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How to Avoid Garage Door Repair Scams

How to Avoid Garage Door Repair Scams

Garage Door Repair Scams

Having your garage door break is inconvenient, and it’s essential to have the repairs completed quickly for the security of your home. As a homeowner, you expect to find a friendly and reputable garage door repair company that has your interests in mind and can complete your job fast and at an affordable rate, but unfortunately, more garage door company scammers are popping up across cities in the United States. What are common garage door repair scams and how can you learn to avoid them? 

Common Garage Door Repair Scams

Many scammers are looking to prey on homeowners needing emergency or standard maintenance services. Three common ploys scammers use on homeowners include: 

  • Rebuild package: This trick preys on a homeowner’s lack of knowledge regarding garage doors and their mechanics. A technician will visit your home then claim that you need an all-new garage door, including torsion springs, cables, rollers and brackets. Even if you wanted to install a new garage door anyway, these swindlers would include inflated charges in their installation bill that would total hundreds or thousands more than you would typically pay with a reputable company. 
  • Lifetime guarantee: The term “lifetime” is confusing, and scammers use this vague word to take advantage of homeowners. A spring, for example, has 15,000 to 50,000 lifecycle ratings, but the cycle and its depletion vary on how often you use your garage door. If a company only offers a lifetime on parts —but not labor — then they’re likely making replacements with inexpensive hardware that will quickly break. You’ll call them for a fix, and while the part will be free, they’ll mark up their labor and replace the cheap part with another one that will break again in no time.
  • Unidentified technicians: Disreputable companies will advertise that they’ll use an in-house worker to make repairs to your garage door, but will actually hire subcontractors or independent workers with no history or contact information. Investigate if someone shows up at your home in an unmarked vehicle with no company identification, logo or name. Ask that the worker introduce themselves and don’t assume that they work for the company you’ve hired. 

How to Avoid Garage Door Repair Scams

You can easily avoid garage door repair scams by asking the following questions: 

  • Does the company have an established location with a verifiable address in your community?
  • Can this company provide references from satisfied customers?
  • How long has the company been in business?
  • Can they provide a detailed estimate before beginning work?
  • Do they have a favorable rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)?

How to Choose a Garage Door Dealer

When choosing a company to perform garage door repairs, maintenance or installation, look for a business that offers warranties on their parts and labor and proudly displays their completed work and customer reviews. 

Also keep in mind the following characteristics: 

  • Experience and training: Look at how long the company has been in business in your area — do they understand the different environmental factors that can affect building materials? Do they have accreditation with the International Door Association? 
  • Code and regulation compliance: Ask the garage door company how they comply with local regulations and verify that their technicians carry the necessary experience to repair and install garage doors. 
  • Insurance: In cases of damage or injury, you’ll want to ensure beforehand that your garage door company has proper insurance — before hiring anyone, have them show you their Certificate of Insurance. 
  • Quality and reputation: Does the company have references from happy clients that they can provide to you, and do they offer fair pricing and exceptional service?

With these considerations, you and your family can spot and avoid garage door repair scams.

Check Out Our Other Buyer’s Guides From A-All Style Garage Door

Call A-All Style Garage Door Today for Superior Service

For your garage door repair and maintenance, trust the professionals at A-All Style Garage Door. We’ve provided quality garage door services to the southwest suburbs of Chicago since 1981.

We are A+ Accredited by the Better Business Bureau and take pride in the quality of our work, as well as the many repeat customers that trust us to provide the best service at a fair price.

In addition, we’re an authorized Clopay® dealer and an Advanced Verified Garage Door Dealer by Google. We’re locally owned and operated in the Bolingbrook, IL area and offer a three-year warranty on parts and labor on new doors and openers and a one year warranty on all repairs.

To learn more about our services, call us today at 630-739-7170 or contact us online.

Troubleshoot Programming a Garage Door Opener to Your Car

How-to-Program-a-Garage-Door-Opener-in-Your-Car_v1-01

You’ve got a new car and want to have the convenience of opening your garage by programming it directly from your vehicle instead of carrying around a clunky remote. Typically, following the instructions provided in your owner’s manual will work to pair your car to the garage door opener — most problems syncing the two systems arise from owners not following the manual’s instructions.

Sometimes you find that you’ve followed the instructions, and you’re still having no luck programming your car to open the garage door. There are several possible causes for this issue. If you’re still having problems programming your garage door opener to your vehicle, try using these solutions. 

5 COMMON PROBLEMS CONNECTING GARAGE DOOR OPENERS

You may find it challenging to pair your garage door opener to your car or remote. Check out five reasons your garage door opener may not connect:

  1. You have a newer, more complicated vehicle: Most cars are easy to program, but some newer luxury cars, like Audis, have complicated navigational screen menus, requiring extra steps that ask you to get in and out of the vehicle. You may need a second person to assist you or hire a professional garage door expert to help you set up the opener.
  2. You have an older car: Older cars may be a bit more challenging to pair with a newer garage door opener and may need a repeater — a device allowing compatibility between a garage door opener and a car. Newer garage door opener models have newer and safer protocols for transmitter signals, and you’ll need the repeater to relay the outdated car signal.
  3. Your remote needs new batteries: As you program your garage door opener’s control, you’ll notice lights flashing and beeps alerting you of activity. Before connecting your opener to the remote, make sure the batteries work and replace them as needed.
  4. Your remote is out of range: The garage door opener, remote and in-vehicle control panel all transmit frequencies that must be in proximity to connect. When connecting your garage door opener to your vehicle or remote, they both need to be in range so that the garage door opener can pick up their frequencies.
  5. Your opener is not compatible with the remote: Confirm that your new remote is the same brand as your garage door opener. Remotes from other manufacturers operate on specific frequencies with different information.

HOW TO PROGRAM A GARAGE DOOR OPENER IN YOUR CAR

So you’ve followed your owners manual, and you’re still not able to pair your car to the garage door opener. You keep re-reading the instructions thinking that you missed a step, but many manuals sometimes don’t include a process for programming your car to the garage door. 

Follow these steps to quickly and easily pair your vehicle, whether you’re using a remote or not.

HOW TO PROGRAM GARAGE DOOR OPENER REMOTES

Once you have all the parts, follow these steps to program your garage door opener remote:

  1. Examine your garage door opener to find the “learn” button, which is typically near the antenna radio receiver. You may need to use a ladder to access the opener. If you can’t find the button, you may need to take off the light cover.
  2. Press the “learn” button until it starts to blink. This signal means that the garage door opener is programmable and receptive to new frequencies.
  3. As the opener light is flashing, press the open button on the remote. You’ll typically have a 30-second time limit to press the “learn” button and the button on the remote. Hold the button down for a few seconds to make sure it connects correctly.
  4. After about a minute, the LED light to the “learn” button should turn off. Tap the button on the remote again to make sure it works.

HOW TO PAIR YOUR CAR TO YOUR GARAGE DOOR

The steps for LiftMaster garage door opener pairing involve almost the same process as programming the remote. Consult your manual for specific instructions for your car’s make and model. Most booklets should instruct you to follow this process for programming your garage door opener to your vehicle:

  1. Locate the control panel for your garage door opener in your car. This panel is usually above the driver’s seat or close to the vehicle’s other control buttons.
  2. The control panel probably has a few buttons. Look for the “program” button or something like it. Hold the button down for a few seconds until a light starts to flash.
  3. After you’ve programmed it, the control panel should be able to connect with a new keycode command or link to the nearest garage door opener automatically. You’ll need to have your car parked in your garage to ensure your vehicle connects to your garage door opener.
  4. Besides setting up your in-vehicle garage door control panel, you might also need to use the “learn” button on your garage door opener. Consult the manuals for your car and opener, and ask someone for help if you need to press both buttons simultaneously.
  5. Once you’ve linked the control panel to the opener or programmed a new keycode, wait a few seconds before testing the controls.

SPECIFIC GARAGE DOOR PROGRAMMING USING YOUR CAR’S HOMELINK OR CAR2U FOR LIFT MASTER OR GENIE

Below are steps for programming a car remote to different LiftMaster or Genie rolling code garage door openers. This process is a security measure that changes the garage door opener’s coded signal each time you use the remote to prevent others from stealing entry. You’ll begin by following these steps: 

  • Hold down the two outside buttons on your car’s remote to clear any previous programming.
  • Press the button in your car that you want to use for controlling the garage door, plus the button on the garage door remote simultaneously until the car’s LED lights flash.

For setting a HomeLink garage door opener, the final step will depend on the manufacturer of your machine:

  • Genie: Locate and press the learn button located behind the light lens. An indicator light will flash when pressed. After pushing the “learn” button, return to your car’s remote control and press three or four times until the garage door moves. 
  • LiftMaster: With a LiftMaster, you’ll find the learn button on the back of the terminal screw board. Press it, and then, within 30 seconds, hold the button on the car’s remote until the garage door opener’s light flashes or until you hear the receiver click. 

For a Car2U system, press your machine’s learn button, then return to your car within 10 to 30 seconds. Press and hold the Car2U system button that you want to use for controlling the garage door. Immediately release the button once the garage door moves. Once the button is released, the indicator light will blink rapidly until the program is complete. Press and re-release the button to confirm you paired the two with success. 

Keep Your Garage Door Running Smoothly With A-All StyleGarage Door’s Troubleshooting Guides. 

CALL THE GARAGE DOOR EXPERTS AT A-ALL STYLE GARAGE DOOR

CALL THE GARAGE DOOR EXPERTS AT A-ALL STYLE GARAGE DOOR

If you’re located in the southwest suburbs of Chicago and need help setting up your car’s garage door remote, then trust the experts at A-All Style Garage Door.

We’re a local and family-operated company and pride ourselves on attention to detail and dedication to offering the highest quality customer service and garage door repair, maintenance and installation.

We offer a three-year parts and labor warranty on our services and specialize in the best quality garage door openers and doors, including LiftMaster and Clopay® — and are proud to be an authorized Clopay® garage door dealer.

If you need help setting up your car’s garage door opener or require garage door maintenance, contact us online or call us today at 630-739-7170.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Garage Door?

How much does it cost to install a garage door
A garage door isn’t something you buy every day. In fact, most homeowners will only buy one or two of them in their lifetime. That means, unlike the price of milk, eggs and gasoline, most homeowners aren’t familiar with the price of garage doors. If you ask the average homeowner how much it costs to install a garage door, their estimate might be way off the mark.

This is due to the many factors that influence garage door prices. Depending on what style and quality a homeowner chooses, the garage door can be fairly inexpensive or a significant investment. Garage doors typically cost between $300 and $4,000 — and most homeowners spend around $1,000 for the door and installation. To get a better idea of the cost range, use the following averages, which are based on door model:

  • Single models: $400-$700
  • Single standard models: $800-$1,000
  • Custom models: $1,200-$8,000+
  • Solid wood custom models: $2,500-$6,000+

Additionally, most homeowners spend $150-$300 on an automatic garage door opener for their door, not including installation.

What Factors Influence Garage Door Costs?

The price range for each style of door is so broad due to the many options available. Homeowners can choose everything from a basic steel door to a custom-designed wooden door with windows. Each aspect of the door’s design affects the price. Here are some of them:

Specialty Designs

Customized doors add to the curb appeal of a home. Designed to mesh with the rest of the property’s style, a custom garage door can provide the perfect finishing touch to a home’s exterior. Panel designs, custom paint colors and patterns are the most common customizations. These make the door distinct and allow for coordination of preexisting color and design schemes of the property.

Windows

Windows can add aesthetic appeal to a garage door. They can also offer functional advantages, including allowing additional light and ventilation for your garage.

Windows can add aesthetic appeal to a garage door. They can also offer functional advantages, including allowing additional light and ventilation for your garage. To maintain effective insulation for a garage door with windows, homeowners can choose insulated glass options.

Of course, adding windows to a basic door increases the overall costs, as does the selection of insulated glass.

Insulation

Garage door insulation can reduce utility bills and create a more comfortable space. Adding high-quality insulation to a garage door will increase the price of the door. However, homeowners can recoup this cost in energy savings. Homeowners can choose from a variety of insulation materials and R-values.

The R-value measures the thermal resistance of the insulation, or the material’s ability to maintain a certain temperature. Higher R-values mean greater resistance to temperature change. They also typically mean a higher price point.

When selecting insulation, homeowners can choose from two main options:

  • Polystyrene: This material is the more affordable option. Lightweight and easy to install, it efficiently increases the R-value of the garage door. Polystyrene is available in sheets that installers cut to fit against individual garage door panels. The sheets are available in various thickness, with thicker sheets creating more insulation. Polystyrene R-values typically range from R-2 to R-9.
  • Polyurethane: This option is denser than polystyrene, making it a better insulator and also more expensive. R-values for polyurethane range from R-12.9 to R-18.4. Due to its density, polyurethane provides additional support to the door and offers a sound-dampening effect. These added benefits often make polyurethane worth the extra investment.

In addition to the main door insulation, garage doors typically feature weather-stripping at the bottom. This adds another layer of protection against temperature changes and it also helps keep out pests.

Hardware

Garage door hardware encompasses the mechanics of the door as well as decorative handles on the exterior. Like most products, hardware is available in a variety of styles, materials and qualities. Homeowners who want to extend the longevity of their garage door can spend a little extra in this category to invest in high-quality springs for their door. This could save money on repairs and replacements in the long run.

Door Materials

The primary material of the garage door is a major factor in determining the final cost of the door and how much it is to install a new garage door. It also greatly affects the durability and appearance of the door. Homeowners can choose from several options for their garage door material:

  • Steel: Steel garage doors are the most affordable option which makes steel the most commonly used material. Steel is very durable, rust-proof and resistant to dents and dings. Steel can also be designed to mimic the appearance of stained wood.
  • Vinyl: Although not commonly used, vinyl doors also resist dents and are rust-free.
  • Aluminum: This material is also dent-resistant and is more rust-proof than steel. Aluminum can be designed to mimic the appearance of wood as well as many metallic anodized finishes.
  • Synthetic or Faux Wood: Wood composite doors offer a realistic grain, feel and texture without the finishing and maintenance of real wood. While generally more expensive than vinyl, this can be a great option if you like the look of a wood garage door without the price tag and upkeep.
  • Custom wood: Wooden garage doors are the most expensive option. They are made of solid wood and are customizable in design. They offer durability and natural beauty.

Steel is very durable, rust-proof and resistant to dents and dings.

Door Style

When homeowners picture a garage door, the most common image is a traditional roll-up door. It’s important to note that other style’s of garage doors are available:

  • Swing-out: With this style, two garage doors open out from the center of the garage. This keeps the ceiling clear for storage options.
  • Swing-up: This garage door is made of a single piece of material. It swings up from the floor and pulls into the ceiling. The style is also referred to as “tilt-up.”
  • Sliding: Sliding doors feature two doors that slide along a track at the top of the opening.
  • Roll-up: This is the most popular option. Roll-up doors are made of sections that separate and bend as the door rolls up next to the ceiling. This style is also called a “sectional door.” Best choice for use with a garage door opener.

Door Sizes

Garage doors are available in various widths to suit different home styles. A two-car garage may feature a single door that spans the entire opening or two single doors. The standard height for garage doors is 7 feet, but can typically range between 6’3” and 8’. The width varies from 8 feet to 18 feet. The width and height of the door greatly affects how much it costs to install a new garage door. Doors for single-car garages are typically cheaper to install than those for two-car garages.

Lighting

Illuminating the garage door can add security as well as aesthetic appeal.

Exterior lighting is a popular option for garages. Illuminating the garage door can add security as well as aesthetic appeal. Of course, this additional feature also increases the overall cost of the garage door installation.

Location

Products and services have different costs based on where your home is located. Prices in the Chicago suburbs typically vary from those in southern Illinois or other parts of the country. Even within the same city, construction styles and values of homes vary. The type of door you need for your particular type of home affects the cost of garage door installation as well.

Workmanship

Many homeowners have found out the hard way that you get what you pay for. High-quality workmanship simply costs more. However, the savings it offers in reduced repairs and headaches is well worth the additional initial investment. For garage door replacement, use a company you trust to get the job done right the first time. It may cost a little more, but you’ll be happier with the long-term results.

Choosing a Clopay® Garage Door

As you consider your options for garage doors, it’s important to keep quality in mind. Whether you decide to customize your door, insulate it, add windows or go with a simple style, the quality of your door is ultimately determined by the manufacturer. That’s why it is important to choose a garage door company that offers high-quality products.

Clopay is an industry-leading brand that offers a wide selection of doors to suit every taste and budget. The costs of Clopay garage doors vary depending on the features previously discussed. Homeowners can choose the features most important to them to create the ideal garage door for their property.

A chart depicting the various series of garage doors and their respective stats on: durability, required maintenance, weight, insulation, and price.

A-All Style Garage Door Co. offers a complete line of Clopay garage doors. This line includes a comprehensive selection to offer something for every taste and budget. Homeowners can choose from a number of different garage door styles such as:

  • Avante® collection: These glass and aluminum garage doors offer a modern look to update your home. Enjoy natural light during the day and an inviting glow at night. Customize the design to choose the glass panel options that provide the right amount of natural light for your setting.
  • Canyon Ridge® Limited Edition Series: This series offers modern-style door operation with the look of swing-out carriage house doors. Constructed with energy-efficient steel bases and faux wood overlays, these garage doors offer beautiful and unique options to enhance your home’s exterior.
  • Canyon Ridge® Modern Series: These faux wood garage doors offer a low-maintenance option. Their composite material is durable and will not rot, warp or crack. Offering simple care and beautiful finishes, this series is a winning combination.
  • Canyon Ridge® Collection Ultra-Grain Series: Here homeowners find an economical alternative to the Limited Edition Series. Featuring a polyurethane steel base, these doors offer a stained clear cypress composite overlay to create a gorgeous carriage house design.
  • Classic™ Collection: These classic short- or long-panel steel doors are available with or without insulation and in a variety of colors. Choose the perfect shade to complement any home while enjoying strength and durability.
  • Classic™ Wood Collection: These natural wood garage doors are made of handcrafted redwood, cedar or hemlock. Features include raised, recessed or flush panels to match the home’s architecture. This gorgeous collection is sure to boost your home’s curb appeal.
  • Coachman® Collection: This collection features doors designed to look like wooden carriage house doors. Constructed of durable, low-maintenance steel, they offer the beauty of wood and the simple care of steel.
  • Gallery® Collection: Available with decorative windows and wrought iron hardware and in many unique colors, these garage doors offer a vintage feel with grooved panel design. The doors are steel construction available with or without insulation.
  • Grand Harbor® Collection: This series offers a low-maintenance steel-frame carriage house style option for smaller budgets. Its classic charm offers a popular style at a great value.
  • Modern Steel Collection: This collection is ideal for contemporary homes. The doors are available with or without grooves in a variety of color options to create the ideal look for your home’s exterior.
  • Reserve® Wood Collection Series: This series includes Custom, Limited Edition, Semi-Custom and Modern collections. Clopay can create garage doors you’ve only imagined, using the material of your choice and the design options you desire.
  • Premium Series: These garage doors offer energy efficiency, durability, strength, quiet operation and impeccable appearance both inside and out. They feature galvanized and pre-painted steel with top-quality insulation.
  • Value-plus Series: These single-layer heavy-duty steel doors offer an attractive and affordable garage door solution. Quiet operation and energy efficiency add to the appeal of this series.

You can even design your own customized door to create the perfect match for your home.

Should I Hire a Professional to Install a Garage Door?

Once you’ve decided which garage door will best suit your home and budget, the next question to consider is installation.

When considering how much it costs to install a garage door, many homeowners wonder if they should try to tackle this project themselves. Often, home projects are much cheaper if homeowners choose the DIY route. They contemplate how much they could save by installing their garage door on their own.

A professional will ensure the door is installed properly and functions optimally, to avoid future damage.

While there are many instances when DIY is a good option, this is not one of them. First of all, this is a two-person job. Absolutely no one should try to complete it on their own. Second, installing a garage door requires advanced carpentry skills. Third, the installation also requires knowledge of residential electrical systems. And most importantly, all spring systems are potentially dangerous to install if you haven’t received the required training and certifications – always contact a garage door professional for help.

While some homeowners possess these skills, it is highly recommended that a professional complete the garage door installation. The homeowner is probably making a significant investment in their new garage door. This makes it essential to install it correctly. A professional will ensure the door is installed properly and functions optimally, to avoid future damage. Inexperienced homeowners may not realize a door is unbalanced or has other issues and will pay for this error in repair bills down the line.

Allowing a professional to install the garage door also saves time. While a homeowner typically needs nine hours or more to complete the installation, a professional can do it in about three hours. Why spend more than a day’s work on a project that you may or may not get right?

For homeowners in the Chicago suburbs, the weather is also a factor. If you are purchasing a garage door in the winter, it is well worth the cost to avoid a day or more out in the elements.

While installing a garage door may seem like a home improvement project right up your alley, having a professional install your door is highly recommended. A professional install will not only save you time, but also save money by avoiding future repairs from an improper installation.

Is a New Garage Door Worth the Investment?

As you consider installation costs and various options that affect the price, you may wonder if a new garage door is worth the investment. Here are a few quick facts to help you decide:

  • A Garage door replacement offers an average of 91.5 percent return on investment.
  • Remodeling Magazine reports that a new garage door is among the most valuable home improvement projects you can complete.
  • A new garage door typically costs less than $2,000. This is an affordable option to improve your home when compared to other high-return projects such as kitchen and bathroom remodels.

Garage door replacements offer an average of 91.5% return on investment.

This significant return on investment is created through increased home value and appeal. The new garage door:

  • Boosts curb appeal: Your garage door can either increase your home’s curb appeal or detract from it. A tired door that is scratched, dented and worn adds nothing to the attractiveness of your home. A door that does not match the overall style of the property also diminishes its exterior appeal. A new door that is designed to match the rest of the home can send the property’s curb appeal through the roof.
  • Offers resale value: A large portion of the home’s exterior is made up by the garage door. It is often the first thing a potential buyer sees when they visit your home. A new garage door that is designed to accentuate your property’s architecture and style makes a great first impression. Your home’s sharp exterior makes it more attractive to buyers, makes a sale more likely and helps increase the price buyers are willing to pay.
  • Saves energy: An insulated garage door can greatly reduce utility bills. Investing in high-quality insulation can produce savings that more than pay for the garage door over time.
  • Reduces noise: Older garage doors are often quite noisy. As parts wear out, the racket increases. New garage doors run smoothly and quietly. You’ll enjoy quieter surroundings and fewer interruptions. This is particularly helpful if the garage is under a bedroom or nursery.
  • Protects the home: Modern garage doors offer solid construction and new security features that help protect the garage and home from the elements and intruders.
  • Adds convenience and appeal: Some homeowners use their garage for purposes other than vehicle storage. If you plan to use this space for a workshop, garden shed, man-cave, sitting room or other unique idea, a new garage door can enhance this space. Enjoy extra sunlight through new garage door windows and a comfortable environment created by insulation.

A new garage door that is designed to accentuate your property's architecture and style makes a great first impression.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Garage Door in the Naperville, Bolingbrook Area?

Project costs vary in different parts of the country. That’s why it’s important to find a local garage door installer to help you determine the exact costs for your area. As mentioned, many homeowners spend around $1,000 on their garage door, but this price is affected by the myriad factors discussed previously.

In the Chicago suburbs, homeowners can expect to pay between $700 and $1,100 for standard single-door installations.

If you are considering garage door installation, request a free estimate from A-All Style Garage Door for a quote tailored specifically for your project.

In the Chicago suburbs homeowners can expect to pay between 0 and ,100 for standard single door installations.

Why A-All Style Garage Door

Established in 1981, A-All Style Garage Door Co. is dedicated to offering the highest-quality garage doors and garage door openers at affordable rates. We consider it a privilege to serve the residents of Naperville, Bolingbrook and the surrounding Chicago suburbs with customer-centric methods and unparalleled products. Our service advantages include:

  • Local business: We are locally owned and family-operated and take personal pride in every aspect of our business.
  • Quality products: A-All Style Garage Door carries all models of Clopay Doors as well as LiftMasterTM electric operators.
  • Warranty: We offer a three-year warranty on repairs and installations.
  • Professional service: Our team is insured and can service all garage door brands.
  • Promotions: We offer cost-saving promotions and senior discounts.
  • References: More than 90 percent of our current work comes directly from referrals and repeat business.
  • Industry leaders: We proudly hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
  • Full-service expertise: As garage door experts, A-All Style Garage Door Co. offers garage door repair, spring repair and replacement, garage door opener repair, emergency garage door repair, panel replacement, garage door roller repair and replacement and garage door cable repair and replacement.
  • Free estimates: We provide free estimates based on your exact needs.

Check Out Our Other Buyer’s Guides From A-All Style Garage Door

Taking the Next Step

When you need help with the next step and would like a quote on to find out how much to install a new garage door for your home, contact A-All Style Garage Door. We will listen to your needs and help you determine the best garage door solution for your setting. Contact our team to receive your free quote and get started on transforming the look and appeal of your home!

Garage Door Trends

If you’re thinking about buying a new garage door, you may wonder if there have been any new trends in the industry. After all, buying a new garage door is a great opportunity to modernize and update the look of your home. With that in mind, here are some of the best garage door styles and trends.

What’s Trending?

There are a lot of pretty garage door ideas for you to choose from today, so figuring out what kind of garage door to buy will require a combination of your own personal taste and your knowledge of what passes for stylish garage doors. Two aspects of today’s garage doors you will want to consider are color trends and general style trends.

Garage Door Color Trends 

One of the biggest color trends we are seeing is a wider range of colors. People are moving away from the traditional muted browns and whites and experimenting with greens, blues and other colors at varying levels of intensity.

Don’t be afraid to choose a bold color, but make sure there’s a strategy behind it. For example, some people choose a garage door color that matches their landscape features, like the green of their lawn or the blue of a water fountain.

You may also choose colors that match your house. If you’re going for a direct match, match the main color of the door with the main color of the house. Then if you want, paint garage door trim to match the trim or accents of the home. Looking for the exact color of your garage door to paint the trim or other parts of your home? If you have a Clopay door, simply visit your local paint store.  

Have a custom color you love for your new garage door? Just provide a Sherwin Williams paint swatch, and you can order a new Clopay® door featuring Color Blast®. This solar-reflective paint system provides beautiful custom matched color while protecting your door from the elements.

Garage Door Style Trends

The biggest style trends when it comes to garage doors revolve around taking advantage of the newest technology, both for your door’s appearance and operation.

Insulated garage doors have become popular as part of an overall effort to create a sustainable home. Insulated garage doors reduce the amount of heat that escapes the home in winter, and they allow less heat in during summer — dramatically reducing your heating and cooling costs and saving energy (while saving you money).

People who are buying new garage doors are also taking advantage of Smart home technology like LiftMaster’s® MyQ system. MyQ is a Smart garage operating system that allows you, after installing a simple app on your phone, to control all of your garage door’s functions wirelessly, from wherever you are. If you are in the office and can’t remember if you shut the garage door, you can check and close it right there as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection. Or, if you need to let someone in and you’re not home, you can open the door remotely from your phone.

Check Out Our Other Style Guides From A-All Style Garage Door

In the Southwest Suburbs of Chicago, let A-All Style Garage Door Company Help You Show off Your Garage Door Style

If you live in Naperville, Plainview, Lockport, Bolingbrook or elsewhere in the southwest suburbs of Chicago area, A-All Style Garage Door Company can help you with all your garage door needs. We have Clopay® doors with Color Blast®, insulated doors and LiftMaster® garage door openers with MyQ technology.

If you need help deciding which door is right for you, just have a look through our gallery , or use the Clopay® door imagination system to see what your new door might look like. We are also here to help if you are struggling with design decisions and color options. Contact us for a free design consultation and door estimate!

Garage Door Repair vs. Replacement – How to Decide

It’s the ultimate garage door question: Repair or replace? Obviously, in most cases, it will be cheaper and less time consuming to repair your garage door rather than replace it. But there are some situations when replacing the garage door is just the best option. How do you know which way to go? Here are a few guidelines to consider.

When to Repair Your Garage Door

The following circumstances will likely be remedied with a garage door repair: 

  • Cosmetic Damage Is Minimal: If the problem is minor damage to the door that could be fixed by simply replacing a panel or painting over the damage, repair is probably the better option. Note that in some cases, what may appear to be cosmetic only can sometimes also involve hidden structural damage to the tracks. If you are unsure, contact a professional.
  • The Door Is Not Working Well: If your door is going up or down slower than normal, if it shudders or hesitates when opening or closing, or if it’s making a lot of noise but is still opening and closing fully in a reasonable amount of time, a minor repair will often do the trick.
  • The Door Is New: If you’ve purchased your garage door in the last five years, you should still be able to get more use out of it. This is especially true if you’ve purchased a high-quality door like a Clopay® door. In addition, most high-quality door companies offer a warranty that will cover you in some circumstances.

When to Replace Your Garage Door

There are situations that will require more than just a repair. Here are a few of them:

  • Cosmetic Damage Is Massive: If your door has major rot or rusting due to age and the elements or if the damage is across the entire door and not just a panel or two, it’s probably time to go for a replacement.
  • The Door Is Not Working at All: If your door will not open or close at all or is stuck halfway, it’s possible that a repair will be the answer. It may, however, be symptomatic of a bigger problem that could necessitate a repair almost as expensive as getting a new door — in which case it’s probably a better value to buy a the new one.
  • The Door Is Older: If your garage door is 10 years old or older, things are going to start to wear out on a regular basis. If the door is damaged or not working properly, this could be a good opportunity to start fresh.

Check Out Our Other Buyer’s Guides From A-All Style Garage Door

A-All Style Garage Door in the Southwest Suburbs of Chicago

If you have a home in Naperville, Plainview or another spot in the southwest suburban Chicago area and are not sure whether it’s time to replace or repair your door, contact us at A-All Style Garage Door Company. We’ll help you figure out what to do based on your budget and the condition of your door.

Whatever you decide, we can give you a free and fair estimate on either repair or replacement to help you make your decision.

Businesses That Started in a Garage

businesses that started in a garage

Most of us have heard legends of famous people who started in their garage — for example, stalwart computer pioneers like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, with little more than a few tools, a large workspace and their imagination ended up develop world-changing companies. For them, and people like them, the garage can be the most important room in your house.

It makes sense to use a garage as an office if you’re starting a business from your house. There’s lots of space and you have privacy from the prying eyes of the outside world. Perhaps this is why startup companies in garages are so common.

Not everyone who starts a business in a garage will go on to greatness, of course, but there are dozens of ultra-successful companies that started in a garage.

Amazon

A garage is the perfect place to start a small online bookstore. That’s exactly what Jeff Bezos thought in 1994 when he started Amazon in his garage in Bellevue, Washington. He sold his first book out of that garage in 1995 on Amazon.com. Twenty years later, Amazon is the largest online retailer in the world, and Bezos is worth billions.

Apple 

The classic garage startup story — in 1976, 21-year-old innovator Steve Jobs joined forces with computer whiz Steve Wozniak to launch their own computer company. Their first product was a computer they built in a Los Altos, California garage. They managed to sell 50 of those new “Apple Computers”, which they manufactured in another garage in Cupertino, CA, for $500 each. Not bad for a couple of kids in a garage!

Even better was the company they built, which has become so dominant in the computer space that they practically own the lowercase letter “i,” along with a company worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

Disney

Few people realize it, but the entertainment megalith now known as Disney had very humble beginnings. Before all the movies, cartoons and theme parks, Walt Disney had the idea to start a movie studio in a one-car garage that his uncle owned. Walt and his brother Roy set up their first Disney Studio in that Los Angeles garage, and the rest is history.

Hewlett-Packard

One of the most famous garages in Silicon Valley belonged to one of the most famous garage startups of all time. The garage at 367 Addison Avenue is where Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard joined forces in 1939 to form Hewlett-Packard, a company that defined computers and business machines for decades.

Google 

The company that may have been responsible for your ability to find this article might never have existed if it hadn’t been for a garage. Larry Page and Sergey Brin started the world’s premier search engine in a little garage at 232 Santa Margarita Avenue in Menlo Park, California.

Harley Davidson

Of all the garage start-ups, this one makes the most sense. William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson built their first motorcycle in 1903 in a garage in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Today, you can find Harley-Davidson motorcycles in garages all over the world.

For more information about garages, or to order a new garage door in the southwest suburbs of Chicago worthy of a legendary garage startup, contact A-All Style Garage Door today.

History of Garage Doors

carriage house garage doorFor as long as there have been cars, there have been garages. Not only did they have garages 100 years ago, but there have been some form of garages since the beginning of civilization!

When was the first garage built? Thousands of years ago! For as long as there have been wheels, people have been building places to put them. Here are some little-known facts about the history of garages and garage doors.

Early Days of the Garage

What did the first garage door look like? While garages have been around for thousands of years, the earliest known structure with a door that could be called the ancestor to today’s garage was the gatehouse, which first appeared around 450 B.C.

Ancient people used gate houses for many things, but one of those things was to store Roman chariots — which means the steel gates that came down to protect those chariots from theft were the very first garage doors.

Pre-Depression Era Garage Door

The next evolution in garage doors came around the 18th century. These were carriage house doors. If anyone were to ask you what old-time garages were called, the answer they might be looking for is “carriage house.”

Were carriage houses like garages? In many ways, yes. They were effectively small barns, since the primary mode of transportation at the time was a horse with carriage attached. Carriage house doors were wooden doors that swung outward. Today, the “carriage-house style” garage door is one that looks like those doors of old, but it opens upward like a modern overhead garage door.

Modern Garages 

The first official private garage first appeared around 1902, but these were still swing out door structures similar to the carriage house door. This created a problem when it snowed since the snow would block in the doors and prevent them from swinging out.

The garage doors as we know them today arrived thanks to an inventor named C.G. Johnson, the father of the modern garage door. Not only did he invent the overhead operation garage door in 1921, but he invented the first electric garage door in 1926.

In the 1950s and 1960s, architects finally got the idea that it would be wise to build homes with garages attached, since after World War II nearly everyone owned at least one car, and many people owned two. Because cars were so big at the time, these garages represented a huge portion of the home’s overall size.

Today, garage doors have seen massive improvements and advancements. They are safer — thanks to photoelectric eyes and other sensors that stop the door from coming down if there is something underneath it. They are tougher because of materials like steel, aluminum and composites. They offer more protection, thanks to insulation options, and they also look better. Companies like Clopay® offer a wide variety of colors and styles for garage doors, including the previously mentioned, and highly popular, carriage house style.

To request installation of a brand new Clopay® door or to schedule a repair of an existing door in the Chicago southwest suburbs area, contact A-All Style Garage Door today.

Does My Garage Door Need a Tune-Up? Plus, Free Annual Maintenance Checklist

tune-up and maintenance for your garage door

A good garage door is like a good umpire. If they’re doing their job well, you don’t even notice them. Still, a garage door system is a piece of mechanical equipment. It has moving parts that can fail or wear out, so it is important to ask yourself, “does my garage need a tune-up?” from time to time.

There are two situations specifically where a tune-up is likely necessary:  

Something is wrong with the door.

Things can go wrong with your garage door before it stops working entirely. If your door is excessively noisy, opens and closes much more slowly than it should or shudders when going up or down, for example, a tune-up is probably called for. Here are some common problems that you may be having with your garage door.

A year has gone by.

Garage door systems get old just like the rest of us, and just as we should go in for a yearly physical, garage door yearly maintenance is ideal if you want your garage door to have a long life.

While you should have a professional perform your annual overhead garage door maintenance, there are some DIY garage door maintenance steps you can take to get a jump on things. Here is a free annual maintenance checklist for how to maintain a garage door.

Garage Door Maintenance Checklist

garage door

Check for Gaps

If you are inside the garage door and it’s closed, you should not see any light coming in through the door. If you do, it could be a problem with the door’s balance or the weather-stripping.

Check Cables and Hinges

See if any springs, cables or hinges are loose or rusty. Tighten anything that appears too loose, but only if you can do so easily with simple household tools. If you are struggling or if a part obviously needs replacing, call a professional. If you don’t, you risk hurting yourself or voiding the warranty, or both.

Listen to the Door

If your door is creaking, scraping, shuddering or excessively loud, you have a problem that you will want to have a professional address before it becomes a big repair.

Check the Balance

Turn off your garage door opener and lift your garage door manually. It should come to rest a few feet above the ground. If the door flies all the way up into the overhead track or if it goes up and then slams back down, you have a balance issue that you need a professional to fix.

Clean the Sensors

This problem usually won’t need a professional. Your photoelectric eyes, or safety sensors, alert the garage door not to come down if there is something underneath it. Clean them with a cloth and a mild cleanser regularly to make sure they work properly.

Check the Track

Make sure there is no debris blocking the track the garage door needs to ride along to retract overhead.

These garage door maintenance tips can help extend the life of your garage door, especially if you do them once a season or once a month, rather than just once a year. However, at least once a year, you should have a professional do a full maintenance check and tune-up.

Be prepared for Any Situation With These Guides From A-All Style Garage Door

If you are located in Naperville, Bolingbrook, Plainfield and throughout the southwest suburbs of Chicago, you can count on A-All Style Garage Door. We’ll replace any worn out springs or cables, check your door’s balance and identify any potential repairs.

If we see a serious problem, we’ll give you a free and fair estimate of what it would cost to fix to help you decide what to do. As a family-owned business operating in Illinois for over 35 years, we’re a name you can trust. To learn more contact us.

Reasons to Have a Keyless Garage Door Opener

garage door

Are you considering getting a keyless garage door opener system? Are you wondering if a keyless garage door is safe? If you are working with a traditional key and lock garage door, even one that also has a remote garage door opening system, you may be wondering if you should make the switch to a keyless garage door opener. Here’s what you need to know about garage door keyless entry systems.

Benefits of a Garage Door Keypad

There are several reasons why people choose a keyless garage door system, as we’ve listed out below:

  1. No Lost Keysgarage door keyless pad

Most of the time, you’ll probably use your remote garage door opener to open your garage door. But what if you’re locked out of the house and the car is in the garage, or you’ve misplaced that opener? With a keyless garage door entry system, it’s no problem. As long as you have the code, you can get in.

  1. Security

Remember, these keyless entry systems are much tougher to hack than systems of old. You can also change the combination whenever it suits you if you are concerned that someone has stolen it or you just want to update your code.

On the other hand, most people frequently forget who they’ve provided a key to, either a neighbor or a friend – and if you lose a key – you’ll need to change your locks, which requires additional cost and hassle when compared to simply updating the code on a keyless garage door opener.

  1. Temporary Codes

Possibly one of the most useful features of a garage door keypad is the ability to distribute temporary codes. Let’s say you are in a situation where you have a guest coming over, but you can’t be home to let them in. You may be reluctant to give them the code to your garage door, so instead, you can assign them a temporary code that only works for a limited period of time. They can get in when you want them to without giving away your regular security code.

Learn More About Ways to Upgrade Your Garage Door

Adding Windows to Your Garage Door

If you live in the southwest suburbs of Chicago or surrounding areas, call A-All Style Garage Door for installation of your garage door keyless entry system. We offer a full line of LiftMaster® garage door opener systems, including wall mount systems, we can install quickly and easily. They also include the MyQ® control panel, which allows you to operate your garage door with your phone or other digital device anywhere you can get a wireless signal. To learn more, contact us today.

Adding Windows to Your Garage Door — What to Consider

garage door with windows

Adding Windows to Your Garage Door — What to Consider

Adding windows to a garage door can be a great idea for a number of reasons. They allow more natural light into your garage, and they can beautify your garage door, increasing your home’s curb appeal. So, what do you need to know before you consider adding windows to your garage door?

Can You Add Windows to a Garage Door Yourself?

Adding windows to an existing garage door yourself sounds simple — just replace a garage door panel with window glass, right?

In practice, it is not as simple as it looks. For one, your garage door has a delicate balance. The torsion springs are designed to lift just the weight of your current garage door. Adding windows will change that weight and could throw off the whole system.

Furthermore, since you are not a professional, it’s easy to make a mistake and break the window or damage the door. If you do, you will probably void the door’s warranty and be on the hook for fixing it yourself. You’re much better off having a professional put in your windows. They understand how to balance your garage door, have experience with putting in windows and are much more likely to do it right. They take on all the risk for you, too.

Should I Install Windows in My Existing Garage Door Windows or Buy a New Garage Door With Windows?

garage door window

It depends. If your existing garage door is relatively new, you may not be ready to invest in a new garage door. However, if your current garage door is five to 10 years old, wanting windows could present a great opportunity to purchase a new garage door.

Clopay® has some amazing garage doors that can breathe new life into your home’s exterior. Your new door could be a much better match for your home — it will also come freshly painted and with all new parts. If your current garage door is ten years or older and you want windows, we normally recommend that you buy a new door.

Learn More About Ways to Upgrade Your Garage Door

Reasons to have a Keyless Garage Door Opener

Buy or Repair Your Garage Door With A-All Style Garage Door

If you are in the Naperville, Plainview, Bolingbrook, Lockport areas, contact A-All Style Garage Door for assistance in deciding if you should install windows in your existing door, or a free estimate on a new door with windows to replace your current door.

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