Garage doors come in all materials, sizes, styles and even shapes! You can get custom garage doors made of glass as well as golf cart doors and even huge RV sized garage doors. One thing that every garage door owner must decide for themselves is if they want a manually operated garage door or an automatic (or electric) one. Here at Woodstock Garage Door Repair we are often asked about the pros and cons of either. Overall, more people choose the convenience and ease of use that comes with the electric garage door system. Read on and see what some of the drawbacks and benefits of each type are. It will be up to you to weigh everything and make a decision whether to install a manual garage door or an automatic one. Or, maybe you already have one or the other and are thinking of making a change.
Manual garage doors
There was a time when all garage doors were manually operated. You had to actually do the lifting and lowering of your garage door each time you used it. You might be wondering what possible benefit this offers any homeowner but actually there are a few. Cost is one. Manually operated garage doors are not as expensive as having to purchase and install an automatic garage door opener. Upkeep is less, as well. You might even want the extra exercise that these manually operated garage doors offer you. Another small benefit is that installing your manually operated garage door is less involved, less expensive, and easier done than having to add the automatic, electric version.
Most manual garage doors in Woodstock, GA are found in older neighborhoods and typically involve older, single garage doors. Home builders will typically install the automatic kind as this is more in demand with new home buyers for a couple of reasons; builder mark-up is present and this translates into more money not only for the contractor but also for everyone else involved in the home buying process including realtor, mortgage professional, banks, etc. Also, a home sold with an automatic garage door opener presents a more attractive package for a buyer as one of the main drawbacks with electric garage doors is the hassle and care that must be taken when actually installing the garage door. Obviously this is already done by the builder and the new buyer doesn’t have to bother with this at all.
Electric garage doors
As you know, most new home buyers will want the upgraded convenience of an automatic garage door opener. Many younger buyers will not even consider anything else, in fact, they may not even be aware that they have this option. Electric garage doors offer convenience, safety, and added security that many consider well worth the additional cost.
Consider for a moment how easy it actually is to gain access to your garage using an electric garage door. You simply drive up, push a button and drive on into your property. If it’s raining; you don’t get wet. If you are on your smartphone you simply keep talking as you arrive home. Maybe you are listening to your favorite song or the news on the radio. No need to interrupt that; just push that opener button and continue!
Safety is another feature that automatically comes with having an electric garage door. Like it or not, you are exposed and vulnerable when you leave the security and comfort of your car in order to open your garage door. It is the ideal time to accost you as you are occupied with doing another task – opening your garage door. You can be kidnapped, assaulted or worse! In addition, once your garage is opened the crook now has access to your home and its contents. He can drag you inside, close the garage door and you are completely at his mercy. Then there’s the vulnerability of your car! You are not in it but they keys are! So are you smart phone, purse, wallet, registration, driver’s license and maybe even your child! Carjacking is easy to do when the real driver has his, or her back turned!
Other factors
Many Woodstock, GA residents choose electric garage doors over manual ones for another reason; the automatic safety provided by your photo electric eyes. These are not an option when you only have the manual garage door as they are a part of the automatic garage door opener system. The safety sensors do their job by stopping your heavy garage door from descending directly on to whatever is underneath it. This could be a pet, child, neighbor or even a car. Remember that time when you didn’t pull into the garage far enough and the trunk was sticking out enough for the garage door to hit? The crash didn’t happen because your safety sensors prevented it. Our Woodstock, GA garage door specialists often hear from customers that they fear NOT having the photo electric safety eyes as they have children that accidentally close the garage door on themselves or each other.
Are there drawbacks to having an electric garage door?
From our customer’s experiences, there are only two. The first is cost. If you don’t already have an opener unit, it will cost you to buy one and to have it installed. The second “con” is that you shouldn’t do-it-yourself when it comes to installation. In order to attach your new opener system correctly and safely, it should be done by professionals with experience and skill or else, why bother! There is more to garage door opener installation than just connecting it. It must be configured correctly to handle the weight of your home or business garage door. Sure, there are video instruction online as well as endless opinions of friends and family but nothing beats having a licensed, bonded and insured garage door professional do the work safely, correctly and affordably. Ultimately, which garage door you choose is up to you and hopefully this posting will help you decide!
Woodstock Garage Door Repair 