Today, garages are typically adjoined to the house rather than being separate. They therefore are part of the curb appeal of your home. An attractive garage door will give you maximum curb appeal and increase the fiscal value of your home. 

When building a new home in Amarillo, Texas, be sure to consider this before you choose just any garage door.

How do I choose the right garage door for my new home?

Amarillo is exploding with new homes and builds. When designing or construction a new home, a number of factors should guide your choice of a garage door. One is whether you prefer a wooden or metal door. Another factor to consider is whether the door you choose blends in well with the rest of the house. Contrast is fine but it should be contrast by design rather than by default.

Functionality is also important. This means choosing between automatic and manual garage door. They cost more but they are the best option in terms of convenience and security.

Where can I get a Raynor garage door?

One of the leading garage door suppliers in Amarillo is Willow Creek Overhead Door Company. The company offers garage doors from two of the best manufacturing companies, Raynor and Midland Garage Door Manufacturing Company.

One of the choices offered by Raynor is Raynor StyleView, which offers the choices of French style, mixed panel and carriage house garage doors. These come in a choice of 180 powder-coat colors so there is something for everyone.

There is also the Raynor Innovations range which are highly saturated with polyurethane. They come in Western, ranch and and colonial styles and they come with the patented Finger Protection System including section joints.

If you prefer wood, the Raynor Wood Collection is for you. The doors are custom made in bi-folding and accordion designs and swing up or swing out designs. The doors are made of  mahogany from Africa or red cedar and they can be customized with hardware and architectural glass.

Which Midland garage doors are available?

Midland is all about steel garage doors, which last and last. They can also be customized with colors and window designs. The 2" Thermo-Steel Raised Steel Panel is one option. These are Thermo-Steel doors with a polystyrene core that has exceptional R-Value. Two other options of Thermo-steel doors are the 2" Overlay Thermo-Steel doors and the 2" Overlay V-Groove and Smooth Thermo-Steel ranges.

Another option is the Midland Garage Door- TS-138 Thermo-steel door which is made of 1 and/8" residential steel. It comes in two options of raised steel and flush steel. Both have a unique pebble-grained texture. You get several garage window and color choices.
The Midland Classic Panel is another textured option. It has the same pebble-grained texture on a stunningly designed steel panels. There is a choice of insulated and non-insulated garage doors in a number of colors and attractive window designs.

Carriage house garage doors are also very popular in the new Amarillo neighborhoods. You can go for Midland Carriage Panel garage doors. Their vintage carriage house look will charm you and the entire neighborhood. Again, the window design and color will be your choice. If a ribbed look is your preference, the Midland Series 26 Ribbed Panel is for you and if it's a rugged steel look, go for the ValueCraft Raised Steel Panel door.

Who sells Raynor and Midland garage doors in the Texas Panhandle?

Willow Creek Overhead Door is a certified distributor of Midland and Raynor garage doors. Owner Tony Hall is fully equipped to install a garage door for your new home in Amarillo. Whether you are the homeowner or the Amarillo construction company, get in touch with Willow Creek Overhead Door today for affordable prices and expert craftsmanship. 

If the panel on your garage door is bowing, you have a problem. Garage door panels are flat panels fitted between rails and stiles on every individual section of a garage door. Generally, garage door panels are positioned horizontally across the width of the opening. Each panel is attached to the next but room is left in between the sections. This is done to break up the sections slightly as they curve up the railing. This is necessary because the panels are generally not flexible and they must be kept rigid. This is how sectional garage doors are assembled. 

What causes a garage door to bow?

Changes in temperature are one reason a garage door can bow. Wood in particular is affected by temperature changes because it expands and contracts as weather conditions change. This can cause the door to bow. On a garage door made of wooden panels, the door becomes wider at the top of the panel and it bows instead of opening and closing smoothly.

What can be done to fix a bowing garage door panel?

Depending on your DIY skills, you can pick up your set of tools and correct the bow yourself. If not, call on the experts to take care of it. Remove the bowed panel by unscrewing the hinges. Back out the screws using a cordless drill or driver. Remove the hinges from the door. Place the panel flat across two sawhorses.

Stand the panel on its side and then stabilize it by clamping it to one of of the sawhorses. Place the belt sander on the side of the panel. Hold it in both hands, turn it on and sanding the edge of the panel. Move the belt sander back and forth to slightly sand down the center. Do this for a few minutes and then place a long straightedge on the side of the panel.

After sanding down the center about an eighth of an inch, put the hinges back on the panel and re-attach it as it was. If the bow has been sanded out, the door will close smoothly. If the bow has been reduced but the door will not close smoothly, chisel out the recessed area a little bit with small, careful movements so you don't over do it.

What if the garage door still won't close smoothly?

If your panel overhead door still won't close smoothly, the warp may be too much. Loosen one of the hinges and slip a really thin wooden shim behind it before you screw the hinge back on. 

Although this will not alter the bow on the panel, it will ideally change the way the panel fits so that it will be able to close smoothly. If this does not work, remove the shim and try placing it behind a different hinge.

Where can I find a local Amarillo garage door installer?

If you are still not getting anywhere, then it is time to call it the experts. Amarillo garage door company Willow Creek Overhead Door has a policy of responding to distress calls within hours. Contact Tony Hall and he will repair your bowed overhead door or install a new panel if necessary. 

Are you unsure whether your garage door needs to repaired or replaced? Some problems with garage doors are not very serious and you can repair the problem yourself. On the other hand you may need to call in the experts when issues are more serious and are beyond repair.

How can you tell if a garage door needs to be repaired?

There are several problems with garage doors that can be repaired. One is a door that simply stops working. It won't open or close or gets stuck in between. If the door is automatic, the problem may be with the garage opener such as a motor problem. With a manual door, the problem may be the springs, belt or other part which can be replaced to solve the problem.

Another problem that can be repaired is a door that creaks when opening or closing or that has jerky movements. The problem may be as simple as applying a good coat of good quality lubricant to the different parts of the door and tightening any loose bolts and nuts. Perhaps your door does open and close but it feels heavy. The solution may be having the spring tension added and the door will open and close with no difficulty at all.

A damaged panel can also be fixed. This is if it is a single panel that is damaged. If it is more than one, there may be an issue of safety because more than one damaged panel can bring the whole door down. It also depends on the kind of damage that is on the panel. Cosmetic damages like dents and scratches can be fixed but those that significantly change the shape of the panel cannot because it will not fit into the other panels properly. The panel would have to be replaced or the entire garage door replaced.

When should the door be replaced?

A garage door that you have heard over some time which looks worn out and distressed should be replaced. Garage doors are always exposed directly to the elements and after several years, the damage begins to show despite cosmetic repairs and maintenance like paint jobs.
You should also consider having a new garage door put in to add the curb appeal of your home. A well designed door enhances the appearance of your home while increasing its monetary value.

You may also want to install a new garage door to upgrade. For instance, you can replace your door to put in one with an automatic opener or you can move from a wooden one to a stronger one made of steel or wrought iron.

You may also want to upgrade to a insulated door which is much more energy efficient. Insulated doors greatly reduce the transfer of heat or cold air into the garage. Apart from increasing energy efficiency, your garage will be more comfortable especially if you use it for other purposes such as a home office or workshop because the temperatures will remain at a constant level.

Amarillo garage door company Willow Creek Overhead Door undertakes all kinds of repairs and also installs new garage doors from two of the best suppliers, Raynor and Midland Garage Door manufacturing companies. If you need a garage door repair or replacement in Amarillo or the Texas Panhandle, call owner Tony Hall for a free estimate. 

Is your garage door all scratched up? A well designed and well maintained garage door adds fiscal and esthetic appeal to a home, and one that is all scratched up has the opposite effect. 

It's very easy to scratch your garage door. Just gently backing or running into can cause damage. The good news is that you can do a neat job of covering scratches yourself.

Can I fix dents in my garage door?

Steel doors don't hide dents and scratches very well. The good news is that it is possible to do a nice job of covering up both. Start by scrubbing off the dented spot with a cloth dipped in mild detergent, then rinse and let the area dry completely. Sand the dent lightly using 80-grit sandpaper so that the patching compound bonds. Wipe clean and then fill the dent by pressing patching compound into it using a small putty knife. Smooth it out and feather out the edges like you would do if your spreading drywall.

When the filler dries, sand the area flat with a 120-grit sandpaper wrapped around a flat block. Finish with a 150-grit sandpaper to completely smooth out the the edges of the filler.

You can then go on and paint the garage door with paint that is similar to the one on the door. It is important to use the same type and shade of paint that was originally used on the door. This information should be on your manual or you can get the information from your garage door supplier or installer.

How can I cover up scratches on a wooden garage door?

Wooden garage doors need to be treated differently from steel doors. If the door has minor dents, you can repair them yourself before painting the door. Fill the dents using a caulking compound that can be painted over. Do not use silicone caulk as it cannot be painted over.

If your wooden garage door is made of plywood and hardwood panel doors, all four sides of the door need to be caulked. If your door is made of redwood, cedar or hemlock panels with wood grain that runs horizontally, caulking will be needed on the left, right and bottom. If the wood grain runs vertically,  caulking should be done at the top and bottom of the panels.

After caulking, use a stiff brush to remove to remove dirt from the spot. You then need to use a primer before applying the finish paint. Some wooden doors are primed and others are not. Those with priming have a light-green finish. If the door is primed already, you can skip the primer. If it is not, apply primer using a high quality latex or oil-based exterior primer following the instructions on it.

When the primer is dry if you used it, finish the job with an exterior paint that is also latex or oil based. It is important that the finish coat base is the same as the primer coat base. Both the primer and the paint should be oil based or latex based. A second coat will give you a perfect finish.

Do I need a professional to repair my garage door?

There are many garage door repairs you can do your self. However, there are many that require a professional. If you have a question about a repair to your garage door, call on the experts at Willow Creek Overhead Door. This garage door company in Amarillo has years of experience, is professional, timely and offers outstanding customer service. Contact owner Tony Hall today for a free estimate. 

Ever opened and closed a door and pinched yourself on the hinge? Painful isn't it? Well, the same can happen with garage doors, only these injuries can be much more serious. That's why there are pinch-resistant garage door  hinges. They are designed to prevent accidents where you pinch your fingers when making repairs, such as placing fingers near the door's section joints. The pinchless hinges are typically used on upward sectional doors as found on garages, warehouses, airplane hangars and other structures where there is a large door opening that needs to be opened and closed selectively. The selective opening and closing is for the purpose of security so that only authorized people can gain access.

Do sectional upward doors need pitch-resistant hinges?

Sectional upward doors are typically made of a number of horizontal sections that are held together by hinges. When a door has pinch-resistant hinges and joints, the hinges have a high quality fixture that can be secured to the upper panel and another one that can be secured to the lower panel. 

These security fixtures on the upper and lower panels are held together with links. Each link has one end that is fixed to the upper panel and another to the lower panel. The way the links are placed ensures that the upper panel is spaced closely enough to the lower one such that it's not possible for a person to insert their fingertip into the joint. There is also an elongated foot that pushes away a fingertip away from the joint when the door is closing. There is also a door seal on each of the panels which moves to engage the adjacent panel when the door is closed. The seal lifts away as the door opens.

What about standard hinges?

The challenge with standard hinges on upward opening sectional doors is that their pivot pins are typically placed outwards not inwards. This creates gaps that are quite large on the outside which tend to come together in a fold when the door is being door closed. Many people tend to hold the door by the edges of the sections to pull it shut rather than by the handle. The fingers can get pinched between the door sections as they come together when the door is closing. This can result is some serious and painful hand injuries.

Before pinch resistant hinges were introduced, there were a number of attempts to eradicate this problem. One such solution was to move the pivot pin of the door hinge to a different location between the interior and exterior panels. Another was to design doors such that the top and bottom surfaces rotating while remaining close to each other so that there was no gap that was large enough for a finger to fit through when the door is being pulled shut or opened. Both of these solutions did not work because doors with these designs were expensive and difficult to construct.

Another solution that was put forth was to design doors with single metal panels and no insulation to that opening and closing the door was not a problem. This meant using insulated door pockets but this also flopped because the pockets made the door weak and reducing its insulation and energy efficiency.

How to decide between pinch-resistant hinges and standard hinges

Pinch resistant hinges were designed to protect you and your family. To have a garage or overhead door with pinch-resistant hinges installed,contact Willow Creek Overhead Door, an Amarillo garage and overhead door company. Owner Tony Hall has years of experience and can help you decide on the best garage door for your needs.

Can't get in or out of your garage? It’s a big problem when your garage door is stuck and you can't move your car in and out of it. Depending on the cause of the problem, this may be one that you can take care of yourself. However, if you get stuck, don’t hesitate to call a professional. 

There are some parts that are usually the cause of a stuck garage door and these are the ones that you should check first. Sticky tracks, chains and wheels are common culprits. Without regular lubrication with the right products, these are the parts that often cause a garage door to stick.

What can I do to fix a stuck garage door?

Start by pulling the cord. This will usually be a red handle that hangs from the guide track of an automatic garage door. When you pull on this cord, you manually override the controls so you can open and close the door manually. If you do this and the door opens and closes without a problem, then the problem is most likely with the electric motor. You can either follow the owner's manual for troubleshooting  or you can call in the experts. It is best to leave motor related problems to them.

Another check you should make is on the sensitivity settings on the garage door if it is automatic. Try to open the door with different settings. Sensitivity that is set too high can make a garage door stick.

It could also be the weather. Cold weather can cause garage doors to stick, especially if you have used grease to lube it before.

Have you been lubricating your garage door?

If you have been neglecting the lubrication, do it now and see if this sorts out the problem. Place a ladder under the door to give you easy access to the tracks when the door is opened. 

Lubricate the wheels and tracks while open using good quality garage door lubricant rather than any metal lubricant. Spray every wheel with lubricant to coat it evenly and follow with a quick stream of spray on the tracks. Get off the ladder to work your way down the tracks on every side.

Then, position yourself next to the chain of automatic doors. Try to open the door with the garage opener with your aim to get spray lubricant on the chain as it moves through the motor. This will coat the entire chain with lubricant.

Are there dents and bumps in your garage door?

Another check that you want to make is for bumps and dents on your door. Place a wooden block over a damaged track then take a hammer to the block to straighten the track out. Avoid hitting the track with the hammer directly as you may worsen the damage. Using the wooden block ensures that you get smooth, even results.
Are the tracks misaligned?

If the alignment of the garage tracks seems to be off, use a level to check. If the tracks are indeed misaligned, use a screwdriver or wrench to loosen their screws or bolts. Use a hammer to tap them back into place and tighten the screws or bolts.

I’ve tried everything and the garage door is still stuck. What should I do?

There is only so much you can do. If these checks and repair attempts do not work and the garage door is still stuck, then you need to call in the experts. You can count on Amarillo garage door company Willow Creek Overhead Door to respond to your distress call fast. Call on owner Tony Hall today and get that door moving again. 

Have you ever suffered damage from floods? This may be an odd question for us Texas Panhandlers. Although Amarillo, Texas is usually a dry and arid place, it can flood. When it rains it pours, and the area has suffered from flooding over the years. Storms can bring about flash floods and road closures very quickly in this area. One way to minimize damage to your home, car and other contents of your garage is by installing a flood barrier.

What are garage flood barriers?

Modern flood barriers are an improvement of older flood control methods, which were cumbersome and did not provide enough protection. They are also not considered efficient preventive measures by insurance companies so they can drive flood insurance premiums up. These include flood protection methods such as sandbags.

Modern flood barriers, which are also known as flood panels and flood shields, are made to offer adequate protection against the damage that can be caused by floodwater inundation. A flood barrier are not difficult to install and they provide an effective, watertight seal for openings such as garage doors.

What type of flood barriers are available?

Different types of openings need different designs that offer maximum protection. One option is flood panels. This is a removable flood barrier system that can be used for single and double door openings. They are made up of panels that are made to suit the height of the opening and each panel has a rubber gasket gadget that keeps water out.

There is also the post and panel system. It is similar to standard floor panels with the difference that panels are mounted on vertical posts that are removable. The puddle panel is another way you can go. This is a type of panel that is designed to be a quick reaction system which can withstand low levels of flooding. It is quickly and easily installed and it works very well to keep water from getting into entryways like your garage door.

You can also go for a hinged flood gate. The difference between this flood barrier and others is that it is installed at the opening location permanently. They can be customized to fit single and double entry ways. The fact that they are permanent makes them unsuitable for use over the garage in your primary residence. You may however have them installed over a holiday home especially one in a flood prone area.

There is also the pedestrian flood door which is also known as the man door. These resemble and work like the standard pedestrian door only that it has been reinforced internally. This is a done with a sealing mechanism that is placed within the frame. When the door is closed, there seal keeps water out. This option would have to be custom made for your garage door.
You may also opt for a flood log. This is a modular system that is designed to stand up to high velocity water movement and impact. It works very well more so in areas where weather extremes like hurricanes are common.

How can I protect my garage from flooding?

It is best to bring in the experts when choosing a flood barrier for your garage door. They will advise you on what works with your door and they can undertake to custom make and install your flood barrier. 

Call on Willow Creek Overhead Door for professional and expert advice and installation of your garage door flood barrier. Owner Tony Hall has years of experience installing and repairing a variety of garage and overhead doors. He knows how Amarillo is subject to torrential downpours, and he can help protect your home or business from potential flood damage. Contact Willow Creek Overhead Door today for a quote.

Are you considering insulating your garage? An insulated garage is very energy efficient since it consumes a lot less energy than a detached garage. Insulation reduces heat transmission into the garage which further limits transmission into the environment. Insulation also reduces noise. You should definitely consider it if you live along a busy or noisy environment. If you are thinking about having a garage door installed, you may be considering having windows.Windows in garage doors are great if you work in your garage often, because they allow natural light in. However, you may be wondering if windows can affect the insulation.

What are my options as far as garage door insulation?

There are basically two types of insulation: polyurethane and polystyrene. Polystyrene is a tough block of insulation that is put between two layers of your garage door. The insulation is not permanently attached to the door. You can compare it to the filling in a sandwich. 

On the other hand, polyurethane is an injected foam insulation that is fixed to the garage door. It is bonded to the two outer layers of the door.

Which type of insulation works best?

Polystyrene costs less. However, polyurethane gives double the insulating R-Value, which means much better insulation. It also helps to make a door  stronger. Polyurethane foam that is fixed on wooden and metal insulated garage doors it bonds to the door chemically and makes the door tougher.

How do garage windows affect insulation?

It is advisable for some homeowners to have windows installed on their garage door. For one, you can open them during those warm days and let in fresh air. This way, you can avoid leaving your garage door partially open for ventilation, which can damage it. 

Also, a lot of people use their garages to store items like paints, fuel, anti-freeze, garden supplies, pesticides and fertilizers. Such items tend to give off fumes as can a car, especially if there's more than one in the garage. Windows also bring in natural light to your garage and they do add financial and esthetic value to your home.

There is also  a disadvantage to having garage windows. It is that they reduce your garage insulation. Heat can be lost through the windows which means more energy is consumed to keep the garage adequately heated.

What can be done?

The good news is that there is a way around this. Get garage windows that are made of insulated glass. This glass keeps the heat in just like the insulation on the door so they are very green and energy efficient.

Who sells garage doors with windows?

Raynor and Midland offer insulated glass garage windows to go with their insulated garage doors. Each of the two companies have their own selection of products. The Raynor Garage Door company has doors made like French doors, others with carriage door designs and those with mixed panels. You have more than 180 options of powder coat colors so there is something for everyone. This is under the company's StyleView range and there is also the Innovations and Wood Collection Series. Midland Garage Door company have the thermo-steel raised steel panel doors as well as Series24 options with a rugged steel exterior.

Raynor and Midland doors and insulated glass garage windows are available from Amarillo garage door company Willow Creek Overhead Door. Call Tony Hall today to find out about your garage door options, and he can find one that fits your needs and budget.

Spring is a great time in Amarillo. The grass has started to turn green. The flowers are blooming. However, the winds are blowing — hard — sometimes at hurricane-strength. It is therefore essential for an Amarillo and Texas Panhandle homeowner to know how to protect their home from springtime wind damage.

What is the first step in securing your home against wind damage?

The first thing homeowners need to do is talk with their homeowners' insurance company. It is critical that they verify the sorts of damage the policy covers. Their policy may cover some kinds of wind damage, but not others.

The roof structure is particularly susceptible to the effects of high winds. Here are a few things to check:

Before a wind storm approaches, take a quick look at the roof shingles. If any are loose, it is a good idea to secure them before the winds pick up.

Verify the roof sheathing is properly secured. The best way to do that is to go up into the attic and check that the nails securing the sheathing actually hit rafters. If you find a large number of nails either missing the rafters or only hitting the edge, you may need to re-nail the panel.

Check that the end gables have bracing. These gables can sustain damage during wind storms. Bracing these end gables is an easy job that will prevent or minimize damage to this critical part of the roof structure.

Consider having hurricane straps installed between the roof trusses and the wall structure. Yes, Amarillo is far from the coast, but the winds in this area are of hurricane strength. It’s not surprising to see winds upwards of 50 mph one day, fueling potential grass fires, and then light, calm breezes the next.

What else should you do to secure the home against wind damage?

Doors and windows are particularly susceptible to high winds. Double entry doors should have upper and lower bolts that help give the doors vertical strength in the center.

Install and use storm shutters on days with the highest winds. Flying debris can easily go through a window.

Secure your garage door. These doors are a particularly vulnerable point in many homes during wind storms. Here are a few options for making this entry less vulnerable:

- Purchase a wind-resistant garage door. These doors are rated to withstand winds up to 150 mph. They protect your garage, its contents, and your roof from damage.

- Add vertical braces to the door. These braces install into your existing door and help provide vertical stability to the door.

- Install hurricane panels during high-wind storms. These panels install on tracks or secured with clips or screws. They provide a tough barrier to flying debris and offer vertical stability.
Install garage door netting during high-wind storms, too. This fabric netting helps to catch debris before it can damage the garage door.

Where can you get a wind-resistant garage door in Amarillo?

If you need help securing your home's garage door against high winds, contact Willow Creek Overhead Door. Our Amarillo garage door company has full selection of garage doors and garage door accessories available, including sturdy, durable wind-resistant doors.