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10 Tips for choosing the right garage door material

Image of Clopay Coachman Garage Door
Have you decided on the right garage door material yet?

If you’re looking for a new garage door, then perhaps you need help determining the right garage door material.

Here’s what you need to know:

Steel Garage Doors

Pros
  • Popular, versatile, cost effective
Cons
  • Poor insulator for heat and noise, cheap doors are usually thin

Wood Garage Doors

Pros
  • Beautiful, good insulator, durable
Cons
  • Expensive, low cost usually means less durable, requires regular maintenance

Aluminium Garage Doors

Pros
  • Affordable, versatile, light
Cons
  • Easier to dent, easier to break, not ideal for families with bikes, balls and other outdoor toys

Fiberglass Garage Doors

Pros
  • Lightweight, customizable, innovative designs
Cons
  • Can weaken and crack in cold winters, poor UV radiation protection

What should you think about?

 

1. Aesthetic

What sort of look are you going for? Is your house modern or traditional? Do you want something beautiful to look at, or does your new garage have to be functional first?

2. What size of garage?

Thinking about the size of your garage and garage door will help you to decide what will work best for you.

Do you want several smaller doors? Do you want a single swing-up garage door? Are you looking at folding doors?

3. How often will your garage door be used?

If you’re constantly in and out of your garage and use it all the time, then you’ll have some obvious requirements, which will help you choose the right material.

4. Who will use it?

If your children use the garage as much as you do then your garage door needs to be easy to use. Will they benefit from an automatic garage door opener?

5. What’s do you use your garage for?

Do you keep your classic car in there? Is there a boat? Your work supplies? A home cinema? A spare bedroom?

Depending on what you keep in your garage, you’ll want a suitable garage door.

6. Security

Again garage door security will be an important consideration, so that what lives in your garage stays there.

7. Insulation

If you’re spending time in your garage, or using it as an additional room then insulation will be important so that your garage door doesn’t leak heat.

8. Windows

You might want windows in your garage door to bring some much needed light if you’re using your garage as another room. Perhaps windows are not important if you’re simply using your garage for your cars and tools.

9. Do your homework

If you’re not sure what garage door material will be best for your needs, then why not ask friends and family about their garage doors, and read online reviews?

10. Budget

Whilst it’s never a good idea to buy things on price alone, you’ll want to have some idea of what your new garage door will cost.

Conclusion

If this has helped you determine what your new garage door material will be then why not order your new garage door today?

If you’re still none the wiser, why not Contact Us at 651-702-1420 today, and tell us what you need from your new garage door?

10 Tips for finding the right Minnesota garage door repair contractor

Image of a sign saying Minnesota
Looking for a Minnesota Garage Repair contractor? Make sure you choose the right one

If you’re looking for a Minnesota garage door repair contractor, then perhaps you know what you should look for, and what’s important.

If not, here’s what we recommend.

1. Does the business have a physical location?

Having a physical location will enable you to gauge the size of the business, and know that there are a number of employees.

However, you won’t want to know that you’re paying more than you should do for your garage door repairs, so that they can afford a fancy office in an expensive area of town.

2. Has the business got testimonials from satisfied customers?

Testimonials are really important and provide proof that the Minnesota garage door repair contractor has done work for others, and is capable of fixing problems.

3. Is the business listed in Business Directories?

Again, if the Minnesota garage door repair contractor is listed in the expected business directories such as Angie’s List it will reassure you that they are genuine.

4. How long has the company been in business?

If the company is new it may not have the same sort of reputation or experience as a more established company. It may employ fewer contractors too, which means that you won’t get the immediate service you require when your garage door isn’t working properly.

5. Experience

Your garage door is not something you think about or replace often…until it doesn’t work properly.

Newer or less experienced garage door repair businesses many not have seen of lots of different makes of garage doors or older types of automatic garage door opener before.

This means they may not carry the parts and so are not able to fix your garage door as quickly as you’d hoped.

6. Does the company have the right level of insurance?

Having the right level of insurance is essential so that in the rare event that something does go wrong, the contractor is covered and will put things right at no expense to your whether you’re the homeowner or the business owner.

7. Does the company have well-stocked vehicles?

Carrying the tools, parts and accessories required in a well stocked vehicle allows an experienced contractor to fix the vast majority of problems, in one visit.

This means you will be able to open or close your garage door again, and get on with the rest of your day without having to wait for parts to be delivered or take more time off work.

8. Does the company offer a free estimate?

Providing a free estimate shows that the company wants to help its potential customers, and not just looking to make a quick buck.

If you’re not offered a free estimate, you might want to look elsewhere.

9. Locations

Does the garage door repair company you’re considering cover your location?  A company that covers a wide range is likely to be kept busy, and so be good at what they do.

Some contractors may charge a premium for travelling further, or not be able to see you until the next day.

10. Availability

A reputable Minnesota garage door maintenance company will understand that your family and home might be vulnerable because you can’t open or close your garage door, or that it’s damaged.

They’ll make sure that they send somebody round to have a look at it the same day, and more than likely, fix it there are then.

A smaller company may not be able to visit for a few days, leaving you at risk with a damaged garage door that doesn’t work properly.

Conclusion

If you need your garage door or automatic garage door opener fixing, want a new garage door, then why not Contact Us at 651-702-1420 today?

We’ve been established since 2001, offer free estimates, and have well stocked vehicles. Why not see what services we offer, and what our customers say about us?

AA Garage Door joins the IDA

Image of International
AA Garage Doors are delighted to have joined the IDA

In June AA Garage Door joined the IDA (International Doors Association) at www.doors.org.

Commitment

We did this for some reasons, the main one being to show our dedication to our products and services, and more importantly, our commitment to our customers.

Joining a recognized trade association also provides us with additional credibility and to show our potential customers we know what we’re doing.

Those looking for an experienced Minnesota garage door repair company to carry out services and maintenance, as well as install a new garage door or automatic garage door opener will be confident that we can do the work to the high standard they expect.

Benefits of Joining the IDA

Already we’ve seen immediate benefits, and have learned much from the website.  We’ve been able to learn from others too, and are keen to share our new found knowledge with our customers.

The IDA also provides us with opportunities for training, so in the future, we might go on training courses, to find out about different ways to help grow our business, and learn about new products, and how to better meet the needs of our customers.

Being a member will help us when we look at bigger jobs, such as maintaining the garage doors for new commercial customers. Our membership will show that we are capable of providing an excellent service, and a great product.

When we recruit new garage door contractors, we will be able to reassure them that they are working for a company that belongs to a recognized trade association and all the benefits that brings.

Delighted

AA Garage Door owner David Sands added, “I’m happy to announce that AA Garage door is now a member of the IDA. It’s something we as a business should have done years ago.

We’ve worked hard to build our business and our reputation, and now we’ll be able to help even more customers save time and money, by standing out from our competitors.

We’re looking forward to providing a better service to all our customers in and around Minneapolis and St Paul as a result of our membership of the IDA.”

Conclusion

If you want to book your garage door repair or service, or to find out more about new garage doors or automatic garage door openers, why not call us on (651) 702-1420 today for your Free Estimate?

See why so many people choose AA Garage Doors.

Garage Door Safety

Image of red first aid kit
Garage door safety is paramount for you and your family

We talk a lot about making more of your garage, and garage door maintenance, but what about garage door safety?

If you’ve got small children, or pets then you’ll want to make sure that your garage and your garage door is as safe as possible.

Here’s what we recommend

1. Garage doors are not toys

Whilst it may seem obvious, garage doors are not toys, and shouldn’t be played with. They are heavy and the springs are under a lot of tension.

2. Garage doors are not for children

Garage doors are not for children, and they should not be encouraged to open and close the garage door by themselves.

Make sure that they are supervised whenever they use the garage door, and that they know about the rest of the garage door safety recommendations.

3. Keep the remote controls away from children

Remember to keep the remote controls for your garage door opener away from children.

Whilst you might let them open or close the garage under supervision, it’s not a good idea to let them use the remote controls by themselves.

4. Never walk or stand under a garage door in motion

It might be tempting to try and get in or out a bit quicker to save time or to get out of the bad weather, but you should never walk or stand under a garage door that it is in motion.

5. Keep hands and feet away from moving parts

Remember to keep your hands and feet, and any loose items of clothing or long hair away from the moving parts of your garage door.

It only takes a sudden gust of wind, or to be distracted, and you or your child could be tangled up in the mechanism.

6. Watch the garage door when opening or closing it

If you can’t see your garage door, you can’t see what’s going on. It only takes a second for a pet or a child to get in the way.

Also, remember that if your children have a habit of leaving their bikes and other toys near the garage door, you won’t see them if you can’t see your garage door.

7. Maintain your garage door

Looking after your garage door will ensure that it is in working condition, and that you spot any damage or wear before it becomes a problem, and your door won’t open or close properly.

8. There is a risk of electric shock

If you’ve got an automatic garage door opener, then you’ll know that it uses electricity.

Making sure that you protect yourself and your family from electric shock is of paramount importance.

If the casing is damaged, or there are exposed or damaged wires, get it fixed properly straight away.

9. Damage

If your door is damaged perhaps due to bad weather, or a car driving into it, then get it fixed straight away to avoid further damage.

10. Get the professionals in

If you’re not comfortable and confident about fixing your garage door, or repairing your automatic door opener, then don’t even try.

Get the professionals in.

Conclusion

Now you know more about garage door safety, and what you can and can’t do yourself, why not get your garage door serviced or a Free Estimate, and make sure that you, your family and your home are safe?

Call 651-702-1420 now and tell us how we can help you.

How much does a new garage door cost?

Image of new garage door fitted by AA Garage Door Mn
You’ll need to decide what you want and need before asking how much does a new garage door cost

At AA Garage Door, one of the most asked questions is “how much does a new garage door cost?”

The answer is dull, boring and predictable.

It depends.

There are a lot of variables, and things that you’ll need to decide before you can even get a ballpark estimate for a new garage door cost.

Here’s what you need to think about before asking how much does a new garage door cost.

1. What type of garage door do you want?

Knowing what type of garage door you want will help.

Do you want a folding garage door? A simple steel garage door? A high security insulated garage door?

2. What material is your new garage door made from?

Knowing what material you want your new garage door to be made from will help to determine the cost.

Do you want steel, wood or fibreglass? The right material will depend on your needs and your taste.

3. What size of garage door do you need?

Knowing the size of your garage door will help too.

Do you have a standard garage door size? Do you want individual garage doors rather than a single large one?

4. Are you fitting it yourself?

Knowing whether you will fit your new garage door your self will help to determine the cost too.

If you’re confident you know what you’re doing and can install a garage door to the same standards as trained professionals then you could save some money.

However, getting the professionals to do it makes sense to most people.

5. Does it need to be insulated and energy saving?

Knowing whether you want an insulated and energy saving garage door or not will be a factor in your new garage door cost.

If you’re spending a lot of time in your garage then you’ll want to be warm there in the colder months.

6. Will you need an automatic garage door opener

Knowing whether you want an automatic garage door opener or not will also make a difference to your garage door cost.

7. What style and color are you looking for?

Knowing what sort of style and color you want will help to determine your garage door cost too.

Do you want something traditional and simple? Do you want something more colorful and modern looking?

8. Maintenance

Knowing whether you want a new garage door that’s easy to look after yourself, or you’re prepared to pay for someone to come out and perform the maintenance tasks will help to determine your garage door cost.

If you’re not the DIY type, or have a busy life, then perhaps you‘re willing to let the professionals keep your garage door working properly.

9. How often will it be used?

Knowing how often your new garage door will be used will help to determine how much you want to spend on it, and so what your garage door will cost you.

Will you and your family use it several times a day, or just a few times a month?

10. Is everything included?

Knowing whether everything is including will enable you to compare quotes from different garage door suppliers.

You don’t want to choose the cheapest quote only to discover it doesn’t include installation, new tracks, or fasteners.

Conclusion

With so many things to think about, this is why you can’t expect a garage door company to be able to give you a price immediately unless you know what you need.

Now you know what to look for, you’ll be better prepared to understand your new garage door cost, and make sure you get exactly what you need.

Need help choosing your new garage door or getting it fitted? Why not Contact Us now at 651-702-1420 and tell us what we can do for you.