A Comprehensive Glass Garage Door Guide

A glass garage door is an excellent choice for homeowners and businesses looking to achieve a clean, modern look. The large glass panels let in natural light, making any space feel more open and airy. 

Still, with all the garage door options available, you may wonder if a glass door is a practical choice for your Portland property. 

We understand that garage doors are a serious investment. Choosing the right one is crucial for your property’s appeal and efficiency, among other factors. That’s why we’ve created this complete glass garage door guide to help you make an informed decision. 

What Defines a Glass Garage Door?

A glass garage door is characterized by its use of large glass panels set within a sturdy frame, usually made of aluminum. You can choose between an all-glass garage door or a garage door with windows to achieve a sleek, modern design.

A garage door with windows is similar to a traditional door, except some sections are replaced with individual glass panels. On the other hand, an all-glass garage door is constructed of glass panels from top to bottom. Regardless of the style, glass garage doors offer expansive views and allow lots of light to enter your space. 

Pros and Cons of Glass Garage Doors

Like any option, glass garage doors have advantages and disadvantages. Understanding the pros and cons of garage doors with windows and all-glass varieties is important for ensuring they align with what you want.

The Advantages of a Modern Glass Garage Door

Homeowners choose glass garage doors for several reasons, including:

• Natural light and openness: Glass garage doors flood your space with natural light, making it brighter and feel more open. The amount of light these doors let in varies based on the size and type of glass used. For example, clear glass will offer more light compared to frosted glass. 
• Enhanced curb appeal: The expansive glass panels and clean lines of aluminum glass garage doors create a sleek, elegant look that modernizes a property’s exterior. These doors can also be customized to complement various architectural styles, improving the overall appeal of your home or business. 
• Durability: Glass garage doors are typically made with strong, tempered or laminated glass and a heavy-duty aluminum frame. These durable materials can withstand daily use and the elements, providing long-lasting functionality. 
• Versatility in design: Modern glass garage doors offer great versatility through different glass types, frame materials and colors, and other customizable features. 

Potential Drawbacks to Consider

Be sure to consider the following before you install a glass garage door:

• Higher upfront cost: Glass garage doors come at a higher initial cost than some other options, like steel or composite — mainly due to the materials, custom fabrication and specialized installation. 
• Privacy and security concerns: While full-view glass garage doors offer excellent visibility for you, they can also expose your interior to prying eyes. Glass is also easier to break than other materials, making security extra important.
• Poor insulation: Glass isn’t the best insulator. While you can opt for insulated glass, it still won’t match the thermal performance of solid panels. 
• Frequent cleaning: Glass readily shows dust, smudges and fingerprints. As a result, you’ll have to clean your glass garage door more often to maintain its appearance. 

Key Considerations for Choosing the Right Glass Garage Door 

On top of understanding the general pros and cons of glass garage doors, you’ll have to consider a few different elements to ensure the model you choose provides the appeal and performance you expect. 

Insulation and R-Value 

Garage doors typically have multiple layers of insulation that help prevent energy loss from your property and keep the indoor environment at comfortable temperatures. R-value measures the door’s thermal resistance. A higher measurement means better insulation. Glass garage doors have inherently lower R-values because they are constructed of floor-to-ceiling glass panels that allow cold to enter and heat to escape.

Even though glass garage doors are not the most energy-efficient, you can still reduce heat loss by using insulated glass, proper sealing techniques or a polyurethane-insulated frame. You can also opt for an insulated garage door with windows instead of the all-glass design. 

Glass Types

Glass panels make up a significant part of the garage door’s overall design. They also contribute to the appeal and functionality of the door, making the glass type you choose essential. Some of the main glass types to consider include:

• Tempered glass: Made from a process of superheating and rapid cooling, tempered glass has exceptional strength compared to standard glass. It has great impact and weather resistance. When it shatters, it breaks into small, less harmful fragments for enhanced safety.
• Opaque glass: If you’re concerned about privacy, opaque glass is the ideal option. It obscures the interior of your garage and prevents people from seeing inside while allowing natural light to filter in.
• Laminated glass: This type of glass uses a high-performance adhesive resin between multiple glass pane layers. It blocks a significant amount of UV light and provides better impact resistance and sound insulation. 
• Frosted glass: Another great option for enhancing privacy, frosted glass creates a blurred effect that blocks visibility while still allowing light in. The unique look of frosted glass can also boost your property’s appeal.
• Insulated glass: Insulated glass is typically double-pane glass with a sealed air- or gas-filled space. This design improves energy efficiency by reducing heat transfer. It can also reduce noise. 

Home Designs That Work Well With Glass Garage Doors

Glass garage doors can complement a wide range of home styles. The key is to ensure the door’s clean lines and transparent design don’t clash with your home’s architecture, but rather enhance its openness and light. 

Glass doors pair well with homes that are:

• Modern and contemporary: Glass garage doors are a natural fit for modern and contemporary styles. They blend perfectly with these homes and make a luxurious addition.
• Midcentury modern: Homes that feature clean lines, large windows and open floor plans benefit from the simple and linear look of modern glass garage doors. 
• Modern farmhouse: Combining the rustic charm of a farmhouse with the contemporary sophistication of a glass door is possible with wood-look steel frames and frosted glass panels for a softer, inviting aesthetic. 
• Traditional and rustic: While they’re a less obvious choice, glass garage doors can complement more traditional or rustic homes by balancing modernity with natural, organic elements.

Find Your Perfect Glass Garage Door in the Portland Area

Glass garage doors are an excellent choice for style and functionality, and you can customize them to fit your needs. Oregon City Garage Door is here to help. We offer a range of premium garage doors from leading manufacturers such as Clopay®, Amarr and Northwest Door. 

Explore our wide selection of modern glass garage doors and contact us today for more information or a free estimate.

How to Install a Garage Door Opener

Your garage door opener makes your daily errands easier. When it’s time to get a new one, you want it up and running again quickly so you can return to your routine.

When installing a garage door opener, factors like safety, speed of the job and the right equipment are all important. Garage door systems are complex, and installing an opener correctly the first time can save you time and effort. 

Importance of a Properly Installed Garage Door Opener

An opener is more than just an added feature of your garage door system. A well-functioning, reliable opener:

• Adds to the security of your home: Opener codes control who has access to your garage and property. 
• Makes using your car more convenient: You can open and close the garage door when leaving and returning home, which is especially helpful at night or when it’s storming.
• Provides safety and peace of mind: You know the garage door is hard to open for others, and you can easily use it when needed.

Installing a Garage Door Opener Step-By-Step

To install a garage door opener, following all the instructions in the manual is vital. Garage doors are heavy, and their components must carry their weight, so pay attention to any safety guidelines and take all the measurements accurately. 

1. Mount the Rail and Header Bracket

The rail, or carriage tube, transports the carriage from the opener to the front top of the garage door wall. You’ll also need to mount the header bracket to support the rail for smooth operation. Once you’ve assembled the rail and fastened the header bracket, you can mount the rail to the wall. 

2. Hang the Garage Door Opener 

Hang the garage door opener by fastening it with screws. Make sure you only use the correct tools, and align the opener with the bracket and screws for trouble-free operation. 

3. Connect the Garage Door

You’ll need the arm to connect the garage door opener to the door. Different opener manufacturers and door types may have different instructions, so read these carefully. Use the correct brackets and fasteners, and ensure the arm is attached straight. 

4. Install Safety Sensors

The sensors are some of the most critical components of your garage door, as they prevent it from closing if something is in the way. Install the sensors close to the floor on the garage door, one on each side. These need to run in parallel with no obstructions to work. 

5. Test the Opener

It’s time to test your garage door opener. Push the button on your opener remote or wall control panel to see if the garage door opens and closes. The garage door should operate smoothly if all the measurements are correct and the sensors are parallel. 

Can You Install a Garage Door Opener Yourself?

A do-it-yourself garage door opener installation is possible, and it may be tempting to purchase the opener and quickly install it yourself. However, it comes with some risks. It can also take longer than anticipated, resulting in a lengthy troubleshooting process. 

Some more things to keep in mind:

• Warranty considerations: Installing the opener yourself may affect the warranty of your garage door or the opener. 
• Safety: Without a level, professional measuring device or trained eye, the garage door opener may not work properly after installation, which can be dangerous.
• Installation on a balanced door: The garage door should be balanced before installation, which requires knowing how to adjust the springs safely. Installation on an unbalanced door can burn out the motor quicker, causing more issues, including creating a fire risk.

Why Choose a Reputable Company for Your Installation?

There are many benefits of a professional garage door opener installation. With expert service, you’ll have peace of mind and a garage door opener that’s compliant with safety standards and protects your family and property. You’ll also enjoy a premium, more efficient product with modern features.

Secures Your Home and Garage

Your garage door secures your garage and the entry point to your home. When the opener is installed by a professional and works as it should, it secures the garage door and helps prevent access to the door leading to your house.

Understands Complex Garage Door Systems

All garage door components work together, including the opener, springs, sensors and more. One wrong measurement or installation can impact the entire system, resulting in a malfunctioning door. A professional technician understands the complexities of a garage door system and installs the opener to work smoothly within the system. 

Saves Time and Effort

Troubleshooting during DIY jobs is normal, but it can lead to hours of inconvenience. An expert installation can save time and effort, resulting in an efficient, worry-free process. 

Timely installation is also essential for securing your garage door overnight and using your car the next day, something that may not be guaranteed if you do the installation yourself. 

Knows How to Handle Garage Door Hazards

A garage door and opener have many hazards. The opener is an electrical appliance that should be grounded and have the proper electrical connections. It’s also very heavy and should be anchored to the ceiling joists to prevent it from falling over time.

A professional has the skills, training and experience to work with these safely.

Avoids Common Mistakes

Some common DIY opener installation mistakes include incorrect measurements, not adhering to safety feature instructions, using nuts and bolts found around the house instead of those supplied by the manufacturer, and rushing the process. With a professional installation, you can enjoy a hassle-free, seamless installation.

Our Garage Door Openers vs. Consumer Grade Openers

Consumer-grade openers may be easier to install and get you a garage door opener quickly, but not all options provide the same long-term value. Oregon City Garage Door carries a range of robust LiftMaster^® garage door openers and accessories designed to offer superior performance you can count on. Here are some performance differences between the two:

• Enhanced durability: LiftMaster is renowned for manufacturing durable openers designed for daily use, providing long-term value.
• Reliable quality: Consumer-grade openers often lack the same quiet operation, longevity and reliability as a premium opener.
• Advanced features: LiftMaster openers have innovative features for the modern homeowner, from myQ^® technology for remote management to Security+ 2.0™ for hacking protection.
• Support: A garage door opener is an investment in your property, and customer support is crucial to enjoying your new opener. Along with high-quality openers, Oregon City Garage Door offers responsive support and expert advice.  

Oregon City Garage Door is your trusted source for dependable garage door openers and accessories. Since 1992, residents have trusted us for superior service and high-quality products. 

Request Your Free Estimate Today

If you need a quality garage door opener and installation service, leave it to Oregon City Garage Door. We offer comprehensive garage door services for homes and businesses throughout the greater Portland area. Schedule your estimate today for an expertly installed garage door opener. 

Garage Door Safety Month

Garage doors are often the largest moving parts in a home, so ensuring their safety is crucial. Garage Door Safety Month is about making sure your garage door is safe and operating as it should. At Oregon City Garage Door, we are dedicated to observing this initiative to help our customers stay safe. 

What Is Garage Door Safety Month?

Garage Door Safety Month is a time focused on promoting awareness and best practices for safe garage door operation and maintenance. It encourages homeowners to inspect their garage doors to ensure they are working properly. This initiative originates from the International Door Association (IDA) and aims to prevent accidents and injuries associated with garage doors.   

When Is Garage Door Safety Month?

Garage Door Safety Month takes place every year in May. During this month, industry professionals and homeowners come together to promote garage door safety awareness.    

Garage Door Safety Month Tips

During Garage Door Safety Month, consider these vital safety tips: 

• Visual inspection: Check your garage door for any signs of wear and tear, like frayed cables, misaligned tracks or damage to the door panels. 
• Safety sensor check: Make sure the safety sensors are clean and free of obstructions like dust, cobwebs or leaves. 
• Hardware inspection: Inspect hardware like tracks, hinges and rollers for wear and tear, and tighten any loose bolts or fasteners. 
• Child safety: Keep the opener out of reach of young children and teach older children about the safety reverse function and the dangers of playing with the moving door. 
• Security precautions: Consider unplugging the garage door opener or using a locking mechanism on the latch when away from home for extended periods. 
• Maintenance: Keep your garage door clean and well-maintained to prevent issues and ensure proper functionality. 

How to Celebrate Garage Door Safety Month in Oregon

In Oregon, you can embrace Garage Door Safety Month by taking proactive steps. Talk to your family about garage door safety, review your opener’s manual and make it a point to perform garage door safety checks.

Celebrate With a New Garage Door or Repair  

What better way to celebrate Garage Door Safety Month than by ensuring your garage door is in optimal condition? If your current door is aging, malfunctioning or lacks modern safety features, consider an upgrade. A new garage door can offer enhanced safety and security. Alternatively, if your existing door has minor issues, now is the perfect time to schedule a repair. 

Our team at Oregon City Garage Door is committed to ensuring your garage door operates safely and reliably. We offer quality garage door sales and reliable residential garage door repairs to keep your door properly functioning. Contact us today for repair services or to explore new garage door options.

How to Build a Garage From the Ground Up

A garage can be a valuable part of your home, offering much-needed extra space to store and safeguard your belongings, such as vehicles, machines and work tools. For large items you can’t place inside your home, like vehicles and boats, a garage is the leading option for secure housing that protects against the elements and theft.

Having a garage will save your valuables from the many months of downpours in Portland and Oregon City, which can be damaging and inconvenient. If that’s the case, don’t worry. Our guide shows you how to build a garage from scratch.

Things to Consider Before Building Your Garage

Building a garage can be tedious as it involves investing time and resources. However, it’s a project you can accomplish by yourself and with the help of professionals for aspects that demand specific skills. Before you get started, here are key things to consider.

Garage Placement

Regarding garage placement or location, there are two solutions: freestanding and attached. 

You may be considering building a new structure or expanding one you already have. Either way, you must decide between an attached or detached garage. Both have their advantages. 

While a garage attached to your home comes as part of the package, increasing the property value and offering convenience, a stand-alone garage would be ideal if you want more room for flexibility.

Local Regulations

Construction regulations vary from place to place. You should know the proper guidelines for adding an extension to your home or building a stand-alone structure. Find out what the building and zoning codes are in your municipality to ensure you’re on the right track about what you can and can’t do. You’ll then apply for a building permit. In Portland, these resources are often available on the city’s website.

Building Plans

Unlike a temporary shelter in your compound, a garage is governed by architectural codes and requires proper planning to lay the groundwork. You’ll need to get the building plans from a certified professional. That way, you can be certain the location design and sizing comply with your local codes. 

In the planning phase, you determine your garage’s size to ensure it meets your needs. Since garages are measured based on the number of vehicles they can hold, size will reflect the required dimensions for single-car, double-car and three-car categories.

Contractor

The next step is to select a contractor for the project. If you have previous construction experience and know how to build a garage, you can decide to be the contractor. However, that decision comes with legal responsibility, so working with an expert is best if you are not experienced.

Understandably, doing things yourself can be cost-effective. You’re probably looking to build a garage on a budget. If that’s the case, you can subcontract the more complex parts of the project and handle the straightforward ones. That way, you still get professional support when needed.

Tools and Materials You Need for Construction

If you’re unsure of the materials you need for your project, seek professional guidance and get a complete bill of materials (BOM). 

The following table provides an overview of key tools and materials you’ll likely need to build your garage from scratch:

7 Steps to Building Your Garage

Here are the steps for building a garage.

1. Lay the Foundation

Unless you’re building a pole barn garage, which offers flexibility in terms of foundation, you’ll need to pour a concrete slab for a solid foundation. Laying the foundation is a tedious process that must align with the building plan and local codes. It’s one of the phases in garage construction that homeowners often subcontract to experts.

If you’re laying the foundation yourself, dig the ground to the required depth and dimensions and build the wooden forms. Then, reinforce the base with metal rebar and pour the slab as you level the foundation.

2. Build the Framing

The framing system for your garage can range from 16 to 24 inches on center studs (vertical posts). You’ll use the pressure-treated two-by-four lumber to create both the bottom and top sill plates resting on the vertical posts comprised of king studs, jack studs and cripples. Leave an opening for the window (if applicable) and the opening for the garage door using horizontal headers and saddles for support.

3. Complete the Roof

Install trusses to prepare for the roofing material. If you have the time and experience, you can build and install the trusses yourself. However, it’s easier to work with prefabricated trusses, which are reliable and easy to install. Once they arrive, get help hoisting them and nailing them over the frame.

Roll out sheets of roofing membrane horizontally to create a strong barrier against the elements, then lay the shingles. Begin at the eaves and nail the shingles in overlapping rows. You may want to install a gutter system to prevent rainwater from flowing down garage walls.

4. Install the Sheathing

Install the sheathing to complete the walls. Your sheathing material could be plywood or oriented strand board, which you nail outside the frame and cover in house wrap. Using the siding material of your choice, raise the siding over the sheathing. If you’re building a garage attached to the house, use matching siding for cohesion.

5. Finish the Interior

If you want your garage to be a functional living space, especially if it’s attached to the main house, you’ll need complete interior finishing involving robust walling, plumbing, wiring and insulation. You can avoid all of these if it’s a detached garage or you don’t need the extra living space. 

Run electrical wiring and plumbing lines for a more efficient space. In this stage, bring in professionals if you lack the experience to ensure safety with electrical connections. Insulate the garage if you want it to add square footage to your living space. Common materials you can use include spray foam, fiberglass and double bubble. Finish the interior by installing the drywall and then turn to the floor, which can be anything from tile to concrete with an epoxy layer.

6. Determine Your Garage Door Type

Decide on the garage door style and size you want for your new garage space. You can pick from various options, from modern steel to classic wood doors. This decision is especially important because it informs the rest of the design and building process.

7. Place the Windows and Doors

You can install the window, but handling a garage door yourself is not advisable unless you have professional expertise. Unlike other doors, residential garage doors are heavy and often have a potentially dangerous installation process.

Besides the excessive weight, components like springs can cause serious injuries. For the garage door installation, work with local technicians to ensure safety and efficiency.

Find Garage Door Solutions at Oregon City Garage Door

Building a garage from the ground up is a huge project, but with proper planning, you can achieve it and treasure the journey. We provide a general guide, but steps and materials can vary based on the project size, design and local building codes. To get things right and ensure compliance, work with professionals.

For the garage door phase, Oregon City Garage Door is your reliable garage door installation service provider in the greater Portland area. We offer everything, from new installations to repair and maintenance. Our experienced technicians will analyze your project, walk you through your options and offer a garage door solution that meets your needs. 

Request an estimate to learn more about our garage doors and services!

What to Do if Your Garage Door Is Uneven

An uneven garage door is more than an annoyance. Without immediate attention, the issue could worsen and cause injury or damage to your belongings. Although you might be able to rebalance the garage door yourself, we recommend calling the professionals at Oregon City Garage Door for a permanent solution.

Why Do Garage Doors Become Uneven?

Some common causes of uneven garage doors include broken torsion springs, misaligned tracks, loose hinges and worn cables. Sometimes, the springs break or lose tension and distribute the door’s weight poorly, causing unevenness on one side. If this happens, you’ll see a small gap between the bottom of the door and the ground.

Signs of a Crooked Garage Door 

It’s easy to identify when a garage door is uneven. In addition to the gap, you might discover the following:

• Drooping on one side when the door is closed.
• Slow operation, uneven movement or failure to open and close.
• Loud creaking, banging or unusual sounds when opening and closing.
• Issues latching the locking mechanism, which could lead to security risks.
• Broken or worn rollers, hinges, screws, brackets and bolts that could cause misalignment.

How to Fix an Uneven Garage Door

If your garage door is uneven, you might be able to fix some components yourself. However, we strongly suggest getting professional help with larger moving parts. 

Try the following to fix your uneven garage door:

• Disconnect the opener: Close the garage door manually once it’s disconnected from the opener.
• Examine all components: Inspect the door and hardware, including the tracks, rollers, tracks and springs, for wear and damage.
• Lubricate the rollers: Apply lubricant to the tracks and rollers to promote smooth operation.
• Adjust the spring tension, lift cables and hinges: Use the right tools, such as a winding bar, to adjust the spring tension and other parts.
• Inspect the floor: Check that the garage floor is even, as this may affect the door’s ability to close properly.
• Reconnect the opener: Once you’ve made the adjustments, reconnect the opener and test the door’s operation, ensuring it’s smooth and no sagging occurs.

If you have safety concerns about springs and lift cable adjustments, get in touch with us to schedule a professional repair.  

Contact Oregon City Garage Door for Expert Repairs 

Oregon City Garage Door provides exceptional services throughout the Portland area. When your garage door fails, we’ll repair it quickly and efficiently. If we can’t fix it, we’ll recommend and install the best garage door to suit your budget and home.

Request our repair service or a free estimate on a new door today.