<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>United Garage Doors of Central Florida Blog</title><link>http://unitedgaragedoors.smtusa.com/</link><description>United Garage Doors is a Central Florida garage door repair company.</description><copyright>Copyright (c) 2012 </copyright><pubDate>2/6/2012 8:03:42 AM</pubDate><lastBuildDate>2/6/2012 8:03:42 AM</lastBuildDate><ttl>5</ttl><item><title><![CDATA[ Choosing Your Garage Door Style ]]> </title><description><![CDATA[ When replacing a garage door there
are many components to take into consideration, such as, which garage door belt is needed or what
motor works best for the size.Another
important aspect to take into consideration, which is certainly the most
noticeable, is the exterior of the garage door.Taking up a lot of exterior space the garage door can add curb appeal in
an instant to any home. 
Many houses these days are built
with the garage door visible from the street, and as mentioned earlier, it is
one of the most noticeable architectural elements of a house.Garage doors these days are built to
help.They feature parts that help with
the weather, convenience, insulation and more.They also come in a myriad of different styles and colors to match any
d&#233;cor.As an extension of your homes
ultimate theme, the garage doors exterior look should not be overlooked.The garage door should complement the style
of your house.
Considering the influence of the
garage door on your homes appeal, seeing what type best fits your home is
importantThe classic wood is very
popular these days and also safe and reliable.A carriage house garage door may fit some homeowners styles while a faux
wood may fit someone else&#8217;s style and budget.
Sometimes garage doors scream, best
deal for the builder and a new fancier door can make your home look much
better.They are a big investment to the
style of your home but a new garage door
installation also can have its benefits.CNN money featured upgrade garage doors as one of the ways to add curb
appeal to your home and stated that the value of your house can increase 10
percent just by doing so.
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/real_estate/0705/gallery.curb_appeal_NEW.toh/7.html
 ]]> </description><link>http://unitedgaragedoors.smtusa.com/blog/posts/choosing-your-garage-door-style.html</link><pubDate>1/5/2012 3:18:00 PM</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[ How to Install a Garage Door Opener ]]> </title><description><![CDATA[ First thing you have to do is follow
instructions.Keep the manual for your
door and the opener of your door handy for easy reference in case a problem
occurs.   
Make sure you have everything for
your garage door working together as a system.This means make sure you have the correct tracks and springs for YOUR
type of garage door.This will help with
a longer life and a better performance level from your door.Depending on the sections, parts and weight
of the door, certain tracks may not be worth the few bucks you saved in the
long run if they are not meant for your door.  
Also, make sure you regularly
replace old springs.The springs are the
most important component of a garage door.These are what keep the door from automatically falling down, which can
be very dangerous.It is very important
for safety to have your springs inspected and replaced when needed.   
Do not forget to check your
cables.Sometimes cables can become
frayed or worn out and need to be replaced.Like the springs the cables job in the garage door lifting are very
important and also very dangerous.
If you see a persistent problem,
call a trained professional.A
struggling door or squeaking spring may appear as nothing but can be a
potential unsafe condition.  
Last recommendation for keep your
garage door safe is regular service.A
larger operation and a door that more than likely is used every day, needs
maintenance.Over time and with lots of
use, parts are worn down and can break, setting up potential safety
issues.Keeping a constant check on
springs, cables, tracks and rollers is very important.Another suggestion is a yearly check up on
your garage door by a trained professional to make sure everything is on track
and to check if repairs need to be done.  
We would never recommend installing
your own garage door unless you have been previously trained to do this type of
work. The only reason why we post this in our blog is for you to have a better
understanding of the processes involved. We will always recommend you to go
with one of our garage door specialist technicians to trust your new garage
door installation, it will save you time and money and best of all keep you
safe!  
You will be satisfied to know that
your garage door has been installed correctly and meant to work properly as it
was intended to by the manufacturer. This is the kind of peace of mind that has
no price.  
After a successful professionally installed
garage door, proper upkeep will keep you away from future garage door repairs, its always better to be safe than sorry. Short
term savings may end up being in higher risks and much higher costs later down
the road. &nbsp; ]]> </description><link>http://unitedgaragedoors.smtusa.com/blog/posts/how-to-install-a-garage-door-opener.html</link><pubDate>10/14/2011 2:32:00 PM</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Replace your garage door for hurricane season ]]> </title><description><![CDATA[ Your garage door may be working just fine when it comes to opening and closing for your car every day, however; will your garage be able to withhold hurricane force winds during hurricane season?&nbsp;Hurricane season for the Atlantic begins May 15th and lasts until November 30th.&nbsp;This means there is still over a month of hurricane season left and next years season just around the corner.&nbsp;Living in Florida there is a constant threat of the next hurricane to come and residents have grown accustom to being prepared by having water bottles, canned foods and generators.&nbsp;Garage doors are often overlooked, and not taken into consideration when getting ready for hurricane season.&nbsp;Garage doors are the weakest opening of a home and with that they can be a risk to the entire house if they do not meet the current wind load codes for hurricanes.&nbsp;&nbsp;  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Large in size, garage doors are very susceptible to wind damage from hurricanes than other openings of a home.&nbsp;A huge safety problem is caused by the heavy winds of hurricanes forcing the garage door to flex inwards and outwards, this can lead to the door coming out of its tracks and often coming towards the house.&nbsp;Another problem is if the garage door allows wind to come into the garage door an internal build up of pressure can cause severe structural damage to the house, in extreme cases causing the roof to blowout or the supporting walls.&nbsp;  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; With homeowners not even realizing these threats they may not know that their garage door can not withhold against the hurricane winds.&nbsp;Garage door replacement from your current garage door to one that is up to date with the wind load code can be life saving to houses and residents.&nbsp;In replacing your garage door, you will now have stronger and additional bracing, heavier tracking gauge, and other necessary components to hold the garage in place under heavy winds.&nbsp;  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Stay safe in Florida for the remainder and the following hurricane seasons by checking if your garage door is wind regulated or if a replacement door is needed.  ]]> </description><link>http://unitedgaragedoors.smtusa.com/blog/posts/replace-your-garage-door-for-hurricane-season.html</link><pubDate>9/19/2011 11:55:00 AM</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[ How to Check and Repair Your Garage Door ]]> </title><description><![CDATA[ If you have checked the tracks, making sure they are
straight, have no dents, and are properly cleaned and oiled, then your problem
may tem from another part of the garage door system.Check all over for loose hardware, and
tighten as necessary, including the plates where the springs are mounted on
swing-up doors and on the hinges that hold the sections of the door together on
roll-up doors.Sagging on one side of
the door or another can often be rectified by checking all of the hinges and
tightening them.If the screw holes have
become enlarged from long wear, they can be fixed by replacing the original
screw with a longer screw of the same diameter that is fitted with a hollow
fiber plug that&#8217;s been dipped in carpenters&#8217; glue.If the wood that is around the hinge has
itself become cracked, remove the hinge and fill the cracks and screw holes
with wood filler.Let the filler dry and
replace the hinge.If feasible, you can
also move the hinge onto solid wood.
If the hinges and wood are not the problem, you may want to
check the springs.On swing-up doors,
the springs are attached by being hooked into holes or notches on each side of
the door.In order to adjust the
tension, you will need to move the spring to the next whole or notch.On roll-up doors, the spring on each side of
the door is controlled by a spring cable attached to a pulley.To adjust the tension on this kind of spring,
you will need to pull the cable farter through the plate above the door and
readjust the knot in order to maintain the tension at the end.Please note, if your garage is a roll-up
style door that only has one torsion spring at the center of the door, you
should call a professional repair service as the tension in the spring is so
great that it could injure you if you attempted to repair it yourself.
If these do not solve your problems, there may be an issue
with one of the electronic components of your garage door.Take a look at our next article on how to
replace a garage door opener!
Source: http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/repair/how-to-repair-a-garage-door.htm ]]> </description><link>http://unitedgaragedoors.smtusa.com/blog/posts/how-to-check-and-repair-your-garage-door.html</link><pubDate>8/19/2011 5:28:00 PM</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Garage Door Repair - Tracks ]]> </title><description><![CDATA[ Something wrong with your garage door?It could be a number of things, but never
fear &#8211; most are easily fixable.If you
have an overhead garage door, regardless of whether it rolls up in sections or
swings up in one piece, it works on the principle of spring tension.That is, it is pulled by a heavy spring or
springs along a metal track in order to open the door.
The first thing you will want to check if you are having
trouble with your garage door is the metal tracks inside the garage.A lot of the simplest problems to solve stem
from the tracks, and they can be fixed through a series of steps.While the garage door is closed, check to see
if they are mounted properly.If they
are loose, tighten the bolts or screws that hold the brackets into place.Next, check the track for dents, crimps, or
flat spots.You can sometimes use a
mallet or hammer in order to pound out the damaged spots, but if the damage is
too severe you may want to replace the entire track.
If none of these are the problem, make sure that the track
is properly aligned.You would be able
to check this with a level.Both tracks
need to be the same height on the garage wall.Horizontal tracks should slant slightly down near the back of the
garage.With roll up tracks, they should
be exactly vertical.If the tracks are
not aligned properly, try to loosen the tracks from their mounting brackets and
tap them carefully into position.Recheck them with a level.Once
they are in a proper position, retighten the bolts or screws that hold them in
place.
Once you are sure that the tracks are straight and in line,
you can clean them with concentrated household cleaner to remove any dirt or
grease.Make sure to clean the rollers
that are on the track as well, as they can track more dirt onto the tracks and
fix the problems you just solved.Next,
lubricate both the tracks and rollers using garage door lubricant spray or
powdered graphite in the tracks, and household oil or silicone spray on the
rollers.
Once this is done you are ready to check and see if the
garage door is opening again.If there
are still problems with the door, it may have to do with the plates, hinges, or
springs, or even the opener.But never
fear &#8211; there are some other simple fixes for home!
Source: http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/repair/how-to-repair-a-garage-door.htm ]]> </description><link>http://unitedgaragedoors.smtusa.com/blog/posts/garage-door-repair-tracks.html</link><pubDate>8/12/2011 4:58:00 PM</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Garage Doors Gone Wild ]]> </title><description><![CDATA[ 
 
&nbsp;Garage doors don&#8217;t often make news headlines.  But they did recently, as a woman in Holland, Ohio
had a mural painted on her house depicting Oprah Winfrey.  The mural was to commemorate the 25 years of
her talk show, which is soon ending as she moves on to her own network.  This shows one extreme example of garage door
customization.  There are other more
practical options to upgrafe your home&nbsp; exterior&nbsp; using garage doors.&nbsp;
 
 
 
Customized garage doors are an easy way to personalize your
home as well as add curb appeal and value. 
They can make a home look more attractive and inviting, and they are
generally affordable.
 
 
 
When deciding on new garage doors, one of the most important
things to consider is what kind of material you want to use.  The two most popular garage door materials are wood
and metal.  Wooden doors come in a great
variety of colors and textures, from natural wood that can give your home a
rustic feel, to popular wood paneling used to make your garage look like a
carriage house.  Metal doors also come in
a great amount of varieties, and can be made to look similar to wooden
doors.  




A newly popular trend with metal
garage doors is to paint them a shade lighter than the rest of the house &#8211; this way,
there is a clear distinction between the house and garage, but it does not
stand out as much as stark white doors would. 
Another newly popular material to use in garage doors is glass.  Glass garage-doors can offer a unique aesthetic
appeal as well as maximum light transmission into your garage, and can feature
special coatings so that while you can see out, others cannot see in.  Combinations of these materials can also be
used &#8211; whether it be glass and steel or wood and metal, they can offer a sleek
look for any contemporary architecture.
 
 
 
If you want to go a more creative route similar to the Ohio woman&#8217;s mural, some
companies do offer photo tarpaulins which can be used to cover garage
doors.  Whether you choose a famous work
of art, a photo of your own, or one of their 3-D designs (featuring everything
from racecars to the illusion that there is an alligator living in your
garage), these pieces can become a piece of conversation in your neighborhood.
 
 
 
With all these options, there is a garage door available
that is right for anyone&#8217;s home or style. ]]> </description><link>http://unitedgaragedoors.smtusa.com/blog/posts/garage-doors-gone-wild.html</link><pubDate>2/2/2011 2:42:00 PM</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Who Hasn't Gotten a Damaged Garage Door That Needs Repair? ]]> </title><description><![CDATA[ 
Whether you have a family, 4 car garage in your home or a single car garage at your bachelor pad, trust the experts that can satisfy your the needs you may have for the doors of your garage. Known as Central Florida's premiere choice for garage door services, with have over 35 years in combined experience and offer the quickest and most efficient services around. They install doors and openers alike from brand names including Clopay and Liftmaster. Both residential and commercial buildings will benefit from the services they have to offer.
Garage door repair are made with ease when you hire a professional services. Whether your opener is refusing to open or the door itself is on the fritz, it is nothing there experts can't handle. They work with damaged tracks, cables, rollers, springs and drums on a regular basis and can make every minute piece of the door of your garage as good as new. Don't get stuck outside. If your garage door won't open, the remote is busted or the keypad needs a replacement, contact a specialist. They offer 24 hour emergency services, so you can rest assured they have your back at any time of the day, from 12 pm to 12 am.
Maybe you are looking for a new garage door. Well, they can help with that too. They offer five different styles of doors that are sure to suit your home perfectly. Doors for your garage are part of your exterior d&#233;cor, so you want to make sure it fits in with the style of your home. Whether you are looking for a tradition white or a faux wood door, we can help you pick and install the door quickly and simply. You'll also have three choices for openers: Belt, Screw, or Chain-Drive. An expert in doors for garages can help you chose the style and power that best suits your garage and will fully install it.
The leading service provider for garage door installation and replacement in the Central Florida area. Bringing efficiency and reassurance to you with faster repairs and 24 hour emergency service. You need a sturdy garage door and great service to match, visit our website!
Your trusted source for Garage Door Repair ]]> </description><link>http://unitedgaragedoors.smtusa.com/blog/posts/who-hasn-t-gotten-a-damaged-garage-door-that-needs-repair.html</link><pubDate>10/8/2010 12:25:00 PM</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Ormond Beach Garage Doors | Be Careful Of Dishonest Garage Door Companies ]]> </title><description><![CDATA[ Garage Door Company In Ormond Beach and Serving All Of Volusia County. Call Now For Emergency Service.&nbsp; 386-767-7722    We frequently get calls from people around the Volusia County who have been swindled  by dishonest garage door companies. If you have been a victim, or if you would like to check out one of these  companies before doing business with them, I suggest you check out www.ripoffreport.com. DASMA, the garage door industry trade  organization, also exposes unscrupulous door companies at times. You can search  door companies in their search engine. Another way to check out a company is to check with the Better Business Bureau. One final way to check out a company is to do a Google search, including the  city or state. If a company has been charging exorbitant prices or performing  shoddy work, comments about them will often show up on message boards. ]]> </description><link>http://unitedgaragedoors.smtusa.com/blog/posts/ormond-beach-garage-doors-be-careful-of-dishonest-garage-door-companies.html</link><pubDate>12/19/2009 1:43:00 PM</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[ How To Choose The Right Garage Door Openers | Orlando, FL ]]> </title><description><![CDATA[ Your garage door opener must be able to handle the height and weight of your new garage door. A quiet garage door opener may be important. Look for garage door openers ones constructed with dependable, quiet operation in mind. Evaluate types of drive. Quiet operation depends mostly on the type of operating mechanism or drive that's used to open the garage door. Three types of drives are common: belt drives, screw drives and chain drives. At United Garage Doors of Central Florida, we can help you choose the right one that can match your needs. We proudly serve all of Central Florida: Orlando Garage Door Openers are easy to find, just consult with our Certified Garage Door Technicians.&nbsp; ]]> </description><link>http://unitedgaragedoors.smtusa.com/blog/posts/how-to-choose-the-right-garage-door-openers-orlando-fl.html</link><pubDate>11/19/2009 5:32:00 PM</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[ How To Open Orlando Garage Doors Manually ]]> </title><description><![CDATA[ If you live in Orlando, Florida and the power goes out, rest assured that you can open the garage door manually. Pull the emergency rope, which will release the door from the opener carriage. If there is no emergency release or if it is jammed, the opener arm will have to be disconnected. Locate the two bolts that connect the two pieces of the opener arm together. Grab the garage door by the handle and lift it up. Reconnect the door to the garage door opener when power is restored. We are here for all of your Garage Door Sales, Service and Installation Needs. Call Us Throughout Central Florida. We are centrally located in Orlando, FL. ]]> </description><link>http://unitedgaragedoors.smtusa.com/blog/posts/how-to-open-orlando-garage-doors-manually.html</link><pubDate>11/19/2009 5:07:00 PM</pubDate></item></channel></rss>
