Garage Door Installation FAQ’s

What manufacturers of garage doors do you work with?

CDC Garage Doors works with some of the best garage door manufacturers in the world. The list includes SWS, Hormann, Garador and more. Please feel free to contact us if you have a specific manufacturer you would like to order from – we are always happy to talk through the range of possibilities with you.

What materials are available?

The material you choose can have a huge impact on everything from the security features to the longevity. We only work with the highest quality materials, offering sectional doors in insulated steel and timber. Our team has extensive expertise and experience in working with garage doors and we are happy to pass on advice and guidance if you’re not sure which material might suit you best.

What are average delivery times?

It’s difficult to offer suggested delivery times as each of our doors are made to order – as such it varies by manufacturer and their current workloads. We usually are not able to offer delivery times at the time of ordering – however, we will keep you updated throughout the process. As soon as the doors have been manufactured we will organise a delivery and installation date that is convenient to you.

Can you repair my existing garage door?

Yes, CDC Garage Doors are happy to carry out maintenance and repairs on your garage doors. Please visit our repairs page for more details.

What are sectional garage doors?

Sectional garage doors are large doors that open vertically and are comprised of multiple hinged sections. The sections roll up and overhead along a track system. This allows them to open vertically while not swinging out like conventional garage doors.

Why should I choose a sectional garage door?

Sectional doors have achieved high levels of popularity that’s due to their excellent functionality and top quality safety credentials alongside little need for maintenance. One of the major benefits of the sectional door is that you can park right in front of them, making them highly space efficient. There is also now a much better choice than previously for styles and colours.

Can I have automatic sectional doors?

Yes, sectional doors are perfect for automation and this can be easily arranged for your garage. If this is something that you are interested in, please don’t hesitate to talk to us about it and we would be happy to offer any information you need.

What are the benefits of sectional garage doors?

Some benefits include: more space efficiency with their vertical opening, better insulation from weather and noise, increased durability, smoother operation, and visual appeal with window/design options.

How is a sectional door opened and closed?

Sectional doors utilise an automated electric garage door opener, often chain or belt driven, to open and close them along their tracks. There is also a manual release mechanism to disengage the motor in case of power failure.

How much maintenance is required for sectional doors?

Basic maintenance like lubricating rollers/hinges and tightening any loose hardware should be done every 6 months or per the manufacturer’s recommendations. The garage door opener also requires periodic maintenance like testing the auto-reverse function.

What safety features do sectional doors have?

Standard safety features include pinch-resistant door panels, tamper-resistant bottom brackets, sensors that trigger a reverse if an obstruction is detected, and a manual release to disengage the opener. Adding photoelectric sensors is an extra safety measure as well.

What are roller garage doors?

Roller garage doors operate by rolling up and down on tracks guided by rollers. They roll up horizontally into a coil above the opening, requiring minimal space inside the garage.

Are roller doors secure?

Yes, they can be very secure. The tight slat construction provides strength against forced entry. They also close tightly to the ground to prevent prying underneath. Additional locks, alarms etc. can add more security.

What kind of maintenance do they need?

Maintenance involves lubricating the tracks/bearings 1-2 times per year. Ensuring the door is properly balanced and checking for signs of wear on rollers over time. The automatic opener should be periodically serviced as well.

How long do roller doors typically last?

With proper installation and maintenance, a steel roller door can provide 20+ years of usable service life. Pre-painted aluminium doors may start showing exterior weathering in 10-15 years.

What are up and over garage doors?

Up and over doors are the most common traditional garage doors. They open outward and upward using spring loaded counterbalancing on either side. When open, they tilt to rest horizontally against the exterior of the garage.

How do you open and close them?

Most up and over doors have automatic openers installed to lift them with the press of a button. Manual operation requires lifting from the handle to disengage the spring lock mechanism. They close with either automated or manual downward force to reengage the spring locks.

What safety features do they have?

Safety sensors usually detect obstructions when closing to trigger an auto-reverse. Manual doors have slack cables with safety handles to prevent uncontrolled closing. Spring containment cables prevent broken springs from flying loose. An automatic reversing mechanism is also legally required.

How much maintenance do they require?

An annual lubrication of the tracks, pulleys and hinges is recommended. Quarterly visual inspections check for worn cables, springs and hardware. The automatic opener system also requires periodic servicing.

What is the average lifespan?

Properly installed doors with regular maintenance should provide 10-20 years of service. The door panels themselves may start to show exterior weathering after 7-8 years.

Are wood garage doors durable against weather?

With proper protection and maintenance, wood can be very durable. However it does require more periodic upkeep compared to steel or composite doors. The finish protects against moisture, UV rays, etc.

How often does a wood door need to be refinished?

Every 2-3 years, the finish should be inspected, with sanding and reapplication done as soon as any cracking/peeling occurs. More frequent light finish touch ups may also be needed, depending on climate.

Should the door be sealed or painted?

Both sealing and painting works, it depends on aesthetic preferences. A penetrating exterior wood sealant protects without buildup. Paint provides a thicker protective barrier but needs more frequent repainting when it starts peeling.

Does temperature/humidity affect wood doors?

Yes, wood can warp or twist over time from moisture and temperature changes. Proper sealing/painting and using kiln-dried lumber reduces, but does not always eliminate, potential movement.

What are GRP garage doors made of?

GRP doors consist of two thick sheets of glass fibre reinforced resin that sandwich an insulated core, making them very lightweight yet impact resistant.

Are GRP doors durable against weathering?

Yes, the thick UV-stable gelcoat outer layer provides excellent protection from rain, sun and temperature extremes. GRP won't rot, rust or corrode under normal conditions.

How much maintenance do GRP doors require?

Very little - just an occasional rinse with a garden hose to remove dirt and debris is all that's needed to keep them looking good. No need for yearly painting or refinishing.

Can the look of the GRP door be customised?

Absolutely. The outer gelcoat layer can be colour matched to exterior house paint. Woodgrain finishes, windows, hardware and other decorative accessories allow personalisation.

What is an automatic garage door?

An automatic garage door opens and closes with an electric motor instead of manually. It utilises tracks, pulleys, sensors and control boards to run the mechanical system.

How do automatic garage doors work?

They operate via push button, remote control or wireless signal to activate the electric motor. Sensors on the opening detect obstructions, triggering an auto-reverse if needed. Most have battery backups.

What safety features do they have?

Auto-reverse sensors to prevent entrapment or collisions, tamper resistant components, reliably designed tracks/cables to handle weight/forces involved, and mechanical back-drives to disengage in emergencies.

My electric garage door refuses to open or close all the way. What’s wrong?

If your garage door doesn’t go all the way to the top or bottom, inaccurate travel limits may well be the problem. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, reset the open limit and close limit, and also check their alignment. If this doesn’t fix the issue, the travel limit switches or the logic board may need to be replaced.

My garage door opens and closes by itself – what to do?

If your garage door opens and closes without you having triggered the remote, one explanation may be it is responding to someone else’s remote! Erase the codes and reprogramme your remote. Should the problem persist, the next step is to check the wiring between the wall control and the motor unit in case there’s been a short circuit that can cause the motor unit to open/close the door at random. Replace the defective part to remedy the situation.

How do I (re)programme my automatic garage door opener?

Press and hold the LEARN button on the motor unit until the indicator light goes out to erase all codes. Then reprogramme each remote control by pressing and holding the ENTER button until the opener unit’s lights start to blink or click. To add a new remote, press and release the LEARN button so that the learn indicator light glows, then press and hold the button on your remote until the overhead unit light blinks or clicks. While all automatic garage door openers use radio frequency (MHz) to send a signal to open/close the door, the process of programming the remote may vary slightly depending on the model of your system.

Why does my automatic garage door close but then reverse back up?

If your garage door travels down to nearly closed before reversing, check that there isn’t anything blocking the beam between the safety sensors at the bottom of the rails, and check the sensor alignment too. If the door closes first before it reverses, the close limit on the garage door openers may be to blame. This limit sets the distance that the door will travel before closing; if it set beyond the point of full closure, the garage door will hit the floor, then act as if it hit something and reverse as a safety feature. Adjusting the close limit should solve the problem.

Why won’t my automatic garage door open?

There could be several reasons why your electric garage door won’t open. Assuming the garage door is not locked (!), your remote might be out of range or there could be interference or a physical blockage between the remote and the receiver that stope the signal from being transmitted. Press the wall control button to see if the door opens. If not, the problem could be with the door tracks to cause binding, which will need readjusting. Finally, there could be a problem with the logic board. Ask your garage door installer for advice and a repair service.