Is 25 gauge steel thicker than 24 gauge?

• No. When comparing strengths of steel, remember the lower the gauge number, the thicker (and stronger) the steel.

Why should I choose an insulated door if my garage is uninsulated?

• A garage door opening is a very huge hole in your garage.  Insulated doors will help to reduce the amount of outside temperatures that enters your garage, thus keeping it more comfortable for you.

   

  This is important for a number of reasons:

  1. If your garage is attached to your home, any air in the garage can travel through the doorway to your living area.

  2. If you use your garage as a workshop, your comfort will be a top priority.

  3. If your garage is below another room in your home, air can travel through the ceiling of the garage into the floor of the room above. 

      An insulated door will keep temperatures in the garage fairly stable to reduce the temperature fluctuation in the room.

  4. An insulated door is generally quieter and has a more attractive interior than an un-insulated door.

   

What are the benefits of a steel door or a wood door?

• Steel doors are low maintenance.  Typically a wood door needs to be painted as frequently as the wood trim on your home due to weathering. 

  Steel doors have longer warranties than wood doors and can be insulated, making them far more energy efficient than wood.
  

What is required for installing an electric operator?

• In the event that an electric operator is installed, the top section must be reinforced with a strut or 14-guage angle iron spanning the length of the top section.

Can I paint the door once it's installed?

• Yes.  Ask the dealer for detailed paint instructions.

My garage has very little space (headroom) above the door,  What is the minimum  headroom required to operate a sectional door?

• Standard headroom applications require 12" to 18" of space between the bottom of the opening header and the unobstructed ceiling.  However, Pro-Tech Doors Specializes in custom-built applications.  A variety of special track options are available and make it possible for many unusual garages to be fitted with doors.  For example by using low-headroom track, it is possible to install a door in an area that has as little as 6 ½" of headroom.

I've been comparing R-values of various doors and am surprised at the variance among them.  Can you explain this?

• Many manufactures 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.

   

Do I need to lock my garage door?

• If an electric opener has been installed on your door, it may not be necessary to have a lock.  Newer electric openers function as the lock, making it improbable that an intruder would be able to lift your door from the outside.  If you have an older opener, check to see if your door can be lifted from the outside.

What type of spring is better… extension or torsion?

• There are two types of springs used on garage doors today…extension and torsion.  Most people are more familiar with extension springs.  These are the springs that are attached on either side of the door and Stretch 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 springs and do not expand or contract when the door is moved.  A torsion spring is a superior spring, primarily because it offers more safety to the homeowner and better balances the door to provide smoother operation.  Single car doors are equipped with extension springs as part of the standard hardware, but torsion springs are available by request.  All double car doors are equipped with torsion springs.

What type of care and maintenance is necessary for my steel door and hardware?

• We recommend that you wash your steel door a minimum of one time per year with: One cup of Tide dissolved into five gallons of warm water or one cup of household ammonia dissolved into five gallons of water (room temperature).  The garage door may be washed with either solution and use of a well soaked cloth, sponge, brush (with very soft bristles) or low pressure spray washer are recommended.  Once door is washed, thoroughly rinse with clean water to eliminate the possibility of residue.  In addition, lubrication is recommended on a yearly basis for the following hardware:  pulleys, rollers, hinges and springs. CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN WHEN LUBRICATING SPRINGS AS THEY ARE UNDER HIGH TENSION.  WHEN APPLYING LUBRICANT AVOID ANY CONTACT WITH THE SPRING.  Visually inspect springs and cable for wear and binding once each year and contact Pro-Tech Doors if damage is suspected.