Garage Door Blog - Alliance Overhead Doors

July 9, 2021

Evolution of Garage Door History

Garage Door History goes back 100 years. Ever wonder how the story of garage doors began? In all started in the early 1920s when drivers would store their cars in their carriage houses which were located next to their horses. Those early Carriage houses usually had doors that swung outwards, which was inconvenient for drivers as well as impractical when there was snow on the ground. When you look back at the beginning, it’s easy to see how times sure have changed. Fast forward to today and garages are now an integral part of modern homes.

Overhead Garage Door History

The overhead garage door was invented in 1921 by C.G. Johnson, who also invented the electric garage door opener five years later. He knew when the Ford car company stated making over one-million cars that folks would need a place to store them. With cars for the first-time being affordable, owners would need an out of the harmful weather, safe and secure spot, to store their new prized possession.

The History of Smart Overhead Garage Door Openers

In the mid-1980s, two US inventors, unknown to each other, invented the first wireless remote garage door openers. The first garage door opener remotes used a simple transmitter, meaning your remote would also be able to open a neighbor’s garage door. It was an amazing product that eventually led directly into today´ s most popular model: The Smart Garage Opener that can be operated from your smart-phone.

Evolution of The Garage Door

Garage doors have become more modern, beautiful and adaptable. Major manufactures like Wayne Dalton, Clopay, Amarr and Raynor all have been vital in developing garage doors.

Our local Austin area specialists for overhead garage doors and openers are ready to share their knowledge with you. We’ve been in business for nearly 25 years and have extensive experience working all makes and models of doors and openers for both residential and commercial properties.

May 7, 2021

4 Popular Automatic Garage Door Problems

Has your automatic garage door stopped working and needs troubleshooting to see what’s wrong? Do you need help finding out if you can do a garage door repair yourself, or is it best to hire some experts? Like other Greater Austin homeowners, you may use your garage as the main entry into your home. With this much use having your door fail to open and close is a serious issue and, of course, an inconvenience.

Common Automatic Garage Door Problems

Did you know that most residential garages are open and closed an average of 5 times per day? That’s nearly 2,000 times a year your garage opens and closes! If it’s an older door, there a good chance it will have issues at some point. So before picking up the phone to ask about a garage door repair estimate, check to see if it’s an easy fix or if professionals need to step in to help.

Automatic Garage Door Opener Adjustment Switch

Anytime an automatic garage door isn’t shutting the way it should, there are common issues that are usually the culprit. Many times it’s an adjustment issue with the close limit switch. This switch tells the motor when to stop. Changing the switch and the motor unit settings will help see if the adjustment switch is the issue. Lots of times, after adjusting the opener settings, the garage properly closes and a garage door repair is not needed.

Is there a problem with The Garage Remote?

Check to see if your automatic garage door opens and closes by using the wall switch. If it opens and closes like normal, then the remote is malfunctioning. Next, check that the remote batteries are good and if so, make sure you’re standing within the remote’s range while opening the door. Finally, check the programming of the remote.

Lots of modern remote controllers use 3rd party software such as MUSIC or Google Home to operate their hardware systems (or other electronic devices). An external programmable controller like Siri can also program many plug-ins via Bluetooth® technology that allows kids to access these automatic garage door functions without leaving home.

Is it time for a replacement Automatic Garage Door Opener?

Common garage door repair signs for the opener are excessive noise: With age, the motor in your opener will have more and more trouble pulling the same garage door open. If you notice the opener is making more noise than usual, including creaking, squeaking, or clanking, it’s time to talk to a professional! We know how garage openers operate and can diagnose over the phone what the problem is and provide a free quote to repair or replace your garage opener. If you have an older model, this could be an excellent time to install a smart automatic garage door opener.

Faulty Garage Door Springs

It’s the springs on an automatic garage door that do most of the work to open and close your garage. If your springs have corrosion or rust on them or are making loud popping and squeaking sounds, it could be time to replace them. You could lubricate the areas to lessen the sound, but these are solid signs a garage door repair is in the future.

If your garage door is opening unevenly, this also is another sign that the springs are faulty and a garage door repair of the springs may be needed. Garage door springs last about 7-9 years, although the actual lifespan depends on how much the door is maintained and used. Lots of folks think it’s the opener motor that lifts the garage door. The motor’s only job is to make sure the door starts moving and then controlling the movement.

Greater Austin Garage Door Repair and Maintenance

Need assistance with a automatic garage door repair? For nearly 25 years, we’ve helped Greater Austin garage door company business, property, and homeowners fast, reliable, and affordable garage door services. If your door is currently broken and needs it repaired quickly, we are available with 24/7 repairs in Austin and Surrounding Cities.

April 12, 2021

Garage Opener Troubleshooting Tips Austin TX

Garage Door Opener Repairman Austin TX Area

Garage door opener troubleshooting is not as hard as it many make it out to be. When your opener stops working and the door no longer moves up and down check these 3 things first before setting up a garage door repair call.

Garage Opener Troubleshooting

Garage Opener or Remote Stops Working

Wall switch or remote no longer opens your garage door? It’s likely there is an issue with the power. First make sure the power cord is plugged into the opener and also the power outlet. If the lights or other power outlets in the garage are not working it’s possible a fuse may have tripped. If this is the case check your fuse box and reset any breakers that have tripped. If all of the above doesn’t fix your problem there is a chance that the motor on the opener has burned out. When this happens you will need a garage door opener professional to replace the old opener.

Garage Door Doesn’t Full Open All The Way

When your garage door opens as it should, but then stops before becoming fully open, make sure to check the up-limit switch. Normally the up-limit switch can be found on the track near the motor itself. A fix to this problem, which happens in rare cases after a new opener has been installed, is to move the switch closer to the motor. Also check for damaged rollers as they can prevent the door from opening fully. If you happen to find a rusty roller, make sure to also lubricate it or have it replaced.

Garage Door Goes Back Up After Touching the Floor

This is usually due to the close-limit switch being out of adjustment. Check the switch and adjust the close-limit screw on the motor of the garage opener. Only make small adjustments until the garage door stops making contact with the floor.

Alliance Overhead Door Greater Austin

If your in the Greater Austin area, and need help with purchasing the right opener and having it installed, our team is here to help. We are experienced with all major brands of openers. Our garage opener technicians are also certified to repair and install LiftMaster brand openers in Austin and surrounding cities.

March 10, 2021March 10, 2021

5 Most Sought After Garage Door Styles

5 popular garage door styles Austin Texas

5 Popular Austin Garage Door Styles

Commercial and residential garage door styles have become vital to property owners in Greater Austin with real estate on the rise. We’ve seen first-hand the additional investing garage doors are getting with remodeling projects.

The first step is choosing from the many garage door styles that fits best with your Austin home or business. For Austin homeowners replacing the garage door is making more sense lately. Did you know recent reports show that 75% of the garage door replacement costs is recouped when selling a home? Getting a new door makes even more sense if the current one is decades old.

The top 5 requested styles of garage doors from our customers.

- Steel Garage Doors (Residential)
- Aluminum Frame Glass Doors (Commercial Residential)
- Custom Wood Styled Garage Doors (Residential)
- Carriage Style Garage Doors (Residential)
- Panel Garage Doors (Residential, Commercial)

Aluminum Glass Garage Doors – These doors let the light in but still give plenty of privacy and security. Customers comment on the the stylish and sleek look these doors have.

Carriage Style Garage Doors
Carriage-house garage door styles go way back in time to the days of the carriage house. This is where horse-drawn carriages were kept safe from the weather, just like your garage today. Originally hand made from wood, but today available in various materials.

Custom Wood Garage Door Styles – Wood garage doors come in many types of high quality wood including meranti, cedar, and hemlock. Custom wood doors are great for providing detailed designs to compliment the architecture of a home. All over Austin we have seen a boost in more customers getting a custom wood garage door for their home.

Panel Style Garage Doors – Panel garage doors come in many styles whether it be short or long raised panels, flush panels, textured and untextured panels and also panels with windows. If damaged, garage door repair is easy because single panels can be quickly replaced.

Steel Garage Doors
These doors are great for homeowners needing a durable and also nice looking door. There’s many various styles, designs and colors to choose from as well.

Garage Door Installation Greater Austin

As a garage door company in Austin that’s been around for nearly 25 years we’ve done many garage door installations and have seen styles come and go. If you live near Austin and need help with choosing the right door on your home we can help. Our technicians will assist you picking picking the best door to match your hoe and budget.