The primary difference between automatic garage doors and manual options is how they open. While manual doors require users to lift them open and closed, automatic doors move at the push of a button, thanks to a battery or electricity-powered opener motor and remote control.
But what homeowners soon learn is that there are far more reasons to convert their manual garage door to automatic than just saving time and energy. Machine-operated garage doors are often more safe, secure, and easy to use than any dated manual model available.
Here at Garage Door Medics, Boise’s top-rated garage door repair team, we look at the most significant reasons you should convert your manual garage door to automatic. Our team will explain the best applications for automatic doors and how you can get a motor-operated garage door for your home.
Convenient To Use
Automatic garage doors open with a machine rather than physical force, making them more convenient to use.
Manual garage doors come in bulky, heavyweight materials like wood or aluminum. As a result, the average garage door weighs over 100 pounds and can be a nightmare to open even with in-tact springs and tracks.
With manual garage doors, homeowners might struggle with getting their doors open.
Automatic garage doors remove the need for heavy lifting entirely. Since they open and close on a machine rather than manually, users will not need to physically strain themselves to get their car out of the garage.
In addition, most modern garage door openers can be controlled from a mobile app, allowing you to open and close your door from your car.
Less Risk of an Accident
Automatic garage doors are more advanced than manual ones in more ways than remote capability. Many of them also come with obstacle sensors to keep them from closing if anything blocks the doorway.
Since garage doors are so heavy, closing them on any items in the way, such as bicycles or lawn chairs, can cause irreparable damage. Obstacle sensors are a helpful way to prevent these accidents because they will stop the door the second anything is detected underneath it and reverse its course.
These accident sensors detect all blockages automatically, so you don’t have to do anything to keep them from closing if their path is blocked.
Highly Secure
Automatic garage doors are more secure than their manual counterparts, which minimizes the risk of any unwanted intruders using your garage door as a way into your home.
While most manual garage doors do come with a lock, many people might forget to use it after closing the door. That could allow anyone to break into your home through your garage.
On the other hand, houses with machine-operated garage doors don’t have to worry about this risk since those doors open, close, and lock automatically.
The added security benefits of automatic garage doors stretch beyond their locking mechanisms. Most machine-operated doors seal tighter than manual ones, meaning intruders will have no success prying the door open from underneath. Additionally, that tight seal makes most automatic doors more robust than manual ones, making them more challenging to break down.
Versatility
From added security to ease of use, there are many different reasons why you should convert your manual garage door to automatic. And luckily, several types of doors can be made automated with the right tools.
While the length of the automation and range of features available will depend on your original door, you or a professional garage door installation team can transform any of the following manual doors into automated devices.
Sectional and Overhead Doors
The two most common types of garage doors are sectional and overhead. Each is easy to automate.
The biggest hurdle to automating a sectional garage door is finding a long enough boom operator to reach the opener motor.
While the rest of the conversion setup is relatively straightforward compared to other garage door automation projects, this step might become challenging and requires a professional installation crew.
Similarly, finding the necessary bow-arm conversion kit to automate an overhead door might be challenging and costly. However, professional technicians will secure the required parts for you in addition to taking the conversion process out of your hands.
Side-Hinge Doors
Side-hinge doors are another standard type of garage door that homeowners can automate with the right parts and expertise.
A swing-arm kit is the most important thing you will need to convert a manual side-hinged door into an automatic one. Swing arms are most compatible with side hinges and allow the motorized door to open and close smoothly.
Roller Doors
Roller garage doors are another candidate for automation. However, these doors often need far more work to automate fully.
Automating roller doors is a challenge that requires completely removing the door from its tracks. Since the process is so labor-intensive, it is best to entrust it to the hands of your local garage door professionals.
Convert Your Manual Garage Door to Automatic with Garage Door Medics
Garage doors can be challenging to modify, repair, or install on your own. So, when you need maintenance on your door, Garage Door Medics is here to help.
Our expert technicians can diagnose any problem from a bad or broken garage door spring to a faulty opener motor, fix most issues in one appointment, and get your garage door fully functioning once again.
Additionally, Garage Door Medics can convert your manual garage door to automatic with ease at a competitive rate.
So, if you’re ready for an upgrade, contact our team in Boise, ID, today to schedule an appointment by calling 888-997-2423!
