Eden Coast's Blog

Kristen Bosse of Georgia State Homes was kind enough to do an interview with Brian Clark, our Director of Sales and Marketing in an effort to get to know more about our business and why we do what we do.  We have copied a part of the interview here and have included the link where you can read the article in its entirety.  Thank you Kristen, for taking the time to get to know about us! Enjoy the article!

Can you briefly go over the main options that homeowners need to decide on when they're considering a new custom garage door?

Whether it is a replacement door or for new construction, a great place to start is your local garage door dealer who's familiar with what's out there. Here are some key topics for discussion with your dealer about your composite door purchase:
Can I have any design I want?
Would I like to add windows to one or more sections?
Can I have any color that I want?
Can I match a wood that I like or that is already on my house?
What level of insulation is appropriate?

What are some of the most popular garage door styles and features for most homes?

In terms of style, customization is what distinguishes us from the rest. Our attention to detail and dedication to quality are the cornerstones of our success. We do have some designs that are requested more frequently than others, but when it comes to a custom composite door, the design and finish are as individual as the owners and their homes.

As for features, you may wish to incorporate windows into your door or embellish the door with some decorative hardware. It's totally dependent on your vision.

How well do your garage doors stand up to the environment?

We have a large number of our doors installed in Florida. That is one of the harshest environments anywhere with its extreme heat, humidity and coastal exposures. The main advantage of using composite materials to clad the door is that it is fully customizable and it is a better alternative than wood. The composites we use will not rot or decay. The finishes we apply, be it paint or stain, are from the highest quality manufacturers and are designed to stand up to all temperatures and harmful UV rays.

And for the rest of the story, click on the link next to "Check out my interview" below....

Check out my interview, 7 Tips on Custom Composite Garage Doors on Georgia State Homes, one of the top sites for Georgia homes for sale, including Douglasville, GA homes for sale. Georgia State Homes also services Florida real estate and North Carolina homes for sale.

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Our thanks goes out to Tom Wadsworth and the DASMA Insider for these great tips to help you when you need your garage door repaired. Please share this with your friends. I’m going to print a copy and tape it to the inside of my garage door right now!

As always, we encourage your comments and suggestions in the area provided below.

From time to time I like to pass along information I have discovered which I find particularly useful and informative. The following is an article from DASMA’s Door and Access Systems Insider eNewsletter.  Many thanks to editor Tom Wadsworth for allowing me to share it.

Visit DASMA's homepage

As always, we encourage your comments or suggestions on this topic in the section below.

If you are a builder and the project is new construction, you may have a dealer (or two) that you work with and trust to do your work. If you’re a homeowner and replacing your existing door, the choice is all yours. In either case, here are a few things for you to consider when choosing a garage door dealer.

Referrals:

• Talk to your friends and neighbors. Who have they used in the past? Did they have a good experience with the dealer? Why or why not?

• Speak with a couple of reputable builders in the area. Get their input on the subject. If the builder says they use them because “they’re the cheapest”, move on to another builder.

Social Media / Internet:

• Do an internet search for reviews of garage door dealers. Skip the paid ads. The results should include numerous reviews from sites such as Yelp, Angie’s List, YP, BBB, etc. PLEASE remember that anyone can write anything on the internet. If you read a poor review, continue reading to see if the dealer has responded, commented or proposed a resolution to the customer’s poor review.

Location:

• Is the company familiar with local building codes and regulations? Do you live in an area that they service on a regular basis?

How long has the company been in business?

• Longevity is typically a good indicator of a well-managed service company. That doesn’t mean that this should be your only tool in measuring quality. Maybe they have just been doing average work for a long time. There are many newly formed companies who bring a great level of enthusiasm, technical skill and customer satisfaction to the marketplace.

Is the company licensed and insured?

• Regulations regarding licensure of garage door dealers vary greatly across the country. But where it is required, some organizations will conduct business without proper licensing, insurance or both. Ask to see copies of the documents required to conduct business in your area.

• If you live in an area that requires building permits to change your garage door, the dealer may not be able to pull the required permits if they are not properly licensed or insured.

Are they members of any professional organizations?

• Professional organizations such as IDA (International Door Association) strive to create and maintain quality and professionalism as well as provide helpful programs and services to their door and access system dealer members. There are also regional and local associations which foster these same values on a more local level.

What is the scope and quality of products offered?:

• Is the dealer “married” to a particular brand of door? If their manufacturer doesn’t offer what you want, is the dealer willing to step outside their preferred product line, put your needs first and seek out the best products for you? Sometimes this requires extra effort on the part of the dealer to do some homework, but his willingness to address your specific needs speaks to his overall level of customer service. Don’t settle for being pigeonholed into a “cookie cutter” product.

• Does the dealer service what they sell? Make sure the dealer is willing to stand behind his products and workmanship.

Most importantly, trust your gut:

• As you speak with representatives from different dealers, take note of their general level of professionalism. Are you being treated respectfully? Is the dealer using a consultative approach and attempting to educate you on your options, or is he/she using high pressure tactics? Take the time to do a “gut check” and find a dealer with whom you can comfortably relate.

I always welcome additional comments or ideas via the comment section below. We all benefit from sharing our individual experiences.

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Decorating the outside of your home is just as important as decorating the inside. Your sanctuary is your single most expensive investment, and you want to make sure it reflects your unique taste. Replacing window panes, doors, and planting trees and shrubberies are all part of making the outside appealing and attractive to your neighbors, visitors and even potential buyers. However, there is one outdoor feature that homeowners either forget about or never think to improve: their garage doors.

The garage door is typically the largest opening in your home and often is a majority of the home’s front elevation. If you are looking to sell your home, prospective buyers, for example, will look at every aspect of your home including your garage door. To add value and beauty to your abode's exterior, consider creating ways to improve curb appeal instantly with a garage entry design that you can implement yourself. You can be as imaginative and as original as you choose.

Who doesn't want to increase the value of their property? When you add new garage doors and other curb appeal features to the outside of your home you are increasing your home's value. You don't have to be traditional when it comes to decorating or designing your garage door. There are many styles, colors and options available. Don't be afraid to be different. After all, you are the one that will drive up to it every day. So, why not be happy with it?

The type of design you choose will determine how much attention your home will receive. For example, if your garage doors are on the front of your house, there are ways for you to make this work in your favor. You can choose large section panels with an overlay, or custom design something to complement the architectural design of your home. Overlay doors are usually more expensive to purchase initially, but they can give your home unmatched style, beauty and character.

 
Overlay doors are typically steel sectional doors to which material is applied on the exterior. Materials used for overlay include composite, fiberglass, foam, PVC and wood. Composite overlays are a good choice due to the fact that they require much less maintenance than do wood or wood-based materials. Insulation is another cost-effective option for keeping heat trapped inside the garage during the winter months, or keeping the garage interior cooler in warmer climates. If you use your garage as a workshop or for other events you might want to consider an insulated door.

 
Ultimately, the garage door design you choose should be exactly what you want. It is always a great idea to look through magazines or search for online designs to spark your creativity. After all, you invest a lot of labor, time, and money into your home, so don’t forget the value of a spectacular garage door.