Garage Door FAQ
Do you give free estimates?
We are happy to give free estimates for sales of doors and openers. Because service and repair work involves a site inspection by a qualified technician, we may charge a minimum service fee to diagnose equipment problems.
What measurements do I need to know for a new door?
- Width of the opening from jamb to jamb.
- Height of the opening from the floor to the bottom of the header.
- Headroom from the top of the opening to the ceiling or first obstruction.
- We also offer free site analysis to ensure proper door size and track configuration are ordered.
Learn more in our How to Shop for a Garage Door Guide ›
How much does a garage door cost?
Garage door pricing will vary according to size, strength, level of customized design, insulation value, etc. Our experienced sales staff is trained to provide you with the information you need to find the right door for your home and budget.
Learn more in our How to Shop for a Garage Door Guide ›
Should I use a professional installer?
Garage doors are the largest moving objects in your home and business. Installation of garage doors is highly technical. Springs can be particularly dangerous and proper installation is critical to the performance of your door and the safety of those that use it. American Door Works’ professional technicians can typically install a door in only a few hours and are careful to make sure all safety requirements are met. A professional installation will save you time and guarantee that your door performs safely and effectively.
What are the benefits of a steel door vs. wood door?
Steel door benefits:
- Low maintenance
- Longer warranties
- Insulated steel doors are far more energy efficient
Wood door benefits:
- Great accent for front of your home
- Can be stained to match your home exactly
- Unlimited design options
Do I need an insulated door?
- If your garage is attached to your home, any air in the garage could travel through the doorway to your living area.
- If you use your garage as a workshop or other purposes during extreme hot or cold weather, your comfort will be a top priority.
- If your garage is below another room in your home, air can travel through the ceiling of the garage into the floor above. An insulated door will keep temperatures in the garage fairly stable to reduce the temperature fluctuation in the room.
- An insulated door is generally quieter and has a more attractive interior than an uninsulated door.
What happens to my old door?
Another advantage of a professional installation is the removal and disposal of your old door. For a small fee, our technicians will properly remove your door and recycle all recoverable materials and properly dispose of the rest.
What is headroom and what is the minimum for a sectional overhead door?
Headroom is the distance from the top of your opening to the lowest point of the ceiling or first obstruction, such as ductwork.
The amount that is needed depends on what type of spring system your new door will have. Torsion springs require 12″. These amounts are for door operation only. If you are installing a garage door opener, an additional 2-3″ of headroom is required. Low headroom kits are available for tight installations. Other special track applications include vertical and high lift track, for use in situations where the ceiling is unusually high. Our sales staff will help you determine the exact dimensions of your garage to ensure a proper fit.
Are special door sizes available?
Yes, we are able to order doors in any size. Limitations may vary between models and manufacturers. Door heights are typically available in 3” increments.
How long will it take to get my new garage door?
Lead times can vary based on a number of factors such as the door being ordered, market conditions, supply chain variables, etc. Standard lead time for install of in stock doors is 1-2 weeks. Custom and special order doors usually take 3-4 weeks from time of order to install. Ask our sales team for the most up-to-date lead times for your project.
What do I need to do to prepare my garage for your technicians?
To install the doors and openers efficiently, our technicians need the space to be free of debris. Please have all vehicles, boats, etc. out of the garage during installation.
Can I paint a steel door?
Yes. Steel doors can be painted with a quality latex paint. NEVER use an oil base paint which will cause the original finish to bubble up and peel off. With latex paint, there is no prep work needed other than to make sure the door is clean and dry before painting. Painting a steel door may negate the finish warranty, so ask our professionals for details.
Does a lower number for the gauge of steel mean that it is thicker?
Yes. The lower the gauge, the thicker and stronger the steel. For example, 24-gauge steel is thicker than 27-gauge steel. However, a “sandwich” constructed door with two 27-gauge steel skins and a bonded insulated core is stronger than a “steel frame” door with a single 24-gauge steel skin.
Which is better: Torsion or extension?
Garage doors use two types of springs, extension and torsion. Extension springs are attached on either side of the door and stretched along the horizontal part of the track when the door is closed. Torsion springs are typically located just above the top section of the door and are mounted to the header. They are wound and do not expand or contract when the door is moved.
Torsion springs are superior to extension springs because they offer more safety to the homeowner and better balance to the door which provides a smoother operation. All American Door Works doors are equipped with torsion springs as part of our standard hardware package.
Can I use my existing opener on a new door?
Yes, however, the opener must meet certain reversing requirements in order to prevent entrapment. Opener codes are dictated by State and Federal guidelines (UL-325). Existing machines are checked first by the serial number and manufacturer name, then by proper installation and finally by condition. If a compliant machine does not work properly or a machine is not in compliance, our installing technician will tag the machine and notify you of the reason for the tag.
How qualified and trained are your technicians?
We are one of only ten IDEA Accredited Door Dealers in Minnesota. Our service technicians are highly trained professionals who are employed exclusively by us rather than subcontractors.
My door makes a lot of noise. Should I be concerned?
In most cases the squeaky noise is caused when older spring coils rub against one another. This isn’t a safety concern and can be corrected with a spray on lubricant or by running a thin bead of motor oil across the top of each spring. If that doesn’t quiet the door, then it is best to error on the side of caution and call our service department for service and adjustment of your door.
Do you take credit cards or checks?
We gladly accept cash, checks, Mastercard, Visa, Discover and American Express credit cards. We do require 50% down on all door purchases at the time of purchase.
What is the warranty?
New doors and openers are covered by a minimum two-year warranty on material and workmanship. We are the only company in the area that offers a two-year warranty on workmanship. We also provide a five-year spring warranty. Several door and opener manufacturers have extended material warranties that we honor. Service and repair work warranties are 60-days on parts and labor.
What kind of doors and openers do you repair?
We repair all brands of doors and motor operators that are compliant with legal codes.
I've been comparing the R-values of various doors, and I am surprised at the variance between them. Can you explain this?
Many manufacturers use R-values to show the energy efficiency of their product. This number is arrived at through a calculation that looks at the thickness of the insulation and its chemical properties. Therefore, most of the R-value numbers you see, reflect only the R-value of the section… not of the installed door. A door’s insulating capabilities can be greatly affected by the door’s construction. Polyurethane is a better and more efficient insulator than polystyrene.
What is the difference between R-Value and U-Factor?
R-value ratings are calculated by measuring heat loss through the core of a single section of a sectional door. A higher R-Value generally means that the door panels are better insulated.
U-factor ratings, on the other hand, is tested and calculated by measuring heat transfer of the whole door system installed (the entire door, panels, joints, etc.). A lower U-Factor generally means that the entire door system is better insulated.
How do I know if my door is properly balanced?
There are several tests you can perform to tell if your door is balanced:
- You should be able to raise your door halfway and the door should stay in place where you stop.
- When the door comes down, it lowers in a controlled manner and doesn’t slam.
- When the door goes up, it is at a controlled pace.
- The bottom of the door should align with the bottom of the header when the door is in a raised position.
How do I replace and program my Liftmaster remote control?
We carry a full line of Liftmaster accessories including remote controls. Please start by determining the color of the “learn” button on your opener. With that information, our staff can find the appropriate remote control for you. They will give you detailed instructions on how to program the new remote control. If you have questions when you get home you can always go to the LiftMaster support site at support.chamberlaingroup.com.
When I replace my existing door, can I keep my old track?
We recommend replacing your track when you replace your door. Replacing your track is an inexpensive way to ensure that your entire garage door system is as safe as possible. By replacing your track you also ensure that your door warranty will apply, in the event that you have a problem.
Still have a question?
We understand you’re looking for uncomplicated answers for your door needs. Contact our expert team for personalized assistance and answers to all your questions.
Still have a question?
We understand you’re looking for uncomplicated answers for your door needs. Contact our expert team for personalized assistance and answers to all your questions.