Residential vs. Commercial Garage Doors

Commercial and residential garage doors share the same basic function — they let vehicles and people in and out of garages. While a residential door offers access to your home’s garage, you’ll find commercial doors in industrial settings. However, location is not the only difference between these two types of doors, as each design boasts unique features and structural elements that make it ideal for its target application. 

The Differences Between Residential and Commercial Garage Doors

When you compare the two, there are distinct pros and cons to commercial garage doors versus residential units. Comparing factors like cost, appearance, size and material make it apparent why the different classifications exist. 

Appearance

Residential garage doors come in many different colors, and some designs include decorative windows and added accessories. As such, choosing a residential door design that complements your home’s appearance can significantly boost its curb appeal. Meanwhile, commercial doors have a more straightforward design, as it is more important for them to be functional than attractive. 

Price

When comparing commercial vs residential garage door prices, you’ll find that commercial doors are significantly more costly. In making these doors, manufacturers use expensive, durable materials that stand the test of time even with frequent use. Additionally, these heavy doors also require special door openers that can handle their weight and perform many opening cycles. 

Size

Size is the primary marker of what makes a garage door commercial or residential. Residential doors typically measure around 7 feet in height and 8 or 9 feet in width. You can customize your home’s garage door to accommodate motorhomes, but even large residential doors are still considerably smaller than commercial versions. Commercial overhead doors are typically about 32 feet wide and 24 feet tall, but they may be even larger. 

Material

When choosing a type of material for a residential door, homeowners often consider durability, price and aesthetics. They might opt for wood, glass, fiberglass, steel, aluminum or composite doors to find an attractive design that fits their budget and expectations. 

While a residential door will likely be cycled two to four times a day, a commercial door may open and close many times in a single workday to accommodate shipping needs. Because the appearance of these doors is less important than their performance, manufacturers only use the most durable materials in their construction, with galvanized steel and aluminum being common choices.

Find the Right Door for Your Home or Business

Oregon City Garage Door provides you with an impressive selection of residential and commercial doors. To ensure you find the right design, we stock products from industry leaders like Clopay®, Amarr Garage Doors and Northwest Door. Contact us to learn more about our services or request an estimate online for a residential or commercial garage door today!

How to Lubricate Your Garage Door

With the right care, your garage door is much more likely to stand the test of time. A well-lubricated door opens and closes smoothly and has a longer life span. To keep your garage door at its best and limit the noises it makes during operation, you’ll want to lubricate it about every six months.

What Is the Best Lubricant for Garage Doors?

The best lubricant for garage doors is a specially formulated spray containing silicone or white lithium grease. These sprays typically come with a long straw attachment that makes them easy to apply in tight spaces. You can also wipe white lithium grease onto metallic surfaces by hand. Avoid using substances like WD-40, engine oil or mechanic’s grease, as they tend to attract dirt and dust buildup. 

How to Use Garage Door Lubricants

Lubricating your garage door is a relatively quick process. Follow these six simple steps:

1. Shut your garage door and power off the opener. 
2. Clean the inside and outside of the tracks with a damp cloth. If you find excess grime that won’t come off easily, try automotive brake cleaner to break it down for removal. Avoid using lubrication on the tracks, as it will impede the function of the rollers. 
3. Open the door and spray or wipe the hinges with grease. You can then move on and lubricate the rollers — be sure to grease the small ball bearing inside each roller. Remember to remove any extra lubricant to ensure your door stays balanced. 
4. Using a step ladder, lubricate the bearings and springs. The bearings are located along the top of a garage door, and the bearing plates are on each side of the springs. After thoroughly lubricating these parts, open and close the door to ensure the grease gets evenly distributed. 
5. Spray grease on the top rail and arm bar. Distribute the lubricant evenly along the top rail with a cloth. You do not need to grease the chain, as it has its own lubricant. 
6. Lastly, apply lubricant to the lock on the garage door to safeguard it against rust, then open and close your door to confirm that it is working smoothly. 

Trust the Pros to Service Your Garage Doors

Preventive maintenance is key to keeping your garage door at its best. If you’d rather leave this task to the professionals, the team at Oregon City Garage Door is here for you. We’ve been installing and servicing garage doors since 1992, so we know the best lubricants and the right techniques to keep your installation at its best.

Along with maintenance and repair services, we offer emergency appointments to address garage door problems quickly. Contact us for more information or use our booking tool to schedule a service online at your convenience.

Overhead vs. Wall Mounted Garage Door Openers

A garage door opener is a convenient device that opens and closes your garage door with the push of a button. This motorized feature comes in two main types — overhead garage door openers and wall mounted styles. If you’re looking to replace your opener, it’s important to understand the features, requirements and benefits of these two choices.

What Is a Wall Mount Garage Door Opener?

Also called a side mount, a wall mount garage door opener features a mechanism installed on the wall beside your garage door. This sleek and quiet space-saving solution does not require overhead space, making it a great option for garages with low ceilings, limited headroom or irregularly shaped ceilings. 

What Is an Overhead Garage Door Opener?

Overhead or ceiling mount garage door openers are mounted on your garage’s ceiling. This more traditional system features a motor and track that lifts and lowers the garage door. Overhead openers are known for their durability and heavy-lifting capabilities, making them excellent for oversized or heavier doors. 

Differences Between Wall Mount and Overhead Garage Door Openers

Each opener type has its advantages and disadvantages. Your final decision will likely depend on various factors, including your garage’s size and shape, your preferred features and your budget. 

Wall Mount and Overhead Garage Door Opener Pros and Cons

Let’s examine some of the pros and cons of each garage door opener design. Below, learn about the side mount opener.

• Wall mount pros: This style is great for low or irregularly shaped ceilings and allows you to maintain your ceiling space for storage. Side mount models are easier to access if repairs or maintenance is needed.
• Wall mount cons: These models move the door from a lower point and often cannot lift heavier garage doors. They also require an electrical outlet next to the door.

Now, explore the benefits and drawbacks of ceiling mount garage door openers.

• Overhead pros: This time-tested design is reliable. It efficiently lifts heavier doors and allows homeowners to choose from a wider array of door styles and advanced features.
• Overhead cons: Ceiling mounted openers take up ceiling space, potentially denying overhead storage. Overhead mechanisms can also be louder.

Overhead vs. Wall Mounted Garage Door Opener Prices

Wall mounted openers are generally a more affordable option, great for homeowners on a tighter budget. However, durable overhead garage door openers are more powerful and often come with additional features, making them a premium choice for those willing to invest.

Get Expert Guidance From Oregon City Garage Door

If you need help choosing the right opener, turn to the team at Oregon City Garage Door. We provide expert installation of garage doors and openers so that you get years of smooth operations from your investment. 

With competitive pricing, quick turnaround times and free estimates, we’d love to discuss your garage door needs. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

How Garage Doors Operate

Your garage door relies on regular maintenance to keep it operating smoothly and conveniently. Before scheduling service for your garage door system, you may want to know the different parts of a garage door and their functions.

What Are the Parts of a Garage Door?

No matter how intricate, each garage door component plays a role in opening and shutting your door. If you’ve ever wondered how these systems work, here are all the important parts of a garage door explained. 

Panels

Manufacturers typically make panels from wood, steel or aluminum. Panels are parts of the garage door’s exterior, and you can usually modify them to enhance your house’s appearance and boost its curb appeal. 

Door Opener

The parts of a garage door opener include the operator, drive mechanism, emergency release rope and sensors. The sensors and motors allow automatic garage doors to move without manual effort, so using the garage door opener control directs the sensors and motors to open or close the door. A garage door’s sensors have a limited range, so you can only open the door while close by — unless you invest in smart technology that lets you operate it remotely.

Springs

Garage doors only partially rely on a door opener to do the heavy lifting. The motor controls the movement’s direction, while torsion springs placed above the door facilitate the opening and closing. With the help of springs, you can save energy while smoothly opening your doors. 

Tracks

Garage door tracks sit on the vertical sides of your door and curve upward toward your ceiling. These tracks guide your door’s movement while also working with the garage door springs to prevent the door from falling back down once opened. 

Rollers

Inside the tracks, you’ll find rollers that move along the tracks as the door opens and closes. These rollers consist of a metal rod and a wheel made from either nylon, steel or plastic. Your technician will replace your rollers periodically to ensure your door opens and shuts smoothly. 

Keep Your Doors Rolling

A garage door system’s complexity — and the extreme stress put on components from a door’s weight — make repairs dangerous to attempt on your own. You need a trusted professional to perform these services safely.

Oregon City Garage Door has been rolling up garage doors since 1992. As a veteran company, we offer our clients outstanding repair and maintenance services in Oregon. If you’re in the market for a new garage door, take a look at our impressive collection of residential and commercial garage doors and contact us online. 

Decorating Your Garage for the Holidays

Oregon City Garage Door sells stunning garage doors, but you can still add some extra sparkle to your doors for Christmas. Garage doors are large fixtures, and decorating them can boost your property’s festive cheer. If you’re looking for inspiration on how to decorate garage doors for the holidays, we have some ideas. 

How to Decorate Your Garage Door for Christmas

Here are five of our favorite ways to get your garage ready for the holidays.

1. Make a Garage Door Gift

You can make your garage door resemble a wrapped gift by adorning it with colorful ribbons. Attach them with nails, staples or hooks. We recommend looking for ribbons made from outdoor-friendly fabrics that can withstand harsh weather conditions to ensure your festive cheer and ribbons won’t fade. You can also add a beautiful bow. Make sure any decorations are fairly thin to prevent the material from causing garage door problems when you roll the door up. 

2. Add Metal Magnets

If you have a metal garage door, you can beautify its surface with festive magnets. These whimsical decorations require minimal effort and won’t interfere with your garage door’s operating system. 

3. Make a Snowman

Build a snowman on your white garage door. Use black and orange vinyl to cut out six black circles for the eyes and smile and an orange triangle for the nose. Stick the shapes on your door, and soon, your friendly snowman will greet passersby with a warm smile. 

4. Grace Your Overhead Door with a Wreath

Wreaths are more than front door decorations — you can also hang an elegant evergreen wreath above your garage door or directly on the door itself, depending on the door type. If your door does not roll up, you can add a wreath without hindering the door’s functionality. Look for decorations made of durable materials that can endure moisture, cold weather and exposure to sunlight. 

5. Stick Vinyl Decals or Clings

For low-maintenance decor, opt for vinyl clings that are easy to stick on your door. Effortlessly create a festive message with alphabet decals or bring a winter wonderland scene to life. These decals are studier than typical window stickers, and you can remove them easily. 

Merry Christmas From Oregon City Garage Door

From our garage to yours, we wish you a happy holiday and a hassle-free season!  With products from industry leaders such as Northwest Door, Amarr and Clopay^®, Oregon City Garage Door stocks durable overhead doors that’ll keep the heat in this winter. If you’re in the market for a new garage door, contact us online.