Portland Area Garage Door Services for Homes & Businesses

Portland Guide to Exceptional Garage Door Spring Repair

Homeowners often face unexpected events, which tend to occur at the most inconvenient times. One such frustrating situation is having your car stuck in the garage, especially if you recently had a garage door repair. Stephen & Sons Garage Door Service comes to the rescue by following the industry's best practices, providing top-tier advice to homeowners every time we work in a garage. These practices result in time and money savings, and we always prioritize our customers' satisfaction.

Effective Strategy #1 - Swap Out Both Springs

Garage doors typically have two springs that are installed concurrently. When one spring fails, it often indicates that the other spring is approaching its life's end as well. In order to avert upcoming disruptions, potential dangers, and harm to the garage door opener, Stephen & Sons Garage Door Service usually suggests swapping both springs. Just as replacing both car tires after one fails is important, it's crucial to maintain valuable equipment like garage doors and automobiles by changing both garage door springs.

Effective Strategy #2 - Identifying the Suitable Springs

Garage doors come in various weights and sizes, necessitating the use of the correct springs to properly balance the door. If a technician installs the wrong spring, it can damage your garage door system and cause the opener to work harder than it should. This can lead to premature opener failure and additional repair calls. DIY spring replacement can also be risky for this reason. That's why Stephen & Sons Garage Door Service technicians exclusively install the right springs for the door's weight and conduct a balance test to confirm their work.

Effective Strategy #3 - Conducting a Safety Inspection

As part of every spring repair, Stephen & Sons Garage Door Service conducts a gratis safety inspection to ensure all hardware and moving parts on your door work correctly and satisfy safety criteria. Since the hardware was likely installed concurrently with the springs, there's a chance that some worn mechanical parts on your door are dangerous. A malfunctioning spring could hint at a bigger issue with your door. For this reason, we consider offering a free safety inspection and maintaining a safe setting for our customers a best practice.

Because we stock a wide range of springs to accommodate the various types of garage doors, we recommend having a professionally trained technician take precise measurements before giving you an exact price estimate. Contact Stephen & Sons Garage Door Service today to have a skilled technician provide an estimate for garage door spring repair!

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Garage Door Opener

Belt Driven Openers

Considered the best type of opener in the industry, belt-driven openers are not only as reliable as chain drives, but they are also virtually silent. They run on a steel-reinforced belt and are slightly more expensive than chain and screw drive openers. For homeowners in Portland with garages attached to their homes or surrounded by bedrooms, a belt-driven opener ensures you won't be disturbed by garage door noise. Many customers who choose belt-driven openers are extremely satisfied and can't imagine going back to the noise of a chain opener.

Jackshaft Openers

Wall-mounted openers, also known as jackshaft openers, are installed on the wall next to your garage door and connected to the torsion spring above the door, rather than being mounted on the garage ceiling. This option is suitable for garages with high ceilings or for homeowners who want to save ceiling space. While the cost of a wall-mounted opener is somewhat higher than a ceiling-mounted opener, Stephen & Sons Garage Door Service highly recommends it for specific garage setups.

Screw Driven Openers

Utilizing a lifting mechanism that runs on a threaded steel rod rather than a chain or rubber belt, screw drive openers work optimally in areas with constant weather and temperature conditions throughout the year. For those in Portland with variable weather patterns, a screw drive opener might not be suitable. These openers are the slowest and noisiest of all three types and are the most affordable. If noise and speed are important factors for you, a screw-driven opener may not be the best choice.

Chain Driven Openers

Frequently used in Portland, chain drive openers are dependable and operate the garage door on its track by employing a metal chain. These openers are a little less costly than belt drives. However, they are noisy, which can be an issue if your garage is located below or adjacent to your home's main living spaces. Due to the minor savings and the absence of a lifetime warranty provided by LiftMaster® for belt drives, we usually do not recommend chain drive openers.

10 Factors That Make Stephen & Sons Garage Door Service the Right Choice

1. Proven Experience: With a successful history spanning many years and countless satisfied clients, our industry-leading experts ensure that your garage door needs are managed effectively and efficiently.
2. Assorted Products and Services: Stephen & Sons Garage Door Service delivers a wide variety of products and services designed to meet your individual needs. Our offerings include everything from bespoke doors to repair and installation services, ensuring we have the right solution for any door or product you need.
3. Knowledgeable Staff: Our employees are well-informed and maintain a professional demeanor. They appreciate the value of superior customer service and strive to make your experience with them enjoyable. From fielding your concerns about overhead doors to sharing tips on garage door care, they're at your service.
4. High-Quality Materials: We use only the finest materials available to ensure your doors and gates are both strong and aesthetically pleasing. With our company in Portland, you can be confident that you're investing in a valuable and lasting product.
5. Safety Commitment: Our company guarantees the proper and secure installation of your garage door. You can be confident that the installation and maintenance of your overhead door are carried out according to the strictest measures, ensuring a safe haven for you and your family.
6. Wallet-Friendly Solutions: Stephen & Sons Garage Door Service delivers numerous cost-saving options for your doors and gates needs. You can identify a solution that matches your financial constraints, covering installation, repairs, and custom creations.
7. Swift Service: When it comes to fixing or installing a garage door, quick action is crucial. A trustworthy Portland business will guarantee that your requirements are addressed promptly and effectively.
8. Excellence Guaranteed: We guarantee excellence in our services and products, ensuring that any doors and gates repairs or installations are executed to the highest standards. This provides you with the assurance that your investment is well-guarded.
9. Warranty: Our warranty coverage provides added peace of mind for your investment, ensuring that any malfunction or accidental damage to your garage door is taken care of. This helps to lessen any worries or financial burdens associated with a faulty door.
10. Satisfaction is Our Goal: Stephen & Sons Garage Door Service aims to ensure your satisfaction with our garage doors and other offerings. We strive to exceed your expectations and provide exceptional service.

Problems with Garage Door Repair That We See Frequently

Broken Springs: Garage door springs are under a lot of tension, which makes them prone to breaking. Inspecting them can help identify the cause of any issues you're experiencing with your garage door.

Worn-out rollers: Garage door rollers can become worn out over time, leading to a malfunctioning door. Check the rollers' condition and replace them as necessary.

Damaged Panels Prevention: Regular maintenance can help prevent the panels on your garage door from becoming damaged due to weather or normal wear and tear, or a hit by a vehicle or a heavy object.

Misaligned tracks: Troubleshooting misaligned tracks is essential when your garage door is stuck. Check the tracks to ensure that they're in the proper position.

Faulty Opener: A faulty garage door opener can cause problems with the opening and closing of your door. Calling a professional for assistance with any issues related to the opener is recommended.

Safety Sensor: One of the most frequent problems that garage doors encounter is a misaligned safety sensor. This issue can occur when an object or a child accidentally hits the sensor, preventing the door from closing correctly. To prevent this problem, it's crucial to keep an eye on the sensor.

Frequently Encountered Door Repair Problems

Rotting: The decay of wooden gates due to improper treatment or sealing can cause them to weaken and eventually collapse.

Pests: Termites and carpenter bees are also potential threats to wooden gates. A periodic inspection is necessary to detect any signs of intrusion.

Frames: Damaged or bent frames on overhead doors can create instability and pose a safety hazard. Repairing or replacing the affected frame is crucial to prevent accidents and maintain safety.

Sagging: The weight of a wooden gate is the primary cause of sagging. To prevent this issue, it's essential to use heavy-duty hardware and properly secure the gate posts.

Rusting: Exposure to moisture or humidity can lead to rust, a common issue. If you reside in a humid area, it's crucial to monitor your overhead door for rust indications.

Hinges: Damaged or misaligned hinges can cause your overhead door to be difficult to open and close. Although this can be frustrating, it is usually a simple repair for a professional to take care of.

Warping: Warping, often caused by extreme weather conditions, can result in a misshapen gate if it's exposed to hot or cold temperatures.

Fading: Sun exposure and weather conditions can cause your gate's color to fade over time. To maintain the new look of your garage door, consider repainting it every few years.

Rollers: Overhead door rollers play a vital role in ensuring smooth door movement. Any damage or wear can hinder proper opening and closing. Thankfully, roller replacement is usually a straightforward repair.

Installation: The repercussions of incorrect installation can be significant. Gates that are poorly installed can be unsafe and unstable, so it is essential to address the issue immediately.

Why You Might Need to Replace Your Garage Door in Portland: Key Indicators

If you're contemplating replacing your garage doors, don't limit your thinking to resale value. There are other reasons for Portland residents to consider as well. Here are a few examples:

Raise Your Home's Attractiveness

Assess your home and take note of how much space your garage doors occupy at the front. Upgrading them in Portland can make a significant difference in your home's curb appeal without breaking the bank.

Prioritize Safety and Security

Garage doors are a common point of entry for burglars in Portland. Do you feel confident that your current garage door cannot be easily breached by nefarious individuals? Additionally, if your garage door is not current, you may not have access to the latest safety advancements, such as automatic reversal that raises the door upon contact with an obstacle.

Home Energy Efficiency

The garage door is likely the largest moving object attached to your home and can be the most energy-inefficient space due to its daily opening and closing. Even though Portland, OR homeowners prioritize energy-efficient replacement windows and front entry doors, they often overlook the impact of their garage door on overall energy costs. Insulated garage doors can reduce the transfer of hot and cold air, leading to significant energy savings for your household.

Quieten Your Garage Door

The noise from overhead doors opening and closing can be a nuisance, especially for those sleeping in rooms adjacent to or above the garage. Stephen & Sons Garage Door Service offers ultra-quiet hinges to significantly reduce door noise and ensure a seamless opening and closing process.

Frequently Asked Questions from Our Valued Portland, OR Customers

Is it advisable to hire a professional for my new garage door installation?

At Stephen & Sons Garage Door Service, we maintain that garage door installation should not be attempted as a DIY project. Given that a garage door is the largest moving item in your home and consists of numerous small components, the installation process is quite complex. Connecting the springs can be especially hazardous, and the door's performance depends on proper installation. Expert garage door dealers/installers can usually complete the task in a matter of hours, ensuring all safety measures are met. In contrast, most homeowners spend several days on installation, often experiencing frustration. Furthermore, improper installation may void certain warranties, so we advise having a professional handle the task. Another benefit of employing a professional garage door dealer/installer is the disposal of your old door when replacing it.

If your garage is not insulated, would an insulated door be a good choice?

The transfer of heat or cold air through the large garage door opening can be minimized by installing insulated doors. This is essential if your garage is attached to your home, used as a workshop, or located below another room in your house. Additionally, insulated doors are quieter and more visually appealing.

1. If your garage is a workshop, comfort is a top priority.
2. When your garage is underneath another room, insulated doors contribute to a more stable temperature in the room above.
3. Insulated doors are also quieter and more attractive than non-insulated doors.
4. Insulated doors keep air in the garage from traveling to the living area.

Steel or wood - better garage door durability?

Compared to wood doors, steel doors generally require less maintenance. Stephen & Sons Garage Door Service's steel doors come pre-painted with a baked-on coating from the factory. For best results, we recommend cleaning the exterior of the door once a year with warm water and a household detergent. Our wood doors are unfinished and must be primed and painted or stained on all six sides when delivered. We recommend inspecting the door's paint or stain finish once a year to determine if another application is necessary.

Can I replace my one-piece garage door with a sectional garage door?

Your professional garage door dealer/installer can set up a sectional door for you by installing the appropriate track and springs. Additional modifications may be required depending on your garage's configuration. It is recommended that you have your Portland, OR dealer evaluate the job before installation to make any necessary modifications.

What kind of paint should I use to paint my new garage door?

Yes, all our steel doors at Stephen & Sons Garage Door Service are pre-painted with a premium factory-applied baked-on coating that can be repainted. Our doors are built to last and can accept a wide range of commercially available latex exterior paints, as long as they are applied following the paint manufacturer's recommendations. Please avoid using oil-based paints for optimal results.