Welcome to Victor garage door installation Q&A article . Considering a new garage door installation in Chicago? When you call Victor Garage Door Chicago the garage door replacement process you will need to have some basic answers ready to make an informed purchase. Chicago Garage door installation by Victor helps to narrow down the options to choose from so you can find whatever garage door works best for your home and family needs. Here are the top 9 questions to consider when you need a new garage door installation in Chicago.
1. What is the Standard Chicago Garage Door Size?
The most common garage door sizes in Chicago are 16×7 for 2-car doors and 9×7 or 8×7 for single car doors. For 3-car garage door, 24×7 would be the most common size. All garage door measurements in Chicago show the width first followed by the hight. Larger door sizes have been trending higher in recent years in the Chicago are . There larger 3-car garage doors are common mainly in condo association buildings. Doors measuring 18×8 and 10×8 have become more popular as a way to accommodate larger vehicles. The way to know the size of your Chicago garage door is to measure the opening in your garage. Measure the width and then the hight.
2. How much do Garage Door Installations Cost in Chicago?
Garage door installation cost in Chicago can vary greatly based on the size, material and type of garage door you need. The size, color, style, insulation, material and construction of the door will determine price. Bigger garage doors will be a factor in price – the bigger the door the higher the cost. The style of door you select whether it be raised panel or carriage house influences price as well. R value also changes prices considerably when choosing insulation. The higher the R value, the better insulation rating you will get but also the higher the door price will be. A single steel sided pan door will cost much less than a double sided steel insulated door. In this garage door installation Q&A you can find the cost off your new installation. The same can be said about steel, fiberglass and wood doors. As a general rule the more options needed in a garage door the higher the price will be. Single sided steel raised panel non insulated pan doors are by far the cheapest option. In the Chicago area garage doors can range from as little as $1,200 to $10,000 plus after installation. Also, adding windows to your garage door will increase the price considerably by hundreds of dollars. If you think an installation is too expensive, you can get Victor garage door repair in Chicago service a try instead
3. What R value Garage Door do I need for my Chicago Home?
All homeowners in Chicago with cold winters should strongly consider an insulated garage door with a high R value. Chicago homeowners will need to decide between polystyrene insulation, polyurethane insulation or no insulation. If your garage door faces the alley or is detached from your home no insulation will be necessary. Polystyrene insulation is essentially styrofoam insulation with a vinyl covering. It can be found in both open backed “pan doors” or double sided steel “sandwich doors”. Polystyrene is an economical option for insulation in a garage door. The highest R value in an insulated garage door is 17 that come in a polyurethane door insulation . Unlike polystyrene insulation polyurethane insulation is often injected into the door cavity. This allows all spaces to be filled with insulation so no air pockets exist. When in doubt always use a higher R value polyurethane insulated door in you Chicago home. Keep in mind this type of insulation increases the total cost.
4. Are Extension or Torsion Garage Door Springs Best?
Generally speaking you should always have torsion hardware installed on your Chicago garage door. Torsion springs work 1,000 better than extension and also are much safer. Torsion requires a minimum of 12 inches of space above the top of the door for the shaft, bearing plates and spring to conservatively fit. Garage doors with Torsion springs lift and lower the door evenly non both sides resulting in smoother operation and increased safety. Extension hardware is mainly used when doors are being installed on openings that lack proper headroom for torsion hardware. Simply put, extension hardware should only be used if a torsion system won’t fit. An extension setup involves one spring on each side of the two horizontal tracks counterbalancing the door. Extension springs are more dangerous since when a spring break it can hit anything around it. Also, extension springs always lift the door unevenly causing problems of door getting stuck on one side.
5. What Type of Garage Door Opener Do I Need
For most garage door installations in Chicago a standard 7′ chain drive is enough. There are 3 main types of garage door openers in Chicago market you can use. 1. Chain drive openers work with a chain to move the door. These are the most common because they are durable, reliable and lower in cost. 2. Belt Drive openers offer a smooth operation providing a more quiet functionality but they cost a bit more than chain. 3. Wall mount openers are mounted on one side of the top of your garage door. Keep reading to find out Moore about garage door installation Q&A most Chicagoans have.
6. What are the Chicago Garage Door Headroom Requirements?
Most builders in Chicago today know what type of space is required to install torsion spring systems on new construction. They often leave at least 12 inches above the header for both the torsion system and operator rail. In the event they make a mistake or you are retrofitting an older door, low headroom and extension hardware setups are viable options. Bottom line, leaving at least 15 inches of headroom above the door opening will allow just about any type of door and operator combination to be installed without a problem.
7. What is the Correct Chicago Garage Door Installation Opening?
The raw Chicago garage door opening should match the exact door size. So if you have purchased a standard 16′ wide x 7′ tall door you should build your opening the exact same size. It is better to cut the framing in 1/2″ on each side. This allows the door to rest flush against the inside of the door jamb 1/2″ on each side. When in doubt, always build your opening the exact same size as the door you intend to purchase. Garage door installations in Chicago usually include molding on the opening perimeter which will cover any gapes from the outside. This trim will provide with sealing all from dust, wind or rain.
8. Do I need an insulated or non-insulated Garage Door in Chicago?
Most garage doors in Chicago are detached from the home and face the alley. That being said, if your door is detached form the house and you don’t spend much time in your garage, an insulated garage door is not a must. You do need an insulated garage door in Chicago if it’s part of the actual home. In the cold weather months in Chicago an insulated garage door will save you money and make your home more comfortable. Insulated garage door cost a couple of hundred dollar more but it can be a great investment since they are more durable, quieter, and prevent more vibrations in your garage. However, if you have a detached garage that you don’t intend to use for a workshop a non-insulated door is likely the best option. Non-insulated doors are more cost effective and easier to maintain.
9. Should I add windows on my Chicago Garage door Installation?
Windows are definitely a great option in garages that lack natural light. Most Chicago homeowners op to not having windows on garage doors that face the alley. Security and privacy should also be considered as windows are easily broken into or looked through. On a standard 7ft garage door most people can easily look at what is being stored in your garage. Generally speaking windows greatly improve the overall look of your garage door. With the amount of options available by most door manufacturers, matching windows to your home design should be very easy. There are a lot of options when it comes to garage door windows. You can choose the design on your window frames, the type of glass such as frosted, insulated, tinted, etc. Keep reading this garage door installation Q&A for more info. Windows soon your garage door will increase the cost based on the type of glass you choose.
10. What Garage Door Material Should I Get?
The two main garage door materials for garage doors in Chicago installations are steel and wood. Each material has specific advantages and drawbacks. Wood doors are widely known to be more aesthetically pleasing and can better match the design of many houses. On the other hand, they require more maintenance and come at a significantly increased price. Wood garage doors requiere larger springs since they are significantly heavier than steel. Steel garage doors have the advantage of lower maintenance, increased durability and lower upfront costs. However, even the best looking steel doors can’t match wood doors in curb appeal.
11. How long do Garage Doors last in Chicago?
Just like any consumer good, you generally “get what you pay for”. Stick with a common name brand garage door manufacturer with high ratings. The lifespan of a garage door depends largely on a few factors, door grade purchased, material, climate, usage and maintenance. If you plan on flipping a house for a sale a builder grade non insulated single sided steel pan door will be suitable. However, if you are looking for something long term consider purchasing a premium series double sided steel door. They are much more durable than wood doors or single sided steel doors. Climate also becomes a factor with extreme wind, cold, heat and rain. Direct sunlight over the long term will certainly fade paint. Preventative maintenance can also extend the life of your garage door. Generally speaking garage doors last between 10- 30 years.
Hope you enjoyed this garage door installation Q&A and have a clear idea of what to look for new garage door installation in Chicago. Here we have included some installation videos for your to watch.
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