Garage Door Opener Lightning Damage

Summer is a fun season—the pool is open, the weather is warm and it’s primetime for vacation! But summer also brings severe storms that can be extremely destructive. Homes are struck by lightning every year—and this can, unfortunately, damage electronics such as garage door openers.

Lightning traveling through phone jacks, electrical outlets, etc. can damage garage door openers and short out other appliances. There is always a risk of products such as these getting damaged during thunderstorms

If you live in central Indiana and your garage door opener or garage door is damaged in any way or won’t operate after a storm, contact Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie—or keep reading to learn more about the signs of garage door opener lighting damage and how to prevent it!

How Can You Tell if Your Opener Is Damaged?

There are a few signs that indicate your garage door opener may be damaged by lightning. Call the team at Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie if:

  • Your garage door opener is not functioning reliably
  • The garage door remote and keypad have stopped working
  • The LED lights on the safety sensors are not lit
  • The garage door opener doesn’t operate even if there is power going to the outlet
  • The light on the back of the circuit board is continuously flashing

How Can You Protect Your Opener from Lightning Damage?

A surge protector for your garage door opener can help protect it from lightning damage. Surge protectors plug directly into an outlet and work by limiting the voltage supplied to electronic devices by blocking or shorting unwanted voltages above a safe threshold. Surge protectors are a cost-effective way to help ensure your garage door is at a lower risk of damage during storms.

Get in touch with the team at Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie to replace your garage door opener or if you need any other garage door service in the Indianapolis, Indiana area!

Garage Door Tips for the Summer

Summer is here, and with the kids out of school in the next couple of weeks, your schedule will go from busy to crazy. This is why it’s important to take care of home chores—like making sure your garage door is in good shape—now!

But how do you make sure your garage door is prepared for the warm season ahead (and the months beyond)?

What You Can Do

There are a few things you can do to make sure your garage door will function at its best this summer.

Professional Inspection & Maintenance Service

Getting your garage door professionally serviced is one of the best things you can do to help extend its lifespan and ensure it operates smoothly, without problems. Garage door maintenance is extremely important, especially starting in mid-May (you want to make sure damage from harsh winter weather doesn’t go unfixed) and during the warm months, as severe summer storms can also cause damage.

Washing

A lot of dirt and grime can accumulate on the surface of your garage door. Washing your door not only helps it stay looking great but it can also help prevent rust buildup.

Insulation

Heat can leak into your home through the walls, any crawl spaces, unsealed windows, etc. This is why insulating your home is so important—but garage door insulation can also help you save on your energy bills as well as make your home more comfortable. This is especially important if there is living space used above or adjacent to the garage. We offer many insulated garage doors, such as those in the Thermacore® collection.

Protection

Lightning from severe thunderstorms can potentially damage your garage door opener, so it’s recommended to get a surge protector. This way, you don’t have to worry about your garage door during harsh summer storms.

Battery Backup

If you don’t have a battery backup system for your garage door, you may want to consider one, especially with summer coming up. An Overhead Door garage door opener Battery Back-up can come in handy if a storm causes the power to go out in your home.

Garage Door Service in the Indianapolis Area

No matter what garage door services you need, look to Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie if you’re in central Indiana. For nearly 90 years, we’ve been helping Indianapolis area homeowners with garage door repair and replacement.

Contact us to learn more about our services or if you’re ready to discuss your project!

Choosing Garage Door for Homes vs. Commercial Buildings

Do you need a new garage door for your home? Need a new door for your commercial building? When you’re getting ready to make a purchase, there are certain factors to consider—but it’s different depending on your circumstances. Choosing a residential garage door isn’t the same as choosing a commercial one.

Residential vs. Commercial Garage Doors: Choosing a Model

Different factors are important in homes than commercial buildings, so choosing a door for one won’t be the same as choosing one for the other.

Homes

When you’re buying a new garage door for your home, the most important factors you’ll be considering are:

  • Aesthetics: Garage doors can enhance the exterior of your house and improve curb appeal, and you want to make sure your new door complements your home’s overall style. You also have a variety of options for colors, windows, glass and decorative hardware (hinges, handles, etc.).
  • Material: The material of the garage door affects the aesthetics—you should consider the different materials for different affects. For instance, Overhead Door’s aluminum garage doors are modern looking while our ornate wood carriage house style doors can complement older or period style homes.
  • Maintenance: Some homeowners value minimal maintenance, and we offer doors that have low-maintenance surfaces. If you want a door that doesn’t require much upkeep, you may want to consider something other than wood.
  • Noise: Especially true for those with garages adjacent to living areas, quiet operation is highly valued by homeowners. We can help you pick out a garage door opener that operates at a quieter level.

Buildings

Choosing a garage door for a commercial building is a bit different. The aesthetics aren’t as important. Instead, you should focus on:

  • Energy efficiency: Energy-efficient garage doors can help keep energy and overhead costs down. Many of our doors have insulation with high R-values—our Thermacore® garage doors are extremely energy-efficient.
  • Protection: For certain types of buildings (storage facilities, auto shops, etc.), it’s important to have a garage door that protects against the elements so the integrity of your clients’ valuables aren’t compromised. Most of our commercial doors have features like a bottom weatherseal, thermal seals, etc.
  • Size: Many commercial buildings require doors that accommodate wide loads. You may need a garage door that fits large openings of up to 40 feet wide. We offer doors that accommodate many large openings.

Garage Door Installation in Indianapolis

Whether you need a garage door for your home or commercial building in central Indiana, Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie can help. We offer a wide range of doors suitable for both residential and commercial use, in all types of materials:

If you looking for a new garage door, you can count on our team—whatever your needs. Contact us to learn more about our services or if you’re ready to buy and install a new door!

Garage Door Panels

In the market for a new garage door? There are many different decisions to make—including panel design. Your garage door is a significant part of your home’s exterior and it should complement the overall style. Choosing the right panels can help with this.

Types of Garage Door Panels

You have plenty of garage door panel options—three common types include:

Flush panels

These types of panels are flat (though they can be slightly textured). They aren’t as ornate and are used for contemporary style doors.

Flush Panel Garage Door

Flush panel garage doors can modernize your home’s exterior.

Raised panels

Raised panel garage doors are extremely popular and complement nearly any home. There are short and long raised panel designs. Both add depth to the garage door, but long panels offer a more distinctive look.

Raised Panel Garage Door

Raised panel garage doors can lend authenticity to older and period style homes (Victorian, Tudor, Colonial, etc.).

Framed panels

Framed panel garage doors can look a bit like raised panel models. The door’s surface is flat yet the panel frames add depth and create a unique aesthetic.

Framed Panel Garage Door

Framed panel garage doors can give your home distinctive character.

Choosing the right garage door panels for your door’s design and your home’s façade can make a significant difference, especially if you’re trying to improve curb appeal or just spruce up the exterior of your house.

Garage Door Replacement in Indianapolis

Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie offers a wide variety of garage doors with different panel options. From traditional raised panel steel models to modern aluminum garage doors with flush panels, we have a product to meet every need and design taste. You can choose from:

If you’re interested in learning more about garage door panel options or if you’re ready to replace your old, worn down door with a beautiful new one, get in touch with us today!

How Long Do Garage Door Openers Last?

The garage door opener (the motorized device that controls the door’s operation) is one of the most important parts of your garage door. If you’re on the market for a new garage door (and opener), you’re probably wondering how long it is going to last. This is an important question!

So, how long can you expect your garage door opener to last?

Average Lifespan of Garage Door Openers

On average, a garage door opener should last about 10 – 15 years. This isn’t to say your operator won’t last longer than this. Remember—it’s an average. Some openers last longer and some last a shorter amount of time, but keeping up with maintenance can help increase the lifespan. If moving parts aren’t lubricated, the door isn’t balanced correctly, etc., the opener tends to wear out much more quickly.

Schedule Maintenance Service to Ensure a Longer Operator Lifespan

Your professional garage door maintenance service should include:

  • Visual inspection of the springs, rollers, cables, track and pulleys (for signs of wear and tear)
  • Lubrication of moving parts to ensure smooth operation
  • Door balance
  • Reversal test
  • Force setting test
  • Additional safety devices

Annual maintenance is a good minimum for ensuring your garage door and opener last as long as possible, but it can be helpful to have professionals inspect and repair your door more often, especially when the winter ends and after severe storms.

If your garage door opener is older than 10 or 15 years and has never had a major problem, it’s still a good idea to start thinking about replacement. After all, modern openers tend to be:

  • Safer
  • Quieter
  • More convenient

Garage Door Opener Service in Indianapolis, IN

If you need garage door opener service for your home (or commercial building) in central Indiana, Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie can help. We have experience working with all types of operators and can help you with maintenance, repair and replacement. We even have an online store with remote controls and other garage door parts!

Contact us to learn more about our services or if you need garage door service!

Get Your Garage Door Ready for Spring

Spring officially started a couple weeks ago, but it’s finally starting to get (and stay) warm in the Indianapolis region. Is your garage door ready for the warm weather? Have you given it a quick inspection and scheduled professional service?

Garage Door Spring Ready

Now is a good time to do so—it’s the beginning of spring. After winter, it’s recommended to take care of garage door maintenance.

This ensures timely repairs for any damage done by the winter weather and gives you the peace of mind that your door is more likely to operate without problems for the months ahead.

Maintenance and service is something to be handled by experienced professionals but can be helpful for you to know and keep in mind.

It includes things like:

  • Inspection of the springs, rollers, cables, etc. for signs of wear and tear
  • Lubrication of moving parts
  • Door balance
  • Reverse mechanism test
  • Force setting test
  • Photo eye test
  • And more

Sometimes a tune-up may be necessary, but other times you may need a full replacement. Whatever the issue is, it’s better to take care of it sooner so your garage door can perform reliably again. Not to mention new doors look much better than old or damaged one, and that’s something to keep in mind if you’re trying to increase the curb appeal (and value) of your home this spring.

Additional Tips for Spring Home Maintenance

Besides the garage door, it’s also recommended to inspect and repair (or replace) your home’s:

  • Windows
  • Doors (front, storm or patio)
  • Roofing and chimneys
  • Gutters
  • Exterior walls

Inside your house, be sure to check the attic for mold or signs of water damage. If the space isn’t properly insulated, now is also the time to install new insulation—before the summer rolls around.

Professional Garage Door Service in Indianapolis

Did your garage door get damaged this winter? We can repair or replace it. Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie has been providing garage door services in central Indiana for nearly 90 years. Get in contact with us today to learn more! Don’t forget to check out our:

Want to Design Your Garage Door?

Your garage door is not only essential to the security of your home, but it also makes up a large part of your home’s exterior. What does this mean? You want a garage door that goes beyond safety and energy efficiency—your door should look good too!

What kind of garage door do you want? Wish you could know how certain types and styles of doors would look on your home? Well, you can. All you need is our Virtual Home Improvement Tool.

Design Your Garage Door Online

Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie’s Virtual Home Improvement tool lets you see how different garage doors can transform the look of your home’s exterior. All you have to do is upload a picture of your house or choose from our gallery, which includes 18 different home styles and materials, including:

  • Craftsman
  • Traditional ranch
  • Mediterranean
  • Bungalow
  • Traditional vinyl
  • Brick
  • And more

If you don’t have a photo available of your house to use, you can choose one that most resembles your house and see how different garage door styles complement the architecture.

Once you choose a picture, you can browse through different garage door:

  • Collections
  • Models
  • Panels
  • Window trim
  • Window glass
  • Colors (you can even try out custom colors)
  • Decorative handles and hinges
  • Openers

Garage Doors We Offer for Your Indianapolis Area Home

Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie offers a variety of residential garage doors in different styles and materials—from wood carriage house style doors to modern aluminum doors. We can install:

Whatever your needs are, we can meet them. You’re sure to find what you’re looking for in Overhead Door’s extensive collection.

Design your garage door online, on our website, and always feel free to contact us if you have questions about our products or services! We look forward to helping you with your garage door installation project in the Indianapolis, Indiana area.

Why Your Garage Door Isn’t Opening or Closing

“Why isn’t my garage door working?” It’s a question we often hear at Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie. If your garage door isn’t opening or closing properly, get in touch with us today—and keep reading to learn more about why your garage door may not be working.

Reasons Your Door Isn’t Working

There are a number of different causes of garage door problems—there a number of different reasons why your garage door isn’t working the way it should!

Opener issues

One of the most common garage door opener problems is that it isn’t plugged in or power isn’t supplied to the outlet. Also, it’s easy to overlook the batteries! Sometimes the garage door problem is caused by low or no battery power in the opener.

Broken Springs

If your garage door won’t open or close, the springs may be broken. Broken garage door springs aren’t a quick, easy fix—they require professional repair.

Disengaged Emergency Release

Are you hearing the motor run but the garage door isn’t moving? It’s possible that the emergency release has been pulled or has become unattached. Reattaching it isn’t the same for every single model—it depends on the operator. So it’s best to call professionals.

Snapped Cables

The cable frequently breaks when a spring breaks, and this type of repair requires an experienced garage door company.

Keypad Problems

Sometimes the garage door won’t open or close with the keypad. Sometimes it’s just a one-time minor glitch, sometimes the batteries need to be changed. Other times, the keypad may need to be reset. For assistance, visit our keypad programming page and call our professionals!

Need Garage Door Service?

Those aren’t all the problems that can arise, but they are common ones. Whether your garage door has been damaged by inclement weather or has stopped performing reliably due to old age or another problem, it’s time for a repair or replacement. One of our professionals can come out and help you determine if you need a repair or if a full replacement would be better.

Think you need to repair or replace your garage door? Contact Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie today by calling us or filling out the short form on the right!

Garage Door Terminology

Your garage door is an essential part of your home’s exterior. Although not something we think about on a daily or even weekly basis, your garage door keeps your home safe and protected every single day. So when the door stops working, it can not only be inconvenient but also presents a safety problem.

If you’ve ever dealt with a garage door repair or replacement, you’ve probably heard some terms such as “torsion springs,” “operator,” etc. If you have a basic idea of the different parts of the garage door, it can be easier when talking to a professional.

Garage Door Parts & Terminology

Your garage door is more than just a door! Many different parts make up a garage door, including:

  • Operator: The garage door operator, or opener, is the medium sized, motorized device located inside the garage (mounted to the ceiling). It opens and closes the door and can be controlled by a switch on the wall, a keypad or a remote control.
  • Operator drawbar plates: The drawbar plate provides a sturdy place for the garage door operator door bracket to mount to and is available in multiple sizes.
  • Rollers: The rollers help the garage door open and close and help ensure smooth movement.
  • Track: The track houses the rollers, and it helps guide the garage door up to the ceiling of the garage and back down.
  • Springs: There are two types of garage door springs. The torsion spring (parallel to the door) helps counterbalance the door’s weight so it can be more easily lifted. Extension springs are used when the door is taller than the garage space and they help lift the door
  • Emergency release: The emergency release lever or handle is located at the end of the red rope that hangs from the opener rail near the top of the door. It disconnects the garage door from the opener and can be used in emergency situations when the door needs to be manually opened or closed.
  • Weatherstripping: The weatherstripping of a garage door is at the very bottom—it creates a seal along the edge to help reduce air infiltration and increase energy efficiency.

Need New Garage Door Parts for a Repair?

If you need a garage door repair, you most likely need new garage door parts. If you live in central Indiana, Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie can help. We can repair or replace your garage door, and we also have a convenient online store, where you can buy:

  • Remote controls
  • Keypads
  • Operator drawbar plates
  • Torsion spring cables
  • And more

Contact us if you want to learn more about our services!

Overhead Door Wins Architectural Products Award

Overhead Door recently won first place in the windows/doors/openings category of Architectural Products magazine’s annual Product Innovation Awards (PIAs). Fifty building professionals and architects recognized the company as an industry innovator among commercial building product manufacturers.

These awards showcase the manufacturers’ commitment to hard work and their dedication to producing products that are not only more sustainable and environmentally friendly but also better performing and more durable.

The Award-Winning Garage Door

The door that won the award is the Stormtite™ AP Model 627 Insulated Rolling Service Door. This garage door has an R-value of 10.9 (it’s incredibly energy-efficient) and can fit large openings of up to 30 feet wide and 19 feet tall. It also has a:

  • Durable 24-gauge galvanized steel front and back
  • Bottom weatherseal as well as interior and exterior weatherseals
  • High wind load of 20 psf
  • Number of different standard color and finish options

This door also exceeds the thermal performance requirements of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), helps minimizes air transfer and can help reduce operating costs.

Learn more»

Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie is proud to be part of the Overhead Door family.

We install energy-efficient advanced service rolling garage doors for commercial buildings in central Indiana. If you need a new garage door for your place of business in the Indianapolis and Muncie area, we are just a phone call away!

Indianapolis location: 317-842-7444

Muncie location: 317-842-7444