How to Find a Quality Garage Door Company
Whether your garage door needs to be repaired or replaced altogether, it’s a job that should be left to a professional. Not only is garage door repair and installation extremely technical, it can actually be dangerous for inexperienced do-it-yourselfers to attempt. However, choosing the right garage door company isn’t always easy. There are a lot of garage door companies out there, and they aren’t all equal in terms of expertise, service, and overall customer satisfaction. That’s why you should take the time to find a company that’s highly rated and qualified to perform the work.
Know What You’re Looking For
Before you begin your search for a garage door company, you need to know what type of service you’re looking for. For instance, if you’re planning to replace your garage door, it’s wise to do some research on the different options that are available. Here are four of the most popular garage door types on the market:
- Steel garage doors offer a combination of durability, affordability and low maintenance. Due to their long lifespan, they come with strong warranties.
- Modern aluminum garage doors offer improved quality compared to their predecessors. To maximize durability, consider a high-quality aluminum garage door with dent-resistant, laminated panels.
- Fiberglass garage doors consist of a fiberglass exterior placed over a steel or aluminum frame. Fiberglass garage doors are lightweight and corrosion-resistant, and they can even imitate the look of wood.
- Vinyl garage doors are durable, weather-resistant and low-maintenance, and they often come with lifetime warranties. These characteristics make vinyl more expensive than other garage door materials like steel.
Of course, it’s also wise to consider what you’re looking for in a garage door company. Here are some questions you should ask yourself:
- What type of garage door service do I need (repair, replacement, new installation)?
- What type of material do I want my door to be made out of (aluminum, steel, wood)?
- What style of garage door do I want (windows, raised panels, ribbed)?
- What personal and professional characteristics would I like my garage door contractor to have (dood communication skills, honesty, reliability, punctuality)?
- How much do I care about insulation?
- What is my budget?
- What are the maintenance requirements of the garage door?
- What is the R-value of the garage door?
- How thick do I want my new garage door to be? (Remember, thicker isn’t necessarily better!)
- How durable is the garage door? Does it dent easily?
- Are there any available options such as quiet glide rollers, top seals or emergency disconnects?
- What colors, finishes and window options are available for my garage door?
- Are there any safety and security issues with my garage door?
- Does the garage door come with a warranty?
- What is the counterbalance spring mechanism of my garage door (extension or torsion)?
Finding a Quality Garage Door Company
So, how do you find a qualified garage door company in your area? There are a couple of ways to go about it. The simplest way is to hire a Diamond Certified garage door company. All Diamond Certified companies have been independently rated Highest in Quality and Helpful Expertise® in the most accurate rating process anywhere. Plus, you’ll be backed by the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee.
If choosing a Diamond Certified garage door company isn’t an option for you, you’ll need to research local companies on your own. A good resource is the Contractors State License Board’s website, where you can check the status of a company’s license and workers’ compensation insurance. Violations and license revocations will also appear on their license record, so you’ll know whether serious customer grievances and complaints have been filed with the state. But these aren’t the only credentials to look for in a company. For example, garage door companies that are members of local organizations and associations may offer better service, so look for that. You can also check to see if they’ve earned any special industry certifications.
It’s also a good idea to interview garage door companies in person and ask for references. By taking the time to research your options regarding both products and professionals, you’ll greatly increase the likelihood of a satisfactory result.
