Affordable Overhead Door Inc.

Q.

What's the difference between expanded polystyrene (EPS) and polyurethane?

A.

Insulated garage doors typically contain either expanded polystyrene (EPS) or polyurethane. All Amarr insulated garage doors contain CFC-free EPS as opposed to foamed-in-place polyurethane.

When comparing only R-values, it might be easy for one to be persuaded to purchase a door insulated with polyurethane. After all, they have a higher efficiency rating. However, polyurethane has some inherent disadvantages that you should be aware of.
1) Degradation: polyurethane has been known to degrade over time. This causes the R-value to actually decrease, sometimes by as much as 25%, as the door ages. Polystyrene insulation is permanent because the cellular structure of it contains only stabilized air. Its value does not decrease as it ages.
2) Environmental concerns: polyurethane contains harmful CFCs that can adversely affect the environment. Polystyrene is not only CFC-free, but is recyclable, therefore reducing the amount of non-biodegradable waste.
3) Delamination: some manufacturers of doors injected with polyurethane have experienced delaminating of the insulation from the door. Amarr's state-of-the art adhesive assures that the polystyrene in our doors will stay bonded to the steel door. Our delamination warranty is your protection against delamination.

Q.

I've been comparing R-values of various doors and am surprised at the variance among them. Can you explain this?

A.

Many manufacturers use R-values to show the energy efficiency of their product. This number is arrived at through a calculation that looks at the thickness of the insulation and its chemical properties. Therefore, most of the R-value numbers you see, reflect only the R-value of the section...not of the installed door. A door's insulating capabilities can be greatly affected by the door's construction.

For that reason, Amarr's insulated doors have a 5-step system that works together to maximize energy efficiency. Our double thermal break and tongue and groove construction are critical parts of that system and help to keep your garage as comfortable as possible.

Q.

How do I know if my door is properly balanced?

A.

There are several tests you can perform to tell if your door is balanced:
1) You should be able to raise your door in 1' increments and the door should stay in place where you stop it.
2) When the door comes down, it lowers in a controlled manner and doesn't slam.
3) When the door goes up, it is at a controlled pace.
4) The bottom of the door should align with the bottom of the header when the door is in a raised position.

Q.

Do I need a lock on my garage door?

A.

If an electric garage door opener has been installed on your door, it may not be necessary to have a lock. Newer electric openers function as the lock, making it improbable that an intruder would be able to lift your door from the outside. If you have an older opener, check to see if your door can be lifted from the outside.

DASMA, the trade association for the garage door industry, discourages homeowners from attaching a lock when an opener has been installed, because too frequently, a child or other family member will accidentally lock the door. If someone then tries to open the door using the electric opener, the opener will pull against the lock causing the door to be damaged.

If no opener is installed on your door, you should certainly have a lock installed.

Q.

What type of spring is better...extension or torsion?

A.

There are two types of springs used on garage doors today...extension and torsion. Most people are more familiar with extension springs. These are the springs that are attached on either side of the door and stretch along the horizontal part of the track when the door is closed. Torsion springs are typically located just above the top section of the door and are mounted to the header. They are wound springs and do not expand or contract when the door is moved.

A torsion spring is a superior spring, primarily because it offers more safety to the homeowner and better balances the door to provide smoother operation. Amarr single-car doors are equipped with extension springs as part of the standard hardware, but torsion springs are available by request. All double-car doors are equipped with torsion springs.

Q.

How do I paint a wood door?

A.

Many homeowners feel that they have thrown their money away when their wooden garage doors rot or break-up because of moisture problems. Amarr guarantees its wood doors for one year, but a properly maintained wood door should provide a "reasonable" length of service to the homeowner.

The following information on proper painting of wood doors comes from the American Hardboard Association. These guidelines were established by the hardboard manufacturers and do not replace Amarr's instructions or warranty. For further details on painting, you may refer to Step 22 in our Homeowners Instruction Manual and warranty in the Homeowners Information Packet that comes with every Amarr door.

FINISH SELECTIONS Quality: Purchase a good quality exterior paint that is recommended for use on hardboard. "Bargain paints are rarely genuine bargains because they are usually harder to apply, do not cover well and do not last as long as good quality materials. Follow the advice of your paint dealer for the products specified for coating hardboard.

Finish Type: Select finishing systems intended for exterior use on hardboard as follows:
1) Primer: Use a solvent based oil/alkyd or waterborne primer which will seal the face, back and edges of the entire door and is compatible with the top coat to be used.
2) Top Coat Paint: Use either latex or oil exterior top coat paints. The oil paint should be semi or full gloss paint.

NOTE: All paints used should be those recommended by the paint manufacturer for use on hardboard. Stain products are not recommended.

SURFACE PREPARATION The surface of the hardboard skin/panel must be clean, free of dust and dirt, mildew and other contamination. Unprimed hardboard doors should be finished immediately after installation. Primed hardboard doors should be finished within 7 days after installation.

APPLICATION Method of Application: Follow the directions on the finish label paying particular attention to special primer requirements, hardboard surface temperature, rate of spread and recommended application procedures. In general, the finish can be applied by either spray, roll or brush as long as the resultant film is the recommended thickness, is uniform in coverage and properly cured. Avoid application of finish when rain or dew is expected. Avoid painting with latex formulations if temperature is likely to drop below 50°F before the paint fully hardens.

Number of Coats/Coating Thickness: A total film thickness of 4 dry mils (.004") minimum for all surfaces face, back and edges is recommended. This is best achieved by a uniform application of unthinned finish at a spread rate recommended on the label. Therefore, apply the following number of coats to the OUTSIDE, INSIDE and ALL EDGES of the door before installation:

Unprimed Doors: Primer followed by 2 unthinned finish coats. Primed Doors: Spot prime any areas of damage to the factory primer using an alkyd/oil primer. After the primer has dried, apply 2 finish coats. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations relative to the use of a primer and the finish coats or the 2 finish coats.

MAINTENANCE AND REFINISHING Yearly inspection of the exterior of the garage door will pay dividends when re-finishing eventually becomes necessary. If the finish appears in good condition, cleaning and touch up is often adequate. When the finish becomes badly eroded and thin, clean and prime the areas where the substrate is showing through, followed by complete priming and finish coating. If there is no substrate showing through, the finish coating only may be adequate.

Q.

What type of care and maintenance is necessary for my Amarr steel door and hardware?

A.

We recommend that you wash your steel door a minimum of one (1) time per year with: (a) One cup of Tide® (or other common detergents which contain less than 0.5% phosphate), dissolved into five gallons of warm water, or (b) One cup of household ammonia dissolved into five gallons of water (room temperature). NEVER BLEND CLEANSERS OR DETERGENTS WITH BLEACH.

The garage door may be washed with either solution and the use of a well-soaked cloth, sponge, brush (with very soft bristles) or low pressure spray washer are recommended. Once the door is washed, thoroughly rinse with clean water to eliminate the possibility of residue.

In addition, lubrication is recommended on a yearly basis for the following hardware: pulleys, rollers, hinges and springs. CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN WHEN LUBRICATING SPRINGS AS THEY ARE UNDER HIGH TENSION. WHEN APPLYING LUBRICANT AVOID ANY CONTACT WITH THE SPRING. Visually inspect springs and cable for wear and binding once each year and contact a professional garage door repairman if damage is suspected.

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