5 Tips for Keeping Your Garage Clean This Winter

Winter in Iowa can quickly turn a neat, clean garage into a huge, dirty, salty mess. Here are several ideas to help you winterize your garage to help protect your floors and vehicles and prevent you or your family from tracking gunk into your home.

How to Weatherize Your Garage and Protect the Floor

Check Your Garage Door’s Weather Stripping

One of the most effective ways to keep rain and snow out of your garage is to make sure the seal at the bottom is doing its job. If it’s worn, ripped, or cracked in places, the seal will be broken. Replace the rubber piece at the bottom of your door if necessary to increase your garage’s energy efficiency and keep out moisture.

Add Floor Mats

Concrete is porous, so it can easily become stained and damaged, especially in the winter with all the extra snow, mud, and slush. The cold temperatures can also affect concrete, making it more prone to chipping and cracking when water melts and freezes on the floors. Protect your garage floor from moisture and salt by adding absorbent containment mats. Easily squeegee or vacuum the mats to release the water outside instead of spreading it around the garage. When the winter is over, you can roll up the mats and store them until next year. 

If you’d rather not invest in containment mats, you can grab cardboard boxes and lay them down in your garage where you park your car to help absorb moisture and protect your floor. Simply toss them when they need to be replaced.

Also, consider adding mats near the entry door to your home. You can wipe off your shoes and remove them before going inside to avoid tracking contaminants from the garage into your house.

Wipe Down Vehicles Before Parking in the Garage

If you have chunks of muddy snow on your vehicle that you drive directly into your garage, those chunks will likely fall right onto the floors and turn into a dirty puddle that could then spread around the garage and be tracked into your home. Consider hopping out of your vehicle before driving into the garage to brush off the snow and wipe off the mud so it’s all left outside. Have a scraper or broom handy to make this process quick and easy.

Seal the Garage Floor

Consider coating your garage floor with epoxy to make it moisture and stain resistant. Epoxy also can make your floors much easier to clean and can give your garage a facelift. Make sure you follow instructions carefully and don’t apply the coating when temperatures are too low. Temperatures should fall between 60 and 90 degrees, so it’s best to do this during the spring or summer. Learn more about the benefits of epoxy coating in our previous blog article: Should I Epoxy-Coat My Garage Floor?

Give Your Floor a Good Cleaning

When the spring-cleaning time hits, be sure to clean both your vehicles and the floor in your garage to cleanse everything of the remnants of winter. Grab a mop and bucket and clean your floors with warm water and either dish detergent or vinegar; use one cup of vinegar or detergent for every gallon of water. Removing salt and dirt from your garage will keep it stronger longer. After mopping, use a squeegee to push excess water outside.

We hope our tips are helpful to you! If you find yourself in a pickle this winter and need help with your garage door, give us a call! We offer residential garage door services around Iowa, and we’d love to work with you. Contact us anytime!

Need Help? Contact Us!
By |2023-01-19T15:07:05-05:00January 10th, 2023|

Take Advantage of this Flash Sale

FLASH SALE!

For a limited time, get up to 50% off select overstock residential garage doors! Colors and sizes vary. These amazing deals won’t last long – contact Kody for details! (kody.smith@wd-door.com / (515) 268-7356

Need Help? Contact Us!
By |2023-01-19T15:58:37-05:00November 10th, 2022|

Is Your Garage Door Ready for Winter?

Fall is officially here! It’s time to start thinking about preparing our homes for the colder weather. Before temperatures really drop and it gets too cold to spend time outdoors, you should perform a few maintenance tasks on your garage door system to ensure it works smoothly for you throughout the winter.

Skipping fall maintenance could force you out into the bitter cold to deal with a problem you could have prevented if you had been prepared; it could also cost you a lot of extra money. Getting outside sometime this fall and going through this checklist could pay off for you in more ways than one! (more…)

By |2023-01-18T14:57:28-05:00November 2nd, 2022|

Types of Garage Door Openers

It’s natural for the pieces and parts that make up your garage door system to have some wear and tear over the years. You’ll most likely need to replace these components as time goes by, or you might just want an upgrade from what your house came with. No matter your reason, a new garage door opener can provide many benefits, including heightened security, keypad entry, and wireless features. To know what kind of garage door opener is best for your needs, first decide what you want to prioritize. What matters more to you and your family: cost, noise level, maintenance?

Chain Drive

If you want to get the most bang for your buck, a chain drive opener may be your best option. While they can be noisier than other kinds of openers, they are the most common, thus making it relatively easy to find a replacement. These openers are mounted on your garage’s ceiling and use a chain to move a trolley that raises and lowers your door. Because chain drive openers can operate loudly, you may want to consider a different option, such as a belt drive, if you have a bedroom over the garage and would be disturbed by late-night use of the door.

Belt Drive

Belt drive garage door openers work like a chain opener but with a toothed belt moving the trolley rather than a chain. Belts can be made of fiberglass, rubber, or other materials and are just as reliable as their chain counterparts. These models are much quieter than the chain varieties and could work perfectly for an attached garage, but you’ll need to pay a little more.

Screw Drive

In this type of opener, the trolley glides across a steel rod (instead of a chain or belt) while the motor rotates the rod. This eliminates several components of the opener system, ultimately requiring less maintenance than the two systems described above. Screw drive openers are not as quiet as belt-driven operators and are more expensive, but they run smoothly and open the door more quickly. If low maintenance needs and getting into your home quickly are priorities for you, a screw drive model might be a good option.

Product Spotlight: LiftMaster’s 8550W Garage Door Opener

Direct Drive

In a direct drive garage door opener, the motor is inside a carriage that pulls itself along a stationary chain, bringing the door behind it. Since there is just one moving part in this system, it is extremely quiet, durable, and low maintenance. A direct drive opener can cost around the same as a belt-driven operator and come with a lifetime warranty.

Jackshaft Drive

These garage door openers are mounted on the wall beside the door rather than on the ceiling, which saves overhead space. Jackshaft drive openers have a motor that controls pulleys and cables that turn a torsion bar to raise the garage door. To close the door, the motor simply reverses itself to uncoil the cables. While this kind of garage door opener is one of the quietest and most durable systems on the market, they are also one of the most expensive.

For help deciding what kind of opener to invest in, contact WD Door’s qualified technicians today! We’re available 24/7 to offer our advice or get you a free quote.

Need Help? Contact Us!
By |2023-01-19T16:31:59-05:00November 2nd, 2022|

What Style of Garage Door Complements My House?

Your home is a visual representation of your personality. Whether it’s a traditional colonial, a modern bungalow, or a rustic lodge, you’ve worked hard to develop your home’s style. When it comes to the exterior of your home, few elements have a bigger impact than your garage door. Before you replace your garage door, you should first consider what style will best complement your home.

Traditional

Steel garage doors offer a number of designs that work well in homes with classic architecture, like a colonial or ranch,. With a wide variety of colors and models to choose from, steel garage doors offer traditional aesthetic and superior durability.

Signature Features

  • Symmetrical
  • Evenly spaced, shuttered windows
  • Use of columns, dormers, and chimney
  • Formal
  • Covered entry

Craftsman

Did you choose your home for its charm? If so, a carriage house steel door may be the right choice for you. Carriage house doors provide character and dependability. If you have an eye for detail and are looking for a door the matches your home’s personality, a carriage door may be just right for you.

Signature Features

  • Natural materials including wood, stone, and brick
  • Low-pitched roofs
  • Wide porches
  • Built-in details
  • Lots of character

Modern

For those living future-forward, consider a contemporary aluminum door. With clean lines and full-view glass panes, aluminum-frame doors elevate your home’s exterior and give you the sleek look you’ve been working for.

Signature Features

  • Heavy emphasis on glass
  • Clean lines
  • Combination of indoor and outdoor spaces
  • Mix of curves and straight lines

Cape Cod

Your Cape Cod-style home would look great with a texturized fiberglass garage door. Excellent for areas with harsh weather conditions, fiberglass doors can be a gorgeous addition to your home’s exterior.

Signature Features

  • Steep roof
  • Large chimneys
  • Cedar shingles
  • Flanking windows
  • Dormers

Rustic

For those looking for the hearty warmth of the great outdoors, consider a wood garage door. Real wood doors give your home an inviting look with their natural beauty and custom finishes. The craftsmanship of a wood garage door can provide the perfect finish to your home’s façade.

Signature Features

  • Use of warm colors
  • Emphasis on natural materials
  • Organic lines
  • “Worn” appearance
  • Showcases ornate details

If you’re ready to choose a new garage door for your home, contact WD Door. As Iowa’s experts on garage doors, the team at WD Door can help you find a garage door that is both functional and stylish. Request your quote today!

Need Help? Contact Us!
By |2023-01-18T15:32:58-05:00November 2nd, 2022|

6 Reasons to Install a New Garage Door This Year

You use it every day. It protects your car; it stores your holiday decorations; it’s the grand entrance into your home. There are plenty of reasons to install a new garage door this year, but these are our top six.

1. High ROI

In its 2022 Cost vs. Value ReportRemodeling magazine found upscale garage door replacement to be the top-value project on its list, yielding an average 93.3% return on investment (ROI) nationwide and a 91% ROI in the north-central portion of the Midwest. This is much higher than the ROI associated with a basement, bathroom, or kitchen remodel, and it involves a fraction of the upfront cost. According to bankrate.com, a garage door replacement ranks first in the highest ROI for a home renovation project.

2. Better Energy Efficiency

Newer garage doors are more energy efficient than older doors, which means you’ll start saving money the moment you install them. Choosing a new garage door with a high R-value will ensure that you aren’t paying to heat or cool the outdoors. A new door will also help keep your garage comfortable for more enjoyable use year-round. Check out the 8300 and 8500 models—they’ve got 5-star energy ratings!

3. Reduced Maintenance

A new door means new parts, and new parts mean less wear and tear! Your garage door may be on its last leg, which means the cost of the parts and labor to keep it functioning over the long term could nearly equal the cost of a new garage door. Save yourself the time and money it will take to revive your old garage door by replacing it with a new one. Many doors come with warranties, so you can prevent the headache of repair and maintenance for years to come!

4. Enhanced Curb Appeal

Your garage door is one of the first things people see when they look at your home. Don’t let it be an eyesore! Curb appeal also gives your home a competitive edge when it’s time to sell your home.

5. Updated Technology

Newer garage door models come with updated technology like Wi-Fi capability and wall mounting. These features increase the functionality of your garage door, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to get the most out of your system.

6. Improved Safety

Depending on the model you select, you’ll have options like heavy-duty hinges, which increase the strength between your garage’s sections, or WindSafe® reinforcement to provide durability and security during inclement weather. Your new door will feature industry-standard materials that will further protect you, your home, and your property.

If you’re ready to install your new garage door, contact WD Door to set up a consultation! Our professional technicians will have your new residential garage door installed before you know it.

Need Help? Contact Us!
By |2023-01-19T16:50:27-05:00November 2nd, 2022|

Give Your Home the Ultimate Curb Appeal with Aluminum 360 Garage Doors

Dealer: WD Door
General Contractor: MC Custom Homes
Brand: Haas Garage Doors
Location: Urbandale, Iowa
Models Installed: 2 Haas 360 Aluminum Glass Doors

(more…)

By |2023-01-19T16:57:47-05:00October 11th, 2022|

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