Author: David Nolasco

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Best Ways to Heat Your Garage in New Jersey

While garages are one of the most important parts of a house, they don’t have insulation to keep the room warm. If you’ve converted your garage space into an area for crafting, it can get cold quickly. Before you rush out and buy any garage heater, here’s what you should know about the types of heaters you can find.

Types of Garage Heaters

There are many mobile, and more permanent options, you can use to heat your garage. The most popular choice is electric, but you may want to consider one of these lesser-known options too.

Electric — For small or attached garages, an electric heater is ideal. Their compact size and portability means you can place them right next to your work area. They also have some added safety measures like an automatic shut-off.

Propane — Propane heaters, like electric ones, are readily transportable and affordable. These are ideal if you need to move around while working on projects.

Natural Gas — Natural gas heaters are similar to small furnaces, and can be a good option if you’re willing to spend a little more. It’s important to note that these heaters need professional installation and once installed, they’re there to stay.

Radiant Heat — Radiant heaters are another great choice, especially if you spend a lot of time in your garage. These also run on natural gas, but use infrared rays to heat up the area. They’re very efficient and effective, but also a heftier investment.

Garage Insulation

A more permanent and efficient solution is to consider insulating your garage. Most aren’t insulated sufficiently, which is why they’re usually cold during Winter. If you spend a good amount of time working in your garage, enlist a professional contractor to insulate the area.

Our team at Affina Door Company has the knowledge and experience to help you understand the best options for your garage. You can contact us for a free quote and consultation whenever you’re looking for garage door or gate service.

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4 Common Causes of Garage Door Noise

Is your garage door making unusual noises lately? If so, it might be time to call the repairman. If you’re noticing new or strange sounds coming from your garage door when it opens or closes, there could be several reasons why. Here are some of the most common culprits:

Damaged tracks

If you have an old garage door or if there is a good amount of force exerted on it, the tracks may become damaged over time. This can hinder it from opening or closing smoothly and cause a lot of noise. Damaged tracks should be looked at right away and may require you to call a garage door repair company.

Loose chain

A loose chain in your garage door mechanism is another common reason that your garage door may be making a lot of noise. Check to see if it is loose or drooping anywhere because it might be getting stuck while opening or closing. If this is the case with your garage, it’s time to get your chain replaced.

Poor lubrication

Another problem with garage doors is a lack of proper lubrication. If the tracks and chains on your garage door seem to be in fine shape, your issue could be poor lubrication. Call a garage door repairman and ask for suggestions to know what would suit your garage door better.

Door imbalance issues

Is your garage door hanging mid-way before closing? This might be because it’s not balanced properly. This type of imbalance could be causing the strange noise you’re hearing. It commonly creates a squeaking sound when you raise or lower the garage door.

Fixing garage door damage on your own runs the risk of making the damage even worse. It’s always a good idea to call in an expert to take care of any problems you may have. Our team at Affina Door Company is ready to help. Contact us today!

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Don’t Let Snow and Ice Damage Your Garage Door

With Winter weather officially here, it’s only a matter of time before snow and ice start to take over your driveway. Snow can affect the integrity of your garage door so it’s important to clear any snow and ice build up before it becomes a major issue. Here are some of the problems you might run into over the winter season.

Broken springs

One of the most common issues for homeowners during the winter are broken springs. The cold air can compromise the metal in the springs and cause them to crack and break. You can test their integrity by lifting the garage door and letting it go. If it stays in place, your springs are still in good shape. 

Track misalignment

Over time and with colder temperatures, the garage door tracks can warp and cause the doors to misalign. When the roller isn’t connected to the track, the door won’t open or close. To make sure your garage door is working properly, you should have it inspected every few months. 

Cracked vinyl

If your garage doors are made of plastic or vinyl, there is a chance snow and cold air can cause the material to crack, especially if the temperature dips below freezing. Likewise, the rubber that seals the door from water and insects can become brittle and may need to be replaced. 

Our team at Affina Door Company has the knowledge and experience to help you understand the best garage door options for you. You can contact us for a free quote and consultation whenever you’re looking for garage door service and/or installation.

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What to Do if You Garage Door Won’t Close

A garage door that won’t close can be very frustrating. Garage door openers have safety sensors which can go bad due excess sun or water exposure, physical damage, or age. Here’s what you should do if your door isn’t closing.

Check for misaligned sensors

Sensor misalignment is one of the most common problems for garage doors. They sit a few inches off the ground and can get blocked or hit in a busy home. Even if you see lights on your safety sensors, it still might be misaligned. If one of the sensors gets bumped or hit slightly out of alignment, it could cause intermittent issues closing your garage door. 

Safety sensor wiring might be damaged

It’s also common for the wiring to get damaged by household and lawn tools. Many homeowners keep shovels, rakes, and trash cans in the front corners of their garage which can get caught on the sensor wiring. If you are having issues, see if the wire is intact and there aren’t any broken wires.

Your sensors are getting weak

Garage door openers are equipped with a sending sensor and a receiving sensor. Over time, the sensors can weaken, making it harder to align the safety sensors. If this is the case, you might need to replace the pair of safety sensors for new ones.

If you’re still having problems, it’s best to call a professional to help. At Affina Door Company, we can help fix your garage door and have it working properly again. Contact us today!

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Top 5 Benefits of Automated Gates

​Automated gates aren’t just for lavish mansions or government facilities. These high-tech gates help property owners to protect their homes and businesses. So whether you have a family home or a commercial business, an automated gate might just be your ideal fencing solution. Here’s why:

Perimeter Control

Whether you own a large piece of land for your home or business, knowing who’s on your property will give you peace of mind. Automated gates give you the option to install a pass-code or card reader for increased perimeter control. 

Privacy

Fencing and automated gates can also give you amore privacy. Most automated gates are installed  away from your home or building, which can help to reduce the risk of nosy neighbors, peeping toms, and random drivers using your driveway.

Property Value

Installing a fencing system with an automated gate component can also increase your property’s value. By installing this kind of security, you make it less likely for your property to be damaged by criminals, car accidents, and more. This in turn will raise its value on the market.

Convenience

Automated gates are much more convenient than traditional, manual gates. With an automated one, the process is just a push of a button. Many gates today can also sense when your car passes through and will close automatically behind you.

Safety

Along with security from trespassers, automated gates can also improve safety on your property. If you have young children or pets, you’ll be able to let them play outside without the risk and danger of them running into street traffic. 

Automated gates come in a range of styles and can slide, swing, or lift, depending on your preference. Our team at Affina Door Company has the knowledge and experience to help you understand the best automated gate options available. You can contact us for a free quote and consultation whenever you’re looking for garage door or gate service.

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4 Creative Ideas for Transforming Your Garage

If you’re thinking about adding an extra room to your home for more space, focusing on your garage is a great place to begin. Garage conversions are a popular option for homeowners and can be transformed into almost anything you want! Here are 4 creative ideas to get you started.

A Home Office

If you’ve been working remotely, and still plan to, remodeling your garage is the perfect way to gain some office space. You have your own place to work, without having to deal with the distractions of homelife. 

A Home Gym

Why go out to the gym when you can bring it home? Garages provide space for treadmills, weights or stationary bikes. Make sure you install a padded floor to protect your garage against heavy equipment as well. 

A Hobby Workshop

If you’re interested in woodworking, you’ll know that it isn’t an ideal hobby to have inside the house, but isn’t always suited as an outdoor activity either. Converting your garage into a woodshop is a great place to store tools and work without disturbing the rest of the house.

A Game Room

Converting your garage into a game room is perfect for the whole family. You can set up the room with tables, couches, and even a TV to turn it into the ultimate recreation room. Make sure you contact a professional to help with any needed electrical work.


Our team at Affina Door Company is ready to help you find the best garage door and accessories for your specific needs. Contact us today and find out how we can help you!

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Common Questions People Ask About Garage Door Installations

Replacing or installing a new garage door can be a great investment for your home, but many homeowners don’t have experience with the installation process. Installing garage doors should always be left to the professionals like the team at Affina Door Company. Here are some common questions homeowners ask about garage door installations:

Do I actually need a new garage door?

Over time, garage doors can become damaged. Wood can rot, metal can dent, and the track and motor can deteriorate if it’s not taken care of properly. But that doesn’t mean the whole door needs to be replaced. Speaking with a garage door professional can help you determine if the door just needs maintenance or something more.

Which option is best?

With so many options to choose from,  it can be hard to know which one is the right choice.

Our garage door experts can work with you to find the perfect door for your home and budget. We offer a wide range of materials and styles to fit your tastes.  

Can I install it myself?

Installing a garage door can be tricky, especially if you don’t have much experience working on these kinds of projects. There are a lot of hidden costs and things you would need to prepare for beforehand like making sure you have the correct tools to do the jobs. It’s better to leave it to a company that knows what they’re doing.

Should I replace the door opener too?

If the garage door opener is working fine, then you probably won’t have to replace it. However, if you’re upgrading and getting a larger, heavier garage door, then you might have to. The opener will need to be strong enough to hold the extra weight.

With Affina Door, you know you’re getting an expert installation from highly-trained staff. With years of experience and industry knowledge, we can install your garage door quickly and efficiently. Contact us today and learn more about our services.

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Why Your Garage Door Material Is Important

Choosing the right garage door material is important for more reasons besides the aesthetic.

You can find garage doors in a number of different materials like wood, steel, fiberglass, and aluminum. Each option has it’s pros and cons, especially when it comes to your budget and climate. With Affina Door Company, we can give you valuable insight into which type of garage door material is right for your home. 

Wood

Wood garage doors are a great option if you’re interested in a more unique or rustic look. While beautiful, it’s also one of the pricier options and requires maintenance and upkeep in order to preserve the look. These types of garage doors are best for mild climates since severe temperature changes, rain, and humidity can warp or rot the wood. 

Steel

Steel garage doors are one of the most popular choices on the market. These doors are light-weight and durable, and one of the cheaper options available. You can find them in a number of design styles and work well in all climates. However the bottom of the door can rust over time and it’s not a good insulator. 

Fiberglass

Fiberglass garage doors are perfect if you want the look of a wooden door without the hassle of cost and upkeep. These types of doors won’t warp or rot like wood, so they’re a great option for warmer, humid climates, except for those with high winds.

Aluminum

Aluminum garage doors are very light-weight and fit best with more contemporary and modern homes when paired with glass. They work well in any climate, but aluminum isn’t the most durable option and can dent easily. It’s also low-maintenance but severe damage will require a specialist to fix it.

Our team at Affina Door Company has the knowledge and experience to help you understand the best garage door options for you. You can contact us for a free quote and consultation whenever you’re looking for garage door service and/or installation.

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Get a New Garage Door This Spring

The bad boys that do the heavy lifting and stabilizing of your garage door are the torsion springs.

They’re critical to the process, and they can be a little bit temperamental. We recommend an annual maintenance of your entire system to keep opening and closing a smooth process. Here’s a little question and answer session from us at Affina Door Company to help you take care of those springs.

• I have a broken spring. Can I replace it myself? Possibly, but not recommended. It’s a big job for all but the most experienced DIYer, as it involves the springs, bearings, and the proper tension. Best left to the pros at Affina.

• How do I know a spring is broken? You can’t always see the break at first glance. Most doors weigh between 150 to 250 pounds and without working springs, the garage door opener cannot lift the door. Attempting to use a garage door opener to lift a garage door with a broken spring can cause numerous parts on the opener to break. Whenever a spring breaks, the door will not go up. And that’s when you call Affina.

• Is the spring at risk when it’s opening the door? Garage door springs have the most tension with the door in the down position.

Problems? You know who to call. It’s Affina Door Company!

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Things You Should Consider Before Installing A Garage Door Yourself

Garage doors are tough and strong, but that doesn’t mean they can go without a little love and care.

With a motor, springs, and rollers, your garage door and opener comprise a mechanism that hoists and lowers upwards of 225 pounds for a double door with the click of a button. Like any similar device, a garage door and motor require maintenance – the kind of maintenance and attention you get from Affina Door Company and its professional staff.

Your door and motor should be serviced twice a year. Lubrication of rollers, hinges, and springs keeps parts moving smoothly. The weather seal and bottom seal also need a periodic look. And we’ll make sure your gear drive is doing its job moving that door up and down, while paying attention to the belt or chain

When the system needs some TLC, you will likely know it. If the operation of the door is no longer smooth or unusual sounds catch your attention, it is certainly time for a look-see by our experienced and qualified technicians. Other problems can emanate from an unbalanced door and failure of the automatic reverse. We’ll make sure the door operates properly and at the right speed.

Our knowledge and experience, along with our dedicated team, is what sets Affina Door Company apart from our competitors. We would love to work with you the next time you are looking for service and/or installation of garage doors and gates. Contact us for a free consultation and quote.