Hondaracer, Yes I do. I'm direct with several brands, mostly just for replacement panels that others have installed. The main door I carry and put on my own home is Midland. They do not have a presence as far east as you are. I've talked to my rep many times about the fact the need to advertise. They are a very quality oriented business. In over 15 yrs dealing with them I can think of 1 time I had a manufacture defect and it was excess glue around window frames. Easy clean up. They have been working on a high R value door for sometime and have not found a mixture that will hold a high R, and won't sale it until they know it works. They always claim lower R even with the same insulation as others.
As to what is available in your area I no idea. Some of the ones I would stay away from are Wayne Dalton, Phoenix, Steel Craft, and as mentioned anything the box stores carry. I know some around here like them. Compared to some they may have see they maybe better, but once you have dealt with a quality door the difference is obvious.
Anything with a spot weld or rivet on the end stiles (except pan doors), no thermo break between front and back styles and panels (this only applies to steel backed doors), Lite gauge steel, cheap hinges, rollers and track, non adjustable track. No struts or opener mounting plates on 10' or 18' wide doors. Stay away from springs that wind with a drill.
Frame your opening 1" narrower and 1/2" shorter. You will greatly reduce heat loss this way. I have one door that doesn't get used during the winter, snow can pile up next to the door and jamb, even with radiant heat it doesn't melt. Yes I have a good thermo break at the slab. Goal post your opening with the verticals being 2x6 or better. Make sure your spring mounts have solid backing. the spring just wants to pull it self off the wall, when it can't do that it will open the door. Other than the vertical back hang I don't like lagging over sheetrock.
Compare different doors and look at construction of door. I use Liftmaster openers with one piece tracks. Not a fan of the 8500, I have seen too many issues. While many here think they are the cure all you will find links here of others that have had 2 and 3 replacement ones that didn't work properly. They have their place and in the right situation I will sale them, other wise I let my competitors have the call back and headache. when you have to warranty your work you should be smarter about the parts you use. Your garage door is the largest and heaviest item on your home and taking up around 30% of the front of your house. Most people will put more thought, effort and money in a bathroom faucet. The garage door is a after thought and low on money purchase. Do it right do it once. The fact you are checking into it will help you down the road. I love the chain dealers they have made me alot of money going behind them and cleaning up their mistakes.
