Automatic garage door openers are the workhorses of garage door systems. They work tirelessly, day and night, 24/7, year after year. They are key to your convenience and comfort, ensuring that you don’t have to get out in the rain or snow to open the garage door. And they never complain.

Automatic garage door openers make it easy to get inside your garage, but most people don’t know much about how an automatic garage door opener works.

Here are some of the basics of how automatic garage doors operate to help you understand how to keep them running smoothly and continue to enjoy their benefits in your day-to-day life.

1. Opener and Keypad

With automatic garage door openers, you can open and close the door from the comfort of your car. It doesn’t take any more effort than pushing a button. These automatic openers operate using radio frequencies, and when these frequencies match, the door opens or closes as you command.

In most cases, homeowners use a keypad to open the door. This keypad is installed outside your garage. That is why you need to ensure that you choose a unique code for it: random numbers instead of your birthdate, address, or other easy-to-deduce information.

2. Springs and Track System

An automatic system requires springs because garage doors are heavy. Springs help open the door without putting too much strain on the system. Without springs, the entire track system can collapse, causing significant damage.

The two types of springs used for automatic garage doors are:

• Extension springs: Extend to open and close the door
• Torsion springs: Twist to smoothly open and close the door

These garage door springs are under high pressure as they bear significant weight, making them dangerous to repair yourself.

In addition to springs, your automatic garage door opener requires guidance. The track system will ensure the door has a path to follow as it opens and closes. However, if this track gets dirty or damaged, it may no longer open or close.

3. Photo Eye Sensor

Because of the door’s weight, closing an automatic garage door is very dangerous without a photo-eye sensor. By projecting a beam of light from one side of the door to another, this sensor ensures nothing is in the garage door path. If the beam is interrupted, the door will not shut.

When the photo-eye sensor becomes damaged or dirty, it starts to sense an obstruction in its path and doesn’t close. Luckily for safety reasons, if the photo-eye sensor does fail, the door will refuse to shut at all, or it will keep bouncing back open.

If You Want to Invest in an Automatic Garage Door Opener, Contact Door Doctor

Door Doctor professionals have experience and knowledge from working with many different systems. They have the right tools and equipment needed to fix garage door opener problems. They will also look at the rest of your garage door system to ensure that your door operates smoothly.

Our professionals will also tell you if the problem is beyond repair and you need a new garage door opener. Without proper safety features like the photo-eye sensor, automatic garage door openers could fail miserably with disastrous consequences.

If you’re thinking of buying an automatic garage door opener or if you need to get one repaired, contact us now.

If you think about it, your garage door is perhaps your largest moving convenience other than your car! Garage doors are also essential entry points into many houses across Canada. But you shouldn’t repair your garage door on your own, even if you enjoy doing your own home repairs.

Everyone is free to push their limits, but it is essential not to be overconfident when repairing garage doors. There may be unexpected issues that stall your repair job, and if you don’t have the right tools and skills, you might even get into an accident.

At Door Doctor, we understand that you need a garage door that works perfectly. But as more and more videos and DIY tips become available online, many people are tempted to repair their garage doors themselves. However, just because you can find a video on how to do something doesn’t mean you should go ahead and do it.

3 Reasons you Should Always Hire Door Doctor for Garage Door Repair:

1. SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH FASTER GARAGE DOOR REPAIR

DIY garage door repairs may take 2–3 times longer than our professionals would. It is unlikely that you have all the necessary equipment, and you’ll probably have to educate yourself about garage doors to learn the dos and don’ts.

You may be tempted to avoid calling a professional garage door repair service because you’re worried about the cost. But, if you attempt to fix your garage door on your own, you could end up causing problems that jack up the costs with unnecessary parts.

If you don’t have the expertise to fix your garage door yourself, you’re putting yourself at risk and ultimately wasting precious time and money. Plus, highly skilled and professional garage door technicians from Door Doctor can diagnose the problem and fix it much more rapidly, freeing you up to spend your time doing something productive.

2. DIY GARAGE DOOR REPAIR MAY RESULT IN INJURIES, BUT HIRING A PROFESSIONAL WILL KEEP YOU SAFE

The number one reason to hire a garage door service company is to protect yourself and your loved ones. A malfunctioning garage door poses a significant danger to you and your family. Trying to fix it yourself without the prerequisite skills and training is an even bigger risk.

Garage doors are intentionally heavy; otherwise, they offer little protection from break ins. And that’s why garage door repairs are dangerous.

Consider these facts:

• Experts report over 20,000 garage door-related injuries, such as pinched or cut fingers, per year.
• Hospitals report more than a thousand injuries each year due to people trying to repair their garage doors themselves.

That’s a lot of injuries!

While you may be tempted to perform a garage door spring repair on your own, you should know that it’s highly dangerous. With loaded springs and mechanics involved, you should never attempt spring repair on your own.

Our professional garage door technicians at Door Doctor have the experience required to avoid accidents. Keep yourself safe by calling our garage door professionals for garage door repair or installation.

3. WE’LL ALWAYS ENSURE 100% SUCCESSFUL REPAIRS

Hiring Door Doctor ensures that the repair is 100% successful. If you attempt a garage door repair yourself, you may not be able to do it perfectly. Even a slight malfunction can lead to significant damage, leaving your home, family, and assets vulnerable.

We will ensure 100% successful repairs. Therefore, it is best not to take the risk and instead opt for Door Doctor’s garage door repair services in Montreal, Ottawa, Kingston, and Toronto.

Hire Door Doctor for Garage Door Repair in Montreal, Ottawa, Kingston and Toronto

Our professional garage door repair service in Montreal, Ottawa, Kingston, and Toronto provides high-quality, cost-efficient repairs and installation. We save you a lot of time and energy, not to mention stress and any chance of injury. If you ever encounter garage door problems, contact Door Doctor rather than attempting to DIY and causing a serious problem.

Our clients often ask how long it takes to install a garage door. They want an idea of the time commitment involved and what to expect during garage door installation.

Of course, there’s no definitive answer to their question—the time required for garage door installation depends on several factors—but here is some important information about garage door installation.

Read on to learn more about the factors that affect how long it takes to install a garage door:

How do we Approach Garage Door Installation?

When our garage door professionals start installing a garage door, they first disassemble and remove the old door and then start placing the new garage door panels and installing tracks, cables, rollers, springs, and the garage door opener. The garage door opener alone may take four to six hours.

Professional installers at Door Doctor will also test your garage door system to ensure it’s working as it should. Every procedure involved in the garage door installation process takes time. Other factors in garage door installation that can impact the installation time include:

• Type of installation – It takes roughly 4–6 hours to replace a garage door, but installing a garage door compatible with the existing structure is generally more straightforward.

• Weather conditions – A cold and snowy winter day may make working conditions difficult. Garage door installations are more accessible and efficient on a fair weather day.

• Size of the door – The size of the door affects the amount of time it takes to replace it. Small doors are quicker to install than big doors. However, installation may take longer if modifications are necessary to fit the door in place.

• Professional installation – Qualified installers at Door Doctor can work efficiently to install a garage door right the first time. Our professionals can complete a new build more quickly than the competition.

Why Trust our Professionals for Your Garage Door Installation?

Have you ever wondered if it’s difficult to install a garage door? Many videos online give the misleading impression that it’s easy for a homeowner to install a new garage door themselves, but this is not true.

Garage doors have heavy-duty components such as cables and high-tension springs. With professional installation from our Garage Door technicians, you’ll get a garage door that’s functional, safe, and provides peace of mind.

Door Doctor can replace your garage door efficiently. Our professional garage door installers have the experience and the right tools and equipment to complete your garage door installation correctly and safely the first time. Hiring us will also save you time and money, and our professional installers ensure a hassle-free installation.

Call Door Doctor for Garage Door Installation Today

Doctor Door is the premier garage door installation company in Montreal, Ottawa, Kingston, and Toronto. We offer a wide range of the latest high-quality garage doors. Contact us today and leave all your garage door worries to us.

Is your garage door making strange noises, but the garage door opener is working fine? You probably don’t know what to do about it. You try to tell yourself that it’s fine, but there’s a tiny part of you that knows you should get it checked.

Just give Door Doctor a call to find out what’s going on. But let’s discuss noisy garage doors in the meantime:

Let’s get familiar with some of the noises coming from your garage door:

1. LOUD OPENING AND CLOSING

When your garage door starts making loud noises when opening or closing, you may have poor acoustics in your garage. Install some soundproofing or insulation on the walls to contain the sound.

2. SQUEAK!

A lack of lubrication causes a continuous high‑pitched squeaking sound when the door opens and closes. The good news is that this isn’t anything serious. It usually happens when the exterior frame and weatherstripping between the sections dry out and stick together.

3. GRIND!

If you start hearing a metallic grinding sound, it’s a sign that the belt or chain of your garage door opener is too loose and needs adjusting. It’s probably because the door opener is unnecessarily forcing as the gear pinions are skipping a link.

4. BOOM! CLUNK! THUMP!

If you hear a loud thumping noise when you open or close your garage door, it could indicate that the electric garage door opener is struggling to lift and lower the door.

A broken torsion spring is the cause. Torsion springs are located above your door and help the garage door opener to lift and lower it. If you have double garage doors, you’ll also have two torsion springs, and if you have a single garage door, you’ll have one.

Look above the garage door to check if you have a broken torsion spring. If it is damaged, you need to contact our garage door technicians and have it replaced ASAP.

5. CLINK!

This sound is not as loud as the thumping noise of a broken torsion spring, but if it is caused by a defective roller, then it’s serious. You should have it replaced immediately, before it falls off—call us, and we’ll take care of it.

Contact Door Doctor if you Hear Unusual Garage Door Noises

If you’re experiencing strange garage door noises, contact Door Doctor and don’t try to diagnose the problem yourself. We can perform a comprehensive check-up and detect and troubleshoot the source of the problem in Montreal, Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto, and the surrounding areas.

We’ve heard every possible garage door noise in our many years in the business, and we know what causes them. All you have to do is call Door Doctor. We are worth every penny, as we recommend the best course of action, whether it is a simple adjustment, extensive repair or complete garage door replacement (new garage door installation).

If your garage door is creating problems, you either need to repair the existing door or install a new one. Door Doctor can help you with both garage door installation and garage door repair. But to choose between repair and installation, you need to consider some key factors. In some situations, you may need to replace your garage door, while other times, it can be easily repaired.

If you have a garage door in your home, you need to know the benefits of garage door installation vs. garage door repair:

What is Your Garage Door’s Current Condition?

The current condition of your garage door is an essential factor in deciding on garage door installation vs. garage door repair:

1. If your garage door is old and outdated, it might be time to get one of Door Doctor’s new models installed. Older garage doors attract thieves, whereas a modern garage door with top-of-the-line safety features is much safer. In addition to being a security risk for your home, an old garage door might also look unattractive compared to a new garage door that could enhance your house’s curb appeal.

2. If your garage door is old and malfunctions often, you should consider replacing it with a new one for smoother functioning.

3. If your garage door intermittently breaks down or malfunctions, it is very costly to get it fixed every time. Stop spending your money on something that is just going to break again. In this case, it would be best to get a brand-new garage door installed by Door Doctor professionals to take advantage of all the latest safety standards.

A Thing or Two about Installing a New Garage Door

Another important deciding factor is that a new garage door will save you money by avoiding continuous spending on repairs and lowering your home’s electricity bills.

Like other modern devices in your home, modern garage doors also increase energy efficiency with their more efficient operation and newer, more potent sealing abilities that prevent heat loss in colder times.

It’s time to move on from old, outdated garage doors that constantly cause you trouble to new upgraded ones. This is a more reliable solution for garage doors that are much safer and efficient.

Whether it’s Garage Door Installation or Garage Door Repair, Contact Door Doctor – We Can Handle it All

Door Doctor is always there for you whenever you need to repair or decide to install a new garage door. We will gladly assist you in choosing one of the many modern and beautifully designed garage doors we have available.

With Door Doctor, you’ll also be able to choose between various garage door styles and colours. We can make sure you get the new garage door that is perfect for you. Contact us today, and let’s get started.

If you have found yourself in the unfortunate situation of having a broken garage door, you may be very curious about garage door prices or the cost of garage door repairs. When you’re on a tight budget, these situations might feel like they will push you over the edge, but it’ll be okay! Luckily, Door Doctor specializes in residential garage door repairs and can help even budget-conscious customers get their garage door working again. 

Garage Door Replacement Cost: Do You Need a Garage Door Replacement?

Most homeowners are very interested in increasing their home’s property value. A garage door in poor condition won’t look good if you’re putting your house on the market.

Compared to other renovation projects, garage door replacement is extremely cost effective and the return on investment is high.

Garage doors should last approximately 25–30 years, on average, if properly maintained. A new automatic garage door has long-term benefits for homeowners. It immediately boosts property value, saves on energy costs and protects their valuables.

1. Maintenance

If you don’t perform regular garage door maintenance, your garage door becomes more susceptible to weathering and breaking down. A rotted, cracked, or corroded door needs replacement—not just for safety reasons but also for curb appeal. Older garage door parts break easily if they haven’t been regularly maintained.

2. Damaged Garage Door

If your door has been physically damaged by a car, object, or storm, you should get it replaced immediately. A broken or damaged garage door is a good way to discourage home buyers if your house is on the market. Replacing damaged garage doors helps keep your home secure, maintain your curb appeal, and ensure your property value stays high.

Factors that Influence Garage Door Installation Cost

Several factors influence garage door prices or how much your garage door installation will cost. Often, you can control the final price. A custom door will naturally increase your bill. But if you want to keep it simple, garage doors can fit within nearly any budget.

1. Number of Garage Doors

The more garage doors you install, the greater the cost. Generally, the least expensive option is a single garage door that spans the width of your garage entrance. Double garage doors will cost a little more, and a custom garage door will cost the most.

• Single door
• Double door
• Custom door

2. Garage Door Size

The larger a garage, the more it costs to install a garage door. Garage door sizes are relatively standard, with a lot of pricing similarity between garage doors of similar sizes. The total cost depends on the price of materials. The most common sizes are:

• Single-car garage door (8’ x 7’)
• Double-car garage door (16’ x 7’)

Contact us if you Need a New Garage Door Installation

Garage door replacement is around the same cost as new garage door installation. You might save money by re-using old hardware, but this may not be an option depending on your new door. When budgeting for a replacement, assume the same prices and labour costs as for a new installation.

If you’re looking for garage door replacement or garage door installation, the professionals at Door Doctor have got you covered.

Contact us for more information.