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A Handy Garage Door Preventative Maintenance Checklist

A Handy Garage Door Preventative Maintenance Checklist

Your garage door is an investment, so keeping it in tip-top shape with preventative maintenance is vital. Regularly inspecting your system can extend its life span and keep little issues from becoming costly headaches down the road. 

Not sure where to start? Here are our top garage door preventative maintenance tips for residential and commercial properties.

1. Lubricate, Lubricate, Lubricate

Your garage door comprises dozens of moving parts that work together to function every day. Lubrication takes less than 10 minutes and helps prevent rust and wear. Lubricate all your garage door’s moving parts, including:

  • Cables
  • Springs
  • Steel rollers
  • Hinges
  • Tracks
  • Any surface that turns or slides

2. Clean Your Garage Door

Dirt, dust, rust and debris can easily clog a garage door’s mechanisms. Cleaning your garage door and its track twice a year can do wonders for your system’s life span. You can clean most components with a mixture of mild household detergent and water.

3. Replace the Weatherstripping

The rubber weather seal at the bottom of a garage door can become brittle or cracked, exposing your garage to the elements. Keep your home or business safe and energy efficient by checking the weatherstripping each season. You can cut a new seal to size as a replacement when needed.

4. Examine Your Garage Door Parts

Each mechanical component of your garage door plays an essential role in the system’s overall functionality. Consider inspecting the following parts at least twice a year:

  • Hinges: Are the hinges loose or bent?
  • Track: Is the track bent? Are there any loose or missing bolts and screws?
  • Cables: Do you see any frayed or broken cable strands?
  • Springs: Do the springs look stretched, misshapen or rusty? Do they click or whirr when in use?
  • Rollers: Do the rollers appear worn, chipped or cracked?
  • Drive chain or belt: Does the drive chain or belt groan or make a slapping sound when operating? Do you notice any slack?

While you may be able to complete simple repairs like tightening loose nuts and bolts, a qualified technician with the proper tools and experience should perform most preventative maintenance tasks for garage doors.

5. Perform Safety Tests

A faulty garage door can lead to serious injury. Some routine tests you can perform to ensure the system’s essential safety features are operational include:

  • Garage door balance: Place the garage door in manual operation mode by disconnecting it from the opener. Lift it halfway and release. If the door slips down, the balance may be off.
  • Mechanical auto-reverse: Test this obstacle detection system by placing a brick or other inanimate object in the center of the door opening. Then, try to close the garage door. The sensor should detect the obstacle and cause the door to reverse direction.
  • Photo eye sensor: Test this system by waving a long object like a broom between the two photo eye sensors on either side of the garage door while it’s closing. This motion should cause the door to reverse direction.

6. Schedule Preventative Maintenance From Continental Door

Schedule preventative maintenance from Continental Door

In addition to performing preventative measures you can do on your own, it’s important to work with a highly skilled and knowledgeable service team. Continental Door offers preventative maintenance services for residential and commercial garage doors in the greater Spokane area. 

Contact our team today to learn more about our preventative maintenance service plans. 

Introducing the Clopay® VertiStack™ — A Revolution in Vertical Lift Garage Doors

The VertiStack door is an innovative option for commercial businesses that require minimal space and adds an open glass ceiling. This new, sleek design is attractive for organizations and customers, fostering a welcoming, modern environment while adding functionality. 

Your business can use this door to expand seating space, create seasonal offerings, and provide an attractive look for customers. Keep reading to learn more about the VertiStack, including the benefits of adding it to your building and which businesses can benefit from implementation. 

Taking a Closer Look at the VertiStack

The Clopay VertiStack offers a unique construction, eliminating the need for overhead tracks by featuring sections that stack above the opening. The door does not impact mechanical, plumbing or electrical features in the ceiling because it requires minimal space. 

The design does not have exposed cables or tracks, providing a clear, modern and aesthetic appearance. This door comes with various window materials and aluminum finishes, so you can coordinate it with other building features and colors. 

The modern design allows a seamless transition into outdoor spaces and allows sunlight to filter in through glass panels. Enjoy ample light and warmth when you close the door, or open it for extended seating options. VertiStack Clear also operates quietly, so you won’t hear loud noises as you open or close it. 

Benefits of the Vertical Garage Door

Investing in a garage door is beneficial for many businesses, and the VertiStack offers additional opportunities for organizations looking for a new, attractive way to draw in customers. A vertical garage door empowers you to create a unique space and enhance the environment. 

  • Energy efficiency: The VertiStack is IECC-compliant for air filtration. Closing the door will allow sunlight and warmth to filter in for a pleasant environment. With the door open, you can enjoy the fresh air. UV protection and insulation save energy costs while enhancing your space. 
  • Enhanced curb appeal: The door’s modern, sleek design is attractive, drawing attention from potential customers. The VertiStack may also increase your property value if you decide to sell your business in the future. 
  • Increased security: You can outfit the VertiStack with features including photo eye sensors and a wireless sensing edge. These add to your security, limiting opportunities for break-ins or other potential damage. 
  • Improved durability: A new, high-quality garage door has enhanced durability. Due to robust materials, these doors can withstand the elements and provide years of reliable and efficient use. 
  • Clear aesthetics: This door is unobtrusive. Its minimal angles and lines are a convenient way to enhance your building and interior. The clear aesthetics allow you to welcome sunshine without detracting from the rest of your decor or stylistic choices. 
  • Expanding your footprint: By bringing the outside indoors with the VertiStack, you can invite a consistent flow between exterior and interior spaces. 
  • Quiet operation: With smooth and discreet operation, you can close and open the door anytime while feeling confident that you won’t disturb guests. 

VertiStack Garage Door Materials and Finishes

The VertiStack uses high-quality materials and comes in various finishes to suit your needs. This door has 11 components:

  • Torsion springs with 25,000 cycles
  • Shaft coupler joining the shafts
  • Strap spool with a nylon strap
  • Top seal that mounts to the top section
  • Head plates powder coated in RAL 9005
  • Header channel for top seal channel
  • Operator with top and front mounts available
  • Manual lock integrated into the guide cover
  • Sections (standard is clear anodized aluminum)
  • Guide covers with a slip-on design and no visible fasteners
  • Vinyl weather seal that clips on the guide channel

There are various glass and acrylic panels, so you can enhance your building and coordinate your door with your business preferences. Options available include frosted, insulated, low-E and tempered. Paint finishes include bronze, white and chocolate, and anodized finishes are bronze, dark bronze, black and clear. 

Businesses That Can Use the Clopay VertiStack

Multiple businesses can install a VertiStack door to create a more relaxing environment and enhance sales opportunities. Some commercial settings that can benefit from VertiStack include the following.

  • Educational facilities: Educational facilities can use the VertiStack to blend indoor and outdoor learning spaces. Learners can enjoy ample sunlight while the door is closed and blend learning opportunities with the natural world while the door is open. 
  • Restaurants: Food-service businesses can expand seating and seasonal offerings with the VertiStack. Whether you want to operate with a seasonal patio, an outdoor bar or create a space for entertainment while patrons enjoy their meals, the opportunities are endless. 
  • Office buildings: Organizations can boost team morale by introducing more light and fresh air. Additionally, employees could bring potential clients, partners or customers outdoors while discussing business opportunities for a more comfortable experience. 
  • Retail businesses: VertiStack’s clear glass can give passersby an unobstructed view of your current offerings, creating more opportunities for new customers to come inside to check out your deals and new items. Furthermore, the attractive, innovative look can make you stand out from competitors. 
  • Hospitality organizations: Hotels, bars, cafes and other hospitality organizations can use the VertiStack to maximize natural light and increase the building’s and interior’s aesthetic appeal. Additionally, this space can be an excellent way to stand out from competitors if you use it to provide entertainment or seamless transitions to beautiful areas on your property. 

Request a Free Estimate for Your Business

A new garage door is a long-term investment that can benefit your business, reduce costs and become an eye-catching point of interest. As the largest Clopay dealer in the West, we feel confident we can bring your vision to life. 

The team at Continental Door is passionate about providing high-quality products and services to everyone we work with. We’ve worked for more than 15 years to bring residential and commercial garage door solutions to customers in Coeur d’Alene, Spokane Valley, Spokane and the surrounding areas. 

We deliver durability and quality with every installation, including the innovative VertiStack. We are the only Master Authorized Dealer® for Cloplay in the greater Spokane area, so you can feel confident in our ability to deliver exceptional results. 

We think creatively about your door, and we can help you find beautiful designs that fit within your budget and meet your design and style preferences. Request an estimate from our team to integrate the VertiStack into your business. 

The Importance of Fire Door Drop Testing

If you own or manage a building containing fire-rated door systems, inspecting and testing each of the doors every year is mandatory. These systems can involve any opening in walls, ceilings or floors carrying a fire rating. Accurate inspections and tests ensure the safety of your building’s occupants while protecting and preserving personal property, reducing liability and meeting insurance requirements.

What Is NFPA 80, and What Does It Address?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a worldwide nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating injury, death and property loss due to fire, electrical accidents and other related hazards. NFPA 80 is a standard that regulates the installation and maintenance of fire doors and other openings that protect against the spread of fire and smoke. 

The standard is specific to various opening types, including fire-rated sliding, swing and rolling doors, plus fire-rated windows. It offers guidance for fire detection placement and activation devices like smoke detectors and fusible links. NFPA 80 is critical for architects and building designers when choosing specific types of fire-rated doors and locations.

What Is Fire Door Drop Testing, and What Does It Entail?

Property owners must subject their fire doors to professional inspection and drop testing annually to comply with NFPA 80. The owners must also maintain an accurate log for these assessments and test histories. Besides ensuring the openings are fully operational, an inspector will check for surface breaks and holes, incorrectly installed components, missing smoke detectors and other inconsistencies.

The drop test entails two steps. The first step ensures your fire doors operate smoothly and provide full closure, while the second involves inspecting the automatic-closing devices to ensure proper resetting. Owners can immediately remedy any failures through repairs or replacement.

Why Fire Door Drop Testing Is Important 

Fire door drop testing is vital because it determines whether your doors comply with required fire safety guidelines and regulations. Doors that endure frequent use often suffer adverse consequences from factors like dust, dirt and grease. Drop testing ensures your doors and the fusible links are able to provide the necessary protection and safety for those who occupy or frequent your building.

Fire door drop tests are also mandatory for obtaining the proper codes and licensing for new buildings or renovations.

Stay Safe With Continental Door Co.

Continental Door has earned the reputation of the most reliable and highest-quality garage door service provider in Greater Spokane and North Idaho. We provide top-tier customer service for all our residential and commercial products, including fire-rated doors and the standards they must meet. Connect with us online to learn more about what we do.

What Is LiftMaster MyQ®? Why Sign Up?

The LiftMaster MyQ® connects your garage door opener and accessories to your smartphone or other electronic devices. By adding a smart garage to your property, you can easily access your garage door opener from almost anywhere. Whether you have a residential or commercial garage door, you can find the product that best suits your property’s needs. 

Explore the features of MyQ® to find out how it can add value to your home or business.

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What Is LiftMaster MyQ® Technology?

LiftMaster MyQ® technology connects your garage door opener to your smartphone app or computer. With the MyQ® app, you can manage your property’s temperature, security and lighting from anywhere in the world. You can also customize your MyQ® products and accessories to interact with other automated programs, smart devices and security systems from top-rated brands such as:

  • Key by Amazon
  • Ring
  • Honeywell Total Connect
  • Vivint
  • Alarm.com®
  • Xfinity®
  • Google Assistant
  • Apple® HomeKit™
  • Nest
  • Clare Controls
  • Alpine Connect
  • IFTTT
  • Tesla EVEConnect
  • Resideo
  • STEER Tech

You can set up the MyQ® Garage for your garage door opener if you have a sectional garage door. If you have a one-piece door, you can only use it in the “Monitor Only” mode. Before installing the MyQ® Garage, make sure your garage door’s photo eyes are working correctly.

LiftMaster MyQ® for Residential Garage Doors

Having a smartphone garage door opener comes with many benefits for your home. Explore how MyQ® automation makes your life easier.

  • Control your garage from anywhere: You can control your garage door from anywhere you have a WiFi connection. The MyQ® app gives you peace of mind if you can’t remember whether you closed the garage door when you left home. It also makes it more convenient to let in your friends, family members or neighbors who may be watching or visiting your house when you’re on vacation. 
  • Monitor garage safety: The MyQ® app makes supervision and surveillance more convenient whether you’re home or away. You’ll receive a notification every time someone uses your garage door. You can also customize who can operate your garage door at certain times of the day.
  • Get real-time alerts and access to live video: The LiftMaster MyQ® app will alert you when the garage door opens. This safety feature is helpful when your kids are coming home from school or the pet sitter is coming to let the dog out. You can also get access to MyQ® live video feed to check on your property from your smartphone or tablet when you’re away.
  • Schedule your garage door to close at a particular time: You can set a time for your garage door to close or for the lights to turn off. It automatically closes so your home can be secure if you forget to shut it. MyQ® technology makes it more convenient for you to operate your garage door at night, which means you have peace of mind before going to bed.
  • Transform your home into a smart home: MyQ® technology is compatible with the smart devices and accessories in your home. You can use the MyQ® app to change your home’s temperature to help control your energy bills. The MyQ® app also integrates with your home’s lighting system, so you can turn them on when you’re away for security or easily turn them off when you’re in bed.

MyQ® Features for Businesses

Commercial facilities can also benefit from MyQ® technology. As a business owner, you want to ensure your facility is as safe and secure as possible. Explore some of the ways the MyQ® Facility can help make it easier to run your daily tasks and keep your employees and inventory safe.

1. Authorization

With the LiftMaster MyQ® app, you can have complete control over all the entrances at your commercial property. Use the MyQ® app on your phone or WiFi-enabled device to access real-time notifications or operate your garage door from anywhere in the world. This technology allows you to open the door for vendors and keep out unwanted visitors.

You can also assign permission-based access to trustworthy members on your team to delegate responsibility. Maintain control of every entry point by giving your team permission to enter your facility based on the location, person, time or group.

2. Scheduling

You can schedule your garage door to open and close at specific times to reduce energy costs and eliminate liability. By scheduling when your garage door operates, you can prolong its life span by decreasing wear and tear on it.

If you’re expecting a vendor or business to come at a particular time, you can give them access inside by scheduling the door to open when they’re coming. You can also set up your garage door to close at the end of each business day so your employees don’t have to worry about locking up after their shift.

3. Utilization Reports

As a business owner, you can get reports of the activity around your commercial door, gate and dock, with information related to how your facility operates. You can use these reports to find out which entry points are costing you money due to inefficiency. With real-time alerts of what happens at each door, you can make safety a priority at your facility. The MyQ® app is also helpful in keeping track of how often you use your equipment so you can know when to maintain or replace it.

Which LiftMaster Products Have MyQ® Technology?

The following garage door openers and accessories are compatible with MyQ® technology.

MyQ®-Compatible Garage Door Openers

At Continental Door, we supply the following LiftMaster MyQ® garage door openers that can connect to your home automation devices:

MyQ® Accessories

Your MyQ® garage door opener is also compatible with the following accessories:

Contact Continental Door for MyQ®-Connected Garage Door Products

If you’re in the greater Spokane area, contact Continental Door for a brand-new garage door opener for your home or business. We’ll help you find the best product for your garage door to help make your property feel safer and more technology-friendly. We also offer garage door installation, maintenance and repair services to prolong your technology’s life span. Browse through our inventory and reach out to us for more information.

How the 3 Types of Commercial Garage Door Openers Operate

You need to ensure your commercial property is in constant working order. If your garage doors are manual or operate with outdated openers, it’s time for a change. Continental Door offers three different types of commercial garage door openers that work for a range of businesses and their daily needs:

1. Jackshaft Commercial Garage Door Operators

LiftMaster has designed the wall-mounted jackshaft commercial door opener for businesses. This wall-mounted device can lift and lower your commercial garage doors by turning torsion springs. These operators are especially good for vertical, high-lift sectional doors and rolling shutters or grilles. They are also suitable for commercial properties in which the offices are directly above the garages. The vibration from the garage causes little disturbance. 

Jackshaft commercial garage door openers are an excellent choice for commercial properties that cannot install items on the ceiling. You’ll appreciate a jackshaft opener if you have rolling steel doors.

2. Trolley Commercial Garage Door Operators

Trolley commercial door operators are installed on the ceiling — ensure you have ceiling space before choosing this garage door opener. These devices reach up to 25 cycles per hour and 80 to 90 cycles a day. They are available in single- and three-phase configurations. The best models have a voltage that can handle the type of work done on a commercial property. If you are purchasing this operator for a larger door, ensure you get a model that comes with the standard break.

The trolley is best for sectional doors with a standard lift track. For larger garage doors or high-traffic models, choose a trolley operator with 1/2, 3/4 or 1 horsepower.

3. Hoist Commercial Garage Door Operators

The hoist operator is installed on the wall for sizeable sectional garage doors with a vertical or high lift. If your doors are grilles or rolling models, you can still use this operator, but the system will be installed at the front of the hood. Either way, the system connects to the door jackshaft to power the door indirectly. In addition to the different installation locations, this system comes with a hoist chain — useful in power outages and emergencies.

These doors are an excellent choice for industrial, high-cycle purposes. They are capable of 25 cycles per hour and 90 cycles per day. 

How to Choose an Opener for Your Commercial Door

You want an industrial garage door opener you can count on throughout the workday. To pick the correct operator, make sure you have noted the information about your commercial property. Choosing a commercial garage door opener depends on a series of business factors, including: 

  • Door size: The door length and width determines the voltage you need in an operator. 
  • Frequency of use: For high-traffic areas, you’ll want a strong operator such as the commercial hoist model or a three-phase trolley opener.
  • Security: All LiftMaster openers come with Security 2.0, which helps protect your facility when you’re away.
  • Automation: LiftMaster technologies like timer-to-close will close the garage doors after a predetermined amount of time.

Contact Continental Door Today!

Need a new commercial garage door opener and live in the greater Spokane area? Contact Continental Door. We offer LiftMaster and Linear garage door openers. We make you our priority. Our 24-hour emergency services allow us to be there for you when you need it.

Contact us today or request a free quote online! 

How to Measure Your Bay Doors

Measuring Bay Doors

For businesses that operate out of a warehouse, bay doors simplify the processes of loading and unloading. But even with regular maintenance, bay doors need to be replaced from time to time. Taking careful measurements of the door opening is the first step in the process to install a new warehouse bay door.

Why Measure a Bay Door for a Warehouse? 

There are a few different reasons one might measure the bay doors of a warehouse, though the most common reason is the installation of a new garage door. 

You probably already have an idea of typical loading dock dimensions, even if it’s your first time installing a warehouse bay door. But bay doors are a significant investment, so you should be sure that you have the correct measurements before taking any further steps.

How to Measure for Bay Doors

The process of measuring for warehouse bay doors is fairly simple. All you need is a standard tape measure. When you’re ready, follow these steps:

1. Measure the Width of the Bay Door

Width is the distance between the left and right sides of the opening of the warehouse bay door. Be sure to measure from the widest point and record the measurement in feet and inches.

2. Measure the Height of the Bay Door

Just like you did with the width, measure the height at the bay door’s highest point: from the floor to the top of the finished opening. 

You should measure the height at three different points (left, right and center) to make sure that the opening isn’t sagging on either side. If it is, there could be issues with garage door installation — so any sagging should be addressed before the installation process.

3. Measure for the Vertical Track

Next, measure the width of the area next to the openings on each side of the bay door. There should be between 3 and 3 3/4 of an inch on each side to accommodate the vertical track for the new garage door.

4. Measure the Headroom

The headroom is the distance from the top of the door’s opening to the ceiling. The headroom should be at least 6 inches for fitting the garage door opener and the torsion system.

5. Measure the Backroom

The backroom is the distance from the opening to the rear of the garage. 

Determining Your Ideal Bay Garage Door Size

The ideal bay garage door opening is large enough to accommodate the opening of a full-size trailer. However, the door should not be larger than necessary so as to avoid the need for more insulation.

To provide total access to the entire height and width of a full-size trailer, standard loading dock dimensions specify that the warehouse bay door should extend between 13 and 14 feet above the parking area — the full height of the trailer.

Blue Giant Dock Seals

Visit Continental Door For Commercial Garage Doors

Protect your business assets from the elements by investing in an insulated garage door that’s built to last. A door that properly fits your space will help lower utility bills and make warehouse access easy, so it’s crucial to have all the measurements correct before requesting the installation. 

Continental Door is your one-stop headquarters for commercial and residential garage doors in the Greater Spokane area, and we’re always happy to help customers select the right door for their space and usage requirements. Request a free estimate or schedule service today.

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How Often Should a Commercial Door Be Serviced?

Servicing a Commercial Garage Door

Your garage door is the gateway to your business. While residential garage door checkups are important too, regular servicing is essential when it comes to keeping your commercial doors running properly. As one of the most important ways to keep the ins and outs of your commercial property running securely and efficiently, it’s crucial to keep your garage doors in top shape. After all, servicing your door regularly is much more cost and time-effective than having to repair a broken one.

How often should your commercial garage doors be serviced, and when do you know it’s time for a checkup? We offer the lowdown below.

How Often Should Your Commercial Doors Be Serviced?

There are several factors that determine the frequency of commercial door checkups. Identify how your garage door stacks up on these features and you’ll gain a sense of how often yours should probably be seen and serviced.

Usage Frequency of Garage Door

Unlike residential garage doors, which may be used just a few times a day, commercial doors are often used extensively throughout the day. The more frequently you use your doors, the closer you need to keep an eye on their service dates. 

Commercial doors that are only used once a day or less may require just the recommended annual checkup. Doors that see heavy traffic should receive quarterly servicing to keep them running smoothly and treat any issues before they need major repairs.

Wear & Tear on the Garage Door 

If your commercial doors have received any damage, you’ll want to have them serviced to ensure there aren’t any problems that go untreated. Any cracks or dents caused by collision or forklifts can worsen over time, and may eventually cause major issues with your door. You should also keep an eye out for the inevitable wear and tear that comes along with frequent use. If your door is in a commonly-used area, aim for quarterly checkups.

Quality of the Garage Door

If you have high quality, long-lasting garage doors installed, they may require less upkeep than a door without the same caliber of design and material. If you notice your door is not operating to its utmost quality, call in a service checkup. Tell-tale signs of questionable quality may include improper alignment, an ineffective photo eye or unusual noises.

Location of the Garage Door 

Is your door in a high-risk area that sees frequent use? If so, it may be more prone to dents, scratches and other damage. In this case, you’ll want to consider regular maintenance more frequently than an annual checkup. Additionally, high-risk areas may include zones that have been tampered with or faced attempted break-ins in the past. You’ll want to up your door security measures and ensure it is regularly inspected and serviced as a safety precaution.

Preventive Maintenance: How Often Do You Need It?

We recommend a thorough annual maintenance check to assess every aspect of the door and make any necessary repairs. If your commercial door is heavily used, in a high-risk area of the garage, is low-quality or has been damaged, you should consider ramping up your preventive maintenance to quarterly or twice a year. This will help to catch any issues as they arise and prevent you from having to slow your production later down the line to make major repairs.

Choose Continental Door’s Commercial Door Service

Continental Door offers around-the-clock servicing for commercial doors. We’re always a phone call away in the case of a door emergency, and provide high-quality maintenance services to keep your doors in premium condition. Request maintenance service or receive a free quote today.

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What Should You Be Looking for in a Commercial Garage Door?

What Should You Be Looking for in a Commercial Garage Door?

When it comes to residential garage doors, you probably have a pretty good idea of what you should be looking for. For commercial garage doors, however, it can be a different story. There are some areas where it’s okay to cut corners on a residential door that aren’t necessarily good ideas to skimp on when it comes to commercial doors, and vice versa. What are some of the things you should be looking for when shopping for a commercial garage door? Here are four of them.

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Material

You want your commercial garage door to be made of metal, usually steel or aluminum. Natural wood can be great for a residential garage door, as it can create a very aesthetically pleasing look and feel. With a commercial door, though, you want to be a little more practical. Wood doors are vulnerable to cracking and splintering, not to mention rot if exposed to the elements or too much moisture. They require much more maintenance and care, which can be worth it in a residential environment but not something you want to be worrying about when it comes to a commercial enterprise.

Insulation

When it comes to residential doors, you’ll often have a choice between an insulated and a non-insulated door. You may feel that for your home, the energy savings is not worth the extra expense of insulation. While this is debatable, you should never skimp on insulation for your commercial door. You have valuable inventory to protect from the elements. Additionally, insulation will also make the door quieter and often more durable thanks to the added insulation material inside the door.

Heavy-Duty Torsion Springs

Your torsion springs are designed with a limited life. Most residential springs are built to last about 10,000 cycles, or openings and closings before they wear down or break. That’s usually fine for the average family, but your commercial garage door may be opening and closing a lot more. If that’s the case, you should look for torsion springs that can withstand up to 25,000 – 50,000 cycles. In some cases, you may have as much as hundreds of thousands of cycles, in which you may benefit from a high-speed, high-cycle door.

Windows

This one will vary from business to business, but you will want to think about whether or not you want people to be able to see into your facility and how much natural light you want to let in. If you want a lot of light and visibility, consider a full-view commercial door. Windows will also allow you to see your customers as they arrive at your facility.

For more information on commercial door features and help finding the right commercial door for your business in the greater Spokane, WA or Northern Idaho areas, contact Continental Door Co. today.

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Keeping Your Employees Safe from Your Commercial Garage Door

Keeping Your Employees Safe from Your Commercial Garage Door

Your commercial garage door is designed with safety features. The fact is, however, that in some commercial environments, many employees may be walking or driving back and forth under your garage door every day.

Whether that garage door remains open most of the time or it is repeatedly going up and down throughout the day, it is important to take the proper safety precautions to protect your employees from an unforeseen accident. What is the best way to keep your employees safe when it comes to your commercial garage door?

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Make Sure You Have a Modern Door

The newer your commercial garage door is, the more likely it is to have state-of-the-art safety features. Have you checked to see if your current door has safety devices in place? If not, you should consider adding the safety mechanisms or replacing with an updated version of your door. 

Make Sure Your Door Is Installed and Repaired by Professionals

When you are bringing in a new door, don’t try to install it with your own team. Let experienced professionals handle the job. It keeps your employees safe from injury during installation and makes it more likely the door will be installed correctly — meaning a dangerous accident is less likely. Similarly, don’t cut corners when it comes to repair. Make sure your repair is performed by experts with years of experience who know what they are doing and ensure that they are using OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts. 

Schedule Regular Maintenance

If one of your springs is about to give out, there’s a good chance there will be no way for you to know about it until it snaps, which can put your employees in danger. Annual or semi-annual maintenance by professionals can help you to identify a potential problem and fix it before it becomes a hazard.

Training

Make sure any employees who will come in contact with the garage door or pass underneath it have a full understanding of how it works and how to operate it. An hour of training could save multiple lives.

Call for Repairs Immediately

If your garage door is not working properly, do not wait until the end of the day or the end of the week to deal with it. Call for repairs right away and find a workaround until the professionals come to fix it.

If you need commercial garage door repair, installation or maintenance in the Spokane, WA area or Northern Idaho, call Continental Door Company. We have the experienced garage door professionals who know how to make sure your door is as safe as possible. Contact us to request service or to receive a quote on a new commercial garage door now.

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How Do I Maintain a Commercial Garage Door?

How Do I Maintain a Commercial Garage Door?

If you run a business that involves any kind of machines, you know that anything with moving parts requires regular maintenance if it is going to continue to work properly. Commercial garage doors are no exception. If a commercial garage door fails before its time, there’s a great chance that poor maintenance was somehow involved.

If you schedule annual maintenance for your commercial garage door, that’s a great first step. But that may not be enough to make sure you minimize the chance of malfunction or a costly repair and to maximize the life of your commercial garage door. So, what are some of the ways you can make sure your commercial garage door is getting the care it needs?

Check the Insulation and Weather Seals

While damage to the weather seals or insulation won’t necessarily shorten the life of your commercial garage door, it will definitely reduce its effectiveness. Any damage to the weather seals or insulation means your door is not properly insulated and protected against the elements. This means your inventory or whatever is on the other side of your door is vulnerable to water damage or temperature damage, not to mention that you are probably losing money on energy bills due to the extra heating or cooling required. It’s a simple matter to do a once over every couple of weeks to make sure the weather seals and insulation are still firmly in place.

Pay Attention to the Door’s Behavior

Is the door opening and closing smoothly? Is it making more noise than it used to? Train yourself and your workers to listen to what your commercial garage door is telling you. If your door appears to be struggling to do its job in any way, there’s a good chance that a broken spring, worn-out roller, frayed cable or the like is the culprit. Your door may be continuing to work, but the added stress could add up to a big repair soon.

Lubricate Everything You Can

Machines break down because parts wear out, and most of the time, parts wear out because of friction. That’s why it’s so important to regularly lubricate all the moving parts you can reach on a regular basis. It doesn’t take long, and it can save you a lot of problems with your door.

Check All Safety Devices Regularly

Commercial doors can be very big, heavy and dangerous. Most maintenance should be done by a professional to ensure everything is completed properly and safely. A professional garage door service technician can also set you up on a preventative maintenance schedule to catch any problems before they become nightmares. 

If you’re in the Spokane, WA or Northern Idaho areas and you spot an issue that may need addressing, or if it’s time for your annual maintenance checkup, just contact the experts at Continental Door Company, and we’ll be right over to help.

Schedule Commercial Garage Door Maintenance

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