It’s that time of year again. The Overhead Door Company of Omaha has your annual winterization checklist to make sure you won’t have to worry about your garage from December to March – because, unfortunately, winter technically does not end until March. Keep reading for everything you need to know about turning your garage door into a snow barrier.

Seal the Deal

The weatherstrip on the bottom of your garage door may be the single most underrated part of your entire setup. This small strip of rubber does a huge amount of work by keeping the cold from sneaking underneath the base of the door, preventing water from seeping in, and saving your door’s bottom panel from rot and rust. What’s even better is that replacing the weatherstrip won’t cost you an arm and a leg. In fact, you can find a solid replacement at almost every major hardware store for less than $60. 

It’s Coming in Through the Cracks

Fun fact: the outlets in your garage are the source of anywhere from two to five percent of air infiltration. That means leaving them unsealed could be costing you some real money. The easy fix? Buy a can of expandable foam caulk to cover up those areas where heat escapes from.

Insulate Yourself From the Outside World

Well, that may be a bit much, however, adding insulation to your garage certainly is not. The Overhead Door Company of Omaha already offers Thermacore® doors that feature our sandwich construction of steel-polyurethane-steel as well as between-section seals with thermal breaks to reduce air infiltration. On top of that, you should consider adding insulation to the walls of your garage to help trap even more heat and make your garage feel like your living room (again, maybe a bit much). As a bonus, adding this temperature-regulating substance will also keep it cool when the sun finally decides to return.

Blanket Yourself in Savings

Since you are theoretically insulating your entire garage, you might as well insulate everything inside of it as well. Wrapping insulated blankets around your water heater and pipes means that they won’t have to work as hard when they are heating your morning shower. In turn, your water bill is going to look a lot more pleasing. You can also spend an extra minute(s) enjoying that glorious hot water without feeling guilty. 

For more tips on winter-proofing, or to get a garage door that can handle the elements, call the Overhead Door Company of Omaha today.

(402) 331-0526

At the Overhead Door Company of Omaha, we’re focused on bringing our customers the highest-quality garage doors regardless of what type of project they are looking to create. While this blog usually focuses on residential projects, we wanted to let you know that the Overhead Door Company of Omaha also has a fantastic selection of commercial garage doors to fit businesses of every shape and size. Today, we would like to take the time to discuss the differences between the two types.

The Size

The main difference that you will notice between commercial and residential garage doors is the size. The average residential garage door is between seven and eight feet tall and eight to sixteen wide depending on whether it is a one or two-car garage. Commercial garage doors, on the other hand, can be double, or even triple the size. For instance, our Model 600 Rolling Door is scalable up to 16×16 feet while our Stromtite Insulated Rolling Door is expandable up to 30 feet both ways. 

The Materials

As much as your garage door goes through at home, it does not take nearly as much punishment as a commercial garage door. Therefore, the materials on a commercial door are even more rigid and dent-resistant. Our commercial garage doors are made of everything from aluminum to galvanized steel. Some models even include our Thermacore® technology. 

In addition to the door itself, the rollers, tracks, and spring are all made of the strongest materials we carry. The reason being is the usage rate is much higher than that of a residential door. In fact, the difference is astronomical. While a standard residential garage door is opened a few times per day, large warehouses can see their doors rise and fall as many as 50 times per day.

Cost

As you might imagine, there is a difference between the cost of residential and commercial garage doors due to the higher-grade materials and the custom sizing for the larger doorways. Business owners should also factor in the cost of service. As with everything else in regards to your commercial garage door, taking care of it is going to cost a smidge more.

If you have any additional questions on how these garage doors differ, or you are a business owner looking to purchase a commercial door of your own, call the Overhead Door Company of Omaha today.

(402) 331-0526

At the Overhead Door Company of Omaha, we want to make sure that you are prepared for every season. Summer is no different. Below, we’ve listed a few tips and products to keep your garage cooler and more hospitable for you, your family, and maybe even a few guests. Read on to find out more!

Colors Count

We’ve talked about how painting your garage door can draw the eye, but color can also serve a practical purpose. You’ve probably heard it before, but light colors reflect light and dark colors absorb it. Simple, right? Consider lightening your garage door a few shades with a fresh coat of paint or swap it out for something made of a lighter wood – like a door from our Carriage House Collection.

The Last Airbender

Like every other room in your home during the summer, your garage is bound to get hot and stuffy. Unlike every other room in your home, you don’t want to pay to pump in air conditioning. However, if you are not looking to be greeted by a wave of heat every time you head out to your vehicle, you should consider installing a fan.

A simple ceiling fan keeps the air from becoming hot and stagnant. Even better, consider a ventilation fan. These cost-effective units can suck the hot air right out of your garage door and send it back where it belongs – the outdoors.

To go along with that, think about partnering your new fan with a dehumidifier. Removing the moisture from the air means that the heat will no longer have something to cling to.

Turn It Into a Guest Room

Everyone is looking to pocket a little extra money, especially during the summer. One way to do this is to rent out a room in your home. By sprucing up your garage with the necessary trimmings, you can create an additional bedroom and a steady stream of supplemental income to go along with it. Just add a bed, nightstand, maybe a window (which will also help with the airflow), and a rug. Top it off with a Wind Load door to make your garage feel less like a place where you store your car and more like a cozy bed and breakfast. It won’t be the Four Seasons, but it will make your home into a solid, budget-friendly option for folks traveling without much coin.

Insulation Isn’t Just for the Winter

Insulation normally comes to mind when you’re thinking about the winter but it can be a godsend during the summer months as well. Not only is something like our Thermacore technology perfect for preventing your car from becoming an ice cube during the winter months, but a properly sealed garage door can also keep the sun’s heat from creeping inside and upping your cooling costs.

If you’re looking for more ways to prep your garage for summer, or if you want to upgrade to one of the garage doors mentioned above, call the Overhead Door Company of Omaha today!  

(402) 331-0526

Curb Appeal. The technical definition is the attractiveness of a property for sale and its surroundings when viewed from the street. Translation? It’s when a house has some pop! The easiest way to add to the curb appeal of your home? Sprucing up your garage door! Think about it, it’s the largest, most visible thing on the front of your home and it’s usually the first thing people see when they drive by.

Adding visual intrigue to your garage door has its advantages too, especially when it comes time to sell. Below, the Overhead Door Company of Omaha has listed a few tips to bump up your home’s style to help you attract a few more eyes and dollars when you decide it’s time to move.

A Home Improvement Project That’s Actually Worth the Effort

According to Remodeling.net, adding a new garage door is the number one return on investment when compared to other home improvement projects. Adding windows, a new set of hinges, some interesting light fixtures, or a tasteful finish will instantly make your garage door look more distinguished.

And there’s no easier way to figure out which features you want than by using the DoorView® Garage Door Designer App. It’s simple, just upload a picture of the front of your home and start experimenting with our massive selection of garage door styles and features.

Add a Little Color

Slapping a fresh coat of paint, possibly even in a bold color like burnt orange or light blue, will instantly brighten your garage door and set it apart from every other beige or brown one on the block.

If you’re looking to get even more adventurous, you might even consider our Envy™ Model 956. These doors combine aluminum with glass paneling to instantly give your home the sleek, modern feel of that trendy restaurant you’ve been trying to get reservations at for weeks.

Before You Do Anything, Clean

We’re not just talking about taking a broom and sweeping away the cobwebs and dust around the edges of your garage door – we’re talking about giving it a true deep cleaning.

Consider renting a power washer. It’s amazing what a simple high-powered stream of water can do. When used correctly, it removes dirt and grime that can build up over the seasons leaving certain parts of your home (i.e. your garage door) looking dull. Blasting it with the power washer will not only leave it sparkling clean, but it also makes it easier to paint and upgrade.

If you’re looking for any additional tips on how to add curb appeal to your home, or if you’re looking to upgrade your garage door call the Overhead Door Company of Omaha today.

(402) 331-0526

Winter is an especially taxing time on your home. With snow, sleet, wind, and rain bombarding your home for months on end, it’s always good to make sure everything is working properly. Your garage door should be no different. By putting in a little extra time during the winter, you’ll ensure that your garage door will be running beautifully, even when the weather outside is anything but.

Don’t Break the Seal

The rubber seal at the bottom of your garage door has a lot of responsibilities. Not only does it keep water from seeping into your garage, but it helps to regulate the temperature in your home as well. To avoid a hefty heating bill or an unwanted indoor pool, make sure to clear off any icy buildup to so that the strip will not stick or crack.

Accessories Matters

You know what’s just as bad as a broken garage door? A faulty opener. It’s easy to forget, but the cold can sap the batteries in your outdoor keypad or the opener you keep tucked away in your car. Replacing the batteries now will ensure that you go through the rest of winter without fear that either of those devices will fail you. At the very least, consider buying a few batteries and keeping them in some easily-accessible spots in your home.

Listen to the Music

It may seem strange, but one of the easiest ways to tell if your garage door is working properly? The sound. Give your opener a few clicks and listen as the door travels up and down. If you hear a crunch, grind, or any other terrifying mechanical sound, it might be time to call the professionals at Overhead Door Company of Omaha.

Devil is in the Details

Does your garage door have windows or a fancy handle? Though these items might not immediately come to mind when you think of garage door maintenance, that doesn’t mean they should receive any less consideration. Checking that those windows are properly sealed and that the handle is still turning properly – even when it’s covered in a bit of frost – will save you the headache of having to do it when it’s freezing out.

Check the Balance

This one is pretty simple. Open and close your garage door a few times and look for any imbalances. Is it pulling to one side? Is there a hitch? Does it fall down quickly and roll up slowly? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, it might be time to take a closer look. Make sure everything is properly lubricated, remove any buildup from the rollers, and check to see if anything is out of alignment. Sometimes, all your setup needs is a little TLC. Other times, that imbalance can be indicative of a bigger issue that should be looked at by a professional. Remember, tinkering with the torsion springs, rollers, or cables yourself can lead to serious injury if you’re not a trained professional.

To set up an appointment, schedule a repair, or just get a little more advice about maintaining your garage door, call Overhead Door Company of Omaha at the number below.

(402) 331-0526