Aluminum or steel garage door?

Aluminium garage doors offer the advantage of being lighter and therefore tend to be easier on their opening mechanism. In the long run, great savings can be made on maintenance costs since the mechanism will last longer. When it comes to garage doors measuring 12 ft. (3660 mm) or less, there is however little difference between aluminium and steel. Finally, remember that aluminium is 100% recyclable.

Are polyurethane and white Styrofoam one and the same?

Not quite. Polyurethane features superior thermal insulation with a factor of RSI: 2.8 (R:16). In addition, since polyurethane adheres better to door surfaces, it provides twice as much resistance to flexion as polystyrene (Styrofoam) in a comparable door. Entrance doors are also insulated with polyurethane foam. Polystyrene is the material used to make coffee cups.

Can I add windows to my existing Garaga door?

Yes, it's possible. A Garaga door is made on the same principle as a steel entry door. However, by adding windows , the door weight is modified. Therefore, the springs used as counterbalance have to be changed. Due to safety concerns, such modifications should only be carried out by qualified personnel. Contact your Garaga dealer for more details.

Do you know how Garaga sectional doors are made ?

Discovery Channel's «How It's Made» aired a capsule on how Garaga sectional doors are made. We invite you to look at this extract to discover all the secrets on the best made garage doors in North America. (Duration: 1 min 30)

How it's Made is a television series, narrated by Lynn Herzeg, the segments inform viewers about fabrication methods of various products used in our everyday lives. For more info on this series visit: www.howitismade.net

Click on the picture to see the video.

Energy saving... you said!

The Garaga insulated panel.pdf

How do I paint a Garaga garage door?

General information

If you decide to paint your Garaga door yourself, the following instructions outline how to do it. It is important to note that oil-based paint (alkaloid) with a matt or semi-gloss finish does not exist in the market (unless an industrial paint is used).

Therefore, it is recommended that latex paint be used to avoid highlighting imperfections in the metal. Use a brush to contour the raised panel, and a roller (1/2" (10 mm) to provide a nice finish.

If your customers want to paint their front door and/or windows, it is possible to closely reproduce the colour of their Garaga door. See the Sico, National / Laurentide and Benjamin Moore colour codes on the next page.

We have used the Sico, National - Laurentide and Benjamin Moore paint companies, but any good paint company can be used, with the stages remaining the same. Some dealers are equipped with an electronic machine to find the exact colouration. A colour sample will be necessary

How to repaint a Garaga door:

Wash the surface of each panel with phosphate trisodium (Polypred 771-137) to remove grease and residue. Rinse completely with clear water and let it dry.
Sand the surface of each panel with sand-paper (grade #220) in order to create an adherence profile. Avoid using steel wool. Clean the panel with a tack cloth or a vacuum.
A primer coat is necessary only if the enamel is taken off, if the steel is visible or if there is some rust. In these particular cases, apply a phosphate coat of zinc primer: Sico(Corrostop Light Beige 635-260 or oxide red Sico 635-785), National - Laurentide (Dura-sol 545-062 (8545-91)) or Benjamin Moore primer serie 163. Let it dry a minimum of 16 hours before painting
Apply 2 coats of latex paint

	SICO SUPREME	NATIONAL / LAURENTIDE	BENJAMIN MOORE
matt	Series 811	2311-XX	Series N103
semi-gloss	Series 817	2316-XX	Series N096

Most important: The above guidelines are only suggestions. For exact color application, we advise you seek expert advice form a colour consultant at your nearest retail paint store.

How much does the installation of a garage door cost?

It is very difficult to give an accurate price as many different components need to be considered. Is it a replacement door or a new construction? Must we remove the existing door? Do we have to rebuild the frame and cover with aluminium? What is the headroom above the door (to determine what type of lift)? Is there a bedroom above the garage (door insulation and noise reducing mechanism)? Do you need any extra accessories with your electric operator? What use will you make of your garage? Will you park your cars in it? Or maybe store things in it? Or maybe, it will be a workshop or a recreational room for your children.

These are all questions that must be answered in order to determine your specific needs. Besides, isn't your garage door an important investment for you?

If you would like one of our distributors to contact you, in order to receive a free estimate, please fill out the quote request form .

How much headroom is required above the garage door?

In order to install torsion-spring hardware, we recommend a clearance of 12 in. (305 mm). On the other hand, if there is only 5 in. (127mm) to 12 in. (304 mm) available, it is best to use a dual-track system, designed for low headroom. When equipping a garage door with an electric door opener, add 2 in. (51 mm) to these measurements.

Torsion (1)		Extension (2)
Headroom	Operation type	Headroom	Operation type
0" to 4"	Not possible (lower headboard of door)	0" to 4"	Not possible (lower headboard of door)
4" to 12"	Low Headroom (double track system)	4" to 8 1/2"	Low Headroom (double track system)
12" and higher	Standard (12" radius) (3)	8 1/2" and higher	Standard (10" radius)

Garaga recommends the use of torsion springs for improved door operation and increased safety.
Garaga recommends the use of safety cables with extension springs for safety.
You can order a 15 inch radius with torsion springs operation.

If an electric operator is being used, add 2 inches(51mm) to headroom required.

How much horsepower does the motor need?

A motor of 1/3 HP is enough for doors in the 8 ft (2440 mm) high to 12 ft (3660 mm )wide range. Use a 1/2 HP motor for doors measuring over 12 ft. (3660 mm). Keep in mind that an electric garage door opener is only meant to work as a substitute for human strength. Therefore, the door must be well-balanced at all times in order to maintain its dead weight at 3 to 4 kilograms.

How should I prepare my garage door frame?

See our PDF (160 KO)

Is a steel door sturdier than an aluminum door?

It all depends on the thickness of the steel. This particular point deserves special attention. Make sure steel thickness is expressed in terms of millimetres, rather than gauge. Another important consideration is the type of impact. It is obvious that if a car hits a door at 10 km/h, it will heavily damage the door, whether it is made of steel or aluminium.

Is all residential hardware the same?

Definitely not. GARAGA recommends using 14-gauge tracks, with welded mounting brackets, rather than riveted or fastened (clips). When shopping for a garage door, make sure the rollers come with a mechanism of at least 10 ball bearings.

If you want to be sure of what you are buying, look for the GARAGA name. It is stamped on all our tracks to ensure that you get a quality product.

Is it better to have one double garage door (i.e. 16 ft / 4.9m wide) or to have 2 single doors?

There are a few points to consider. First, we must be practical. If for some reason the 16' door does not open (i.e.: mechanical failure), you understand that both vehicles will be stuck inside the garage. To be in that kind of predicament with two single doors is almost impossible. You will at least be able to have access to one of the vehicles.

If you live where the climate tends to get pretty cold, you must understand that opening a double door will let more cold air in than opening a single one.

Finally, the last point would have to do with "design" and "taste". When you have a double garage door and it is on the front of the house, it becomes very much part of the style setting of your house. A lot of people don't like to bring so much attention to their garage door.

For them, it is preferable to install two single doors instead. This way you can maintain a good balance between the doors and the rest of the house.

Will there be any extra costs? No, not as such. The price for two single doors is about the same price as for a double door. The difference would come from electronically operating the two single doors.

Residential garage door installation (photos)

See our PDF (1 882 KO)

What can I do to reduce the noise of my garage door while opening or closing?

It often happens that the garage is below a room (Bedroom or other) where the noise caused by the door may cause a problem.

What to do then? Change the steel rollers for nylon rollers, choose an opener with a belt drive instead of a chain drive. If you already have an opener with a chain drive, you can get a mounting isolator kit. A torsion type spring will be less noisy and the choice of an aluminium door (lighter door) will reduce the noise. Finally we advise you to do regular lubrication of the rollers and the tracks.

If you want to know more, go to this Web site adress:
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/publications/en/rh-pr/tech/99110.htm

What measurements should I look at before purchasing a new garage door?

See our PDF (17 KO)

What other measures should I take to ensure weather tightness?

An important item in weatherproofing a garage door is the exterior weather stripping found around the frame. For this purpose, a double-lip weather strip is the most efficient. In order to provide proper insulation, a garage door should be equipped with weather stripping featuring a thermal break at each panel intersection. Examine the weather stripping. Is there any at the top of the garage door?

What should I be aware of in terms of Garage Door Safety?

You will find valuable answers and safety tips at B-Safety.pdf about garage door openers, door safety and maintenance tips that are used throughout the industry.

What to do when the header of a garage door has an arch?

You must expand the interior frame of the door by the equivalent of 1 ¾ inch (45mm) (the addition of a second 2 in. X 6 in. wood stud, and the thickness of ¾ in. plywood) to be able to slip the external frame weather stripping behind the arch. The frame weather strip will then be airtight around the whole door. We must not forget that the plastic retainer that houses the double-lip rubber is not flexible enough to follow the arch in question. This case being even worse for smaller doors (ex : 8 in wide)

There is also the possibility of building a false arch (thickness of more or less 1in.) that will not obstruct the installation of the door weather stripping.

Which is a better choice: Extension or Torsion springs?

Torsion springs are located above the door and are safer and more suitable for double garage doors (14 ft wide & over). Extension springs are located above the horizontal tracks and require less clearance. They must always be equipped with safety cables.