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Residential Garage Doors
Sales, Installation, and Service
4300 Arthur Road
Martinez, CA 94553
Call: 925-357-9781

Call Now
925-208-4907

Author: Pat Rippon

why do garage door springs break

Why Do Garage Door Springs Break?

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Have broken garage door springs left you trapped in your Bay Area home? We get lots of service calls from customers wondering why their garage door springs break and how to fix them. Our garage door service experts have the information you need to avoid broken garage doors springs and safely manage when this happens.

How Do Garage Door Springs Work?

Garage door springs raise and lower your garage door, managing its weight and movement. They’re under a lot of tension, making them tricky to work with. Lowering your garage door increases spring tension, which is why most garage door springs in Pleasanton break when the door is down. However, springs can fail in the open position, making it important never to walk under a garage door that’s in motion.

What Makes Garage Door Springs Break?

Old age

Wear-and-tear is the most common reason Walnut Creek garage door springs fail. Springs typically last for about 10,000 cycles up and down. Simply going to and from work adds up to a minimum of two cycles daily, so garage doors springs can wear out pretty quickly with excessive use. If you frequently use your garage door, upgrading to 20,000-25,000-cycle garage door springs is a wise investment.

Improper garage door spring maintenance

Failure to regularly lubricate your garage door springs dramatically shortens their lifespan, causing rust and increased friction. This problem is often worse in cold temperatures when brittle coils are more likely to snap. We recommend using a silicone-based lubricant three to four times a year to preserve garage door spring lifespan.

Poor garage door spring installation

Garage door installation professionals know that these large springs function based on your San Ramon garage door’s weight. When inexperienced installers use the wrong springs on heavy doors, they will eventually snap under pressure.

How to Tell When You Need to Replace Garage Door Springs

Check the garage door springs at your Alamo home at least once a season or when you lubricate the springs, looking for signs of wear. Pull the emergency release (red handle) to activate manual mode. Lift your garage door up halfway and let it go. If your garage door falls slightly, it may be getting close to the time for replacing garage door springs. If it stays completely still, they are in good condition.

Garage Door Springs are Dangerous to Repair – Don’t Perform Repairs Yourself

Never attempt garage door spring repair or replacement yourself. Garage doors springs operate under enormous tension and can cause your door to bend or crash down if mishandled. Aside from testing your springs for wear, we strongly advise any garage door spring repairs are done by our knowledgeable garage door contractors. Our fully trained, experienced staff can quickly and safely repair your garage door springs, ensuring you avoid injury and property damage.

Don’t wait for your garage doors springs to break. Contact Madden Door & Sons at 925-208-4907 to schedule a garage door spring inspection at your Bay Area, Walnut Creek, Alamo, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Concord, Oakland, Pittsburg, Brentwood, or Fairfield home today.

custom garage door

What Kind of Garage Doors are Best for Facing Direct Sunlight?

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The Bay Area sun can be intense. If you’re installing a garage door on your home’s south-facing side, you may have concerns about sun damage. What kind of garage doors are best for facing direct sunlight? Uncover which garage door styles can take the heat with help from Madden Door.

Wood Garage Doors

Are you concerned wood garage doors will turn into kindling on the south-facing side of your home? Wood garage doors require careful selection in areas exposed to direct sunlight to avoid fading, cracking, warping, or separation over time. Choosing wood, paint, or stain with a lighter hue ensures lasting performance. We also recommend regular resealing to keep your wood garage doors facing direct sunlight looking their best.

Steel Garage Doors

Steel garage doors have a reputation for providing unsurpassed security – but this material is at a disadvantage against the sun. Steel garage doors can’t escape the sun’s heat. Instead, they absorb it, becoming hot to the touch and posing a potential burn risk in high temperatures. To reduce the impact of sunlight on your steel garage door, we strongly recommend choosing a light color that reflects sunlight. Added insulation can also prevent heat gain within your attached home, helping you control energy costs.

Aluminum Garage Doors

Aluminum garage doors are a budget-friendly favorite. You can choose from designs stamped into various looks, including popular carriage house garage door styles. These metal doors are extremely low maintenance, resisting corrosion and distortion. Aluminum garage doors withstand sunlight, but they get hot to the touch like steel garage doors. However, they are more conductive than steel and transfer heat efficiently, making insulation essential to avoid heat transfer into your home. For this reason, we strongly recommend choosing a lighter color that reflects heat and avoiding dark tones.

Best Garage Door Colors for Sun Exposure

If you own a home with a south-facing garage exposed to intense sunlight, our garage door design experts recommend avoiding dark paint colors and dark wood tones, which absorb more heat. Dark, heat-absorbing colors could cause warping and panel separation. With some manufacturers, choosing a dark shade could also invalidate your warranty. We recommend white and other colors with a high light reflectance value (LRV) for lasting use. If you must have a dark-colored garage door, we’ll help you find the combination of materials that will work best.

Find the best garage door style and color for facing direct sunlight. Ensure lasting beauty and performance with help from Madden Door’s garage door design experts. Contact us at 925-208-4907 for help finding the perfect new garage door for your Livermore, Pleasanton, Lafayette, Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Brentwood, or Alameda home today.

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garage door maintenance company

Preparing Your Garage Door for the Summer

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Bay Area summers can be tough on garage doors. Dry, hot weather causes all sorts of issues. Preparing your garage door for the summer is essential to ensure it lasts through the season and remains functional for the long haul – especially in this time of supply chain issues. Now is the time to tackle the following garage door maintenance problems to avoid summer breakdowns. 

Garage Door Rust and Rot

Garage door dirt and dust buildup gives moisture and mold something to cling to, accelerating corrosion and rot. Fortunately, you can keep untimely deterioration at bay with regular cleaning, including a thin layer of wax on metal garage doors or a fresh coat of paint or sealer on wood garage doors.

Lubricant Evaporation on Key Garage Door Parts

Dry heat accelerates lubricant evaporation, leading to jerky, noisy operation, and premature wear on moving parts. Lubricating your garage door rollers, tracks, hinges, and weather stripping ensures smooth operation.

Shifting Garage Door Framing

The wood framing holding your residential garage door in place can twist and shift with temperature changes. Our skilled Bay Area garage door contractors know how to adjust for these issues, ensuring smooth operation.

Insufficient Garage Door Insulation

In soaring summer temperatures, your garage may feel like a giant oven. If you notice this problem worsening as the years pass and it’s impacting indoor comfort (and your AC bill), a bit of garage door maintenance for temperature control is advisable. Our garage door technicians can improve comfort in your garage by:

  • Making sure your garage door properly seals when closed
  • Adding or replacing missing/damaged garage door insulation to prevent heat transfer
  • Incorporating vents into your walls or garage door to improve airflow
  • Upgrading your garage door opener to new sensor technology that lifts the door at a pre-set temperature

Garage Door Opener Failure in High Temperatures

Most electronics are sensitive to heat. While built to withstand the climate in your garage, garage door openers may still fall victim to temperature extremes. If this occurs, our staff can quickly replace your garage door opener, making adjustments to help control garage temperatures.

Don’t Wait on Garage Door Maintenance

Garage door supply chain issues continue to take a toll on the industry. We strongly recommend you have your garage door assessed and order replacement parts for any components showing excessive wear and tear as soon as possible. This will ensure that your garage door remains in operation and that you don’t suffer from long wait times due to shortages of garage door parts.

Extend your Bay Area garage door’s useful life with these tips for preparing your garage door for the summer months from Madden Door & Sons. We’re here to help you keep your door in action, providing lasting, affordable garage door repairs. Contact us at 925-208-4907 to schedule garage door maintenance today.

maintenance, preventive maintenance, summer, tips

garage door won't open

Should You Replace or Repair a Garage Door Panel?

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Even homeowners with the most meticulous maintenance plans can fall victim to garage door damage from an accident or good old-fashioned wear and tear. When you need  garage door repairs, determining whether you should replace or repair a garage door panel can be tricky. Uncovering the best solution will depend on several factors.

Garage Door Age and Condition

For garage doors ten years old or newer and in good condition, repairing damaged garage door panels may offer the better option. On the other hand, you are better to replace garage doors that are more than twenty years old or poorly maintained doors past their prime before more costly components wear out.

Level of Garage Door Damage

Our garage door repair professionals can often manage minimal damage with a bit of filler and paint. But for more substantial destruction, particularly garage doors with damage to the garage door opener mechanism, a new garage door is typically the best, safest option.

Number of Damaged Panels

It is easier to replace a single, well-maintained garage door panel. However, garage door replacement may make more sense when multiple panels are damaged.

Ability to Match Garage Door Replacement Panels

Our skilled garage door repair technicians can often return damaged garage doors to ‘like new’ condition. But in some cases, it may be difficult to find matching replacement panels. Painting your entire garage door may camouflage the repair. However, a new garage door may offer the ideal alternative for homeowners who will be disappointed with a panel that does not blend seamlessly.

Cost of Repairing Vs. Replacing Garage Door

Repairing is usually the most affordable option, particularly with only one or two damaged panels. However, garage door replacement may not cost much more than repairs if you have multiple damaged panels. Upgrading will also offer the added benefits of a warranty, reduced maintenance, better performance, and enhanced safety.

Madden Can Repair a Variety of Garage Door Styles

Whether your wood garage door has rotted, your metal garage door has corroded, or your fiberglass garage doors have cracked, Madden Door has you covered. We have the skills, experience, and equipment to service all styles and brands of garage doors – even those from manufacturers who’ve gone out of business.

Should you replace or repair a garage door panel? Find the ideal solution with help from Madden Door & Sons. Contact us at 925-208-4907 to schedule a garage door repair or replacement assessment today.

garage door maintenance, repair, replace

Diamond Certified Steel Collection Glass Garage Door at Madden Door in , Burlingame, CA

What Colors are Best for Garage Doors in 2022?

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It’s time for garage door replacement on your Bay Area home. Now is the perfect opportunity to refresh your exterior with a new garage door color. Each shade has a different feel, so changing it up can dramatically impact your home’s look. What colors are best for garage doors in 2022? Madden Door offers garage doors in a variety of hues to help you achieve the perfect look, including this year’s most popular shades.

Classic – White Garage Doors

Classic white garage doors remain a popular option for 2022, offering a clean look and vivid contrast to your home. Though they do require more frequent maintenance than other colors, as they more readily show dirt.

Popular – Light Gray Garage Doors

Our garage door design professionals recommend soft gray-toned garage doors to add a distinctive touch to homes with surrounding architecture that is a lighter shade than garage doors.

Trendy – Rust-Toned Garage Doors

Rust-colored garage doors are popular for mid-century modern homes and dry climates. They are perfect for adding a pop of color that will put your home in the limelight.

Natural – Sage Green Garage Doors

Green-toned garage doors are an excellent choice if you’re trying to select a garage door that helps your home blend into the natural surroundings. This color works well with many home styles, from rustic to high-end.

Stately – Grey-Blue

Grey with a touch of blue is a time-tested tone that makes an ideal option if you want to add a little color but don’t wish to venture far from the realm of neutrals.

Bold – Dark Gray Garage Doors

Dark gray garage doors stand out. They are the perfect option for adding contrast to homes with lighter gray, beige, or white surrounding architecture.

Daring – Black Garage Doors

Black garage doors make a dramatic statement. They work best paired with contrasting home color tones, including light, bright shades, reds, and vivid blues.

Statement – Red

Red garage doors scream for attention, drawing the eye. They look great as a contrasting tone to light or bright exterior colors.

Intense – Yellow Garage Doors

Another bold, statement tone, yellow garage doors are gaining in popularity, offering new options for homeowners looking to venture outside the domain of neutrals.

Are you looking to make a change? Uncover what garage door colors are best for your home in 2022 with help from Madden Door. Our knowledgeable, friendly garage door design professionals are here to discuss your options, helping you find the ideal garage door color and configuration to accent your home. Contact us at 925-208-4907 to schedule a garage door installation and design consultation today.

colors, curb appeal, garage door design, trends

garage door company

Buy Garage Doors Online? Really?

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Shopping for new garage doors in this time of limited supply and high prices can be a frustrating experience. Unscrupulous sellers are taking over the market, not just in garage doors. Technology makes it easy to misrepresent items in photos or make a totally nonexistent company look like a time-tested business online. There are many reasons to avoid buying garage doors online, sight unseen. Watch out for these online garage door sales scams.

Deep Fake: Knockoff Garage Doors Online

Just because website photos of garage doors showcase major brand names like Wayne-Dalton, doesn’t mean they’re genuine. Like knockoff luggage and handbags, it’s easy to make subpar garage door fakes. Many overseas companies specialize in just that – manufacturing replicas of popular products that resemble the real thing – but producing them as cheaply as possible with little to no regard for quality or safety.

Technical Error: Sizing Issues When Buying Garage Doors Online

Skilled garage door contractors know there’s more to sizing a garage door than taking quick measurements. Walls that are out of square make it easy to make measuring mistakes and end up with the wrong size garage door. The cost of return shipping in the event of measurement errors – if available – will be substantial – not to mention the time spent waiting on a replacement.

Lost in Transit: Shipping Delays & Damage

Garage doors – even those purchased online – are no small investment. Unscrupulous resellers will be noticeably absent once they get your credit card information. What will you do after your garage door purchase if your replacement garage doors don’t arrive as scheduled or show up damaged? You may have to jump through hoops, contending with long phone or chat wait times to speak with a representative, or wait for a ‘call back’ to no avail – then what? Online reviews, specifically from trusted sources like the Better Business Bureau, will often reflect how these businesses truly treat customers. Make sure the Bay Area garage door company you choose is licensed, insured – and exists.

Post-Delivery Cliffhangers: Garage Door Installation & Disposal

Buying garage doors online is just the beginning of replacing your garage doors. Once your new doors arrive, how will you remove the old doors? Where can you legally dispose of them? Do you have the knowledge and manpower to install your new garage doors, deal with tight spaces, lift heavy doors, connect springs, and attach the door opener? Garage door installation is a tricky, dangerous business. Professional garage door installation is integral to lasting, safely functioning doors – that’s why the price of every garage door sold by Madden Door includes professional installation (and door disposal).

Watch Out for ‘Great Online Garage Door Deals’ to Avoid Disappointment

Avoid buying garage doors online. Instead, spend a little extra energy and money making sure you get what you pay for. New garage doors should last for decades. Ensure a lasting investment with help from Madden Door & Sons. We have a stellar reputation, bringing the latest in affordable garage door solutions right to your door. Contact us at 925-208-4907 to schedule a garage door design consultation and get an in-person price quote for your Bay Area, Walnut Creek, Alamo, Pleasanton, San Ramon, or Concord home today.

challenges, garage door sales, knockoff doors, online purchase, scam

Unique Arched Garage Door at Madden in San Pablo, Concord, Pleasant Hill, CA

Why Garage Door and Openers Pricing is Changing Rapidly

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The extraordinary circumstances of COVID continue to take a toll on product pricing across a range of industries. As variant after variant continues to wreak havoc on the global supply chain, creating a ripple effect, new garage door and openers pricing is changing rapidly. These struggles have affected all local garage door companies.

What to Expect When Purchasing Garage Doors or Parts in 2022

The availability of garage doors, garage door openers, and parts like springs and rollers continues to fluctuate. Key components including wood, glass, and aluminum are in short supply, causing prices on many garage door parts to rise as availability tightens. In some cases, parts may be unavailable. Delivery times may also be difficult to narrow down. If you’re in the market for new garage doors or need parts in 2022, expect to wait weeks or months.

When Will the Situation Improve?

Labor plays an integral role in product shortages and delays. Sick or quarantined workers and shuttered facilities can’t produce goods. Shipping containers, ships, trucks and trains, and warehouse facilities are also in short supply, compounding delays.

City Laws and Rules Adjusting in Response to Garage Door Installation Delays

Due to the ongoing nature of garage door supply chain issues and the length of delays, some Bay Area city inspectors have suspended certain rules. Homes may now be boarded up in some circumstances while awaiting new garage doors or backordered parts.

Madden Door Rises to Help Homeowners Meet Garage Door Challenges

Madden Door is here to help our customers ride the waves of market changes. In this trying time, you can rely on our garage door installation professionals to always be upfront and honest about cost and delivery timetables. If you need new garage doors or parts, you can count on us to get your order in as quickly as possible. We will do our best to keep your current door functional, finding safe alternatives to garage door operational issues when available while you await new garage doors or parts.

Garage door and opener pricing is changing rapidly. To ensure you get your new garage doors or parts quickly and avoid price increases, Madden Door & Sons urges you to reach out and discuss your project needs as soon as possible. Contact us at 925-208-4907 to get current pricing and speed service at your Bay Area, Concord, Oakland, Pittsburg, Brentwood, Fairfield, or Vallejo home today.

costs, garage doors, global supply chain, openers, pricing

Pleasanton Garage Door Company

What to Look for When Pricing a Garage Door

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What to Look for When Pricing a Garage Door

Wow! That garage door at that price seems too good to be true – and it probably is. Cheap garage door pricing often hides a laundry list of exclusions in the tiny type. Do you know what to look for when pricing a garage door for your Bay Area home, so you can be sure you’re getting what you think you’re paying for? Watch out for what may be missing from that bargain-basement garage door system.

Quality Garage Door Craftmanship

Price is largely a reflection of materials and craftsmanship. Thicker, quality doors stand up to break-ins, weather, and abuse from kids, while thin doors crumple under pressure. Well-fitted, insulated quality garage doors can also help you control energy costs, unlike flimsy, poorly sealing, uninsulated doors. In addition to these design deficiencies, cheap garage doors are also much more likely to fail spectacularly, buckling under pressure, sliding off track, and falling apart under everyday use. In the long run, buying bargain-basement doors for your Walnut Creek home will cost more in repairs and require replacement twice as often (or more) than affordable, quality garage doors.

Garage Door Parts Above Contractor Grade

What’s that bargain garage door deal really offering you? Bargain springs begin the countdown to replacement at installation while upgrading to better quality springs that last twice as long are manageable a few bucks more. Cheap, squeaking rollers may not seem like such a bargain after your spouse repeatedly wakes you in the early morning hours when they are leaving for work. Garage door openers that operate smoothly and safely without shaking the whole house should likewise not be a luxury.

Professional Garage Door Installation

Garage doors are heavy and use components under pressure that can cause significant bodily harm if not properly installed. A reputable installation professional is essential for a well-fitted, balanced, smoothly operating system. That’s why at Madden Door, we don’t use subcontractors. Our installation professionals work for us, and we stand by their quality work and expertise. Our team can handle the trickiest installs, including non-standard openings and tight quarters. You’ll encounter no surprises before, during, or after installation with our crew. All our garage doors include expert installation, hardware and labor, and the disposal of your old doors.

A Dependable Garage Door Warranty

When it comes to garage door quality, the truth is in the warranty. Quality manufacturers like Wayne Dalton offer a good warranty and great value. They stand behind their products, and this is reflected in the warranty. The same holds true for garage door openers.

Truth in Advertising

Ensure a lasting garage door investment with help from Madden Door. Our sales team is happy to help you find a reliable garage door. We offer a variety of affordable garage doors to meet every budget. We’ve been assisting customers with selecting and installing garage doors in the Bay Area since 1977. Our reputation is unsurpassed.

Watch out for cheap garage doors. Know what to look for when pricing a garage door for yourBay Area, Walnut Creek, Alamo, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Concord, Oakland, Pittsburg, Brentwood, Fairfield, or Vallejo home. Contact Madden Door at 925-208-4907 to get a trustworthy quote on an affordable new garage door today.

buy a new garage door, costs, price comparisons

Garage Door Repair Services

Can a Cracked Garage Door Be Fixed?

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Are there any easy fixes for a cracked garage door? Most cracked garage doors are complicated and costly to repair. Light gauge metal garage doors are often too thin to maintain welded repairs. However, there’s a small chance you may be able to repair heavier-duty metal or vinyl garage doors. What garage door repair options do you have for a cracked garage door?

Add Metal Struts to Your Bay Area Garage Doors

While metal struts won’t address the cosmetic issues a crack on your Pleasanton garage doors presents, they will provide added stability and prevent damage progression. They must be carefully chosen and installed inside the door, running its length. In addition, you’ll need to upgrade your garage door springs to accommodate the heavier load of the struts.

Safety note: NEVER install random hardware store items to patch your cracked door – these often worsen the problem and lead to more extensive (and expensive) garage door repairs.

Replace Heavily Cracked Panels on Your Fairfield or Vallejo Garage Doors

It is essential to find a matching panel when addressing heavily cracked garage doors. Look for your garage door model number and manufacturer information for replacement parts on the inside panel side. This information is typically easier to find on wooden rather than metal garage doors. This information is often missing or hidden, making it difficult to find replacement panels, if they exist.

Replace the Entire Garage Door

In most cases, it takes less time, money, and frustration to replace a cracked garage door than it does to fix it. Madden Door sells a variety of garage door options for any budget to help you take a load off and ensure a safe home. Our competitively priced garage doors offer the same quality, functionality, and protection as more expensive models and brands and include professional installation and door disposal.

Don’t crack under pressure. Find out if your cracked garage door can be fixed from the trustworthy team at Madden Door. Contact us at 925-208-4907 to schedule garage door repair services for your Bay Area, Walnut Creek, Alamo, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Concord, Oakland, Pittsburg, Brentwood, Fairfield, Vallejo, Brentwood, Lafayette, Hercules, El Cerrito, Brentwood, Antioch, or American Canyon home today.

cracked garage door, repairs, replace

Custom Insulated Burgundy Garage Doors at Madden Door in San Francisco, Concord, Pleasant Hill, CA

Garage Door Prices Are Increasing – Why?

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In the months since COVID began, prices of consumer goods have continued to climb. Why are garage door prices increasing? Garage doors are one of many market segments experiencing extremely high demand due to homeowners’ focus on home improvements during the pandemic. Inventory is rapidly shrinking as manufacturers struggle to produce new garage doors and parts built to meet strict federal and local standards.

Supplies of Garage Door Parts and Materials are Drying Up Fast

Those in the market for new garage doors or in need of emergency garage door repairs may find parts and materials hard to come by or nonexistent. You can expect to wait an extended time for garage doors and parts like springs and garage door openers. Orders continue to get pushed further back, with no reliable ETA on new inventory. Frequently, when new garage doors do arrive (months later than expected), they come without the necessary hardware, creating installation snafus.

No End in Sight for Soaring Garage Door Prices

Since January 2021, manufacturers have raised prices on garage doors and hardware by 50%. The cost of raw materials like lumber and steel has risen exponentially over the last several months. Pandemic-related factory shutdowns, supply chain issues, labor shortages, increased transportation costs, and shipping delays continue to complicate matters, making parts and materials nearly impossible to come by. By December, industry experts expect to see an increase of 100% on garage doors and parts.

Prices on Raw Materials Continue to Climb

As the domino effect of world events continues to take its toll, the prices of raw materials needed for garage doors (and many other home improvement projects) continue to climb. High-demand materials like lumber and steel are up 35 and 40%, respectively. Plastic, concrete, asphalt, and other construction products have also drastically increased in price. The added cost of these materials inevitably trickles down to consumers, stressing businesses and buyers alike.

Do you need a new garage door or parts for the garage doors on your Bay Area, Walnut Creek, Alamo, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Concord, Oakland, Pittsburg, or Brentwood home? Garage door prices are increasing – take advantage of available equipment while it lasts before costs climb higher. Contact Madden Door & Sons at 925-208-4907 to schedule your garage door installation or maintenance services today.

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