How to Measure Your Bay Doors

How to Measure Your Bay Doors

Measuring Bay Doors

For businesses that operate out of a warehouse, bay doors simplify the processes of loading and unloading. But even with regular maintenance, bay doors need to be replaced from time to time. Taking careful measurements of the door opening is the first step in the process to install a new warehouse bay door.

Why Measure a Bay Door for a Warehouse? 

There are a few different reasons one might measure the bay doors of a warehouse, though the most common reason is the installation of a new garage door. 

You probably already have an idea of typical loading dock dimensions, even if it’s your first time installing a warehouse bay door. But bay doors are a significant investment, so you should be sure that you have the correct measurements before taking any further steps.

How to Measure for Bay Doors

The process of measuring for warehouse bay doors is fairly simple. All you need is a standard tape measure. When you’re ready, follow these steps:

1. Measure the Width of the Bay Door

Width is the distance between the left and right sides of the opening of the warehouse bay door. Be sure to measure from the widest point and record the measurement in feet and inches.

2. Measure the Height of the Bay Door

Just like you did with the width, measure the height at the bay door’s highest point: from the floor to the top of the finished opening. 

You should measure the height at three different points (left, right and center) to make sure that the opening isn’t sagging on either side. If it is, there could be issues with garage door installation — so any sagging should be addressed before the installation process.

3. Measure for the Vertical Track

Next, measure the width of the area next to the openings on each side of the bay door. There should be between 3 and 3 3/4 of an inch on each side to accommodate the vertical track for the new garage door.

4. Measure the Headroom

The headroom is the distance from the top of the door’s opening to the ceiling. The headroom should be at least 6 inches for fitting the garage door opener and the torsion system.

5. Measure the Backroom

The backroom is the distance from the opening to the rear of the garage. 

Determining Your Ideal Bay Garage Door Size

The ideal bay garage door opening is large enough to accommodate the opening of a full-size trailer. However, the door should not be larger than necessary so as to avoid the need for more insulation.

To provide total access to the entire height and width of a full-size trailer, standard loading dock dimensions specify that the warehouse bay door should extend between 13 and 14 feet above the parking area — the full height of the trailer.

Visit Continental Door For Commercial Garage Doors

Protect your business assets from the elements by investing in an insulated garage door that’s built to last. A door that properly fits your space will help lower utility bills and make warehouse access easy, so it’s crucial to have all the measurements correct before requesting the installation. 

Continental Door is your one-stop headquarters for commercial and residential garage doors in the Greater Spokane area, and we’re always happy to help customers select the right door for their space and usage requirements. Request a free estimate or schedule service today.

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Benefits of a Smartphone Garage Door Opener

Garage door openers are a modern convenience that allows you to move in and out of your garage with ease. A traditional system uses a mechanical opener that attaches to your garage ceiling and garage door. When you push the button on your garage door remote, it transmits a radio signal that sends a code to the operator. This code acts as an open command and sends your garage door into motion.

Although traditional garage door openers have progressed some, the most technologically advanced opener available is a smartphone opener. These systems forgo a standard remote and use a phone app instead. They are also incredibly versatile compared to old remotes. A smartphone garage door opener offers many benefits that may be a perfect fit for your home.

What Is a Smartphone Garage Door Opener?

A smartphone garage door opener turns your cellphone into a garage door remote. These systems swap typical plastic openers with a remote app, putting the power to open your garage door into your pocket. A smartphone opener uses your home’s Wi-Fi connection to send a signal from your phone to the opener within your garage. This replaces the radio signals that traditional openers use.

What Does a Smart Garage Door Opener Do?

Many smart garage door systems rely on Wi-Fi and communication between several devices to open your garage door. The three main devices at play include your:

• Cellphone: You can use your opener app to send an open or close command to the opener. When you do so, the signal first travels to your Wi-Fi router.
• Wi-Fi Router: When a command signal reaches your router, the device passes it on to the opener.
• Opener: The opener’s Wi-Fi sensor receives the command and carries out the appropriate action.

Though your command signal follows an indirect path to the opener, the transfer happens in an instant. When you press the open button on your phone, your garage door should respond promptly. 

Four Benefits of Smart Garage Door Openers

Because smart garage door openers are Wi-Fi-enabled, they offer many advantages over traditional systems. In general, smart openers give you greater visibility, control and security with your garage door. Check out some of the additional benefits you can expect with a smart system:

1. You Can Open and Close Your Garage Door From Anywhere

One of the most convenient smart opener capabilities is the fact that you can operate your garage door from your phone — this is true whether you’re standing in front of your garage, sitting at the coffee shop down the street or relaxing in a vacation home in another state. As long as you have a Wi-Fi connection, you can control your garage door.

This feature can be extremely helpful, especially in some of the following situations:

• When you forget to close your garage door: Your smartphone opener app can tell you whether your garage door is open or closed at any moment. If you think you forgot to close the garage door, there’s no need to call a neighbor or ask someone to check. Simply pull up your app, close the door and know that your home is protected.
• When you need to let someone into your house: There are many situations when you may need to let someone into your home, but you don’t want to give them a spare key. Whether a dog-sitter, house-sitter or a friend, you can use your app to open the garage door and grant access to your home at any time.
• When you’re going for a run or walk: If you’re jogging or walking outdoors, it can be a pain to bring your phone and house keys — especially if your outfit doesn’t have adequate pockets. With a smart opener, all you need is your cellphone. You can lock your house, leave through the garage door and use the opener app when you return.

2. You Can Integrate a Smart Opener With Other Smart Home Features

Many smart garage door openers work seamlessly with the other smart home devices you own. For example, a Wi-Fi-enabled LiftMaster device can pair with the following devices through the MyQ app:

• Smart locks: Smart locks put your keys into your phone. If you have a LiftMaster smart garage door opener, you can use the same app to open Yale | LiftMaster Smart Locks. You can control your smart locks from any location with the MyQ app, which makes it easy to grant access to your home. Your smart locks also show an activity log, so you can pinpoint when a certain door was opened or closed.
• Smart cameras: You can add a smart camera to your garage door opener to track motion and provide up-to-date security footage. When you sync your device with your garage door opener app, you can monitor your garage all in one place. Some smart garage door openers come with a built-in camera for a streamlined option.

You may also be eligible for other services and connections. For example, several cities — including Seattle and Eastside, Washington — qualify for Key by Amazon. This service allows you to choose in-garage delivery when you order Amazon Prime packages. 

If you choose in-garage delivery, your MyQ app will give you a four-hour delivery window on the day your package arrives. Right before your package is delivered, the app sends an “arriving now” notification. Upon arrival, the driver will request for your garage door to be opened, their information will be verified, and the app will open your garage door. Once the driver leaves your package inside your garage, they will wait until the garage door is completely shut before they move on.

3. You Can Pre-Schedule Openings and Closings

A smart opener may allow you to schedule times for your garage door to open and close. This can be convenient in a variety of situations, including:

• Before you leave for work in the morning.
• When you come home from work in the evening.
• When your kids get home from school.

Wherever you notice consistent departure or arrival times throughout your day, you can automate your garage door to keep up. You can also program your garage door to shut automatically if it is open for too long. Your opener app gives you the freedom to customize your garage door to your needs and schedule, which means you’ll have one less thing to think about.

4. You Don’t Have to Mess With the Inconveniences of Traditional Remotes

Using an app to open your garage door eliminates several inconvenient realities of a traditional opener. Some of the advantages include:

• Easy access: You don’t have to purchase multiple opener fobs for your family members when you have an opener app. Your spouse and kids can download the opener app for free and have instant access.
• Unlimited range: Traditional opener remotes require you to be within a certain range to open your garage door. A smart opener simply requires a Wi-Fi connection. 
• Reliable hardware: With traditional openers, you may have to deal with dead batteries or broken and worn-down buttons. As long as your phone is in good shape, your smartphone opener won’t get run-down.

Four Drawbacks of Smart Garage Door Openers

Like any piece of technology, a smart garage door opener has its drawbacks. Let’s take a look at some of the potential disadvantages of a smart opener compared to traditional technology:

1. You Need to Have Certain Technologies in Place

A smart garage door requires some baseline technology in order to operate. Before you install your smart opener, you need:

• A smartphone
• Wi-Fi
• A garage door manufactured before 1993 with a photo eye
• A Wi-Fi-enabled garage door opener

Approximately 81 percent of Americans have a smartphone, and 89 percent have a Wi-Fi connection at home. For many families, the only potential purchase may be a garage door opener that uses Wi-Fi. If you need to purchase additional equipment, it may be more expensive to set up a smart garage door opener than a normal opener.

Garage door opener manufacturers like LiftMaster offer several different Wi-Fi-enabled options, so you can find a compatible model that fits your garage door size and budget.

2. Smart Technology May Be Hackable

Most technology can be hacked with enough expertise, and Wi-Fi is no different. Smart garage doors could be hacked through your Wi-Fi connection, although it would be more challenging than hacking a traditional fixed code opener. 

To gain access to your system, hackers need your Wi-Fi password. If you have a simple, common or easily guessed password, your Wi-Fi could be vulnerable to attacks. However, hackers may still be able to break in using advanced tools and techniques if you have a complex password. 

The likelihood of someone launching an advanced cyberattack on your garage is probably slim, but smart openers offer the following security features just in case:

• Password protection on the opener app.
• A log of each time your door is opened and which device it was opened from.
• Security encryption between your opener and Wi-Fi router.
• Security encryption between your opener and other smart devices.
• No OpenSSL to protect against security issues.

It’s important to remember that losing a traditional opener remote is also detrimental. A lost or stolen opener allows a thief to gain access to your garage door with no digital trace. 

3. You Could Forget or Lose Your Phone

Your phone is with you almost all the time, but what if something happens to it? If your phone is damaged, lost, stolen or out of battery, it may be difficult to open your garage door. In this situation, a family member could use their app to open or close the garage door for you, or you could open the door manually with a button.

Whatever the case, using a smart garage door opener relies on your phone functioning properly, which is not required for a traditional opener. Many Wi-Fi-enabled garage door openers are sold with traditional remotes, which you can use in place of your phone if needed.

4. There’s No Wi-Fi When the Power Goes Out 

A traditional garage door opener will continue to work when the power goes out because it uses radio signals. A smart garage door opener relies on Wi-Fi, which means you need an alternate plan for power emergencies. Be sure to look for a smart garage door opener that has a battery backup. Wi-Fi models can often rely on battery backup for one to two years as long as the battery is in good condition.

To prevent the possibility of being stranded in a power outage, you need to keep track of and replace your opener’s battery. Depending on your opener model, the device may flash a specific light to indicate the need for a battery change. This is a relatively minor drawback, but it could cause a major inconvenience without proper ongoing care.

How Do I Use My Phone to Open My Garage Door?

To get started with your smart garage door opener, there are a few steps you’ll need to take:

1. Have a Wi-Fi-enabled garage door opener installed: Smart openers are only compatible with Wi-Fi garage door openers. Continental Door can install a new Wi-Fi door opener or a hub to adapt your existing opener.
2. Make sure you have an adequate Wi-Fi signal in your garage: Your garage door opener must be able to pick up a Wi-Fi signal from your router in order to function. To test your signal strength, safely stand on a ladder and hold your phone in the area where your opener will be installed. If the Wi-Fi symbol shows at least two bars, your signal will be strong enough to support your opener.
3. Adapt as necessary: If you have less than two bars of Wi-Fi signal, you’ll need to adapt in some way. You may need to move your router within 50 feet of your opener to give it an adequate signal. If this isn’t possible, consider purchasing a Wi-Fi range extender that you can position inside or near your garage.
4. Connect your opener to the manufacturer’s app: When you have the proper equipment and signal, you can download the manufacturer’s app and pair your device to the opener. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete this step. If you call a professional for your installation, they may be able to assist you with syncing.

When your system is complete, you can use your smart opener right away.

Why Choose MyQ Smartphone Garage Door Opener?

There are many advantages to enjoy when you invest in a smartphone garage door opener. Using your smartphone to open your garage door is convenient, and the app monitoring features can give you peace of mind. When you use a smart opener with MyQ, you can also connect your app to a wide variety of smart devices. MyQ serves as a streamlined yet powerful hub for your smart home items.

At Continental Door, we can help you select the best smart garage door opener for your situation. Our knowledgeable experts are ready to upgrade your garage with unparalleled customer service. If you’re in the Greater Spokane area, contact us for a free estimate today!

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Four Ways to Unstick Your Garage Door

You’re trying to leave your home and get to work in the morning — only to find your garage door is just not budging. Stubborn garage doors are a common problem that occurs for any number of reasons, from broken machinery to something as simple as the weather. Of course, in order to fix the problem, you first have to determine its cause. 

In this article, we’ll help you troubleshoot why your garage door sticks and offer practical solutions. You’ll be back on your way to work in no time.

Troubleshooting Your Stuck Garage Door

A garage door can start sticking for a variety of different reasons. Some may require professional assistance to repair. Others are simple fixes that can be avoided with regular maintenance and preventive measures. Common reasons include:

• Weather: Melted snow left around your garage can turn to ice and freeze your door. If ice is the culprit, you should be able to diagnose the problem visually. Bad weather and ice can also damage door springs, causing them to become brittle and stop working.
• Obstructions: Your garage door operates using torsion springs, which exert force with rollers along a track. If these rollers become obstructed, they’ll stop functioning properly, leaving your door stuck.
• Broken remotes: Electronic garage openers will sometimes break down. If you’re unsure why your door isn’t opening, try pulling your garage’s emergency release cord and lifting it by hand. If it opens all the way, your remote is likely the issue and may need replacing.
• Jammed pulleys: A pulley and spring system pulls your garage door up and down on the track. These pulleys and springs can become jammed or wear down over time. 
• Unprofessional door installation: Garage doors should be installed by an expert who knows what they’re doing. If you’ve attempted a DIY installation project or moved into a home with a previously-installed door, there may be faulty mechanisms causing it to stick.

Fixing Your Stuck Garage Door

Once you’ve deduced the likely cause of your garage door sticking to the floor, what should you do? In most cases, it’s best to call in the professionals. They will be able to resolve the issue properly without causing any potential damage in the process.

Melt or Scrape a Frozen Door

Non-mechanical issues — such as weather and obstructions — are often simple fixes that you may be able to perform yourself. If you notice that your door is frozen, pour some hot water over the icy area and promptly try to open it again. Alternatively, using an ice scraper can help get rid of the ice buildup and unstick your door. 

Check and Remove Obstructions

If your garage door opens halfway and stops, its tracks might be jammed or obstructed. To fix obstructions, check all tracks for any objects or debris in the way and carefully remove them if possible.

Request Professional Service

If your garage door is sticking as a result of jammed or broken pulleys or springs, it’s time to bring in the experts. Continental Door is a go-to door maintenance and repair service in the greater Spokane area, providing 24/7 emergency service to help homeowners or commercial businesses un-stick their garage doors. Repairs may require replacing broken parts, fixing springs or repairing jammed tracks.

Check Your Technology

If you’ve deduced that your door remote is the issue, try replacing the batteries or purchasing a new opener. Alternatively, the garage door photo-eye may be malfunctioning due to being knocked out of alignment or mistaking bright sun glares for an obstruction. Assess your photo-eye to see if this could be preventing your door from opening or closing. If it’s misaligned, you may need to request service from a professional to fix it.

Why Choose Continental Door?

Whether your garage door sticks when closing or won’t open up at all, there are few things more frustrating when you’ve got somewhere else to be. This common issue has plenty of causes, many of which can be deduced with an investigative eye. To handle a difficult or stuck door, it’s always best to call in the experts. 

If your garage door isn’t moving, Continental Door is here to help. We’re available around the clock to unstick your door if you need urgent assistance, and we can also offer repair and maintenance services to reduce the chances of it happening again. Interested in learning more? Request our service or a free quote today. You can reach us for emergency service at 509-921-2260.