How To Determine Which Type Of Garage Door You Need

Are you designing a new home that needs a garage and need to know where to start looking? Maybe you just feel like replacing an older garage door to freshen up the look of your home. Garage doors have changed drastically from 15 years ago. Today’s doors are stronger, more secure, better insulated and require much less maintenance nowadays. You’ve never had such a range of choice in materials, styles, colors and window treatments than you do currently. The most important priority is knowing how to select a material for your door.

Most new garage doors are made of steel backed by rigid-foam insulation. Panels made of 24-ga. steel are the strongest. Most are produced with an embossed wood-grain pattern or with a smooth finish. Look for a model with a baked-on primer and polyester topcoat for maximum rust protection. Warranties for steel doors start at 10 years; limited lifetime coverage is not uncommon. Wood materials have become dated replaced with other materials in the middle market. To a great extent, this is due to the added maintenance and regular painting wood doors require.

Most wood doors are constructed with a hemlock frame and hardboard panels while custom doors are often made from solid Douglas fir. A typical warranty for a factory made wood door is one year whereas many custom doors are backed for 15 years. Plastic doors are fairly new to the scene and may eventually start becoming the door of choice because they offer lightweight durability without routine upkeep. They are corrosion and rot free and they operate almost silently compared to their metal and wood counterparts. Because they contain UV-resistant additives, light colored versions can withstand the sun without fading.

Gadco’s polyethylene door is made from the same high density plastic used from truck bedliners. Overhead Door’s Renata model, made of color through PVC, offers a selection of panel designs stretching the paradigm of rectangular shapes. Bonus…. Plastic doors carry 20 year or even longer warranties too. Plastic doors can be adapted to work with almost any kind of home and is the least expensive alternative suitable to most homeowners.

How Many Garage Door Remotes Does Liftmaster Manufacture Every Year?

Founded in 1954 and headquartered out of Elmhurst, IL and Saarwellingen, Germany, The Chamberlain Group is the name behind Liftmaster. This division manufacturers garage door openers and gate operators for both the residential and commercial markets. They are the largest manufacturer in this sector with only one other competitor, Overhead Door Corporation, who markets their openers and operators under the Genie brand as well. The company does a great job of offering do-it-yourselfer’s other products such as garage door opener parts, access control and communication products and clicker universal accessories available along with professionally installed products including residential garage and commercial door operators, telephone entry and access control systems. The company serves homes and businesses as well as retail and professional markets offering their products through a network of trained professional dealers worldwide. They also hold regional offices in France, England, Norway, Italy, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Singapore and China. Other regional offices are located in Tuscon, Arizona; Nogales and Sonora, Mexico.

Chamberlain has been in Mexico for over 20 years. Opening the Nogales, Mexico plant in 1990 provided greater cost efficiency by consolidating five different manufacturing operations under one roof. The company has invested in several advanced electronics manufacturing technologies, making it a world-class facility and the most advanced one ever designed for manufacturing garage door openers and access systems. Each new concept starts with rough design parameters which are eventually honed into an efficient new product to offer consumers. After the design phase, engineers test to eliminate failure and maximize product performance and dependability. In the case of garage door openers, the unit as a whole is tested then every single component to correct any possible design issues. Garage door openers run on a 35 second cycle, nonstop for three weeks or 25,000 cycles, the equivalent of 15 years of normal use so testing is rigorous to meet high quality standards.

Key Chamberlain Executives are David Rolls, Chief Executive Officer; Jim Mole, General Manager of Australia and New Zealand; Dan Nixa, Director of Marketing and Bill Giola, Marketing Manager of Commercial Products. Since The Chamberlain Group is a privately held company, a financial profile is not available. They are categorized as an Electronic Equipment, Instruments and Components company. For more details about products and services refer to: chamberlain group and liftmaster. You will also find a few paragraphs on the history of both The Chamberlain Group and Liftmaster, a description of their manufacturing process and company philosophies.

Easy Liftmaster 890MAX Programming Instructions (Step By Step)

The Liftmaster 890MAX can be used as a replacement remote control for 80 Series, 970 Series, and 370 Series LiftMaster remote controls. This model is compatible with 315 MHz or 390 MHz garage door openers manufactured after January 1, 1993. Make
sure the garage door opener has a working light bulb because it is a programming indicator. The 890MAX is good for use with gate operators, commercial door operators or other products that are 315 MHz or 390 MHz with a Learn button. Locate the Learn button on your garage door opener and the program button on the remote control then follow these 6 easy steps below to program:

1) Press the Program button with a safety pin or paper clip until the LED on the front of the remote control turns on. This will place it in programming mode.

2) Press and release the learn button on the garage door opener. The Learn LED will light within 30 seconds.

3) Press and release the remote control button that you want to use.

4) Wait for the remote control LED to light solid then slowly press and release the remote
control button again. Repeat until the light bulb blinks. DO NOT press the button after the light bulb blinks.

5) To exit programming mode, press any remote control button except the button that was just programmed.

6) To test, press the programmed button on the remote control. The garage door opener
will activate.

The LED(s) on your remote control will stop flashing when the battery is low and needs to be replaced. To replace battery, pry open the case with a screwdriver blade. Replace the battery with only 3V2032 or 3V2016 coin cell batteries.

A picture of the Liftmaster 890MAX is below:

What’s Inside? The Anatomy Of A Garage Door Opener

According to Mega Access Controls, the average residential garage door opener opens and shuts on average 1500 times per year and dies typically during it’s 13,476th operation while it’s being closed. Often those in colder weather climates will wear out sooner. In any case, when this happens you’ll be in the market for a new garage door opener and when you are it’s helpful to know what’s inside. There are 3 main parts that contribute to a garage door opener functioning properly. The importance of each part will vary depending on the type of door you have.

TORSION SPRINGS –

These are what does the heavy lifting as opposed to the motor which most people think so it’s important to keep an eye on these more than anything to maintain their operation which will extend the safety and the operational longevity of your garage door opener.

MOTOR GEARS –

The motor which is typically a minimum of ½ horsepower, is all it takes to pump enough energy to move a door or slow it in transit. Operator settings determine the distance that the door will travel. The operator will kick in to stop the door in motion or to make adjustments if the door isn’t opening or closing completely. The force of the door’s motion can also be adjusted in the event the door stops moving when manually grabbed.

TRACK –

The track sometimes referred to as the T-rail, guides and shields the chain, screw or belt as it moves the door. It connects the operator to the trolley which is connected to the door. In belt driven systems this needs little to no maintenance while with other systems lubrication may be necessary to maintain operation at it’s most efficient.

INVERTER & BATTERY –

Most garage door operators use DC current. An inverter is what allows household AC power to switch to DC. This is also used to charge the battery backup system in when the power goes out. The most current models of garage door openers have added rolling code technology which makes has increased combination codes to in the billions to a make it nearly impossible for an intruder to break a code. The remote now sends a code to the receiver, opens the door and immediately creates a new code for the next time the door opens which means that someone can still capture the first code but it has changed before they can duplicate it.

History Of Garage Giant: Chamberlain LiftMaster

The Chamberlain Group is one of the world’s largest if not the largest manufacturer of garage doors and associated equipment and device with headquarters in Elmhurst, Illinois. It is a subsidiary of The Duchossois Group (TDG), a family owned business under the management of Richard L. Duchossois. TDG was formed in 1983 to manage the family’s diversified line of businesses the origins of which can be traced back to a small rail car repair company called Union Wagon Company established by A.J. Thrall in 1916. It was after the Second World War, in 1952 to be exact that A.J. Thrall and Dick Duchossois joined forces to form a corporation with Dick becoming the president and A.J. Thrall successfully growing the company into manufacturing new rail cars.

It was in 1980’s that the company acquired the Chamberlain Group and became its sole owner in 1983. The new acquisition was assimilated into the group in 1984 as the consumer products division of the TDG and was named the Chamberlain Group, Inc. It was under the direct hands of Dick Duchossois who turned it into the world’s biggest manufacturer of residential and commercial door openers, remote gate operators, and access control products.

From 1989 to 2002, CGI went on a company acquisition binge in an attempt to be the industry leader in the commercial and residential door operator market. It was in 1989 that the company made its first mark in the market with the introduction of the industry’s first ever wireless, keyless entry system. It acquired Gasselschaft of Germany and Wecla of France (both are makers of GDOs and gates) in 1994 and signaled its entry into the European market.

To further bolster its hold on this budding industry, CGI acquired Link Door Controls, of New York a prominent manufacturer of commercial door operators in 1995. This was followed with the acquisition in 1997of Sentex of Chatsworth, California which is a manufacturer of telephone entry systems. Immediately after that, in 1998, the group acquired The Clicker Corporation a manufacturer of universal remote transmitters based in Carlsbad, California and Moore-O-Matic of Wisconsin, another manufacturer of garage door openers and gate operators.

Still not content with its company acquisitions and the vast technology it has amassed, CGI went on to purchase ABL Enterprises of New York which is another manufacturer of commercial door operators and other allied products. With its site focused on the emerging technology, CGI acquired Solid State Security in 2001. The company is a well known manufacturer of fire door release devices and control panels. It made its final acquisition in 2002 with the purchase of the assets of Atlas commercial door operators from another competitor the Clopay Building Products Company.

Having almost all the breakthrough technology in its possession, CGI became the industry leader and was known for always exceeding customer expectations since its inception. Today the company is in the pathway to redefining home access by breaking ground with its state-of-the art products that incorporates the latest technology and innovations. It has streamlined its operations to better serve its targeted markets by manufacturing under three brands – the Chamberlain which manufactures do-it-yourself garage door opener kits, the Liftmaster which manufactures openers for professional installers, and Clicker which manufactures a whole line of universal garage door remote control devices.

Today, the Chamberlain Group’s branded products are sold all over Europe particularly in France, United Kingdom, Germany, Scandinavia, and the Benelux. They are also sold in Australia, Asia, Mexico, Middle East, New Zealand, and in North and South America.

Linear Broadens Technology Offerings with Z-Wave

Linear Broadens Technology Offerings with Z-Wave

Leveraging the innovation of the wireless RF mesh technology, Linear’s portfolio now adds versatile Z-Wave products for dealers and OEM partners seeking intelligent wireless control solutions for commercial and residential environments

ORIGINAL SOURCE

Carlsbad, CA – January 22, 2013 – Linear LLC, a leader in residential and commercial access control, emergency response and security solutions, announces the addition of Z-Wave products to its innovative line of wireless residential and commercial offerings. As a result of purchasing certain assets from Advanced Control Technologies, Inc., Linear will begin to manufacture, sell and distribute a Z-Wave product line, which is a major step towards unifying appliances, lighting, other security systems, and more, into an integrated wireless network.

With a rich history of RF development, Linear has been at the forefront of wireless security and access control development for decades. The addition of Z-Wave products furthers this pursuit by giving Linear customer’s access to a widely adopted wireless mesh protocol that is easy-to- install, modular, affordable and intelligent. The Z-Wave standard has been embraced by a variety of industries including: telecommunications, security, hospitality, light commercial and residential systems integration; areas in which Linear has been a leader for decades. The investment in developing a Z-wave product line broadens Linear’s reach by introducing smart product offerings to meet the demands of an increasingly wireless lifestyle.

“The adoption of Z-Wave is a significant step forward for Linear since it allows us to immediately upgrade our smart control offerings while bringing a whole new level of innovation and intelligence to our customers and dealers,” said Duane Paulson, senior vice president of product and market development. “Linear’s existing line of health and wellness, security and access control products will benefit from the interoperability Z-Wave brings, allowing us to build a unified platform architecture for both residential and institutional segments.”

Z-Wave is an international wireless standard for intelligent, interoperable, low-power, RF mesh networking technology. This powerful smart chip and compact protocol enable two-way RF communications amongst Z-Wave enabled devices, thus allowing products and services from multiple manufacturers to work seamlessly. Z-Wave continues to be the technology of choice for industry leaders representing: Home Automation, Remote Home/Health Monitoring, Home Entertainment, Smart Home Control, Energy Management and Connected Home Services. Z- Wave enabled products represent the world’s largest ecosystem of interoperable smart products.

How Long Should A New Garage Door Opener Last For?

Just like any other mechanical and electronic device, a garage door opener can be expected to wear as time passes and reach that point when it stops to operate or efficiently perform its functions. This is the main reason why you have to study the life expectancy of this essential component of your garage so you can easily and appropriately set a budget for its repairs and replacements. Life expectancy refers to an estimate of how long a specific garage door opener will last depending upon its quality and the manner through which it has been used.

According to reliable researches, the average life of garage door openers is 10 to 12 years. It should be noted that this is just an average estimate and there are numerous factors that could either reduce or extend its life. Among these factors are the way it was maintained and used, quality of your chosen operator, the materials used in creating it and its functionality. It is also important for you to take good care of your door since a poorly maintained one tends to malfunction after just a short period of time.

You also need to determine how your garage door opener works so you will know exactly how to properly take good care of it. In most cases, its springs are mainly engineered to perform most lifting tasks. Basically, the opener performs the function of allowing your door to move so if its installed springs malfunction, then it would be hard for the opener to do its job as well. A poorly balanced door may also cause it to wear out quickly so it is greatly possible that you will need to purchase garage door replacement parts within a short period of time.

As a means of properly balancing your door and keeping it and your opener in good working condition for a long time, you should consider disconnecting the red cord usually found on its trolley once you move down the door. This works in easily closing and opening up the door without the need of the device. Carefully lift your door halfway to determine its balance. A well-balanced door can be expected to stay where it is once you decide to lift it. Note, however, that if it tends to fall back into the ground, you will be required to increase the spring’s tension. If you notice that it goes up on top whenever you lift it, then you should consider decreasing the tension.

Regularly lubricating all moving parts of your door can also help in extending the life of your garage door opener. This works in allowing the entire system to work more efficiently, significantly reducing its stress and extending its life. Among the moving parts that you should regularly lubricate are the rollers, pulleys, hinges and springs.

During the process of lubrication, a chain, cable fluid and lubricant based on silicone are needed. It should be noted that there are lubricants that attract dirt, thereby causing the moving parts to clog up so you have to consider sticking to that which is based on silicone. If your garage door comes with a chain, you should consider properly lubricating this as well. This will guarantee excellent operation of the device for a long time.

The Genie GITR-3 Three Button Remote: Features and Information

If you plan on buying a remote for your garage door opener, then the Genie GITR-3 three-button remote is one of your most ideal choices. This remote garage door opener from Genie has gained a lot of respect from millions of homeowners worldwide because of its stability and useful features. Installing this in your home can definitely help improve the functionality of your garage while also keeping you feel secured since you will know that your possessions, the people whom you are living with, and your entire home are safe.

The Genie GITR-3 three button remote (Purchase Link) is highly recommended for homeowners who want to keep their garage and their household secure because it was made by redesigning Genie remotes that are shaped like tombstones into a unit which is capable of simultaneously transmitting two various frequencies. The battery of this unit is also modified to wafer 3V battery. This prevents users from encountering failure when trying to utilize the item. Because of the efficiency of this three button garage door remote, it is no longer surprising why it is preferred by many homeowners over the other models.

Another thing that you will surely enjoy about Genie GITR-3 is its versatility. It comes with 3 buttons which are capable of operating older Intellicode units from Genie which were released from 1995 up to 1997. This means that if you own a Genie device which was introduced in the years 1995, 1996 and 1997, then you can still expect to easily operate and utilize it with the help of GITR-3. This versatility is one of the most remarkable qualities of the remote.

Genie GITR-3 three button remote has also become extremely popular because of its effectiveness in operating up to three garage doors with the help of its IntelliCode radio controls. While its default operation is the new Intellicode 2, it is still possible for you to program its buttons individually so that they can operate other models of IntelliCode 1 including those that are designed for garage door openers built and introduced from 1998. This remote is also capable of sending out 390 frequency signals and comes with a visor clip and 12-volt cylindrical battery.

A lot of users of this unit also enjoy the fact that its calibration is easy. Buying Genie GITR-3 also allows you to receive instructions that are clearly stated. It should be noted that its calibration requires the use of a ladder so you can easily access the opener’s power head and press its sync button. Still, this remote can be expected to work seamlessly. By just sticking to the stated instructions, you can also easily set it up.
According to reviews, the Genie GITR-3 three-button remote can also be easily programmed and most of its users find this very convenient. This means that you won’t experience difficulty programming it until it meets your standards. Its durability can also let you enjoy it for a long time. You can even expect its installed battery to last for more than 6 years even with daily use.

Product Comparisons: The Liftmaster 877MAX vs. The Liftmaster 893MAX

Having a garage door opener is one of the best ways to ensure convenience, safety and security in your home. This is the reason why many homes are now using garage door openers instead of the manual garage doors—where you would have to lift or pull the garage door to open or close it.

These garage door openers can be operated either by a switch or a remote. These options each come in different variations, sizes and features. There are also many manufacturers and brands that people can choose from when they are looking for a switch or remote with great quality.

Liftmaster is one of the leading brands in the garage door opener industry. It is already considered a brand that can guarantee high quality and excellent features with their products. Liftmaster is owned by Chamberlain, one of the leaders in its industry and famous for their innovative and quality products.

The Liftmaster 877MAX and the Liftmaster 893MAX are just some of the many quality products manufactured by Liftmaster. These items are proven to be one of the best options when people want to access and control their garage doors effectively and efficiently.

Those who prefer to use wireless garage door openers will not be disappointed with the Liftmaster 877MAX. This garage door opener keyless entry is found by users to be very convenient and secure because of its features.

The Liftmaster 893MAX on the other hand is a 3-button remote control that can fit perfectly in your car visor. Operating the garage door opener during the night is not a problem with this Liftmaster 893MAX remote because it comes with buttons that lets you see them even at night.

Here are the specifications and features of each excellent product from Liftmaster. These might help you determine which works well for you.

The Liftmaster 877MAX

• Wireless Garage Door Opener Keyless Entry
• Access home with 4-number PIN that works with all Liftmaster openers from 1993 to present
• Wireless design can be installed in minutes
• Single button closure simplifies a secure exit
• Temporary PIN can be programmed for deliveries or guests
• Key pad light up to allow easy use

The Liftmaster 893MAX

• 3-Button Remote Control
• Easy to program
• Easy to operate
• Has long range
• Sleek design with bright blue LED buttons for night operations
• Built-in MyQ enabled technology that allow the control of up to 3 garage door openers or garage operators
• Security+2.0 never repeats a code as it generates new and unique codes in every click
• Compatible with all Liftmaster garage door openers manufactured since January 1993

These two products loaded with specifications and features that are carefully designed to ensure convenience for the users and help maintain high security and safety. Buying any of these Liftmaster product can assure you of top-quality and guaranteed quality. You can get these from your local stores or order them online from the reliable sites that carry these products.

The Future Of Genie Company And What Lies Ahead For The Leading Manufacturer

Genie, the world leader in garage door openers and other top-of-the-line products continues to gain popularity. There is no stopping the Genie company from still being one of the trusted and reputable manufacturers of superb quality garage door openers and accessories. The people at Genie always look for different ways to enrich people’s lives with their products as they ensure comfort, safety and security in homes.

This amazing company just loves to treat its customers with great quality products and advanced technologies. Their latest line of garage door openers and other accessories can manifest Genie’s commitment to enriching and securing people at home. Their recent products have gotten prestigious awards and have been voted #1 in the different aspects in their industry. The future is never brighter for the Genie Company as they launch quality products after another.

In the professional line of garage door openers department, Genie wants people to remember that they always mean business. The latest units like the Trilog 1500, IntelliG 1200 and the ReliaG 800 are just some of the latest garage door openers in the professional line. People can expect more power, speed, intelligence and ultimate convenience with these units. Genie is making products better than ever and there is no sign that they are turning back.

People can expect more remarkable advancements and innovations from Genie in the future. They just recently announced a product line expansion back in May of 2012 for the new commercial line of door operators. They believe they can help more people with the introduction of more high-quality products and they are making things happen.

With this recent commercial line, Genie is now offering single source shopping to dealers and distributors who are always in need of high quality, reliable and competitively priced operators for the industrialized markets. They are giving the same quality and satisfaction they have always given their residential consumers to the commercial customers. And this is just one of the amazing things people can expect from Genie; there are more of these in months to come.

All the great things in Genie are not just happening with their garage door openers. People can also expect more great innovations with their accessories such as the garage door opener remotes. The Genie Closed Confirm remote is another proof of how this leading manufacturer of garage door openers dedicates itself to security. The Genie Closed Confirm remote is so great that it alerts the person of the status of the garage door. This will give people more peace of mind as they no longer have to circle back just because they can’t remember whether they closed the garage door or not. This new feature is really giving a new take on how security should be with the garage door opener remotes.

Companies with such dedication to quality and customer satisfaction like Genie can always expect to see a brighter future. The high quality of their products and the satisfaction they always make sure they can provide with their customers—commercial or residential—will always give the Genie Company something great to look forward to in the months to come.