The team at Martin Door wishes you and your loved ones a safe and happy Memorial Day. We are honored to serve those who have served our country.   

Got a garage door question? Ask Martin Door! Once every month, our team picks a topic and answers one of our most frequently asked questions. Our first addresses noisy garage doors. 

“Why is my garage door making noise?”

Are you hearing clanking, squeaking or a grinding sound when you open or close your garage door? If you are, it’s usually a sign that your garage door is in need of attention — sooner than later. When you hear those suspicious sounds, it’s best to contact a garage door professional who can locate the source of the problem and fix it quickly.

Here are common reasons why garage doors start making noises, and what you can do about it.

Rollers with wear and tear. This is one of the main culprits of a noisy garage door. Rollers, like garage door springs, wear over time. You’ll likely have to replace your rollers once they start making noise. As a general rule, nylon rollers make less noise than nylon rollers.

Your garage door is off track. If you hear a loud cranking or rumbling sound when you open or close your garage door, it could be due to a garage door that’s out of balance or gotten off track. Alignment issues always need to be addressed by a garage door professional. Do this sooner than later, as delaying this repair can lead to bigger issues.

Loose parts. If components like nuts and bolts are loose, you may be able to hear it. Usually, this problem creates a screeching sound. A garage door technician can look closely to quickly find the loose parts and tighten or replace them.

Springs and rollers need lubrication. We recommend lubricating your garage door with a good quality metal lubricator on a regular basis. Luckily, this is an issue that can usually be solved by picking up a can of good quality metal lubricant at your local home improvement store.

Your garage door is old. Sometimes, no matter how well your garage door is maintained and lubricated, it will still make noises. This is usually due to wear and tear from opening and closing for years, if not decades. If this is the case, it’s time to invest in a replacement garage door.

Worried about your noisy garage door? Give the team at Martin Door a call.

Should you repair the garage door you have or invest in a new one? If you’re a homeowner, chances are you’ve been wondered this at some point. It can be difficult to know which option is best. After all, with help from a garage door professional, a garage door issue – like a broken spring or damaged garage door panel – can be fixed quickly.

Other times, however, it makes better sense to purchase a new garage door. With regular maintenance, it can stay in top shape for years to come. Below are four signs that it’s time for a new garage door.

It’s no longer safe. Nothing is more important than keeping you and your family safe. If your garage door no longer fits securely to the frame, or it has older locks or no security features, we recommend replacing it. Older garage doors that fit improperly can be easy targets for thieves. And garage doors with security features like keypad locks are excellent deterrents. It’s also a good idea to invest in a garage door opener with MyQ smart technology by LiftMaster.

It keeps breaking down. If your garage door seems to constantly need repairs, it may be time for a new one. While garage door parts like springs and belts need to be replaced eventually, if several parts are worn, they could continue to break or stop working. Sometimes it’s simply better to replace the garage door than to fix an older one that requires a lot of repairs.

It’s not attractive. We know looks aren’t everything, but a great-looking garage door can add a lot of curb appeal to your home. Take a look at Clopay’s residential garage doors to get inspired. Whether you have a traditional style home or a modern home, you’re bound to find one (or a few) garage doors that would compliment your home perfectly.

You’re moving. Did you know that the average ROI for a new garage door is 97%? Before you put your home up for sale, consider investing in a replacement garage door, especially if yours is older and showing signs of wear.

Ready for a new garage door? The team at Martin Door is here to help.

Read More 

How safe are smart garage doors? 

6 ways to update your garage in 2022 

Our top 4 places for garage door inspiration

By: Clopay Garage Doors

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) welcomed enthusiastic exhibitors and attendees to Orlando, Florida this month for the International Builders’ Show (IBS).

Billed as the residential construction industry’s premiere event to scout new products and design trends, the Show was held in-person for the first time since 2020.

Clopay exhibited a combination of garage doors and complementing entry doors in new styles and colors, including the highly anticipated Lustra finish, a new Modern stained fiberglass entry door, and a new Shaker-inspired recessed panel smooth fiberglass entry door.

Take a virtual tour of Clopay’s IBS exhibit.

Fashionably Matte

Lustra eliminates the embossed woodgrain and stucco woodgrain textures usually seen on steel garage doors, giving it a visually smooth, matte appearance.

Named one of the “The 10 Coolest Products at the International Builders’ Show” by Bob Vila.com, Lustra is a new low-gloss finish now available in Black, Charcoal and Silver on Intellicore insulated Modern Steel garage doors.

Minimal Maintenance

Low-maintenance is the mantra of most homeowners. But they want a quality product that looks realistic and high-end, especially when it’s emulating natural wood.

In the hierarchy of wood-look doors that require less upkeep, Clopay Ultra-Grain earns the people’s choice award for being versatile, energy-efficient and budget-friendly. And it looks good with everything – brick, siding, stone, or metal.

Bridgeport Steel in Walnut Ultra-Grain with narrow recessed panel design and long windows.

For a natural wood look and feel that can fool any resident woodpecker, faux wood composites are a premium material. Clopay has several options.

Canyon Ridge garage doors are made from a durable, UV- and moisture-resistant composite that won’t rot, warp, or crack.

The material is molded from natural wood pieces to reproduce the texture and grain patterns of the species it emulates. Like wood, it can be painted or stained.

This Canyon Ridge Modern garage door has Mahogany composite cladding with a Medium stain and frosted glass windows down one side to give it Mid-Century appeal.

With the prevalence of black or white exteriors, natural has become the “new neutral” to break up broad swaths of color with warm, organic accents.

As any designer or homeowner tasked with selecting exterior finishes will tell you, finding complementing stain colors for garage and entry doors is a challenge, especially when both are visible from the street.

Clopay is the only garage door manufacturer to offer complementing residential entry doors, a real benefit for buyers who want to coordinate the design, shape, and finish of their exterior doors and windows.

Clopay is adding a new stained fiberglass Modern entry door line this fall.

Clopay stained fir fiberglass front door with narrow rectangular windows pairs well with the horizontal plank design of the Canyon Ridge Modern garage door.

Clopay Canyon Ridge garage doors also come in carriage house and louver designs.

Weather-resistant composites are ideal for coastal climates. Built-in wind-load reinforcement is available for hurricane zones.

The Canyon Ridge Louver garage door gives off beach-vacation vibes in a soft, green paint color.

Another weather-resistant material that offers custom wood beauty and even more design flexibility is Clopay Reserve Extira.

Extira doors are built in three sections instead of four, resulting in proportionally larger windows preferred by many architects and builders. Paint color: Sherwin Williams St. Barts.

Extira is an eco-friendly, paint-grade wood composite that is moisture-, rot-, and termite-resistant.

Inherently strong, Extira carves, routs, and fastens like natural wood and won’t crack or split. The smooth surface is free of knots or voids, allowing for detailed craftsmanship and a furniture quality finish.

If you are a fan of using painted doors as a statement piece, the Reserve carriage house garage door is a perfect match with Clopay’s new Shaker fiberglass entry door.

Coming early summer 2022, this Clopay fiberglass entry door is factory painted Sherwin Williams St. Barts.

Like the garage door, the front door has deep recessed panels with defined edges and half sidelights for plenty of daylight.

Fiberglass entry doors are known for their low-maintenance durability, weather-resistance, and energy efficiency, offering five times more insulating value than wood doors.

Daylight Savings Time

Floor to ceiling windows and doors that blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living and flood spaces with natural light are a priority for homeowners. Fitted with glass panels, Clopay’s Avante® transforms the garage into a usable living space as a gym, workshop or office.

Clopay Avante on the 2022 New American Home (TNAH)

Glass garage doors aren’t only for the garage. A wide range of sizes, colors, and glazing options, make it make it easy to customize the Avante for pool houses, hobby sheds, outdoor kitchens, or as alternative patio doors that can be opened up to expand square footage for entertaining.

Visit our Lookbook to see how architects and builders have used Clopay doors on award-winning projects.

Need help choosing the right door? Use Clopay’s Garage Door Buying Guide and Clopay’s Entry Door Buying Guide.

Questions? Contact Martin Door.

If you’re thinking about making improvements to your garage in 2022, we’ve got more than a few ideas, From adding storage, to replacing your garage door, to making your garage more secure, there many ways to spruce up your garage in the new year.

Here’s six ways to update your garage in 2022 

Get organized. If you’ve got tools, recreation equipment, and cleaning supplies strewn about your garage, why not add shelving and storage to make everything in close reach while adding more space in your garage. Peg boards, simple shelving are easy to install. Even a row of hooks can make a world of difference.

Clean it up. Spend a day deep cleaning your garage. Remove everything, start by washing down the floor to get rid of the grime and grease, clear the cobwebs and dirt from the garage door (carefully), and get rid of anything you’re storing in the garage that you don’t need.

Schedule maintenance. Give the team at Martin Door a call to schedule regular garage door maintenance. We’ll make sure that your garage door is working at it’s best, and if it isn’t, we’ll make the repairs to ensure it does. Garage door springs, belts, and the garage door itself should be inspected by a professional once a year.

Keep it secure. One of the easiest ways to keep your garage door secure is to invest in a new LiftMaster garage door opener. LiftMaster’s MyQ technology let you open, close and monitor your garage door from anywhere in the world. And it will send alerts to your phone and home security system if it detects suspicious activity.

Make it multi-functional. Need more room in your house? Look no further than the garage. With a few cans of paint and a little creativity, you can add additional living space to your garage.

Elevate with a new garage door. Have you checked out the latest garage doors by Clopay? They’re pretty fabulous. Whether you’re tastes are traditional, modern, or a little bit of both, you’ll find the perfect garage door by Clopay to elevate the look of your home.

2022 will be here before you know it, and what better time to make updates to your home than the new year? One of the easiest and best ways to elevate the look of your home while also increasing it’s value is to invest in a new garage door.

Of course, there are many reasons why replacing your garage door is a great investment and a smart idea. Here’s our top four.

Curb appeal. A new garage door can dramatically change the look of your home – and with very little time invested, as opposed to having your house painted, for example. In just a few hours, the team at Martin Door can professionally install a great looking, brand new garage door. Take a look at Clopay’s collection to get inspired.  Then, use our Design Your Door feature to choose the perfect garage door for your home.

Added value. If you’re thinking about selling your home, you’ll want to give careful consideration to the state of your garage door. Does it fit properly? Is paint chipping from the door or is it dented? If your garage door is showing signs of wear and tear, it’s a good idea to get it replaced. A new garage door could add value to your home so you get more money at closing time.

Increased safety. Protect your family and your belongings with a new garage door. Older doors that no longer fit tightly to the frame and ground make it easier for thieves to do their dirty work. In addition, many new garage door models offer extra locking features. Want to really keep your garage secure? Choose a new garage door opener by LiftMaster.

Less repairs. If you have an older garage door, you may be worried that, one day, it won’t operate the way it should. With a new garage door comes new parts, not to mention a warranty. Avoid unexpected garage door repairs by getting a replacement garage door.

And… here’s a bonus reason to choose a garage door from Martin Door. When you buy locally you’re investing back into your local economy. Ready for a new garage door? Give the team at Martin Door a call.

The team at Martin Door would like to wish you and your loved ones a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving! 

Looking for a career that offers plenty of variety, job security, and an excellent steady income? You’ve just described some of the benefits of being in the garage door industry and now (maybe more than ever) is an ideal time to get started on this career path.

There was already a shortage of skilled tradespeople before the pandemic, and now the shortage is even greater. That means there are plenty of opportunities to stay working and advance in your career   whether it’s in sales or as a garage door technician.

Here’s what you can expect

Job variety. In this field, every day is different, which means you’ll get a chance to put all your skills to good use. The possibilities are endless. So, if you don’t like performing the same tasks every day, this job is for you.

Stability. Imagine living in a world without teachers or doctors. Impossible, right?  You’ll never have to worry about finding a job in this industry, which is helpful if you have a family to support.

No debt. There’s nothing wrong with getting a four-year degree, but the cost of college can really add up. While many students graduate owing a significant amount of money to Uncle Sam, students who graduate from a trade school usually do not.

Career advancement. At Martin Door, we encourage our team members to deepen their knowledge through continuing education and advanced certification. The garage door industry is constantly evolving, and the more training you have, the higher your salary will likely be.

You can skip the gym. By now you’ve probably read that sitting behind a desk all day can lead to health problems. But that’s not something you’ll have to worry about in the garage door industry. It also requires plenty of critical thinking and problem-solving, so your brain will stay sharp, too.

You get to be a part of a team. The team at Martin Door supports and encourages each other. We truly believe that teamwork is a big part of why we’ve been a leading garage door company in St. Charles for decades. Simply put: we’re a family and our team thrives because of it.

You’ll meet new people. If you’re a “people person,” you’ll love being in this industry. Every day offers you’ll be meeting and helping new and longtime customers alike. This means you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make someone’s day a little better. This is definitely not a job you can do remotely from the comfort of your couch!

Interested in a job with Martin Door? Give us a call. We love talking about everything we love about this exciting profession and are always looking for new team members

By: Clopay Garage Doors

A reinforced garage door is the best way to prevent high winds from entering your home.

The air pressure inside the garage after the door was ripped out of the opening caused the roof to blow out.

Clopay WindCode® garage doors have built-in reinforcement. No additional posts or pins are required. Owners simply have to lock the door to secure it.

Clopay WindCode garage doors have t-struts for reinforcement on the inside of the door.

If your house has weathered a previous hurricane, it’s important to have your garage door checked to make sure none of the moving parts were damaged or weakened.

NO NEED TO SACRIFICE STYLE FOR SAFETY

If you are shopping for a hurricane-rated garage door, whether building a new house or just looking to improve its curb appeal, there are a number of new styles and materials to consider.

Inside Clopay’s test chamber, where a 9 lb. 2” x 4” is shot out of a canon at impact-resistant windows. Impact-rated windows can withstand 350 foot-pounds of impact energy.

First, a reinforced garage door doesn’t have to look like a wall of steel. With impact resistant windows, you can add both a decorative touch to the door and natural light in the garage.

The exact style you’re able to install will depend on where you live and your local building code requirements. For instance in Florida, the WindCode® rating will decrease as you move farther inland from the shoreline.

Clopay has the largest number of residential garage door models with Florida product approvals and Miami Dade County notices of acceptance.

Clopay Canyon Ridge (5-Layer) carriage house garage doors with built-in WindCode reinforcement. The doors look like real wood but are actually composite.

If you live along the coast, faux wood garage doors are a popular option as they mimic the look of natural wood but are moisture-resistant and won’t warp, rot or crack in the elements.

From a carriage house design to Clopay’s Modern Steel door — which is approved for use in Miami Dade County in South Florida — the options are abundant when it comes to selecting a stylish reinforced garage door.

Clopay Modern Steel garage door with windows down one side.

Here’s a fantastic article by Clopay about how to determine if you have a broken garage door spring

AWWW, SNAP! DO I HAVE A BROKEN GARAGE DOOR SPRING?