How the Summer Heat Affects Your Garage Door

Sun Above Mountains In a DesertSummers in Middle Tennessee are brutal. All that heat and humidity plus the occasional severe thunderstorm can present quite a few challenges for homeowners. Extreme summer weather can take its toll on your entire garage door system, from the door to the motor. Understanding how the summer weather affects your garage door allows you to be ready for the headaches and be in a better position to fix the problems. 

For any of your Middle Tennessee garage door services this summer, be sure to give the professionals at Superior Overhead Doors a call.

Extreme Heat

You can’t look back on a Middle Tennessee summer without fleeting memories of scorching heat and suffocating humidity. Your garage can reach temperatures of over 100 degrees regularly in the summer, easily pushing your garage door’s electric motor system to the brink. The circuit board inside your garage door opener may not up to the task of operating in such heat. Our technicians are always ready to help if your system is feeling the effects of high heat and humidity. Just call today for an inspection!

Intense Sunlight

A garage that gets a lot of direct sunlight throughout the day can be negatively affected in a couple ways. Obviously, extended periods of direct sunlight will cause a drastic increase in the heat levels of your garage, which combines with the already high temperatures to produce a very extreme environment. Also, the sun’s rays can interfere with your remote opening system. Direct sunlight can trick your opening system into recording an obstruction is in the way, preventing it from closing. 

Severe Storms

Thunderstorms are common in the hot summer months, and the more severe storms can quickly turn into lightning-producing electrical storms before you know it. If lightning strikes near your home during a storm, the chance increases of a power surge which can permanently damage the inner-workings of you garage door opener. This can leave with no choice but to completely replace you garage door opening system. Plugging your garage door opener into a surge protector is a great way to help prevent these power surges from damaging your system, but any existing damage should be treated by a professional. 

While there’s really nothing you can do about the weather, now you know what to expect when the high heat and storms of the summer arrive. If you notice any heat related problems with your garage, call Superior Overhead Doors and have a technician inspect your system today.

Garage Organization: Four Tips to Save Space

Garage Organization: Four Tips to Save Space

Have you found yourself counting down the days until spring? Luckily, there are only a few days left until spring! This means that you need to get started on your spring cleaning if you haven’t already started. This rings especially true if the only thing that fits in your garage is your car. Now is the time to clear out the clutter and get organized. You’ll be sure to enjoy your new and improved garage with these handy tips for organizing your garage this spring.

Tip #1: Clear Space For Storage

First things first, you need to clear out space in your garage so you can start utilizing it. If you have more available space, you could set up a spare pantry and a recycling station. For a second pantry, use a metal office cabinet to store your items and a clipboard attached with a magnet to stay organized/keep an inventory of your supplies. Right beside your new garage pantry, set up a recycling station with the following items:

  • 3 plastic bins – One for plastic, one for metal, and one for glass containers.
  • Wire basket for newspaper – Don’t forget bundling twine.
  • Mobile Platform – Use as a base for your bins and basket. It’s a plus that you’ll be able to move it around.

Tip #2: Tool Wall

Are your tools all over the place in a drawer and difficult to locate? Just think how easy it would be to locate that hammer you’ve been searching for if it had a place of its own. You could create that place by marking the outlines of your tools on your garage wall. Simply follow these steps:

  1. Hang your tools on the wall and trace around them lightly in pencil.
  2. Remove your tools from the wall.
  3. Go over the pencil lines using more visible markers or paint pens. Try to use black for the most visibility.

Tip #3: Hang It Up

With all the loose items rolling around your garage floor, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to hang them up? Now you can if you utilize the support posts in your garage. Try installing steel hooks to the posts on both sides to hang up bicycles or any other items that seem to always be laying on the ground. However, if you don’t have any free posts in your garage, you could always consider ceiling-mount hooks. Either way you go, you’ll be able to hang up those items that always seem to be in the way.

Tip #4: Stow Away

This tip goes hand in hand with the previous tip: hanging it up. If you have various sports equipment with no home, it’s time to think about stowing it away. Try taking a storage chest and using it as a convenient place for your dirty shoes. In addition, add three metal bins to the inside of the storage chest to keep sports equipment organized. To take it a step further, you could designate a bin for each family member or season.

Interested in completely organizing your garage just in time for spring? Contact Superior Overhead Doors of Murfreesboro today so that we can help with all of your garage needs.

5 Fun Facts about Garage Doors and Openers

5 Fun Facts about Garage Doors and Openers

Each day you open your garage door and close it once you have exited or entered your home. You do this day in and day out without giving it a second thought. But did you know that garage doors have an exciting and interesting history?

In addition, there are so many interesting facts about garage doors you probably did not know! Keep reading to learn more about garage doors and openers.

Garage Doors Can Be Insulated

As a professional garage door company, we know that garage doors can be insulated, but many of our customers are astonished when they find out that they can do this to their garage door.

If you’re looking to save money each month on your energy bill, insulating your garage door is a great investment. Some states and areas also offer tax breaks for having an insulated garage door!

Your Garage Door Opener Can Save Your Life

Garage door openers have more purpose than opening your garage door. They can also ensure your safety. From keypads to fingerprint activated garage door openers, you have multiple options when considering the safety of your family.

Garage Doors Take Up a Lot of Space!

Well, 25-35% of a home’s front exterior to be exact. Garage doors take up quite a bit of space, so make sure you’re absolutely in love with the appearance of your Middle Tennessee garage door.

Garage Doors Can Help Sell Your Home

If you’re in the process of selling your home or are about to put your home up for sale, you may want to consider installing a brand new garage door. This one investment can increase the value of your home and the overall appearance drastically.

Your Garage Door Can Protect Your Home From Damaging Winds

From torrential winds caused by hurricanes, tornados and more to the random windstorm, your garage door plays a vital role in the protection of your home. There are multiple tested and approved garage doors on the market designed with the intention of protecting your home from damaging winds.

Learn more about garage doors and openers by contacting Superior Overhead Doors today.

Make a Bold Statement with a Contemporary Garage Door

Make a Bold Statement with a Contemporary Garage Door

Are you tired of the traditional look? Ready to take the appearance of your Middle Tennessee home to the next level? If you answered “Yes!” to both of these questions, you should consider installing a contemporary garage door design for your garage.

But why a contemporary garage door?

Stand Out

If you live in a neighborhood where every single house looks the exact same, it may get boring after a while. Instead of settling on a single garage door design, make your garage stand out from the rest with a bold and fresh look for your garage. The combination of multiple styles, materials and designs will allow your garage door to look better than the rest.

Increase the Value of Your Home

Are you looking to move in the near future? If so, you are most likely looking for ways to improve the value of your home. By replacing your garage door with a sleek, contemporary design, you will in turn watch the overall value of your Middle Tennessee home rise.

With the multitude of contemporary garage door designs available on the market, you can have full control over the design, and thus the increased value of your home. Whether you want to have a simple fix or a large investment, the garage door you choose will assist in raising the value of your home once on the real estate market.

Extend Your Style

Do you have a specific design style or preference? Extend your interior design styles to the exterior of your home through a contemporary garage door. Your design tastes do not need to stay indoors when you choose to use a contemporary garage door!

For contemporary garage door styles and ideas, visit the Amarr Garage Doors website.

To learn more about installing a new garage door for your Middle Tennessee home, contact Superior Overhead Doors today!

What Does A Wire Hanger Have To Do With My Garage?

What Does A Wire Hanger Have To Do With My Garage?

You’ve equipped your entire house with the latest security equipment, made sure that every door is locked and that your family is safe and secure. But did you remember to check out your garage door? Depending on the type of garage door your home currently has, you may be at risk for a burglary.

All The Burglar Needs is a Wire Hanger

Did you know that in a matter of seconds, your garage door can be opened wide by an intruder? All the burglar needs is a simple wire hanger. Check out this video to learn more about just how easy it is for a robber to enter your home through your garage door.

Robbers can enter your home by bending a wire hanger, maneuvering it through the garage door, and pulling on the emergency lever. Shocking, right? You may have never thought about your garage door being used by robbers, but now it’s time to pay attention and take action. No matter how up-to-date or sturdy your garage door is, it is possible for unwanted individuals to enter your home if you do not take action.

Garage Door Locks

If you are ready to invest in the safety of your family, it is worth checking out the multiple garage door lock products on the market. These products will automatically lock your garage door using a deadbolt. This type of product provides another layer of protection to your home.

Affordable Security Methods

As seen in the video, a simple zip-tie can do the trick. By looping the zip-tie around the emergency lever, a wire will not be able to sneak through your garage door and pull the lever to open your door. In addition, it may be best to keep a security camera outside of your garage in case you are truly worried about the security of your home.

If you would like more information on protecting your home and garage door, call the professionals at Superior Overhead Doors in Murfreesboro, Nashville and Smyrna TN. Remember, the first defense is a strong garage door without holes, damage or wear.

4 Tips to Ensure Your Garage Door is Working Properly

4 Tips To Ensure Your Garage Door Is Working Properly

Your garage door is the largest moving part in your home. It is responsible for ensuring the safety of your family and belongings, providing shelter, and securing your home. Make sure to regularly check out your garage door to ensure that it is working properly. Use these four tips to ensure that your door works year round.

Clean the area around your garage door often.

The area around your garage door is often filled with dust, dirt, grime, bugs, debris and so much more. By keeping this area clean, you are guaranteeing that your garage door will not become dirty, which can lead to rust, broken parts and so much more. You can easily clean around your garage doors with a vacuum, broom, leaf blower, mop and other cleaning implement.

Check the garage door seal

At the bottom of your garage door is a rubber seal that protects the door and the ground. Overtime, that seal can become worn down and damage your garage door and garage. By inspecting this seal and looking for harm, you can determine whether or not your garage door is in need of repair. If you notice that your garage door is letting more light in than normal, your garage door seal is most likely damaged.

Test the sensors

If your garage door sensors are damaged, your family could be in harm’s way. From children to pets, many individuals or animals can be harmed if a sensor is broken or malfunctioning. The best way to determine if your garage door sensor is working is to open your garage door, place a few cardboard boxes under it, and attempt to close the door. If the garage door does not return to the open position after recognizing that an object is in the way, your sensors need to be repaired.

Schedule a professional inspection

The absolute best way to determine whether or not your garage door is properly working is to have a licensed and experienced professional inspect your garage door. The garage door specialist will thoroughly inspect your garage door and system for necessary repairs, damage and more.

Superior Overhead Doors has been providing Middle Tennessee with years of trustworthy garage door inspections, maintenance and repairs. Call us today to schedule your garage door appointment.

The History of Garage Doors

The History of Garage Doors

Did you know that the common garage door has quite the historical background? From carriages to the introduction of cars, the garage door has been a modern necessity for far over 100 years. In fact, the first known existence of garage doors occurred all the way back in 450 BC, when chariots were stored in gatehouses.

Carriage Houses

Before the invention of the car, humans traveled via horse and carriage. Naturally, they needed an area to store their carriages as well as horses and equipment. When automobiles came into existence, this invention too needed a place to be stored and out of the way of natural elements. First, people decided to store their cars next to their horses and carriage equipment. However, the lovely stench of horse manure and other odors did not seem ideal for a car. Thus, the parking garage was created.

The Introduction of Parking Garages

Large garages were created to fit around 100 cars at a time. These garages were kept heated and were priced around $15 per month. This plan was great, until the ownership of automobiles skyrocketed and the need for personal garages became evident.

The word, garage, actually is derived from the French word garer meaning to shelter or protect. Naturally, that is what these buildings did – shelter our precious cars from the natural elements and other hazards. These buildings almost resembled glorified sheds or barns, as individuals used the double doors to enter and retrieve their vehicle. However, once snow or other elements became in the way, it was difficult to access the vehicle without shoveling or eliminating the intrusion.

Over time the garage door evolved to what it is today. With multiple styles and uses, the garage door is a timeless invention with a multitude of possibilities. Should you need assistance with your garage door in Middle Tennessee, or you are looking for a brand new garage door to be installed on your home or business garage, give Superior Overhead Door a call or contact us today.

Your Garage Door and Your Children

Your Garage Door and Your Children

Did you know that your garage door, whether automatic or manual, could cause harm to your children? If your garage door has outdated hardware, parts in need of repair, or is extremely old, it could malfunction and potentially hurt your family or friends. Take these precautionary steps to ensure that your garage door is functional and up-to-date.

Frequently Inspect Parts

From the springs to the cables to the pulleys, all parts of your automatic garage door should be inspected on a regular basis to ensure that they are still functional and not in need of immediate repair. If you notice any sign of wear, aging, or something suspicious, your best bet is to contact your local garage door professional to provide a thorough inspection and repair.

Practice Makes Perfect

Always teach your children, from a young age, to be cautious of a moving garage door. Never let your children come close to the moving parts, and remind them that if they are to touch these mechanisms, that the consequences could be dire. Have your children stand a good distance back from the opening garage door, and teach them to never run under an opening or closing door.

Control the Remote

Ensure that you have full control over the remote for your automatic garage door. If a child gets ahold of the remote and repeatedly opens and closes the door, it can cause significant wear and tear on the important parts of the machine. This damage can cause the garage door to malfunction all of a sudden. Prevent any damage to your automatic garage door and other catastrophic situations by having full access to the remote and keeping it away from your young children.

If you believe that your garage door is in need of repair, or you would like to have a precautionary inspection to protect the safety of your family and children, call the garage door experts at Superior Overhead Door today at 615.867.1163.

Is Your Home Protected?

Is your home protected?

Did you know that your home is currently susceptible to theft, break in’s, and more? Robbers and vandals tend to enter homes via the garage door. This is because this is one of the most commonly neglected, and easy to access, areas of a home. Do you know how to protect your family, pets, belongings and household from unwanted intruders? Superior Overhead Doors has you covered.

It’s all about the Installation

Intruders can easily enter your home if your garage door has been improperly installed. From being able to open your garage door with ease, to faulty springs, people can enter your home in a matter of seconds if your garage door is installed poorly. This is why Superior Overhead thoroughly inspects every last detail of our garage door installations, to ensure that your door is properly installed the first time.

Old and Worn Out Garage Doors

Burglars also seek out noticeably old garage doors because these are easy to manipulate and enter. Let’s say the motor in your garage door stopped working properly. Well, all the intruder has to do is lift up your garage door (unless you remembered to lock it) and they can enter your home. If your garage door material is significantly beyond repair, or is easy to break, there’s another way that intruders can enter your home easily.

Lock Your Garage!

It sounds simple, doesn’t it? But so many individuals completely forget that they need to lock their garage door. Whether you already have a lock or need to purchase one, this can help enhance the safety of you, your family, and your belongings.

For more information on how a properly installed or repaired garage door can provide elite safety to your family and your home, give the garage door experts at Superior Overhead Doors a call.

Types of Garage Door Materials to Choose From

Types of Garage Door Materials to Choose From

When choosing to install or replace a garage door for your home or commercial property, you have a lot of factors to sort through in order to find your perfect garage door option. From price to functionality, you have a lot to think about. What can throw off homeowners is the various types of materials that garage doors can be made out of. With so many materials to choose from, it can be overwhelming for homeowners. We’ve taken the three most popular material choices and broken down the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Wood

If you enjoy the elegance and authenticity of your home’s exterior, a wooden garage door may be for you. With the ability to customize the color, windows, and decorative hardware, you can have your garage door match your personal style. Whether you enjoy the classic look or opt for a more modern feel, wooden garages can match your style.

On the other hand, wooden garage doors require frequent maintenance. This garage door material does not fare well against brutal weather, years of use, or major damage. These doors will be fine against the occasional bump and scratch. In addition, these doors can be quite expensive due to the price of customization and come with a very short warranty.

Steel

For homeowners looking to avoid a variety of regular maintenance costs, steel is one of the better options for you. This tough and inexpensive material provides homeowners with security and a potential lifetime warranty.

Although steel is tough, it can still rust. If scratched, your garage door must be repaired promptly in order to avoid a mass amount of rust. In addition, steel can and will dent. Though tough, these doors are not almighty. Steel garage doors can last in storms and severe weather, but dents and scratches can wreak havoc on your door if not properly treated.

Aluminum

This lightweight garage door material is better for commercial garage doors, as they do not destroy the operating mechanism within the garage. If you can invest a bit of money on your garage door, this is a good choice for both business and homeowners. This is especially so if your garage door is extra-large or wide.

The main disadvantage associated with aluminum garage doors is the cost. If you are able to put aside a sum of money to invest in this garage door material, aluminum may be for you.

Wondering what type of garage door will work best for your home or business? Superior Overhead Doors in Murfreesboro, TN can help you out. Call us today at 615-867-1163 to learn more about the various types of garage doors available.