• Winter preparation prevents mid-season breakdowns, improves safety, and reduces repair costs.

• A short pre-winter checklist: seals, lubrication, balance, sensors, and power; covers most failure points.

• Some tasks are safe DIY; trained technicians by Wm. Haws Overhead Garage Doors should handle high-tension components and complex openers.

• Annual or semi-annual preventative maintenance and prompt help for urgent issues keep doors reliable all season.

Snow, ice, and sub-zero mornings put stress on every moving part of a garage door. As a local team, we at Wm. Haws Overhead Garage Doors understand how quickly Canadian weather exposes weak seals, thickens lubricants, and strains openers. Preparing early protects the door, the opener, and the things that matter: warmth, access, and security. This guide shares a practical winterization plan tailored to homes in and around Guelph, backed by our decades of field experience serving nearby communities with installation, service, and urgent fixes.

Your Pre-Winter Garage Door Checklist

The fastest way to winter-proof your garage door is to complete these five essentials before the first deep freeze. Start with a quick inspection, then move to light maintenance and calibration checks.

1. Inspect seals and weatherstripping

• Look for brittle, cracked, or damaged bottom and side seals.
• Replace any that let in light or drafts.

2. Clean and lubricate moving parts

• Wipe down tracks to remove dirt and debris.
• Lightly lubricate rollers, hinges, and springs with a cold-rated lubricant.
  

3. Test door balance

• Pull the emergency release cord and lift the door halfway.
• A properly balanced door should stay in place without moving.

4. Check and clean safety sensors

• Wipe dust or dirt off the sensors.
• Make sure they are properly aligned, and both indicator lights stay steady.

5. Verify opener settings and protection

• Test the opener’s force limits to ensure smooth operation.
• Check battery backup (if equipped).
• Use a surge suppressor to protect the opener’s electronics.

Weather Seals: Stop Drafts, Ice, and Pests Before They Start

Start at the bottom seal. If it’s flattened, cracked, or stuck to the floor, replacement is due. A stiff, uneven seal invites ice buildup that can glue the door shut overnight. Side and top seals (stop moulding) should touch the door lightly along the full height; gaps mean cold air will reach springs, cables, and sensors. Replacing worn seals improves comfort and prevents freeze-lock that forces motors to strain. Measure your existing profiles or bring a sample when sourcing new seals to provide a proper fit. Clean the contact surfaces, remove old adhesive or screws, and install the new seal straight and continuous. In very cold garages, consider a slightly softer rubber for the bottom to retain flexibility. 

Finish by checking the threshold: clear snow after storms so meltwater doesn’t refreeze against the seal. If you notice corrosion at the jambs, ask about aluminum capping for long-term protection around frames. Good sealing lowers noise, reduces salt intrusion, and protects moving parts from slush and grit.

Lubrication: Keep Metal Moving Smoothly in Sub-Zero Temperatures

Cold thickens general-purpose oils, so switch to a silicone or lithium product formulated for winter. Wipe the tracks clean (do not grease tracks), then apply a thin line of lubricant to roller bearings, hinge pivots, and spring coils. A light application is safer than over-lubrication, which attracts dust and stiffens in the cold. Cycle the door several times to distribute product and listen for changes; squeaks should fade, and motion should become steady. If rollers have flat spots or seized bearings, plan replacements during fall maintenance to avoid mid-winter failures. 

Lubricate the opener rail where the trolley rides (unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise), and clean the photo-eye brackets so they don’t freeze in place. Finish with a quick cloth wipe of the bottom seal to remove salt residue; the rubber lasts longer when kept clean. Ten focused minutes of lubrication saves motors, springs, and cables from avoidable strain in January.

Mechanical Components to Check Before the First Snow

Springs, cables, rollers, and hinges do the heavy lifting, and winter magnifies existing wear. A door that drags, tilts, or bounces in October may refuse to move in January. Inspect hardware for rust, frayed strands, and loose fasteners. If you spot a broken spring or a cable out of the drum, do not operate the door; high tension can cause injury. This is the point to call professional help for overhead garage door repair, so parts are replaced and calibrated correctly. Catching wear now prevents mid-storm surprises and protects opener gears from overload.

Springs, Cables, and Rollers: Safety, Symptoms, and Smart Timing 

Look for a visible gap in the torsion spring coil, stretched extension springs, or orange-brown corrosion that suggests metal fatigue. A fatigued spring often announces itself with sudden weight and a loud bang when it breaks. Frayed cables show prickly strands or kinks; they can snap under load, causing the door to jam unevenly. 

Rollers should spin freely with minimal play; cracked nylon or pitted steel rollers create chatter and track wear. If any of these symptoms are present, schedule reliable garage door repair before temperatures plunge. Trained technicians bring the correct winding bars, cable sets, and bearings to match door weight, height, and cycle rating. Replacing parts as a system, springs with center bearings, cables with proper drums, keeps the balance precise and quiet. Winter is unforgiving; proactive parts service protects both the door and the opener.

Balance and Track Alignment: Five-Minute Tests That Prevent Big Problems

After pulling the emergency release, lift the door by hand to waist height. A balanced door will hover; a drifting or slamming door needs spring adjustment. Next, sight down the tracks: both vertical tracks should be plumb and at equal reveal from the door edge, and the horizontal tracks should be level with a slight rise near the end. If rollers bind or scrape, loosen; but don’t remove; track bolts and realign gently, then retighten. 

Check that all hinges sit flat; a bent hinge twists panels and misguides rollers. Finally, tighten lag screws at the jamb brackets and opener header bracket; seasonal swelling and vibration loosen hardware. If the door still binds, the cause may be a bent section or wrong track spacing; book professional overhead garage door repair so alignment and panel integrity are restored under controlled tension. A few careful checks now can spare an opener from early failure in mid-winter.

Opener & Electrical Readiness for Winter Reliability

Openers fail fast in the cold if sensors are dirty, force limits are off, or electronics lack protection. Begin with a power check: test the outlet, confirm the GFCI isn’t tripped, and consider surge protection to guard control boards. If the opener supports backup power, replace batteries before the first deep freeze. For modern convenience, our team installs LiftMaster MyQ app control so doors can be monitored and operated safely from a phone, even when away. A small tune-up here prevents most “door won’t move” calls on dark winter mornings.

Sensor Alignment and Cleaning

Safety photo-eyes stop the door if a beam is interrupted. Dust, slush, or a bumped bracket will break the beam and fool the opener into thinking an obstruction exists. Clean lenses with a soft cloth; never scratch the surface. Verify both indicator lights are steady (patterns vary by brand), then adjust brackets until the beam locks. A millimetre of misalignment can halt an otherwise perfect system. Secure wires so they don’t sag or wick moisture from the floor, and confirm that reflectivity or sun glare isn’t an issue at your doorway. If lights keep flashing after cleaning and alignment, wiring or logic board issues may be present. That’s the time for professional diagnostics, so repeated force attempts don’t damage the opener. Clear sensors equal predictable, safe winter operation.

Power, Batteries, and Smart Features: Keep Control in Outages

Cold reduces battery output. Replace remote and keypad batteries pre-season, then test range and response. If your opener supports a battery backup unit, install fresh cells now; a winter outage shouldn’t trap vehicles. Consider a quality surge suppressor to protect circuit boards from utility spikes common during storms. For convenience and safety, app-based control like LiftMaster MyQ lets homeowners verify door status, receive alerts, and create schedules; handy when roads are icy or when deliveries are expected. Re-set travel and force limits per the manual after any major adjustments or lubrication; cold panels and new seals slightly change operating resistance. Finally, listen during a full cycle: grinding, stalling, or jerking are early warnings to arrange professional garage door repair before temperatures plunge further. Power readiness keeps access reliable when winter is at its worst.

Weatherproofing & Energy Efficiency for Comfort and Quiet

Good weatherproofing makes a garage warmer, drier, and easier on hardware. Start with seals and insulation, then protect the frame and exposed trim. If comfort is a goal, insulated door sections reduce heat loss and cut noise from the street. Where paint or wood trim is exposed, aluminum capping around frames lowers long-term upkeep and seals out wind-driven moisture. A tighter envelope means fewer freeze-locks and quieter mornings.

Insulation, Frame Capping, and Airflow: A Practical Trio

Panel insulation helps most when the garage is attached to the living space. Choose an R-value appropriate to your heating habits; higher isn’t always necessary if the garage is unheated. Even modest insulation reduces condensation on steel panels and keeps mechanical parts closer to room temperature. 

Combine this with frame capping: aluminum cladding over exterior jambs and headers sheds water, hides aging wood, and trims maintenance. For airflow, avoid blocking passive vents; stale, moist air accelerates rust on cables and hinges. If humidity is a winter problem, deploy a small dehumidifier or improve garage-to-house air sealing so warm, humid air doesn’t migrate into the colder garage. Finish by verifying the floor slope carries meltwater toward the driveway, not under the seal. Insulation plus smart moisture control equals fewer winter service calls.

Condensation, Rust, and Corrosion: Slow the Clock

Salt and meltwater are hard on steel. After storms, sweep grit from the threshold and wipe pooled water from tracks and the bottom panel hem. A quick rinse of the exterior panel base removes salt that chews paint and hardware. Inspect lift cables where they wrap onto the drums; this area traps moisture and corrodes initially. Replace pitted rollers and rusty fasteners before they seize. Lightly mist the springs with a corrosion-inhibiting lubricant after wiping them clean. 

Inside the garage, keep snow shovels and road salt off the door’s path; stray granules work into rollers and seals. Where corrosion has started, a prompt part replacement during professional overhead garage door repair keeps the problem local rather than spreading. Small, consistent care prevents winter from becoming a metal-eating season.

Maintenance Schedule & When to Call Professionals

Two touch-points per year, late fall and early spring; cover most maintenance needs. In the fall, complete the checklist, service wear items, and set opener limits. In spring, clean, inspect for winter damage, and plan any upgrades. For high-use doors, consider semi-annual preventative maintenance by trained technicians; it’s a service we provide for residential doors to extend lifespan and avoid surprise failures. If urgent issues arise, our team handles emergency garage door repairs quickly across the region. A simple plan keeps everything predictable.

DIY vs. Pro: What to Do Yourself; And What to Leave Alone

DIY-friendly: cleaning tracks, lubricating hinges and rollers, replacing remote batteries, wiping sensor lenses, adjusting photo-eyes, and swapping worn weather seals. These tasks are low risk and make a big difference in winter. Proceed with caution and stop if movement becomes uneven or noisy. Call trained technicians for tasks involving spring tension (torsion or extension), cable replacement, bent sections, full track re-hangs, opener gear kits, and force or travel settings that don’t respond to basic adjustments. 

Our garage door repair service in Guelph, Ontario, and the surrounding regions covers parts and servicing of any door or opener, including replacement of broken springs, broken cables, weather stripping, opener gear kits, hinges, and rollers. We also install and service openers and provide annual and semi-annual preventative maintenance, plus emergency door repairs when issues can’t wait. Knowing the line between DIY and pro work keeps families safe and systems reliable.

Why Local Homeowners Trust Wm. Haws Overhead Garage Doors

As a family-owned, award-winning provider founded in 1985, we’ve served Guelph, Fergus, Elora, Cambridge, and nearby areas with sales, installation, service, and repair for residential and industrial doors. Our technicians at Wm. Haws Overhead Garage Doors handles sectional and rolling doors, commercial openers, retrofits, safety systems, and more, with a focus on craftsmanship and responsive support. We’ve also expanded service from a second location to reach additional Ontario communities with the same approach to dependable care. Local knowledge plus skilled technicians equals winter-ready doors that last.

Book a Winter Inspection Before the Next Cold Snap

A one-hour seasonal tune-up now prevents weeks of frustration later. If the door hesitates, fails balance tests, or the opener struggles in the cold, schedule service before temperatures drop further. At Wm. Haws Overhead Garage Doors, we provide installation, parts, and servicing for any door or opener, preventative maintenance, opener installation and setup (including MyQ), and emergency garage door repairs in Guelph, Ontario, and the surrounding regions when fast help is needed. Winter doesn’t wait; neither should essential maintenance. To learn more, contact us today at (519) 763-4297 or wmhawsdoors@bellnet.ca.

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When it comes to garage door openers, you have three main options: chain, belt, and jackshaft-driven openers. All three can make your life easier, but they’re not all the same.

Chain-Driven Garage Door Openers

Chain-driven openers are strong and durable, and won’t slip when in use. They last a long time if maintained properly, and work in any kind of temperature or humidity level.

Chain-driven door openers are commonly used in residential and industrial applications alike, due in part to their affordability. However, these garage door openers can be noisy, and are not recommended if your garage is attached to your house, especially if it’s located under a second-floor bedroom. Detached garages are better for chain-driven openers. If they’re not maintained properly, they can start to rust and break down. Because of this, we don’t carry or install chain-driven garage door openers.

Belt-Driven Garage Door Openers

A belt-driven garage door opener’s main benefit is that the belt almost completely eliminates the noise typically associated with garage door openers, specifically chain-driven openers.

Belt-driven openers are a great option for residential purposes, especially when it comes to attached garages.

Belt-driven openers are strong, and operate faster than a chain-driven opener. While the belt drive has to be replaced occasionally, it’s an easy replacement.

Belt-driven openers are widely available on the market, and they don’t require as much maintenance as a chain-driven opener. Belt-driven openers can be more expensive than chain-driven openers but they also come with a longer warranty. Some belt-driven openers are available with a battery backup powered option, which is great if you live in the country in case of a power outage.

We carry the Chamberlain LiftMaster 8355W and 8550W with WiFi.

Jackshaft-Driven Garage Door Openers

Jackshaft-driven garage door openers are the newest technology in garage door openers. They’re a great option if your garage has an unusual ceiling design or if you need more ceiling space for garage storage. Jackshaft openers don’t take up ceiling space in your garage with a motor unit because they are wall-mounted — and they’re quiet, making them a great option for homeowners. Garage doors up to 14 feet in height can use jackshaft openers, so they’re also a good option for RV garages.

The Chamberlain LiftMaster 8500 is the best jackshaft opener on the market if you’re looking to install this type of opener on your garage door.

Garage Door Opener Accessories

When it comes to garage door openers, you also have lots of options for accessories, including:

• Remote light control
• Garage door & gate monitoring systems
• Universal keyless entry
• MyQ integration
• Mini universal remote controls

myQ Smart Home Integration

The myQ app, available for download on the App Store and on Google Play, allows you to close, open, and get notifications for your garage door from anywhere in the world.

There are many real-world applications for a garage door that you can interact with from wherever you are. From letting in a repairperson to resting easy that your children could get inside if you aren’t home, the myQ app gives you peace of mind in the palm of your hand.

myQ benefits aren’t done there. You can receive real-time notifications when your garage door opens and closes, check cameras in or around your garage, ensure packages can be left in a safe place, and set daily schedules (e.g. opening or closing the garage and turning on or off the garage light).

Haws Overhead Garage Doors has a great selection of garage doors and openers. All you have to do is contact us today!

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Wood

A garage door that’s made of wood will be hands down one of the most beautiful choices in terms of aesthetics. Wood is a great choice for a garage door because it’s natural and very durable. Wood will never rust and will not dent easily. However, it is important to note that wood garage doors often require the biggest investment and will need refinishing every few years.

Steel

Steel is one of the most popular materials for residential garage doors. Steel is the most economical choice and requires less maintenance than wood. Steel is a great choice for a residential garage door because it offers great security, insulation, and is available in many different styles.

If you want the look of wood without the price tag and maintenance, then steel is definitely the way to go. However, it should be noted that steel is more susceptible to dents.

Aluminum & Glass

For a modern update that will surely be the envy of your neighbours, an aluminum and glass garage door is a very popular material choice for residential garage doors. Aluminum is naturally resistant to rust and corrosion, which makes it a great long-term investment. However, aluminum is naturally softer than steel and can dent more easily.

Specialty Glass

All types of garage doors can be completely customized with specialty glass. At Haws Overhead Doors, we offer many choices of specialty glass for you to choose from to achieve the look and level of privacy that you desire for your home.

Insulation

All of our garage doors can be insulated, regardless of the material. In our Canadian climate, insulated garage doors will help to lower your energy costs and keep you more comfortable.

Take a look through our gallery of past projects and reach out if you have any questions about replacing your home’s garage doors. We are always happy to help!

The post What’s The Best Material For A Residential Garage Door? appeared first on WM Haws Overhead Doors.

This blog highlights the top garage door trends to consider when looking to up the appeal of your home’s exterior.

Modern

Modern-looking home exteriors are minimalist, sleek, and are often built with large windows. This modern trend has given way to modern garage door styles that feature much more window space to complement this style.

A garage door with an aluminum frame and many window panes should be at the top of every homeowner’s wish list. Not only does this style look great from the outside, it also adds a flood of natural light into a (typically) dark garage.

If you are someone who works in your garage, you’ll appreciate the added light, especially in the winter. There are also several types of specialty glass that can be installed to achieve the privacy that you desire.

Carriage-House

Carriage-house garage doors have a modern farmhouse aesthetic. This style has a vintage feel with sophisticated and modernized updates. Carriage-house garage doors come in a number of styles and colours — most commonly with the appearance of woodgrain — and are usually crafted with multiple layers of steel and insulation for durability and warmth. If your personal style is more traditional than modern, carriage-house garage doors are the style for you.

Vertical Windows

Garage doors with more windows are undoubtedly a growing trend and that’s why vertical windows are showing up more and more. This style is highly customizable and allows for more natural light to fill your garage. This door style is very modern and will suit a home with a similar design. Available in many finishes and colours, this door is made of steel is available with or without grooves in the panels.

Quiet Operation

Noisy and squeaky garage doors are a thing of the past!

You no longer have to cringe every time you hear a family member come and go from your home because we carry a has a great selection of garage door openers and accessories by Liftmaster that are nearly silent.

Smart Garage Door Openers

Smart garage door openers are a more advanced version of the classic remote-controlled opener. Today’s technology allows you to monitor and open and close your garage from anywhere. Paired with a mobile app, the smart opener can even send you alerts if you’ve left the door open.

With this technology, you can open and close your garage for deliveries throughout the day from work, at your kids’ hockey practice, or anywhere else! Some models are even equipped with two-way audio and built-in integrations with Siri, Alexa, and Google.

Haws Overhead Garage Doors can provide everything you need to spruce up, replace, and repair your garage door. Contact us to learn more about our products and services and we’ll be happy to help!

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When your commercial garage doors begin to break down or exhibit wear and tear, they become a liability for your business. Here’s how to tell when it’s time to repair or replace your garage doors:

1. Garage doors don’t open and close properly

When your overhead doors are in good condition, you should not experience any issues with opening and closing. The doors should open and close smoothly, without any noise. However, if you start to notice them rattling or shaking upon opening and closing, or they come to a sudden halt, it may be time to repair or replace them.

There are typically two main reasons why garage doors stop opening and closing properly: the tracks may need to be lubricated or the motor may be broken. Excessive vibration could require a full garage door replacement. Ask your overhead door maintenance professional to troubleshoot these two issues before ordering a replacement.

2. Garage doors are slow to respond

It may seem harmless, but a garage door that responds too slowly could be a serious hazard to you and your employees. At a push of a button your garage door should respond within seconds and, if it doesn’t, it could cause an accident. Most garage doors become slow to respond because of motor issues. The repair could be as simple as replacing the batteries, but it’s also possible that the sensor could be broken.

3. Garage doors are no longer secure

Your overhead doors are essential for protecting your property. Whether you own a warehouse stocked with goods, a car repair business and high-value car parts, or anything in between, keeping your valuables protected against break-ins is non-negotiable.

If your garage doors are no longer providing the security your business needs, it may be time to replace them. Even seemingly small damage like dents or chips could make your business more vulnerable to theft.

4. Garage doors are old and worn

As a business owner, you want to make a quality impression. If your garage doors are old, worn, or unattractive, you may be discouraging people from purchasing products or services from you.

Your curb appeal communicates a lot about your business and if your garage doors are old, you  may inadvertently telling people that you don’t take pride in your work. Replacing your garage doors can help to elevate the appearance of your property  and provide your business with a range of new, modern security features.

From regular maintenance to the newest technological upgrades, contact Haws Overhead Doors for all of your commercial garage door needs.

The post Should I Repair or Replace My Commercial Garage Doors? appeared first on WM Haws Overhead Doors.

What is Amazon Key for Garage?

Amazon Key for Garage lets Amazon’s delivery person open your garage door when you’re not home and leave your packages in your garage. It works with all Amazon Prime deliveries.

Is my home safe?

Giving Amazon access to your garage may not be appealing to some homeowners at first, but Amazon Key for Garage comes with a number of safety features to ensure that your home’s safety isn’t compromised.

Amazon Key for Garage can be paired with a camera system to monitor your garage door. You can also sign up to receive notifications when a package has been delivered, and you can monitor and control your deliveries every step of the way with an app on your smartphone.

If you allocate a particular area in your garage where you’d like the packages to be placed and your delivery person will place the package appropriately. The delivery person will also have been instructed not to put packages in the path of car traffic, so you won’t have to worry about driving over your deliveries when you get home.

Which garage door openers does Amazon Key for Garage pair with?

Amazon Key for Garage works with most garage door openers. It works best with Chamberlain or LiftMaster MyQ garage door openers, as they already have built-in WiFi capabilities. However, there are also different brands of hubs available for purchase that can pair with your existing garage door opener.

When can I purchase Amazon Key for Garage?

Amazon Key for Garage can be purchased on the Amazon website and easily pairs with our Liftmaster or Chamberlain operators. It will be available this year.

Contact us to find out if it is available and to purchase Amazon Key for Garage so that you have peace of mind when you’re away from home.

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But the way your home looks to passersby can also increase your home’s overall value, and one of the easiest ways to boost your curb appeal is by replacing your garage doors.

In fact, replacing your garage doors can get you an average return on investment (ROI) of 98.3%. If you’re looking to replace your garage doors this year, here are a few things to consider to maximize your ROI:

1. Upgrade your garage door’s appearance & functionality

Replacing your garage doors provides a great opportunity to add some style and character to your home. Instead of replacing your old garage door with a similar one, consider a different colour or a different style that works well with your home.

Of course, replacing your garage doors is about functionality as well, and new doors will come with new springs, cables, weather stripping, hinges and rollers for smooth operation. Consider garage doors that are made of high-quality materials that will last.

3. Consider faux wood

Depending on the age of your home and when your garage doors were last replaced, you may have wood garage doors. If you’re replacing them, consider faux wood instead. Faux wood doors require less upkeep and maintenance. Wood doors have zero R value (an indication of their energy efficiency), whereas faux wood doors with insulation can provide up to 20% more energy efficiency, giving you savings on your utility bills.

4. Consider modern styles

Garage door manufacturing has come a long way in the past few years, with exciting developments in styles that can make your home more attractive to potential buyers. Garage doors now come in contemporary styles, like mid-century modern, which can really enhance your home’s other exterior features.

Glass garage doors are also becoming a popular choice as people look to extend their living spaces. If you use your garage as an extra living space, like a home office or a rec room, a glass door can give you more natural light.

5. Create a contrast

Years ago, garage door trends tended to play it safe, and many homeowners opted for garage doors that matched the brick or siding on their home. Instead, consider creating a contrast between your garage doors and other exterior elements. Contrasting colours and elements can help add more warmth to your home’s exterior and turn your beautiful new garage door into a focal point.

6. Restore your home’s original charm

If you have an old home, it’s likely that the exterior has been renovated, painted and added to over the years. Installing new garage doors will allow you to replace old garage doors that may not work with your home’s style and overall appearance and restore your home back to its original charm.

At Wm. Haws Overhead Garage Doors, we’re committed to providing you with high-quality residential garage doors that will help your home put its best face forward! Contact or visit us to request a consultation for your new garage doors.

The post How To Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal With Garage Doors appeared first on WM Haws Overhead Doors.

Garage door installation and maintenance is complex work that requires knowledge and skill. Next time you need a garage door installed or repaired, call the professionals instead of tackling the work yourself.

DIY maintenance can sometimes save you money, but it’s important to know when it’s time to call in the professionals:

1. Save Time

Professional garage door installation can save you time. When you hire a professional for garage door installation, you’re hiring a qualified installer who will get the job done in a timely manner. Instead of spending hours of your own time researching how to install a garage door, simply call up a professional to do the work.

2. Warranty-Backed Work

If you install or repair your own garage door, you may be voiding its warranty. Garage doors need to be properly installed by a qualified professional, so that if anything does go wrong, you won’t be liable for things that would be covered under a warranty. If you make mistakes in your installation or repair, you could void your warranty and end up spending even more money to fix the damage.

3. Installation & Repair Requires Special Tools

Some DIY tasks can be performed with tools most homeowners have lying around the garage, but garage door installation requires special tools. Instead of spending the money to buy or rent the tools yourself, or risk doing the installation or repairs without the right tools, it’s best to hire a professional to take on the project.

4. Garage Doors Are Heavy

Garage doors are designed to be heavy so that they provide security for your home and its contents. Garage doors weigh more than 100 pounds and are dangerous to lift by yourself. In addition, if you don’t have the right tools to secure and support the weight of the garage door, you may experience support failure.

5. Avoid Injuries

If you don’t have the right skills or tools to complete a garage door installation or repair, you could risk serious injuries. Garage door installation and repair is physically tough work, often requiring the use of a ladder, and if you’re not properly trained or prepared you could fall or hurt yourself.

6. High Tension Can Be Dangerous

Garage doors use springs to raise and lower, and these springs have to be strong enough to lift the heavy weight of a garage door and keep it under high tension. Over time, springs tend to naturally slacken and need to be tightened. If you don’t know how to tighten springs, low tension will cause them to be ineffective, and high tension could rupture the spring. Ruptured springs can cause flying shrapnel, which can be very dangerous to the inexperienced DIYer.

7. Avoid Damage

Personal injuries aren’t the only damage you can do when repairing or installing your own garage door; you could cause structural damage to the door and even your home. If you don’t properly balance or fit the door, you could cause serious structural risk to your entire garage. You may not even notice the damage until it’s too late to be fixed.

At Haws Overhead Doors, we offer installation of a wide range of residential garage doors, as well as service and repair to keep your garage door in great shape. For all of your garage door needs, contact Haws Overhead Doors today.

The post Reasons To Have Your Garage Door Installed & Repaired By A Professional appeared first on WM Haws Overhead Doors.

Why Are Commercial & Agricultural Overhead Doors Important?

Your commercial or agricultural buildings house a lot of important goods that are essential for running your business or farm.Whether it’s livestock, harvest, equipment, technology and more, protecting your livelihood is essential, and it starts with choosing the right overhead door.

What Should I Consider When Choosing An Overhead Door?

If you are considering an overhead door for commercial or agricultural applications, you should choose an overhead door based on a few main criteria:

1. What type of building is the door for?

The first thing you should do before choosing an overhead door is assess the building where you’ll be installing it. A fully-insulated barn that houses livestock will need a different type of overhead door than a storage building or a commercial building.

2. Does it need to be waterproof?

Depending on the use of your building, you’ll want to consider how waterproof your overhead door needs to be. If your building houses dry goods or electronics that need to be kept dry, you’ll want to install an overhead door that is highly waterproof.

3. How durable does the door need to be?

Your commercial or agricultural overhead door is an investment. Purchasing and installing a highly-durable overhead door is essential for ensuring that you won’t have to replace it on a regular basis. In heavy commercial or agricultural settings, choose a reinforced door with a sturdy body to withstand everyday use.

4. How efficient is the overhead door?

If your commercial or agricultural building has heating or cooling systems, choosing an energy efficient overhead door should be a priority. Look for an overhead door with a high R-value and a low U-value. Overhead doors with high energy efficiency can also be useful in settings where you don’t have heating or cooling as they can help keep the elements out and maintain a comfortable temperature within the building.

5. How secure is the overhead door?

Protecting your commercial or agricultural business is of the utmost importance, and your overhead door is the first line of security for your building and property. Look for an overhead door with reinforced hinges, manual locks, steel latches and other security features to suit your needs.

Commercial & Agricultural Overhead Doors Can Be Beautiful

While choosing an overhead door that’s durable and secure is a priority for any business owner, the aesthetic qualities of the overhead door can be just as important. You don’t need to sacrifice beauty for function, even in commercial and agricultural settings. You can easily match your door with the appearance of your building by considering features like:

• Colour
• Style
• Size
• Windows
• Other customizable options & features

At Wm. Haws Overhead Doors, we carry a wide range of customizable commercial and agricultural overhead doors from Clopay.

Preventative Maintenance For Your Commercial Or Agricultural Overhead Door

Choosing the right commercial or agricultural overhead door is just the first step to ensuring your business and livelihood are protected.  If a commercial or agricultural door is faulty, it can negatively impact your business, so annual preventative maintenance is essential. We recommend that you consider having an annual inspection as part of your preventative maintenance plan to ensure your overhead door continues to work effectively.

If you need help choosing the right agricultural or commercial overhead door for your business, contact Wm. Haws Overhead Doors today.

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Garage Door Style

One of the first things you should do when choosing a new garage door is to pick a style that complements the style of your home. If you have a traditional home, it’s best to choose a more traditional garage door, rather than a  modern one. You can also choose your panel design, from carriage house panels to flush panels, long raised panels or short raised panels. Panels will add style and depth both to your garage door and to your home.

If you’re unsure what style of door would look best with your home, try our virtual garage door fitting tool!

Garage Door Type

When it comes to materials, steel is the most popular and most affordable option for homeowners. Steel doors come in three types:

• Single-layer doors made up of a single layer of galvanized steel.
• Double-layer doors made up of a galvanized steel skin on the outside, with a thick layer of polystyrene or polyurethane on the back (to provide insulation and soundproofing).
• Triple-layer doors made up of the same layers as double-layer doors, with the addition of another layer of galvanized steel on the inside to protect the polystyrene or polyurethane from damage.

Double-layer and triple-layer doors provide insulation and soundproofing, making them  an ideal choice for homes with living spaces above the garage. The layered doors will also provide temperature regulation for your living spaces and can help your home be more energy efficient.

R-Values

If you have a bedroom above your garage, or if you use your garage itself as a living space, you should pay attention to the R-value on the garage door. A garage door with an R-value of at least three is required for moderate to temperate climates, whereas R-values of 10 or more are better for colder climates.

Garage Door Parts & Accessories

Choosing the right garage door for your home doesn’t stop at the garage door itself. There are many accessories and features to choose from that will help you update an existing door, or  enhance your new one. Hardware, like simulated windows and hinge and handle sets, will add an aesthetic touch to your garage door without any major renovations.

Home automation systems are also an important consideration when choosing your new garage door. Your garage door opener may be equipped with WiFi so you can connect it to your smartphone or tablet, or other features including remote keyless entry and door monitoring for your convenience and peace of mind.

At Wm. Haws Overhead Doors, our team can help you choose the best garage door for your home. We also provide installation and repair services so you can keep your garage door running smoothly! Contact us today.

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