Question:
I have a 2-car garage with a wood door on the front. The opener was
replaced within the past year, but the door is old.
Within the past week or so, since the weather turned colder (<20F as a
high), the door begins to close and then reverses itself. This
happens at various points, so I do not believe it to be something
directly in the track itself. There does not appear to be anything
inside the garage that is tripping the sensor (i.e., at first we
thought the car bumper was in the way or something like that), however
when viewing the door close from the outside, it looks like maybe the
wood is bulging at a seam and is squeezed just enough to trip the
opener.
On a side note, we have been thinking of replacing the door anyway.
The garage is not heated, but the current door has a bulge where the
opener attaches and does not seem to help much other than keeping the
direct wind and elements from the cars. I have not looked into
pricing yet, but what would you recommend...when we decide to replace
the door, would you stick with wood?
Answer:
I think your problem is with your old door. You said it is an old wooden
door. I bet it weighs a ton and is a real strain on your opener. The newer
doors are much lighter in weight. I would replace the door if it were me.
Those who complain about Sears openers I believe are wrong. They are
Chamberlain openers and are not made by Sears. Chamberlain sells the most
openers in the industry and have numerous brand names put on them. I think
they even make them for Stanley.
A few years back I replaced our wood door with an insulated metal one. The
salesman though I was nuts to spend the extra $ for an insulated door or an
unheated detached garage. Things change though. The insulated door was
more rigid, thus one big decision maker. I've since converted the garage to
a workshop and I do heat with propane when I'm out there I'm not sorry I
spent the extra. I've also added other insulation. The paint is supposed to
last 20+ years and it does not swell like wood. The brand I bought was from
Overhead Door, but there are other well made doors out there.
