opens automatically. The new generation of garage door openers are reasonably priced, safe and easy to install. They are affordable and no longer a convenience for only a select few.

So what happens when you lose power in your home? Operating your door manually is no fun, especially in areas with frequent power outages. If you’re fortunate enough, you opener will have a battery backup system that will continue to operate your garage door.

For example, the LiftMaster 3850 opener features an ultra-quiet 12V DC motor with a belt drive system and the industry’s only integrated EverCharge™ Battery Backup system. The integrated battery backup technology not only powers the opener for up to 40 full cycles but continues to power vital safety functions, such as The Protector System® safety reversing system, in the event of an electrical outage.

Garage Door Opener: A Useful Invention

A garage door opener is a fascinating and useful invention. It is an electronic unit that helps you to open the garage door with the click of a switch.

There are mainly two categories of openers. The first one is the conventional switch that is installed within or without the garage and is clicked to open the door. These have manual options for operating in case of a power failure. For these switches, the security is slightly less. The second variety is a more developed remote controlled version. These types, contain a pair of receiver and transmitter each. A portable set is extremely convenient, as it enables the operation of the garage door without you having to step out of your car. Certainly, there are other erstwhile options like those operated by means of screws, belts and chains.

Now that you have an idea about the basic types of openers that are available you need to decide on the one you want to purchase for your garage door. There are a lot many variations that you will come across like those that are soundless, openers that are self lubricating, etc. Ensure to buy only what suits your needs. The factors that influence your decision would be durability, price and security.

If you are having trouble with your garage door opener, it may lead to immense anxiety. However, you may find that only a minor problem exists. Hence, prior to seeking professional help, you could try to fix it on your own. Things that you will be able to do on your own to fix problems are removing obstructions from the opener’s track, tightening up all nuts and bolts, checking the alignment of the opener, and of course checking the motors. You must also check the remote, as that is a possible problem area, too. If all these fail, you know you need a pro.

You may notice that no amount of repairing or professional aid seems to be helping to put your opener back into operation. That is when you need to replace your garage door opener. Since this is something you have done before, it should be simple.

A Guide to Garage Door Openers

Garage doors no longer have to be pushed up by hand. These days, garage door openers are provided with various accessories to make opening easier.

No matter how heavy the garage door, it can be fitted with the right kind of opener. These openers ensure utmost safety and security for garages under any conditions. They are also provided with several options and in various designs to suit the exact requirements of the user. The best thing is, they can be installed within 3-5 hours. A professional can install a garage door opener in one hour!

Garage door openers are of two kinds depending on the use: residential and commercial. In the commercial range of garage door openers, the main models are: Trolley, Jackshift, Hoist and the Slide models. While Trolley openers are used for standard lifting on sectional doors, the Jackshift is used for grilles, rolling doors and shutters. Hoist operators are similar to Jackshifts but they are also suitable for heavy duty industrial doors. The slide door openers are meant for single and bi-parting slide doors and also for fire doors.

The main step in purchasing a garage door opener is to determine the actual drive system. Garage door openers are of three kinds depending on the drive system: belt driven, chain driven and direct drive. The most important points to be considered in a garage opener system are the kind of motor and the horsepower. Garage door openers differ in speed also. The average speed is 7 inches lift/drop per second. There are openers that operate at even double this speed.

Garage door openers are provided with different kinds of warranties. Safety is another important aspect while choosing the right garage door opener. It is mandatory that all automatic door openers are equipped with a non-contact invisible beam system that can sense the approach of a person and make the door to reverse back to the open position. Other mandatory features of garage openers are: automatic lights, a timed reversing feature, a manual emergency release cord and a force adjustment feature.

Garage door openers are usually a bit noisy but some advanced models are being designed to be really quiet. Proper maintenance and lubrication would also lessen the noise made by garage door openers. On the whole, garage door openers should be weather resistant, safe, and should have the least wire exposure for long life.

Garage doors can also be operated by a remote control. This is especially useful for people who have homes with multiple garages. However, it is better to have a rolling radio signal code for the control as it is easy for thieves to capture the code from thin air. Garage door openers can also have an automatic light, remote control and a wall operator, as well as the option of single/two/three button transmitters.

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.

Tot found safe after wandering off from home

In the wee hours of Tuesday morning, a 3-year-old got out of bed, climbed down two flights of stairs, opened a garage door by pushing a button on the wall and wandered a half-mile along busy roads before he was found safe in Eagan, police said. Police picked up the boy, who was staying with his mother at relatives in Eagan, at 2:45 a.m. near the intersection of Minnesota 55 and Lone Oak Road.

This is a reminder to parents that young children are curious and they can wander out of their homes. There are steps you can take to insure your child doesn’t wander off like this child. There are cheap measures you can take that send an audible alert, like wireless door and window chimes. But as far as the garage door is concerned, this demonstrates the importance of having your garage door wall switch and remotes be keep away from children at all times. Keep the wall button out of the reach of children. The recommended height is at least 5 feet from the floor.

D O O R SAFE

DOORS are heavy – never stand, run or play under or near any garage door, especially when the door is open or moving.

OUCH! – never touch any part of a moving garage door. Your fingers and hands can get hurt!

OPENERS are for adults – never play with the button on the wall that opens and closes the garage door.

REMOTES are for adults – never play with the remote control in the car, on Mom & Dad’s keychain or the one on the wall. 

A few simple precautions, like this, can protect your family from potential situations.

A new Generation of Garage Door

We know that the new generation of the garage door is coming, safe and easy to install and they are no longer a convenience for only a select few.

You should consider changing your garage door if it is too old or if it has an old motor or pulley system.

The garage doors can be selected by the type of the chain System they use: screw-drive system, chain drive system or computer controlled system. The screw drive system has a mechanism that moves the length of a steel rod; it is a lifting mechanism that is mounted in your garage ceiling. The chain drive system is made of a chain that moves the door along a pair of tracks; this is the most common and affordable system but also has the disadvantage of being extremely noisy. The computer drive mechanism doesn’t use any screws or chains; the system’s body is mounted above the door.

The speed and the type of power are other factors used in selecting a new garage door. A faster door means a more expensive one, but this feature reduces the waiting time on your driveway. Even though it opens quickly, a door usually closes pretty slow for safety. The power of the motor is important in choosing a door because it has to have enough power to raise the door; a large motor is likely to last longer. Also the quietness of the motor should be another decision factor.

Enhanced security features can be found in a newer generation door that uses random codes. A new random code is generated each time the remote control is used to open the garage door. This security code prevents you from opening another garage and vice versa. The remote control may be found in several models with a different number of buttons. A multiple button remote control is the best choice for someone who has several garages. The fixed controller is mounted on the wall either inside or outside, near the garage door and it allows the garage door to open without a remote controller. The keypad allows closing the door for a specific period of time and it provides enough time to exit the garage without running.

Safety features are present on every garage door. These features prevent the door from crushing objects or people by reversing the direction if it hits something. This safety feature is triggered by an electronic beam and it is mandated by law. A computer-controlled mechanism can detect or compensate for varying conditions, for example if the door is coming in contact with an obstruction or is closing too fast.