Author: neha

Like many appliances in your home, garage door technology has advanced considerably in recent years. Since you’re used to your old garage door, it’s easy to overlook new opportunities to improve functionality and safety. Instead of rushing to check it off your to-do list, it’s important to carefully consider available options when replacing your garage door to avoid buyer’s remorse. 

Should You Buy a New Garage Door or Upgrade Your Existing Door?

If your garage door is newer and in good operating condition, but you’d like the convenience of modern features, consider upgrading your existing garage door. Today’s garage doors offer a variety of new security and safety features you may be able to retrofit your old garage door with, such as:

• Garage door openers with battery backup
• Wireless remote and keypad
• Programmable “smart” garage door opener technology
• Deadbolt locks and opener alert systems
• Stronger chain drive versus quiet belt drive operation
• Weather-resistant, insulated construction
• And much more

How Will a New Garage Door Design Impact Your Home’s Aesthetics?

Choosing a new garage door that matches your home’s architecture is essential. A new garage door will significantly impact your home’s looks. Your favorite option may not be the best style to highlight your home. Popular options like carriage garage doors work with many home styles – but not all. The same rings true for modern glass front garage doors, which can clash with traditional and historic homes. Fortunately, if you need assistance finding the right garage door style and color to accent your home and meet your budgetary needs, our friendly team is here to help.

What Garage Door Materials Deliver Lasting Performance and Easy Maintenance?

Each garage door material has unique maintenance requirements that impact lifespan. It’s important to understand these before choosing a new garage door. Classic wood garage doors are beautiful but require more maintenance than other materials if you want them to last. Metal garage doors require less maintenance but also differ by composition, as aluminum garage doors resist corrosion but dent more easily than steel models.

Which Garage Door Styles Are the Most Affordable?

When comparing garage door pricing it’s essential to compare apples to apples. Material choice, features, and warranty directly impact cost. Madden Door offers materials and designs at a variety of price points to meet your needs. We excel in providing personalized service, from affordable steel, aluminum, and wood garage doors to oversized custom designs.

Should You Add Garage Door Windows?

Garage door windows have benefits and drawbacks. Some designs may be covered in windows, while others have few to none. Ultimately, the decision comes down to function and cost. If you want privacy and security, you might prefer no windows or just a few at the top. If you’re looking for an enhanced view or more light and don’t mind the added cleaning, you may enjoy many garage door windows.

Uncover the pros and cons of new garage door styles with help from the experts at Madden Door & Sons. Our garage door design team is here to help you weigh considerations when replacing your garage door inMoraga, Alamo, Burlingame, Lafayette, San Ramon, and Oakland.Contact us at 925-208-4907 to schedule a design consultation today.

Today’s seemingly never-ending supply chain issues can make shopping for garage doors a frustrating experience. Disruptions have made garage doors, parts, and materials difficult for garage door companies and consumers to obtain. Comparing garage door pricing may not be the most effective way to evaluate your new garage door purchase. Our garage door sales team offers the following advice to control costs and minimize shipping delays on new garage doors.

Shop What’s in Stock

Garage door styles that are in short supply or on backorder cost more and take longer to obtain. Choosing from garage doors that are in stock and ready to ship offers a more affordable option and reduces the likelihood of frustrating shipping delays.

Compare Different Garage Door Styles

Beware of prices and lead times on certain garage door styles, materials, and designs, which can vary dramatically. Base-model “cookie cutter” garage doors cost less and are easier to obtain than ornate or custom ones. Specialty sizes and designs, such as high-lift doors, are harder to secure. For this reason, some homeowners are choosing to install inexpensive plain garage doors or modify high-lift structural designs while awaiting permanent replacements.

Compare Garage Door Quality and Features Alongside Pricing

Never let overall cost tempt you into purchasing a low-quality door. Well-made garage doors last decades, while cheap doors require frequent replacement. When comparing garage door pricing, keep quality in mind to ensure a lasting investment. Be sure to consider:

• Garage door design and its impact on your home’s curb appeal and value
• Garage door construction, including panel thickness and insulation
• Safety features and noise level during operation
• Garage door warranty length and coverage
• Inclusion of professional installation in the purchase price
• The garage door contractor’s reputation

Don’t Wait for the Garage Door Market to Shift 

If you’re among Bay Area homeowners wondering why supply chain disruptions continue 2 ½ years post-pandemic and finding yourself hoping they’ll resolve soon, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, many issues continue to complicate the garage door market, with no end on the horizon due to:

• High demand, labor shortages, and record inflation
• Garage door openers and remotes stalled in China’s ports due to continued COVID lockdowns
• Insulation chemical shortages disrupted by Texas’ winter freeze
• The Russia-Ukraine war’s impact on metal, a primary garage door component

Madden Door is working hard to provide new garage doors as quickly and affordably as possible, but you should expect disruptions to persist.

Be Diligent About Garage Door Maintenance

Once you’ve finally gotten your new garage doors – don’t neglect maintenance. Proper garage door maintenance, including adjustment, balancing, and lubrication by a professional garage door service technician, helps you avoid unexpected repairs, ensuring smooth operation and lasting performance. Consider adding surge protection to your garage door system to prevent damage. Most importantly, drive carefully around your garage to avoid costly garage door panel repair and replacement. Reduce the stress of shopping for new garage doors in Brentwood, Concord, El Cerrito, Oakland, Vallejo, San Pablo, and San Rafael. Get help comparing garage door pricing from Madden Door & Sons. Contact us at 925-208-4907 to schedule a consultation with our garage door sales and design team toda

Homeowners have many choices when shopping for a new garage door opener. Are belt drive garage door openers the best – or would a chain drive be better? If choosing between chain and belt drive garage door openers has you scratching your head, read on to uncover key differences between these systems to make the right decision for your home. 

The Difference Between Chain and Belt Drive Garage Door Openers

Chain drive garage door openers are the most common garage door opener style to move your garage door up and down. Homeowners who don’t know the difference tend to purchase chain drive openers because of their lower price point. Many don’t realize that the metal-on-metal operation of chain drive garage door openers is also the loudest and causes these systems to wear out faster. If your home has a detached garage, its bedrooms are located far away from the garage, or you don’t mind more frequent garage door opener replacement, you may be happy with a chain drive system. Otherwise, a belt drive garage door opener may offer a more family (and sleep) friendly option.

Why Bay Area Homeowners Love Belt Drive Garage Door Openers

Belt drive garage door openers offer quiet operation, making them a popular choice for Bay Area homeowners. They use a rubber belt rather than a metal chain to lift and lower your garage door, which runs more smoothly and reduces vibrations. Belt drive garage door opening systems cost a little more upfront, but they offer less obtrusive operation and a longer lifespan than chain drive garage door openers.

Choosing Between Belt and Chain Drive Garage Door Openers

Your choice to purchase a chain or belt drive garage door opener may come down to personal preference, the level of noise you can handle, or budgetary limitations. If you’re installing an oversized or heavy custom garage door, the strength of a chain drive garage door opener may be a necessity. No matter which solution you prefer, you can count on our garage door sales and service experts to help you make the best decision for your home and family, ensuring safe garage door operation.

Preserve Your Garage Door Opener Warranty with Professional Installation

The heavy weight of garage doors makes installation dangerous. Improper installation could cause your garage doors to fall, resulting in damage or injury. Madden Door offers fast, professional garage door opener installation in the Bay Area, to safeguard your warranty and allow you to enjoy reduced wear-and-tear, optimal performance, and lasting system life.

Find out if belt drive garage door openers are the best solution for your home with help from Madden Door & Sons garage door installation experts. Contact us at 925-208-4907 to learn more about available garage door opening systems for your Pittsburg, Richmond, Berkeley, San Ramon, San Rafael, Vallejo, or Oakland home today.

Are you struggling to find new garage doors? You’d never expect garage doors to be on the ever-growing list of items in short supply, but the industry has been hit hard on multiple fronts. Pandemic-driven garage door supply chain issues exist, leaving customers frustrated. Essential components like insulation, steel, and polyurethane that are needed to construct garage doors remain difficult to obtain due to import problems, labor shortages, and shipping complications. Increased housing demand and interest in home improvement are also dragging down supplies. What options do you have to avoid replacement issues?

Keep Your Doors Going with Regular Garage Door Service

When you’re trying to avoid garage door replacement, your best offense is a good defense. Fortunately, our experienced garage door contractors are here to keep your door running smoothly with regular service. While we’re weathering the garage door supply chain issues and shortages, we’ll do our best to keep your current garage door in working order by:

• Cleaning garage door tracks
• Inspecting rollers for signs of wear
• Tightening hardware, chains, and belts
• Lubricating hinges, chains, and other moving parts
• Removing dirt, mold, and mildew that can accelerate deterioration
• Addressing surface damage before it progresses
• Inspecting your door for operational or safety issues that could lead to unexpected repairs or untimely replacement

Address Garage Door Repairs Quickly Before Your Door is Permanently Disabled

Some garage door replacement parts may also be hard to come by because of supply chain issues. If your garage door is malfunctioning or working poorly, it’s best to address repair needs quickly before your door becomes permanently stuck and requires emergency garage door repairs or replacement. Madden Door repairs all brands – even garage doors we didn’t install. If your door has opening and closing problems, bent tracks and hinges, broken springs or cables, or garage door opener and remote issues, we’ll do our best to keep your door in operation as supply chain issues resolve.

Start Shopping for New or Replacement Garage Doors Early

If your door is on its last legs, it pays to shop early. Many homes can’t be listed and sold simply because they’re not complete without garage doors. Fortunately, you have options! Madden Door carries a wide variety of affordable new garage door sizes and styles in the Bay Area, including:

• Steel garage doors
• Aluminum garage doors
• Paint and stain-grade wood garage doors
• Contemporary glass front garage doors
• Carriage house garage doors

If you can’t find a suitable option from our inventory of pre-made doors, custom garage doors may be an ideal solution to avoid long wait times. No matter what option you choose, our garage door sales and design team can help you find the best solution for your home and budget.

Garage door supply chain issues exist – but you still have options! Make an appointment for garage door service and repairs, or learn more about available garage door designs for your Alamo, Walnut Creek, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Brentwood, Livermore, or Danville home. Contact Madden Door & Sons at 925-208-4907 today.

Your garage door is making a lot of noise or not working properly, and you want to fix it right away so it doesn’t disrupt your life. We know how you feel, but there are some garage door repairs you can’t do – even if you’re a skilled do-it-yourselfer. Many garage door repairs are dangerous. Others require expensive specialty tools. And many more can snowball into more damage when repairs don’t go as you hope. Our garage door repair technicians have seen it all – and we want you to steer clear of these troublesome situations.

Never Attempt These Dangerous Garage Door Repairs

When performed by amateurs, these garage door repairs could result in serious injury:

Adjusting or replacing garage door springs

• Garage door springs that are dismantled incorrectly, without the proper tools, or replaced with the wrong size could put you at serious risk. The weight of your garage door puts those springs under an enormous amount of tension. Ensure your safety by having your springs adjusted or replaced by a professional garage door contractor.

Replacing garage door panels

• Replacing ugly, damaged garage door panels yourself can be incredibly tempting – but these components are heavy and impact spring pressure (see above.) As the largest moving feature in your home, it’s easy to injure yourself by attempting DIY panel replacement. Ensure safety and a seamless match with help from our garage door panel repair and replacement team.

Adjusting chain or belt drives

• Adjusting the force on chain or belt drive garage door openers when your door won’t open or close completely (or reverses) is a recipe for DIY disaster. While our professionals can address this issue quickly, these complex systems often surprise handy homeowners. Just a small adjustment can produce enough extra force to bend the door at the top or rip the opener arm away, causing severe damage.

What Garage Door Repairs Can You Do Yourself?

These simple repairs are DIY-friendly and keep your garage door in peak shape:

• Regular cleaning to prevent corrosion and rot
• Lubricating rollers, tracks, hinges, and weatherstripping for smooth operation
• Replacing garage door opener and remote batteries and bulbs
• Adjusting garage door sensors to ensure safety and trouble-free operation
• Inspecting your garage door for upcoming maintenance needs

Avoid DIY Garage Door Repair Complications

There are some garage door repairs you can’t do. Don’t cause extra garage door damage, injure yourself, or void your warranty with DIY garage door repairs. Save time, money, and hassle with help from Madden Door & Sons. Contact us at 925-208-4907 to schedule fast, affordable garage door service at your Concord, El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Pittsburg, San Pablo, San Rafael, Brentwood, Alamo, or San Ramon property today.