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Manual vs. Automatic Garage Doors

Jul 04, 2017
Homeowners have a variety of options when it comes to garage doors. You can choose whether to go with a sectional door, roller door, or timber (or timber-look) door. You can choose from a variety of colors, windows, and other custom looks. But one thing that you might not have considered yet is whether or not you want to go with an automatic garage door opener or a manual opener system.

Factory Direct Garage Doors is the best source for custom doors in Melbourne. Buy garage doors direct from the manufacturer, and you’ll have them in about a week, as opposed to about a month from other sources. We are your custom door manufacturer, and everything we do is a culmination of over two decades in the business and is backed by a 10-year warranty. Contact us today for a free quote.

Read on for a comparison of automatic vs manual garage door openers.

Maintenance

Regular maintenance ensures your garage doors stay in tip-top operating form, and will prevent wear and tear and major issues down the road. Automatic garage doors will need more attention on an ongoing basis because there are moving parts like the motor, and other factors, such as the torsion springs, balancing, lubrication, photo-eye lasers, and more. When one or more of these isn’t operating correctly, the door won’t work optimally. Manual doors will require maintenance, but not as much, and less often. When your door is installed (never try to install it yourself!), ask the technician how often to have maintenance performed and be sure to stick to the schedule.

Convenience

While many would rush to the automatic door because of its ease of use, there are factors to consider. The automatic opener is more expensive and requires more maintenance. But it is incredibly convenient! When you come home (and this is especially nice when it’s raining or windy), you don’t have to get out of the car to open the door before you drive inside. There are also devices on the market that can close the door for you, or that can sense when it’s dark so you know you’ll never have to worry about forgetting to do it. However, if you have a shed or a garage that you don’t use often, a manual door might be a more cost-effective way for you to go. That said, your resale value will be slightly higher if the buyer of your home doesn’t have to install it down the road. Also take into consideration that if you suffer an injury or illness, you’ll have a much harder time opening and closing it.

Cost

When you’re searching for a new garage door, one of the questions you’re most likely to ask is, “How much will this cost?” The automatic garage door opener itself, the installation, and ongoing maintenance will cost more than the manual door. However, when you take into consideration the convenience, security, and other safety measures the automatic garage door offers, look at it like this: you’re making an investment in your home and your family for the years to come.

At Factory Direct Garage Doors, custom doors are just a phone call away. Contact us for a free quote today, and to learn about the garage door opener options available to you.
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