Garage Door FAQ & Buying Guide

If your garage door does not operate, it is a potential hazard. Do not try to fix it on your own—contact GVA immediately. You should consider replacement if:

1. Safety: The door lacks modern safety features.
2. ROI: According to Remodeling Magazine, garage door replacement consistently ranks #1 in upscale projects, recouping over 97% of the cost when selling the home.
3. Condition: The door is sagging, fading, or wood is rotting.
4. Efficiency: Moving from an old wood door to a pre-painted insulated steel door reduces maintenance and weight on the opener.

Every home is unique. Follow these steps:

1. Material: Determine the level of care you desire. Steel is low maintenance; Wood/Composite offers high customizability.
2. Design: Choose a style that complements your home (Windows, decorative hardware).
3. Efficiency: If you have a room above or next to the garage, choose an insulated door for noise reduction and thermal efficiency.

A Carriage House door replicates the look of 19th-century swing-open doors but operates overhead. We offer stamped-steel carriage house doors (like the Amarr Classica and Oak Summit) which eliminate the risk of overlays peeling off. Real wood options are also available in the "By Design" collection.

Yes. We offer residential doors in widths between 6′ and 20′ (in 2-inch increments) and heights between 6’6″ and 12′. Custom sizing depends on the specific model.

Standard applications need 12″-18″ of headroom. However, we specialize in Low Headroom Track which can fit doors in as little as 9.5″ of space. We also offer:

• Vertical Lift: For extremely high ceilings.
• Follow-the-Roofline: For vaulted ceilings.
• Hi-Lift: Lifts the door higher before rolling back.

We recommend placing windows in the top section or second-to-top section for natural light while maintaining privacy. Our DecraGlass™ options are tempered and translucent for added security. If a glass insert breaks, we can replace just the glass/frame without replacing the whole door.

If you have an electric opener, NO. The opener acts as the lock. DASMA discourages physical locks with openers because accidentally locking the door and running the opener will damage the door system. If you do not have an opener, a lock is highly recommended.

• Steel: Strength, security, energy efficiency, and low maintenance. They come pre-painted with baked-on coatings.
• Wood: Unmatched natural beauty and customization. However, they require priming/painting on all 6 sides before installation and annual maintenance to prevent rot or warping.

The garage opening is the largest gap in your home's thermal envelope. Insulated doors reduce heat transfer, which is vital if:

• Your garage is attached to the house.
• You have a room above the garage (reduces cold floors).
• You use the garage as a workshop.

Note on R-Value: Higher is better, but R-16 is not "twice" as effective as R-8. It offers an incremental improvement (about 5%) in heat flow reduction.

No. In steel measurement, the lower the number, the thicker the steel. 24-gauge steel is thicker and stronger than 25-gauge.

Standard steel colors include True White, Almond, Sandtone, Charcoal Gray, Black, and Woodgrains (Walnut, Golden Oak). Through the Amarr Color Zone program, we can offer 500+ Sherwin-Williams colors.

You can repaint steel doors using high-quality exterior latex paint (do not use oil-based), but this generally voids the factory paint warranty.

Yes! We supply Amarr doors that are compliant with "Made in USA" standards. This includes:

• Residential: Classica, Heritage, Stratford, Lincoln, Hillcrest, Olympus, Vista.
• Commercial: Models 2000, 2400, 2500, 2700, and Rolling Steel doors.

Wind Load doors are structurally reinforced to withstand high winds. While more common in hurricane zones, we can install Wind Load rated doors if your property is in an exposed high-wind area.

Garage doors are the largest moving object in your home. Installation is highly technical, and springs are under dangerous tension. Professional installation takes a few hours, ensures safety compliance, and protects your warranty. DIY installation can span days and is dangerous.

We recommend replacing the track when you replace the door. Each brand is designed for a specific track profile. Replacing the track ensures the system is safe and validates the warranty.

Yes. GVA Garage Doors will take down and haul away your old door for a nominal disposal fee. We handle the heavy lifting.

If your home was built before 1978, the paint on your old door may contain lead. The EPA requires certified renovation practices to disturb this paint safely. There may be a small surcharge for Lead Safe practices to protect your family and our installers.

Perform this test (with the door closed):

1. Disengage the electric opener (pull the red cord).
2. Lift the door manually. It should move smoothly.
3. Lift it halfway (approx 3-4 feet) and let go. The door should stay in place.
4. If it slams down or shoots up, the springs are unbalanced. Call GVA immediately.

Call us for a diagnosis. Generally:

• Service: For noise, broken springs, or worn rollers (like a car oil change).
• Replace: If panels are rusted through, major hardware is damaged, or the cost of parts exceeds 50% of a new door.

If the door model is still being manufactured, yes, we can replace a single section. However, color matching may be difficult if the original door has faded over time. If multiple sections are damaged, a full replacement is often more cost-effective.

Springs lose tension over time, making the door heavy. This puts extra load on your opener, causing it to fail prematurely. Regular maintenance checks springs, rollers, and safety features.

Torsion springs (mounted on the header) are the superior choice. They balance weight better and are safer. Extension springs (side-mounted) stretch and can be dangerous. We always recommend converting to Torsion springs for safety.

Wash your door once a year with a mild detergent (like Tide dissolved in 5 gallons of warm water). Use a soft brush or sponge. Rinse thoroughly. NEVER mix bleach with detergent.

Lubricate springs, rollers, and hinges yearly with a non-silicone based lubricant (like 10W-30 motor oil or specific garage door lube). WARNING: Never attempt to remove or adjust the red-headed fasteners on the bottom brackets or spring plates. High tension can cause death or injury.

Wood doors require refinishing (painting or staining) annually or bi-annually depending on exposure to sun and rain. All 6 sides must be sealed within 2 days of receipt to validate the warranty.

If your opener was manufactured before 1993, replace it. Older units lack legally required infrared safety sensors. Modern openers are safer, quieter, and can connect to your smartphone.

• Belt Drive: Quietest and smoothest. Ideal for attached garages.
• Chain Drive: Strong and reliable, but noisy. Good for detached garages.
• Screw Drive: Requires less adjustment over time.
• Direct Drive/DC: Extremely quiet and energy efficient (Direct Current).

Yes. The top section of the garage door must be reinforced with a strut or angle iron. Without this, the opener can damage the top panel by pulling on it.

Call GVA to purchase a new remote. We can program a new one and clear your opener's memory so the lost remote will no longer open your door.

Yes, most openers are compatible with wireless keypads. This is a great feature for allowing kids or service workers access without a key.