Garage Door Help!! New door advice.

[blacksporty]

I have a 3 car garage with both a 18'W and a 9' wide roll up. Last week the 18' broke a torsion spring. So I called around and got prices from $285 to $350 to replace both springs. I looked online and found the springs for $85 and saw a couple of utube videos, didn't look that hard, I figured I would do it myself and save $200.

I did the work, the garage still wouldn't go up, I figured if I would help the opener buy lifting it myself when pressing the button I would then know I just needed more tension if it opened. As I did this there was a pop and the top wheel left the track. I reinstalled it, lowered the garage and it still came out at the curve and would not lower all the way. Then in my frustration decided to help it close by standing on the support rail. Of course the top panel of the garage split apart at the windows now I'm screwed. I need new doors, yes both of them so they match. The house is 40 years old and not original and there is no way to determine who the manufacturer of the doors are.

Now you know the story, I tried to save $200 by DIY and now it is going to cost me $2000-4000.

So any good door brands, or more importantly any to stay away from?

Seems like a DIY project but now I am gun shy, should I be?

Good online sources?

Current doors are wood and were not in the best shape, painted about 2 years ago and there was some cracking in the seams that I touched up about 6 months ago and was about to do it again. On the new doors I would most likely want a more natural (stained) wood look, rustic mission/arts and crafts style but don't really want the un-keep of wood are there any good options out there in metal or fiberglass?

Any help of ideas are really appreciated.

 

[tdkkart]

I have 5 doors from OverHead Door http://overheaddoor.com/Pages/LandingPage.aspx, no issues whatsoever. Garage doors are one of those things like insulation and rain gutters that you cannot DIY cost effectively, the pros are just way too good at it

 

[blacksporty]

Okay, I admit defeat. I will call several door companies but would still like to know good/poor manufacturers and or any construction types you like.

So far looks like there is steel, wood, composite and wood over steel. What do people like and why?

manufacturers so far, Coplay, Martin, Overhead, Amarr Any Others?

 

[Strouty]

Okay, I admit defeat. I will call several door companies but would still like to know good/poor manufacturers and or any construction types you like.

So far looks like there is steel, wood, composite and wood over steel. What do people like and why?

manufacturers so far, Coplay, Martin, Overhead, Amarr Any Others?

Good choice, you may take offense, but if you can't do a spring replacement without destroying the existing door………. why would you expect to be able to install two completely new doors?

 

[blacksporty]

Good choice, you may take offense, but if you can't do a spring replacement without destroying the existing door………. why would you expect to be able to install two completely new doors?

Thank you for stating the obvious and providing no helpful information.

 

[Strouty]

Thank you for stating the obvious and providing no helpful information.

That is Captain Obvious to you.

You are very welcome.

 

[shawhite]

I would go with a clopay 3 ply door (steel insulation steel). Had mine replaced 10 years ago and the thing still looks new

 

[Dcampbell98xj]

Any steel insulated door is going to last a long time. If you have a door that's 18' wide I'd suggest not getting the cheapest door. Being as a was in the business for 10 years I personally would recommended Richard Wilcox doors. They are probably the best doors I have ever installed and sold. Besides the custom doors I built (barn style mohegany or cedar). Wilcox has many styles and different colors and designs such as pinchproof doors. And I also agree with getting liftmaster 8500 openers. Though at 18' wide you may be pushing the limit of the opener depending on the height. Any reputable company should be able to look at the garage and see what will work without a second thought.

 

[Jd34]

I've been very happy with Precision Garage doors and openers. A+ company too, excellent service and product.

 

[Stevedore]

I installed a pair of Clopays from HD maybe 10 years ago, still happy with them.

Not a bad DIY job, in my opinion. Did one on a Saturday, the other on Sunday.

 

[upndown]

I've been very happy with Precision Garage doors and openers. A+ company too, excellent service and product.

No axe to grind with this company, but I would stay as far away from them as possible! Just Google them and read some of the reports. Dateline did a report on them in AZ. Not good.

 

[sracer99]

I've got Amarr wood (cedar) doors and very happy with them - only been about 8 months, new build.

 

[Jd34]

No axe to grind with this company, but I would stay as far away from them as possible! Just Google them and read some of the reports. Dateline did a report on them in AZ. Not good.

Hate to hear that. I guess I've been extremely fortunate with them but then again it was all insurance work. A $5,000 installed door costed me a $500 deductable when the old door crashed.

I noticed a freyed cable on one side of the new after a year. I called the number on the new door and they were out the next day and put all new cables and rollers. They did not charge me a dime-

It's an awesome insulated metal door 16ft and the opener is the quietest I have ever heard...east tn area

 

[blacksporty]

Thanks everyone, will stay with looking at Coplay, Overhead, Amarr.

Guy at HD said Coplay is the largest but he felt Martin was a better door. Anyone have anything good or bad to say about them.

 

[jwhcars]

I went with a local garage door company and bought two steel/insulation/steel Coplay doors. They did an excellent job of installation. All old hardware was replaced and hauled away. Oh, and I went with Liftmaster for the garage door openers. Super quiet operation.
Mine where made in the USA which I feel is a big plus.

 

[upndown]

Martin does make a nice product. Check to see if there are any distributors in your area, or you are at the mercy of HD! If there's any problem ie. shipping damage, missing parts, wrong size, they will probably have to reorder.

Companies like Clopay, Amarr, OHD usually have local distributors, Installs and warrantys are handled in house. Also as you may or may not know, HD does not have Installers, it's all sub'd out and you have no say in the matter, once again you're at their mercy.

As stated before, go local if you can.

 

[larry_g]

I believe Wayne Dalton is another good name in the business. I've had them on both shops and the older one is nearing 20 years old and still going good.

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