Springs: A Garage Door's Best Friend

Springs are the main operating system for the garage door. People often wonder how a 1/2hp motor can lift a 150- or 200-pound garage door, and the real answer is that it probably couldn't--not without a little help. This is where your garage door's springs come in. These springs are wound with an incredible amount of required tension, and it's this tension that does the majority of the work when your door is opening or closing. Maybe you like to leave your door cracked open to let in some air? That's the springs at work again. Or maybe you've opened and closed the door manually, and with surprisingly little effort. That's the springs at work for you one more time.

A broken garage door torsion spring.

We last wrote about springs over a year ago, and we think that post covered some very important information. You can view the full post here (and we recommend you do), but we'll recycle some of the key points below.

• Springs don't usually shatter into pieces when they break, so it's not immediately obvious that a broken spring is causing a door not to open. Due to the incredible tension we talked about above, however, you are likely to hear a loud BANG when they break, and it would be very difficult or impossible to open the door manually.

• A broken spring is one of our most common service calls.

• In addition to inconvenience, broken or old, rusty springs can create a safety hazard for family members and pets that may be passing under an open door. For this reason, checking and properly lubricating springs is always on our checklist during all service calls.

• Springs are made to fit your unique garage door. We keep a large number of common sizes in stock, and we can also custom make some sizes in our shop. In most cases, we're able to replace broken springs the same day, and we're always able to get you up and running with a safe, temporary fix, should a special order be necessary.

Much like garage doors and nearly everything else, springs face extra pressure due to our warm, salty air. For this reason we use only the highest quality high-cycle springs, and we stand behind this quality with our own 3-year warranty.

To close out another great year with you all, we're offering our biggest savings ever on spring replacements. During the month of December 2016, save $50 off of any single-car door spring replacement, and save an incredible $100 off any double-car door spring replacement! Whether you have a broken spring or preemptively want to replace an old pair, use code word SPRINGS to take advantage of this great deal when calling 871-8888 to schedule your appointment!

Quality Without Cost: Martin Standard Steel

Loyal readers will have by now realized that we're fans of alliteration, so when August rolls around, it's naturally time to showcase something with quality--we wouldn't put our name behind it if it didn't meet our expectations for quality--but that is also affordable. (Get it? August...affordable?) This month's topic could not meet these requirements better. Comparable to one of our most popular doors, the Stratford Series by Amarr, Martin's Standard steel door is a top-quality door at an affordable price.

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The Martin Standard comes in three classic panel styles and four steel paint colors, but customization options are nearly limitless with an incredibly wide range of powder coat colors and window options. An upgraded hardware package will also provide a lifetime warranty, while sections and colors are guaranteed by a strong, five-year warranty. Depending on your needs, four insulation options are also offered: steel only, steel + insulation, steel + insulation + steel, and an impressive steel + two insulation layers + steel.

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Martin backs their doors with a trusted name that's been in the industry since 1936. Since that time, the company has remained in Martin family while expanding offerings and improving on quality with the newest technologies. They've focused on safety by inventing (and patenting) a finger safety system for section joints called FingerShield, and have been recognized by the Consumer Product Safety Commission for "build[ing] to a higher standard." These advances have led to them being an international name, selling in 93 countries. We're proud to offer them here on Maui.

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We're kicking off August with a great promotion for the Martin Standard door: $50 off of a single-car door installed, and $100 off of a double-car door installed. To take advantage of this great promotion, use promo code MARTIN when calling 871-8888 to schedule your FREE estimate today!

Summer Showcase: Ziegler Doors

Before we offer a new product here at Maui Garage Doors, we do a lot of research to determine if it's of appropriate quality, both in its performance in Maui's micro-climates and its manufacturing. When possible, we use products from companies with values similar to ours, that manufacture and operate on as local a level as possible, and that don't take shortcuts to put profit over quality. This month we're excited to share with you one of our newest finds: the phenomenal, custom doors from Ziegler Doors, Inc.

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Since 1969, Ziegler Doors has been a family business, operating out of Orange County, California. While the possibilities of their custom doors are limitless, the've made a name for themselves by creating high-quality, hand-crafted doors that replicate "old world" architecture. As door technology has advanced over the years, so has Ziegler's offerings, now including a recycled, composite door that they stand behind with a lifetime warranty.

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Of their offerings, we've seen strong performance from their custom wood and composite Eco doors, and we're excited to now be offering both on Maui! Their residential custom wood doors can be made from nearly any wood species found in the world, and you can choose from one of their designs or work with us to create something completely unique to your home. Being environmentally conscious has always been a focus for us, and their composite Eco doors maintain quality and customization while using all recycled wood product for a beautiful product.

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We're excited this month to be offering the BIGGEST SAVINGS EVER on these doors: For the month of July only, save $75 off any single car door and $150 off of any double car door! Call 871-8888 and use promo code ZIEGLER when scheduling your FREE estimate today!

$ave Safely During National Garage Door Safety Month

It's June, and that means it's once again time to celebrate National Garage Door Safety Month! We've talked before on the blog about the importance of preventative maintenance, so we won't say more here than the fact that a large number of issues with your door and operator are avoidable and detectable with regular, routine maintenance (hint: service plan!). Instead, this month we'd like to look at the importance of garage door safety and provide you with some good tests that you can use on your own. Although this knowledge can help to save you some money, we still have a great promo for this month for when you do need a service call.

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Last year we mentioned that the garage door is the heaviest moving object in your home, and how 70% of homeowners use the garage door as their primary entrance to their home. These stats are still true today, and that means that it's still just as important today as ever to make sure things are running smoothly. Not all problems are obvious, and that's why each time we visit your home we have an extensive checklist to check on the integrity and operation of all of the moving parts. The garage is a natural gathering place for us here on Maui, and National Garage Door Safety Month is a great opportunity to get a questionable door back in order or replaced.

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Luckily, you don't have to be a technician to do some very basic checks on your own. Check out the video, provided by LiftMaster, below for some great tips that you can utilize at home. Keep in mind that these checks are intended to test the operation of a properly functioning door. If you suspect any issues or have been having any trouble with your door, please do not perform these simple tests. The theme of this month is safety, afterall, so please, please call us before putting yourself or your family or pets at any risk!

Did any of your tests not pass? If so, give us a call to schedule an appointment immediately. During the month of June we're excited to be offering $20 off the cost of any service call, PLUS a FREE kids safety coloring book! Use promo code SAFETY when calling 871-8888 to book your service appointment. 

Why We Use LiftMaster

There are a lot of commercial and residential door and automatic gate operators on the market. We have accessories, parts, and the expertise to maintain nearly all of them, but when we need to replace an operator or are furnishing a brand new door installation, we install LiftMaster. There are a number of reasons for that decision, and they include LiftMaster's longstanding commitment to quality, as well as their continued dedication to innovation and full range of solutions. It's for these same reasons that we are proud to be Maui's only Authorized LiftMaster Dealer.

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LiftMaster has been the industry leader for residential, commercial, and gate operators for over 45 years. With this long history they've developed and maintained important advancements in safety, quality, and innovation. Nearly all of their operators include a lifetime motor warranty, as well as an additional 1-5 year warranty on parts, depending on model. Their patented P3 motors also include the latest safety features, including optional battery back-up on select models, ensuring safe operation for your family, pets, and guests.

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Not content with having some of the safest and most reliable operators, LiftMaster recently introduced their MyQ technology. We've discussed this technology some previously. MyQ brings full connectivity to your garage and home to your smartphone, tablet, and computer, allowing for ease of use and peace of mind. From anywhere in the world, you can know whether your door is open or closed, and even operate the door remotely to allow for package delivers or the entry of a guest. For additional information on LiftMaster's history, products, and future innovations, please visit their website.

In celebration of our partnership with LiftMaster, we're offering $50 off of ANY LiftMaster operator and installation package, as well as 10% off of ANY LiftMaster accessory. Use promo code LIFTMASTER when you call 871-8888 for additional information and to schedule your free estimate!

Old School Values, Modern Expertise

We're a small, family-run business, and we're proud of that. It wasn't until a few years ago that our office moved away from doing everything on paper, and our office and showroom is still in the same place it has been for a long time: the Central Maui Baseyard - our home! We're proud of the fact that we, still to this day, do a lot of business from talking story face-to-face. There's a lot to be said for that kind of interaction, and it can't be captured by any new technology. But when it comes to talking to garage doors, gates, operators, and all of their evolving technologies, it's important to us to stay up-to-date on the latest and greatest.

The Maui Garage Doors O'hana

For over a decade, we have been proud members of the International Door Association (IDA), adhering to their Code of Conduct and our own commitment to excellence and, frankly, doing the right thing. Since 1995, the IDA has ensured that its members, among other things, prioritize customer satisfaction, do business with honesty and integrity, work safely and in accordance with specifications for installation, and both make available and honor warranties. We've been thrilled to consistently earn the badge of membership under the IDA, going beyond a manufacturer's warranty and putting a warranty on our own labor.

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To keep our family business strong and prepared to best serve you for years to come, we're investing in ourselves and sending two of our field technicians to this year's IDAExpo, happening later this month in Las Vegas. This expo is the one and only major forum for door dealers and manufacturers, including a showcase on new products and technologies, as well as multiple days of educational workshops, where our techs will beef up on their expertise and receive certifications to better serve Maui, Lana'i, and Moloka'i with.

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In celebration of new technologies, for the month of April we're excited to offer a FREE upgrade from a chain- to belt-drive operator, with the purchase and installation of any door & LiftMaster operator! Use the promo code EXPO when calling 871-8888 for your free estimate today!

New Year, New Look

Happy New Year, Maui Garage Doors 'ohana! We had a busy, fun-filled 2015 with all of you, and we're looking forward to keeping it going in 2016. With a new year comes new opportunities--opportunities for new challenges, new changes, and new friends. We look forward to tackling each of these in 2016 by finding new ways to continue providing customer-focused, affordable service, helping you give the largest moving part on your home an update (or installing your very first garage door), and continuing to do business how it was meant to be done: locally.

Happy New Year! Please note that we will not replace your driveway with sand ;)

2015 brought a number of face lifts for us: we got a new website, a few new, great office employees and talented, professional technicians, and we remodeled our showroom (as featured in our December 2015 post). Most recently, we've updated our website to reflect the many new doors and operators available, including doors from some quality, trusted vendors that are new to the Maui Garage Doors' lineup. Of course our best-selling Amarr doors are still available in their endless styles and materials, and we've added a number of steel, aluminum, custom wood, specialty, and composite doors from the craftsmen at Ziegler and Martin Doors. 

Custom wood door by Ziegler Doors.

Perhaps unexpectedly, garage doors and the technology involved in their design and creation have evolved significantly over the years, enhancing durability and allowing for nearly limitless customization. This is exciting for us, and it's certainly a victory for anyone looking at garage doors in 2016. When we started in 1975, no one would have guessed that in 2016 we'd be installing fiberglass doors in Waihe'e that looked like fine wood but withstood the wind and rain and without the upkeep, but now that's the reality. What a world! 

Pinnacle V-Groove (steel) by Martin Doors.

You really have to see some of these doors to believe what's possible, and that's why we're excited to kick off the new year by focusing on all of these new possibilities. During the month of January, mention this post and receive a free Maui Garage Doors vinyl sticker and pen with your free estimate. And if you decide to upgrade you're existing door with a new one, we'll waive the takedown and disposal fee to remove and properly dispose of your existing door! Call 871-8888 to schedule your free estimate today!

Seeing is Believing

Picking out a garage door is a big decision, and it's a decision made more difficult by limiting yourself to pictures on brochures or the internet. These are incredible resources, no doubt, but there's something to be said for hearing the difference in insulation levels of steel doors, feeling the texture of a wooden door panel, or seeing the most popular panel designs side by side, reviewing their true color in sunlight. 

Our offices, located in the Central Maui Baseyard, include Maui's only physical showroom dedicated to garage doors and operators, and our knowledgeable office staff can answer questions on new door solutions and accessories alike. We have a wide selection of popular designs on display, including window openings and color swatches for nearly all materials. We can answer questions on and explain the benefits of steel, vinyl, wood, and fiberglass doors, let you know which does best on the different parts of our island, and show them all to you side-by-side. Google can find you anything, but we're one of the only places on island for you to see it for yourself. 

But technology also has its place, and another way we help you visualize the perfect door is our new, interactive tablet. With this tool we're able to take the conversation from our physical displays to a custom portrait of how these solutions will look on your home, as well as the full customization options available to you. And if you don't see something you like, we can also work on a completely custom door in a variety of materials that will work best for your unique situation. As always, estimates are completely free.

As our thanks to you all this year, we'd like to invite you to come in and say hello - to bring it back to basics and talk story about what we can do for you, in person. Visit our showroom in the month of December and receive up to $100 off a complete door package, or 15% off any accessory. Many thanks for allowing us to be your go-to garage door service and installation solution in 2015, and we look forward to continuing to serve you in 2016!

An Ounce of Prevention...

Few sayings are as consistently true as "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," and the average double-car garage door weighs in at around 280 pounds! There are a lot of parts that work together to bring that weight safely up and down multiple times per day, and the affordable, routine maintenance offered by our service plans helps to ensure they all remain in perfect operating condition. In addition to the discounted service pricing you receive as a member, when any part shows enough wear to warrant replacement, you'll receive a discount on the labor necessary to replace it.

Residential door installed by Maui Garage Doors

One size rarely fits all, and that's why we offer two service plans: semi-annual and annual. Both plans offer the same comprehensive maintenance, but heavier and custom doors, as well as doors in areas that experience higher winds or rainfall, can benefit from the more frequent monitoring offered by the six-month semi-annual plan. Commercial customers are also covered, with unique commercial service plans offered to keep industrial doors in equally impeccable order. Residential or commercial, big or small, we keep all member door and operator details in your personal file, and you never need to remember when you're due for service: our office staff will call to schedule when it's time.

Commercial shutters installed by Maui Garage Doors

At each visit, our professional technicians will: inspect and lube the operator and shaft, removing the motor cover and cleaning the unit; check the door sensitivity and clean sensor eyes; test any remotes and wall mount; lubricate and inspect track alignment, cables, rollers, spring tension, hinges, and screws; tighten all nuts and bolts; inspect and lubricate limit switches and gear drive; and check the door panels for deterioration. This comprehensive evaluation can find and eliminate problems that may later lead to significant and costly problems. 

Our awesome technicians!

As a special promotion for the month of November only, sign up and pay the members' rate at your next service call, in addition to the peace of mind afforded only through the regular upkeep of your garage door and motor. Call 871-8888 for additional details and to sign up today!

Door Won't Open? Check the Springs.

On any given day, we receive at least one call for a broken torsion spring - the unsung and unknown heroes of the residential garage door that do nearly all of the heavy lifting when you open or close your garage door. Because the torsion spring doesn't typically shatter into pieces when it breaks, it's not immediately obvious that it's the cause of the malfunction, but the signs are easy to spot: the door only opens a few inches (if at all) before shutting; the door is very heavy and maybe even impossible to open manually; and finally, the visible break or crack in the springs coiling. A story we've heard on too many occasions is that of someone hearing a loud BANG, unable to place the source of the noise, only to later discover that they can't get their garage door open. Invariably, their torsion spring has snapped in one or multiple places, and due to the tremendous, necessary pressure wound into the springs, it makes a loud noise.

A broken torsion spring.

In addition to the inconvenience of a broken spring, old or rusted springs can create a safety hazard for children, pets, or adults that may be playing near or passing under a partially open door. Ever wonder how a 1/2 or even 1/3hp motor can open and close a heavy door, or how you can manually open it without too much effort? We're all superheroes to some extent, but the truth is that the torsion springs are doing the majority of the work, and when they snap, the full weight of the door can come crashing down. For this very reason, checking and properly lubricating your springs is always on our checklist during service calls. Unfortunately, you can never know when exactly a spring will snap, but routine maintenance and replacement of visibly worn springs is a great way to potentially avoid injury and any added repairs from the door slamming shut.

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Much like each model of garage door is slightly different, torsion springs are made specific to the dimensions and weight of each garage door. Maui Garage Doors keeps a large selection of the most common sizes in-stock for same-day replacement, but even if we don't have your specific spring in stock, in nearly all cases we can get you up and running that day with a temporary fix. We stock and order only the best springs, and as a result we're able to offer every spring we replace with a three-year warranty. Due to the pressure of the spring and the dangers involved in installing, it is also very important to only have these installed by a professional.

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Have a broken spring or want to preemptively replace an old rusty pair? Throughout the month of October, we're happy to offer $20 off a single spring replacement and $40 off the cost of a double spring replacement. Call 871-8888 today to schedule your next service appointment! One of our professional service technicians will take a good look at your springs and inspect the rest of your door's hardware as well.

Forget to Close the Garage Door? Double-check from the Beach.

Have you ever been driving and had the thought, "Did I close the garage door?" Trust us, you're not alone. To ease the minds of garage door and gate owners everywhere, LiftMaster has developed a new line of accessories called MyQ, and we're celebrating with an August promotion of 10% off any accessory! Whether your connecting a MyQ-enabled LiftMaster operator or that of another brand, there are easy-to-install and easy-to-use accessories available to upgrade nearly any operator. 

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MyQ technology works in conjunction with your home router and smartphone to enable the operation and monitoring of your garage door, gate, and select home lighting from virtually anywhere. And setup is easy: connect the Internet Gateway (828LM) to your router, create a free account on www.myliftmaster.com, download the LiftMaster MyQ Home Control app on your Android or iOS smartphone, and connect your MyQ devices via the app. From there, you're able to receive alerts directly to your phone when the door is opened or closed, check on status of your garage door or gate, and even open or close your garage door and gate from remotely.

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The applications for use are nearly limitless with this technology, and we're excited to be your on-island experts. In addition to being an incredible asset for home security, MyQ technology offers peace of mind and convenience. Having a scheduled delivery but can't leave work? No worries. Open the garage door from the office to have the package securely stored in the garage. Appointment with the cable company between 8am and 4pm? Buzz 'em in via your phone when the technician calls. Safety won't be an issue, either: when operated remotely, your garage door operator will flash and beep before closing. Watch the quick video below for more information:

As Maui's only authorized LiftMaster dealer, we're thrilled to be offering 10% off the purchase of any MyQ accessory through the month of August 2015. Call 871-8888 or visit our showroom and mention the blog to save 10% off of your purchase today!