Archive for the ‘Steel Garage Doors’ Category

How to Paint Your Steel Overhead Doors

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

Usually there are two basic concerns when painting your steel overhead doors is concerned. First thing is that you should make sure to use the apposite sort of undercoat and topcoat. These are necessary since you might have adhesion problems, which might lead to flaking and chipping over the time. Again since metal like steel is non-porous and slick, doing it by oneself can be tough and producing a finish with professional look can be tough also. Again painting your overhead steel doors give you the added difficulty of functioning against gravity and that might lead to some splatters and messy drips.

Here are some steps, tips and warnings that you might helpful while working on your steel overhead doors.

Step 1

Begin with spreading plastic drop cloth underneath your steel overhead doors and lay heavy-duty fabric drop cloths over the plastic drop cloth.

Step 2

Now using a metal putty knife or a coarse sand paper scrape away all the loose and peeling paint from your steel doors.

Step 3

With 80- to 120-grit sandpaper remove any of the remaining bits of loose paint. You can also use a power sander to remove bits persistent traces of your old paint.

Step 4

Now with a tack clothe wipe down the steel overhead doors.

Step 5

Any area of the door that you do not wish to paint, remember to cover it using the blue painter’s tape.

Step 6

Remember to apply alkyd metal primer to your steel overhead doors with a 4-inch oil-based paintbrush. At first apply only a thin coat in order to prevent any splattering and dripping and then allow the surface to dry for about two hours.

Step 7

Now clean the brushes with a mineral spirit.

Step 8

With the help of a 4-inch oil-based paintbrush apply polyurethane enamel. Again apply thin coat and never try to cover the door in one single coat.

Step 9

Allow two hours time for the paint to dry, and then apply the additional coats until your door is covered completely.

Tips

  • Since an amateur painter over-applies paint in the finishing coats he ends up with brushstrokes. If you apply several thin coats instead of one or two thick coats you can avoid having the brushstrokes. All it needs is patience and the look of your door will be enhanced greatly.
  • If you are painting a door that has not been painted before, you will need an etching primer to scrape the steel. This is an important step to promote paint adhesion, and if you skip this chipping and peeling over the time will be inevitable.

Warnings

  • The overhead steel doors are ill famed for dripping paint. Make sure that you do not use the plastic drop cloths alone, since it makes the paint to pool up. The same way, the heavy-duty fabric drop cloth will help in soaking the paint.
  • Again if you use a stepladder, always follow the safety instructions.

These are some simple steps that will prove quite helpful while painting your overhead steel door.

Exterior Steel Doors

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

Are you interested in buying an exterior door for your home entrance that is elegant as well as is powered with security? Are you not sure which material to use – Wood, metal or fiberglass?

Then the Exterior Steel Doors is your answer. The exterior steel doors offer elegance as well as security to your home. Until the recent past the steel doors were only confined to the industries. However now with the various possible designs and the various possible types available they make the preferred choice for homeowners also. The steel exterior entry doors are usually provided with heavy duty locks and hinges that make it almost impossible to break into or force open them.

Again some of these doors are also provided with screen on them. These let in the outside fresh air inside your house and also keep the bugs out at the same time. Again some of these doors are also provided with pneumatic closers that automatically closes the door behind you.

When selecting an exterior steel door you should consider the following factors. Here are a few of these:

1. The heavier the gauge the secure it is. The exterior door should always be made of heavy gauge steel to ensure maximum security. A door with grill work and decorative bars provide added security and an appeal to your door.

2. When these doors are fitted to a proper door frame they provide an added security. However, the installation should be proper. You should remember to have the exact measurements of the frame to make your door fit properly. The measurement can exceed the actual measurements to a little extent although it should not be less than the actual.

3. The exterior steel doors are mostly available as a complete kit. These kits usually have all the necessary hardware and the accessories that are necessary to install the doors.

4. Finally consider the cost factor in installing them. When the security is concerned, the cost factor should never be considered. However, these doors are available in a wide range and affordable range. You can do a little study on the different prices and the makes that are available.

The exterior steel doors offer several advantages over the conventional wooden doors. Some of the advantages are:

1. The exterior steel doors are an all-weather door. They can withstand any temperature, snow and rain; all these have an effect on the wooden doors. The change in weather can cause the wood to swell, or crack and even sometimes break into pieces. The doors made of steel lasts long are durable and can withstand temperature and weather variations.

2. The door made of wood needs maintenance and replacement at regular intervals; however this is not necessary with the steel doors. However, dents do appear which can be filled with auto- body fillers.

3. The variety of designs is available among the steel doors. They might be either galvanized, or have a wooden finish or might even have a glass fitted in them. All these make your steel door attractive and appealing.

Therefore the exterior steel doors are the best option available when you consider installing an attractive yet secure exterior door.

Why opt for a custom made automatic garage door

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Having a garage to keep your car during the bad weather makes it essential, however making your door go up and down or sliding your garage door becomes difficult.  However with the modern technological marvel you can replace your old garage door with an automatic garage door.

The automatic garage doors are provided with a remote control that can be installed easily and are extremely effortless. They operate without pulleys or wires thus allowing no obstruction in opening of your garage fully. The custom garage doors work automatically is the best option to consider when choosing the garage doors. It is manufactured so as to suit your requirements and you can also custom size your garage door and make any alterations to fit your requirements.  A custom made automatic door suits all sorts of openings.

One concern that people usually have regarding the installation of the automatic garage door is that if you have a power cut for some reason the car is stuck in the garage, so make it a point to choose one that comes with a battery back-up facility or you can also ensure manual operation of the door just to be safe in emergencies.
Another concern is the option of getting your fingers stuck in the joints, thus you sensible to install it by the manufacturer. Make sure if the door has a pressure sensitive bottom rail strip that might result in the reversing of the door incase of any obstruction.

Security is an important character for your garage door and some of the manufacturers also include alarm on their door. The garage door with alarm system will alert you of any attempt of burglary or break at your garage door. The another important aspect to the security is the lighting within the garage itself and having the facility of an automatic lighting system on as you open the garage door is a further added advantage.

Considering the noise is another aspect of an automatic garage door. This is even more a concern if you have a built up area and the sound disturbs the neighboring property. In order to make sure that the door you have chosen is quiet and be smart in selecting aluminum garage door and also check that the motor technology that is used is made specific for a noise free operation.
All appreciation to the modern technology every morning you do not have to struggle with opening and closing your super tough garage door. With the custom garage door that is automatic and with a remote control gives you the power to operate your garage door from a distance. This also means that you no longer have to get out in the cold to open your garage door. You can remain safely sited inside your car while your garage door opens and closes on itself.