Choosing the Right Garage Door in Lubbock, Texas

by | Jan 19, 2024 | Buying Guide, Cost, Materials, Price, Safety, Security

garage door on house with Lubbock dust storm behind it

September in Lubbock can still feel a lot like summer. But anyone who has lived in West Texas for long knows that cooler mornings and the first real cold fronts aren’t far away.

That makes September a good time to pay a little attention to something you probably use every day without thinking much about it: your garage door.

Heat, dust, wind and everyday use can take a toll on a garage door over the summer. Small problems that aren’t especially noticeable in August can turn into a garage door that won’t open, won’t close or suddenly needs repair once temperatures begin changing.

You don’t need to become a garage door expert. A quick inspection can help you catch some of the more common problems before they leave your car stuck inside—or outside—the garage.

Here are seven things Lubbock homeowners should check this fall.

1. Look at the Weather Stripping Around Your Garage Door

Start at the bottom of the door.

The rubber seal should make fairly consistent contact with the garage floor when the door is closed. If you can see daylight underneath the door, notice sections that are cracked or missing, or have a seal that has become hard and brittle, it may be time to replace it.

In West Texas, this isn’t only about keeping cold air outside.

Good garage door weather stripping can also help reduce the amount of dust, dirt, leaves and insects that find their way into the garage when the wind picks up.

Check the seals along the sides and top of the door as well.

If your garage always seems dusty even when the door stays closed, worn weather stripping is one of the first things worth checking.

2. Pay Attention to a Garage Door That’s Getting Louder

Garage doors aren’t silent, but you probably know what yours normally sounds like.

Don’t ignore a new:

  • Grinding sound

  • Squeak

  • Rattle

  • Popping noise

  • Scraping sound

  • Sudden bang

A noisy garage door doesn’t automatically mean you need a major repair. Sometimes rollers, hinges, or other moving components simply need attention.

But a new or increasingly loud sound can also indicate a worn roller, loose hardware, track problem or another component beginning to fail.

The important thing is noticing when the sound changes.

Catching the problem early is usually much better than waiting until the door stops moving altogether.

 

3. Check for Signs of a Garage Door Spring Problem

Your garage door is heavy. The springs do much of the work required to lift it.

That makes a broken garage door spring one of the most common—and most important—garage door repairs.

Signs of a spring problem can include:

  • The garage door suddenly feels extremely heavy

  • The opener runs but struggles to lift the door

  • The door opens a few inches and stops

  • The door appears uneven while opening

  • You heard a loud bang from the garage

  • You can see a visible gap in a torsion spring above the door

A broken spring isn’t something we recommend attempting to replace yourself.

Garage door springs operate under significant tension and require the proper tools and experience to service safely.

If you think you have a broken garage door spring in Lubbock, stop repeatedly operating the door and have it inspected.

 

4. Make Sure Your Garage Door Opens and Closes Smoothly

Stand back and watch the door complete a full opening and closing cycle.

You’re looking for smooth, consistent movement.

A door that jerks, shakes, hesitates or appears crooked may have an issue with its rollers, tracks, cables, springs or other hardware.

Also pay attention to speed.

If you’ve recently found yourself thinking, “Why is my garage door opening so slowly?” that’s worth investigating.

Problems tend to become more noticeable as components wear. A door that is already struggling after a long West Texas summer may not improve on its own.

 

5. Test Your Garage Door Opener

Sometimes the garage door itself is fine and the problem is the opener.

Common garage door opener problems include a door that:

  • Doesn’t respond to the remote

  • Opens but won’t close

  • Stops partway

  • Reverses unexpectedly

  • Makes noise without moving the door

  • Requires several button presses before working

Before assuming the opener needs to be replaced, check the obvious things. Replace the remote battery and make sure nothing is blocking the safety sensors near the bottom of the door.

Dust can be especially relevant around Lubbock garages. If the photo-eye sensors become dirty or misaligned, the opener may think something is blocking the doorway and refuse to close normally.

If you’ve cleaned the sensors and the problem keeps happening, it may be time to have the opener or garage door inspected.

 

6. Check the Door for Wind, Hail and Everyday Damage

West Texas weather isn’t particularly gentle on anything outside.

Walk outside and look across the surface of your garage door.

Check for:

  • Dented garage door panels

  • Bent sections

  • Gaps between panels

  • Loose hinges or hardware

  • Damage around the tracks

  • Cracked or deteriorated seals

  • Sections that no longer sit correctly when the door closes

A small dent doesn’t always mean you need an entirely new garage door.

Depending on the door and the extent of the damage, individual components or panels may be repairable or replaceable.

On the other hand, if the door has significant damage, keeps requiring repairs or is simply reaching the end of its useful life, replacement may make more sense.

A local garage door company can help you compare the cost of garage door repair versus replacement rather than guessing. 

 

7. Think About How Well Your Garage Is Sealed Before Winter

We may not get months of bitter cold in Lubbock, but West Texas can still deliver some pretty dramatic temperature changes.

If your garage is attached to the house, a poorly sealed garage door can also affect how comfortable the rooms around it feel.

Check for obvious gaps around the closed door, damaged weather stripping and areas where outside air is getting in.

This can be especially worth addressing if you:

  • Spend time working in your garage

  • Have plumbing running through the garage

  • Use the garage for storage

  • Have living space above or beside it

  • Own an older, poorly insulated garage door

If you’re already considering replacing an older door, ask about insulated garage door options. The right choice depends on your garage, how you use it and what you want from the door.

 

When Should You Call a Garage Door Repair Company?

Not every squeak requires a service call.

But some garage door problems shouldn’t be ignored.

Call a professional if your garage door:

Won’t open or close:
There could be a problem with the springs, cables, opener, tracks, sensors or another component.

Has a broken spring:
Garage door spring replacement should be handled by a trained technician.

Is hanging crooked:
Stop using it until you know what’s causing the problem.

Has a loose or broken cable:
Cables are part of the system responsible for controlling a very heavy moving door.

Keeps reversing or stopping:
The problem could involve the safety sensors, opener or the door itself.

Has been damaged by wind, hail or an impact:
A damaged door may still move while putting additional stress on other components.

Is getting progressively louder:
Changing noises are often one of the first signs that something isn’t working the way it should.

Repair the Garage Door Now or Wait?

It’s easy to put off a garage door problem when the door technically still works.

The problem is that garage doors have a number of parts that work together. A worn or damaged component can put additional strain on the rest of the system.

If something suddenly sounds different, moves differently or doesn’t look right, September is a great time to deal with it.

You’ll have one less thing to worry about when the first West Texas cold front rolls through. 

 

Need Garage Door Repair in Lubbock?

If your garage door is making strange noises, won’t open or close, has a broken spring, needs new weather stripping or just doesn’t seem to be working the way it should, Overhead Door Company of Lubbock™ can help.

We’ve served Lubbock and surrounding West Texas communities for more than 70 years, providing garage door repair, installation and maintenance for local homeowners and businesses.

Whether you need a simple repair, a new garage door opener or help deciding whether it’s time to replace an older garage door, our local team can inspect the problem and recommend the right next step.

Schedule garage door repair in Lubbock today or call us at (806) 797-4141.

Choosing the right garage door is a big decision that can greatly impact the functionality and curb appeal of your home. In cities in the West Texas region, like Lubbock, where the climate can be extreme, it’s crucial to consider factors like durability, insulation, and style. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed decision when selecting a garage door for your Lubbock home.

1. Climate Considerations:

Lubbock experiences a range of extreme weather conditions, including hot summers and cold winters. Look for a garage door with good insulation properties to regulate the temperature inside your garage, especially if you use your garage for storage, a workshop, or use it to park your cars. This not only helps in maintaining a comfortable environment but can also contribute to energy efficiency and noise reduction.

It’s also important to have a good seal around the edges of your garage door. Our strong winds kick up a lot of dust throughout the year, so make sure you ask your garage door installer about weather seal options around your door to help keep the dirt and dust out of your garage space.

2. Material Matters:

Different materials offer varying levels of durability, maintenance requirements, and aesthetics. Common garage door materials include:

  • Steel: Durable and low-maintenance, suitable for extreme weather conditions.
  • Wood: Adds a classic, rustic look but may require more maintenance.
  • Aluminum: Lightweight and resistant to corrosion, ideal for humid conditions.
  • Fiberglass: Resistant to saltwater corrosion, making it suitable for Lubbock’s unique climate.

Steel garage doors are the preferred option in Lubbock and the West Texas region and the reason is because of their durability. Steel garage doors are also the most readily available garage door material. Most local garage door companies have steel garage doors in stock and can schedule installation within a few weeks of a request.

This is not to say other garage door materials aren’t durable, they just may require more maintenance. Wood garage doors are extremely durable and constructed very well, but there is quite a bit of maintenance involved if you want to keep them in good shape.

3. Insulation Options:

Given the temperature extremes in Lubbock, opting for an insulated garage door is a good choice. This helps in maintaining a more stable temperature inside the garage, preventing it from becoming too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter. Also, because of the steel-insulation-steel layered construction of the door, it makes it stronger than a non-insulated option. The insulation can act as a buffer for dents and dings. The insulation also does a good job of keeping the steel panels, which makes a quieter experience when you are opening or closing your garage door.

4. Style and Design:

Most homes in Lubbock have a fairly basic ranch-style design so adding a garage door with a little more style can spruce up your homes exterior. Most people opt for traditional steel garage door designs but the garage doors that make a statement are the faux-wood garage doors made of steel or fiberglass. These garage doors look like they are wood, but are made of a low-maintenance material like steel.

It’s also important to consider the color, windows, and hardware to enhance the visual appeal of your Lubbock home.

Most garage doors in Lubbock are white, almond, tan, or a darker tan color like taupe. These are pretty standard garage door colors but they work in West Texas because we get a lot of dust. These lighter color options don’t show the dust as much as darker colors, it’s why we don’t see a lot of black cars in Lubbock — if you do they are usually on dealership lots or in carwash lines.

Windows on garage doors serve two main purposes. They jazz up the garage door and they help get more light in the garage during the day. If you want windows on a new garage door you are getting installed, make sure you let your garage door company know before installation. For us, it’s easier to add windows in our shop before the garage door is up.

But if you have an existing garage door and want to add windows to it, we can cut the sections and add the windows for you. It’s important to get a professional to do this, cutting the steel on a garage door panel can be dangerous but it can also impact the structural integrity of your door. Give us a call or fill out a form if you want to add windows to your existing garage door.

5. Wind Resistance:

Lubbock is known for its strong winds. Select a garage door with high wind resistance to ensure it can withstand severe weather conditions. Some areas of the country have very strict local building codes and standards for wind load resistance. These include coastal areas like Florida and along the Gulf Coast of Texas where hurricanes are the primary concern.

If you live in the designated catastrophe areas outlined by this map from TDI (Texas Department of Insurance) then this is something you will need to consider when purchasing a new garage door. Fortunately, in West Texas, we don’t need to worry about wind-load-specific building codes when it comes to garage doors but it’s important to have a durable garage door with an exterior that can withstand dirt and debris from strong winds.

The reason we don’t need to worry about wind-load requirements is that the chances of having a catastrophic wind event are rare in our region. Wind-rated garage doors are reinforced with horizontal struts, which are designed to help withstand constant heavy flying debris during weather events like hurricanes. During a hurricane, if the garage door is penetrated or completely damaged by debris or strong winds, it can create a build-up of pressure in the garage and even worse can build up in your house. This build-up of pressure could cause a complete blowout of the structure — resulting in a partially damaged or complete damage to a house. So if you aren’t planning on moving to the Texas coast, then you don’t need to worry about wind load requirements but like we said, it’s a good idea to consider how our windy weather could impact the exterior surface of your garage door.

6. Security and Safety Features:

Unfortunately, “Lubbock has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes” according to Lubbock crime data from Neighborhood Scout. A secure garage door is essential for the safety of your Lubbock home. Invest in a door with reliable locking mechanisms and consider additional security features such as smart technology for remote monitoring and control.

Garage door security has been a big focus for manufacturers in the last several years — now security is built-in to the products they make. If you have an older garage door opener unit, it might be time to upgrade to a newer model – especially one that is compatible with home security apps.

Since the garage door is typically the largest moving object in the home, safety is another important thing to consider. Don’t just upgrade your garage door, but upgrade your entire garage door system. The safety feature of that system is the safety sensors, usually located at the bottom of your garage door. These shoot an infrared beam that will detect motion and stop your garage door if it notices something is in its way. Most homeowners don’t know this, but safety sensors are required by federal law and manufacturers are required to have some safety features built-in to the garage door operator unit. (see the 2018 updated Safety Standard for Automatic Residential Garage Door Operators for reference)

7. Professional Installation:

While choosing the right garage door is crucial, proper installation is equally important. Hire a professional installer with experience in handling the specific challenges posed by Lubbock’s weather. Garage Doors are not easy to install. They are heavy and come with a lot of parts. We appreciate the thrifty DIY homeowner, we do a lot of DIY on our own homes, but there are just some things that should be left to the professionals. We receive more stories of DIY garage door installation gone wrong than we want to hear, all of which could have been avoided if the homeowners called a professional in the first place.

There are many garage door companies in Lubbock, some are great, and others we wouldn’t recommend. What it comes down to is experience and service. There is a shortage of experienced garage door installers all across the country but we are fortunate to have a team of very experienced and highly trained installers and office staff who truly understand our products and the services we provide. We also try our very best to solve any issue before recommending a replacement of a garage door, garage door opener, or any part.

8. Budget Considerations:

Set a realistic budget for your garage door project. Consider the long-term costs, including maintenance and energy efficiency, when making your decision. Replacing your garage door isn’t cheap — you can expect to pay anywhere from $600 to $1200 per door and sometimes more. This depends on the material you choose and other options like size and style —even color options can impact the price. Here’s a short article and video if you want to know more about the factors that impact the price of a garage door.

Consider All Your Options

Selecting the right garage door for your Lubbock home involves careful consideration of climate, materials, insulation, style, and security features. By taking these factors into account, you can ensure that your garage door not only enhances the curb appeal of your Lubbock home but also withstands the challenging weather conditions of the region.