FAQs

All of our steel garage doors can be painted with the color of your choice by using latex paint. Our company offers dependable services, so don’t wait to give us a call today!

For Clopay doors: Per the Coachman Care & Maintenance Literature, a Clopay garage door can be painted with high quality 100% acrylic latex (flat, satin, or semi-gloss) exterior-grade paint. Oil-Based paint or alkyd modified paint should not be used and will void the warranty on the door. It is recommended that all doors are painted with solar reflective paint when available. For additional information and a list of pre-approved paints, please call Clopay Consumer Services at (800) 225-6729.

Adding overlays to your door would add weight as well. The addition of that weight would also require replacing the existing springs with strong springs so the door could easily be raised and lowered by the operator. In some rare cases, if the weight change is significant, new track might also be required.

No. Using at home insulation options add weight to the door and disrupt the counterbalance system while hardening spray foams can seize up a door and prevent it from operating entirely.

R-value measures insulation. An insulated garage door keeps heat inside the home, ensures sturdiness, and benefits those using the garage frequently.

In general, standard sizes for door widths are 8’, 9’, 10’, 12’, 15’, 16’, 18’, and 20’. Some door series may have exceptions to this rule. Contact us about the availability of specific sizes for new garage doors.

Most standard residential doors require 14” headroom, but there are low headroom options available. Please give us a call and see what we can provide for new garage doors.

Side mounted operators cannot be installed on Low Headroom Track or Standard 12″ Radius Track. It can only be installed on a 15″ radius track or larger.

This is similar to asking a person who is purchasing an automobile. Which is better? A V6 or a V8? The answer depends on what is important to the consumer, including gas mileage, torque, emissions, etc. The same is true for consumers purchasing garage door openers. You will need to determine what is truly important to you, including the following:

1. Dependability: How often do you enter/exit your home through the garage versus the front entry door?

2. Accessories: How many automobiles and drivers are there?

3. Quiet: Do you have living areas/bedrooms above or adjacent to the garage?

4. Motor Power: What type of garage door do you have?

5. Warranty: Do you value the peace of mind associated with strong warranties?

6. Clearance: Do you have any structural issues with your garage, such as headroom, back hang distance, or obstructions?

7. Quality: Do you prefer products built in the United States?

A 1/2HP Overhead Door opener can lift a balanced residential door. Ensure the garage door system components are in good working condition.

The issue might be with the photo cells. Clean them, check for obstructions, and ensure proper alignment. If problems persist, call us for service.

Yes, it is required. As of January 1, 1993, the federal government mandated the use of these entrapment protection systems on all garage door openers sold in the United States. The opener will not close the door if the Safe-T-Beams are not installed. Please remember that the garage door is typically the largest moving object in the home. These devices are intended to minimize the potential for property damage and minimize personal injury. The STB lens should be 4” to 6” above the garage floor. For garage door preventative maintenance, call our crew today!

1. Safe-T-Beam Non-Contact Reversing System: Places an invisible infrared beam across the door opening that reverses the door during down travel to the fully open position if anything passes through the beam.
2. Safe-T-Reverse Contact Reversing System: Automatically stops and reverses a closing door within two seconds of contact with an object. Remember, force controls must be adjusted properly with new garage doors.
3. Safe-T-Stop Timed Reverse System: Automatically opens a closing door if the door does not close within 30 seconds.
4. Force Guard Control: Allows a user to set the minimum force needed to fully open and close the door.
5. Automatic Lighting System: The light will turn on each time the door is activated and automatically turn off four and a half minutes later.
6. Manual Emergency Release: Allows the garage door to be opened or closed manually for emergencies or maintenance.

No, while universal transmitters can operate various non-rolling code systems, their range often falls short compared to standard Overhead Door transmitters.

Ensure proper door bracing, place the GREEN Safe-T-Beam sensor away from direct sun, avoid cross-talk between sensors, keep remotes away from the power head when programming, and avoid using WD40 on the screw drive.

At Overhead Door Company of Grand Rapids, we can provide you with a broad range of opener accessories from remote controls to wireless keypads. You will first need to determine if your opener is a newer model with CodeDodger or an older model that does not have CodeDodger. However, if your opener was manufactured before 1980, then you have an analog-type opener that we no longer carry remotes for. Your system will need to be upgraded with a new receiver kit.

Yes. Our garage door openers are compatible with HomeLink models that are equipped with rolling code technology. In December 1996, HomeLink was in a transition process to a rolling code-compatible offering. The transition was scheduled to run through the 1997 model year. Following the transition period, all current production is rolling code compatible. The operating range from your HomeLink transmitter will be less than the standard CodeDodger transmitter. To learn more, get in touch with us today!

CodeDodger changes the access code every time the remote button is pressed, preventing unauthorized access. It’s been a feature since 1995.

We recommend you have your garage door inspected annually. We can give you the most thorough evaluation and perform routine maintenance as needed. Schedule an appointment for garage door preventative maintenance today!

Our Preventative Maintenance Program detects and corrects problem areas before they turn into costly emergency calls that could not only be expensive but also expose you to possible injury.

Yes! We offer both commercial and residential Planned Safety Inspections for sectional, rolling steel, and high speed doors as well as dock equipment. During a PSI we not only visually inspect the door but we will also test its counterbalance system and operation as well as tighten hardware and lube the doors. Our technicians fix small problems while at your facility, but if something requires parts or more extensive repair we will quote that additional work for you so you know what to expect.

If your facility has fire doors, they are required to be tested yearly to make sure they work and meet current guidelines. This is a service that is required to be done by professionals. We will provide your company with paperwork as well as sticker the doors as proof of the inspection for the fire marshal. During a drop test we will inspect the doors and make sure they drop when triggered.

The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) has standards for fire rated doors that require doors to be tested yearly and meet certain requirements. The standards also require that these Fire Door Drop Tests be done by an IDEA accredited Rolling Steel Fire Door Technician as well as companies to have written documentation that the tests were done. We here at Overhead Door Co. of Grand Rapids have IDEA accredited Rolling Steel Fire Door Technicians on staff and provide that written documentation of the tests. We perform hundreds of Fire Door Drop Tests a year and have the knowledge to make sure your company meets compliance requirements.

UL 325 is a safety standard for commercial electrically operated doors. The standard requires that a door has certain safety features if it is electrically operated, either some form of reversing mechanism (like monitored photo cells or a monitored electric safety edge) or constant contact where the button needs to be continuously pressed in order for the door to operate. Failure to comply to UL 325 standards not only puts your employees at risk of injury but can also lead to a fine by OSHA. If your door does not reach UL 325 standards we will be unable to service the door unless we are taking the necessary steps to make the door compliant.

During an inspection on your dock equipment, our certified techs will look at the levelers, shelters, seals, restraints, and or bumpers to ensure the equipment is functioning properly. If our technicians find any problems that they can’t correct while on site, one of our salesmen will quote the repairs that are recommended.

Dock levelers need to be maintained annually for the most consistent and reliable performance.

A standard truck dock should include a level loading platform that aligns with the height of most trailers, ensuring easy and safe loading and unloading. It should have sturdy dock bumpers to protect both the dock and vehicles, as well as safety barriers to prevent accidents. Adequate lighting is essential for visibility during nighttime operations, and there should be clear signage for traffic flow and safety instructions. Additionally, the dock should be equipped with appropriate protection equipment, such as a dock seal or shelter to protect the building and shield workers from the elements. They will also need to have sufficient space for maneuvering trucks safely. Regular maintenance and inspections are also vital to ensure compliance with safety standards.

– Mechanical Dock Levelers: These are operated manually using a lever or hand crank. They provide a simple and cost-effective solution for bridging the gap between the dock and the trailer. Mechanical levelers are typically durable and require minimal maintenance.

– Hydraulic Dock Levelers: These levelers use hydraulic systems to raise and lower the platform, allowing for smooth and easy operation. They are ideal for high-volume operations as they can handle heavier loads and provide better alignment with varying trailer heights.

– Air-Powered Dock Levelers: Utilizing compressed air to raise and lower the platform, air-powered levelers offer quick and efficient operation. They are particularly beneficial in environments where speed and efficiency are crucial, as they require less physical effort and can quickly adapt to different trailer heights.

On decreased angle approach the dock leveler will often need to be cantilevered beyond the buildings edge.

A high-speed overhead door is a type of industrial door designed to open and close quickly, typically at speeds of up to 100 inches per second. These doors are constructed from durable materials, allowing for rapid access while maintaining energy efficiency and security.

The best applications for high-speed overhead doors include manufacturing facilities, cold storage environments, and warehouses where frequent vehicle movement occurs. Their fast operation minimizes air exchange, helping to control temperature and reduce energy costs, making them ideal for businesses that prioritize efficiency and climate control.

We Don’t Sell:

• Gates or Gate Operators
• Storefront Doors/Gates
• Man Doors
• Vacuums
• Fireplaces
• Air Curtains
• Flooring