Eden Coast's Blog

In an effort to share with you some of the many outstanding garage door dealers in the country, I would like to introduce a recurring segment on our blog: The Dealer Spotlight.

Allied Doors West Florida, Inc.

Contributed by Steven Romanelli

Allied Doors West Florida, Inc. has been serving Southwest Florida’s garage door needs since 1991. We are a family owned and operated business who specializes in garage doors, garage door openers and garage door repairs. Allied Doors West Florida, Inc. is one of the largest sellers of garage doors and garage door openers in Southwest Florida, and our commitment to customer service is unsurpassed. We proudly offer Amarr, C.H.I. and Eden Coast doors and are a LiftMaster ProVantage dealer. We furnish and install doors rated for all wind code areas including Miami-Dade.

In addition to our dedication to customer satisfaction, Allied Doors West Florida, Inc. is also committed to our community. We have installed many garage doors for Habitat for Humanity in Lee and Collier Counties and also contribute to various local charities such as Builders Care, KidsCan and Naples Equestrian Challenge.

Our business is fully licensed and insured and all of our technicians are full-time employees. Our highly trained and qualified staff is dedicated to superior standards of product installation, service, and dependability. From quality steel garage doors to custom made wood and composite garage doors we are a one stop shop.

Because change and innovation are constant, Allied Doors West Florida, Inc. strives for consistent improvements in policy, procedures and technology to promote continuous growth toward new levels of excellence. Our showroom is “second to none” and a good example of this principle.

If you’re unfamiliar with Allied Doors West Florida, Inc., take a few moments to surf over to their site. They are extremely knowledgeable and a fine example of a quality garage door dealer.

If you are a dealer interested in being put in “The Spotlight” please email me directly at Brian@EdenCoast.com

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.

So you’re considering purchasing a composite clad 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. Remember last time, we discussed how to choose a good dealer. Once you’ve done that, here are some key topics for discussion about your composite door purchase.

What type of composite is used?

Composite, by definition, is something that is made up from several parts or elements. In terms of garage door cladding, composites fall into 5 main categories:

• Fiberglass – Durable but limited in design flexibility and customization.

• Recycled wood and/or paper – Fully customizable, but heavy and can deteriorate with prolonged contact with moisture.

• PVC – A plastic polymer that is fully customizable but is less stable. Expansion and contraction with changes in temperature can cause the cladding to separate from the door. Dark colors intensify this effect.

• Low Density Foams – Lightweight and water-resistant, but not as durable when compared to a higher density foam material. More prone to dents and gouges. (UV) Ultra violet rays from the sun are extremely hard on foams, so keeping it finished is very important.

• Reinforced Composite – A fiberglass-reinforced high density foam. Lightweight, fully customizable, impervious to moisture and extremely stable. Fiberglass aids in longevity of the board even through UV assault.

How is the door design manufactured/achieved?

The methods and processes used in applying the composite to the door are as important as the composite itself.

• Field Applied – The base door is installed and the cladding is applied on the job site. Difficult, if not impossible, to control the work environment to get proper adhesion and a quality finish.

• Factory Applied – Preferred because the material is applied in a controlled environment. Factory application falls into two categories: adhesive only and adhesive plus mechanical fasteners. Quality adhesives combined with mechanical fasteners is the most reliable method of securing the material to the door, hands down. I have seen thousands of doors in the field and the only zero failure method that I am aware of is mechanical fasteners and glue together.

How is the door finished?

The door's finish provides the desired look and protection from the elements and harsh UV rays.

• Field finished – Good option if you have a difficult color or finish to match to other exterior elements. It is preferable to have doors delivered with a factory-applied primer.

• Factory applied paint finish – Good option if you prefer a solid color door to coordinate with your exterior color palette. Be sure the manufacturer is using a high quality paint with an appropriate warranty.

• Factory applied stain finish – The most elegant type of finish. Best method for controlling the environment. Finishing is done prior to the door ever being exposed to the elements. Be sure the manufacturer is using high quality stains and a UV inhibitive top coat to prevent fading, cracking or blistering.

Have you (the dealer) installed composite doors before?

While the mechanics of a composite door are virtually the same as any other door, working with a fully finished product may present challenges.

• Weight – Although many composites are lighter than real wood applications, it may be necessary to have extra manpower to safely and efficiently install the doors. Good dealers will take this into account ahead of time.

• Finish – As with weight, working with a fully finished product is best accomplished with an extra set of hands and eyes to minimize any preventable damage during installation.

• Oops! – Try as you might, sometimes small scratches or dings occur. Make sure the dealer is familiar with the material and products needed to apply minor field touch-ups.

What is the warranty?

Warranties vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so be sure you know what is and is not covered.

• Workmanship – Good companies stand by their work. Look for at least a 5-year warranty on workmanship and de-lamination.

• Material – Most wood doors carry a 1-year or possibly 2-year material warranty with lots of stipulations on maintaining the finish. The best composite door manufacturers offer 10-years.

• Finish – Look for at least a 5-year warranty on the finish applied to the door. Ask if there are any maintenance requirements to keep the warranty in effect. Remember, if you looking at composite doors, rot free and maintenance free is the best way to go. Be clear on the finish warranty. What is the maintenance schedule? What if I have prolonged direct exposure, will that change the maintenance schedule? Can I have custom colors?

• Door components – Some composite door manufacturers even go so far as to warrant the springs and hardware portion of the door for as long as you own it, subject to the specifics of the warranty.

Has the manufacturer had any major failures of their material or their processes?

With composite garage doors being a relatively new innovation, there are bound to be bumps in the road.

• Material – Has the manufacturer had any material shrink, twist, warp or expand beyond an acceptable standard? Have there been issues with the finish not sticking to the substrate?

• Processes – Has the manufacturer had any material delaminate (come loose or fall off) the door? If so, how has the manufacturer dealt with such issues?

• Finish- Has the finish lived up to its billing. How many doors has the dealer sold? Have they seen any defects in the finish? Have any doors needed to be refinished due to fading or clear coat cracking or peeling? How old were the doors when this occurred?

By no means is this an entirely comprehensive list. I encourage your comments or questions on this topic to further the discussion.

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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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The market for composite garage doors has been a real phenomenon over the last 6 years or so. It was not born of the desire to create a less expensive alternative to wood. Remember, aluminum widows are more expensive than wood windows. But why? Both were born of the desire to create a longer lasting alternative to wood without all the maintenance and worries of wood-related issues such as rot and insects. Once “non-wood” materials first became more readily available and people started to see their advantages, all sorts of materials were stuck on the outside of garage doors. Unfortunately, most offered limited success.

Wood is popular because it can be cut, planed, shaped and made into just about any type of design that you can visualize. However, wood has limitations when it comes to durability. Some of today’s composites are machined in the same ways as wood, easily lending themselves to customization. Yet, some people just don’t get it. “Cookie cutter composite” is a manufacturing reality in the garage door industry today offering only a few designs with limited colors. These doors are mass produced in a factory on an assembly line with little, if any, room for personal touches. But not all composite garage door manufacturers operate that way. Fortunately, for you, the consumer, the list of true composite craftsmen in the market is short.

So why choose composite, and how do I decide which one to go with?

The answer to the first part is easy; hands down, it is a better alternative to wood. Many new composites are available, and there are innovative companies combining traditional craftsmanship with beautiful, durable finishes. While nothing will ever take the place of wood for its unique graining and beauty, there are comparable alternatives. Wood is popular because different types of woods can be used to achieve many different types of colors. The same is true with warranted durable finishes available from a true composite manufacturer.

So, how do you decide which one to go with? This answer is a little more detailed. You should consider going with someone that puts as much thought into the building of your door as you do the decorating and the designing of it. Do a little research and ask these questions:

• Can I have any design I want?
• Will someone help me or my architect come up with a design that is unique and compliments our home?
• Can I have any color that I want?
• Can I match a wood that I like or that is already on my house?

Once you’re comfortable with the answers to these questions, then it is time to find a dealer. We’ll explore ways to help you find the right value added dealer for your needs in our next discussion.

If you’re looking for a reason to purchase a composite door, remember the most important reason composite doors exist: to be a longer lasting alternative to wood. And when you purchase a composite door, choose a manufacturer that offers true craftsmanship, not a “Cookie cutter” approach to design and finishing.

As always,I encourage and welcome your comments or questions on this topic to further the discussion.

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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.
 

Everyone knows that the finishing details of your home are unique and special. Have you every thought about designing your garage door in this same light? At Eden Coast, we proudly stand on our guiding principle, “If you can dream it, we can build it.” As you think about your unique design, here are some questions you may be pondering.

What if I have a very ornate or detailed design? In order to maximize every detail, we utilize a range of overlay board thicknesses which allows us to create the best detail in the industry. If you need a traditional wood color such as cedar, oak or mahogany, then it is certainly available. However, we offer the ability to further customize your “dream garage door” to match other types of wood and paint colors, including black!. Black (or any dark color) is never an option for wood doors. The dark colors increase the heat gain in the material causing wood and other less stable composite products to expand and contract significantly. This shifting of the material compromises the adhesive bond to the door and also encourages warping, splitting and cracking. The damaged material then forms gaps in which moisture can become trapped, making the wood wet and further exacerbating the problem.

Would I like to add the benefit of windows to my garage? Windows and glass options are completely customizable. Although we offer several standard designs, perhaps you have a unique window design surrounding your front door, or iron work on your front porch or terrace. You can easily build these unique details into the windows of your garage doors, too. In fact, we can create the illusion of windows without actual glazing using our “faux window” designs.

Do I need a special type of door because I live in a windy region? For our customers in wind-prone regions, we are able to furnish wind and/or large missile impact rated doors without compromising the beauty or quality construction of our products. So, whether you are in Florida, Texas or any other area requiring wind load, we’ve got you covered. Our staff is experienced with the component and cladding elements of structural design for both Miami-Dade and TDI building codes.

What sets Eden Coast apart is our dedication to you. We are committed to giving you the look you love without the maintenance of wood. Our superior craftsmanship, innovative manufacturing and finishing capabilities allow us to accomplish just about any architectural design you can imagine.

Image from FreeDigitalPhotos.net/ Stuart Miles

All of us at Eden Coast welcome our newest team member, Brian Clark, effective May 5, 2014. Brian serves as Director of Sales and Marketing in our Lawrenceville, GA home office and reports directly to Duane Laricey, President.

Brian brings over 23 years of experience in the Garage Door industry. Brian started in the carpenter shop building wood doors for Electronic Door Lift in Ft. Lauderdale, FL way back in the early '90s! He was responsible for rendering ideas from the sales department and creating garage doors in full scale. He was then promoted to Installation Field Supervisor. Eventually, he made the natural transition to sales for the next four years before accepting the Area Sales Manager position with Allied Doors South Florida in 2001.

For the past 13 years, Brian has worked diligently to develop and maintain strong relationships with builders, architects and homeowners. We are excited to add his creative talents as we continue to increase the Eden Coast brand recognition.  Several of Brian's Eden Coast designs are featured in our brochure, on our personalized delivery truck-wrap and in our photo gallery at www.edencoast.com.

Brian earned his Bachelor’s degree from Purdue University where he dual-majored in Sociology and Criminology with a minor in Psychology.

We appreciate you joining us in providing a warm welcome to Brian. You may reach him by calling 1-888-407-2114 or by email at brian@edencoast.com

With excitement,

Your partners at Eden Coast

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Let’s pick up on our discussion about all the choices surrounding the selection of a composite garage door that I began a few weeks ago in our first blog post.

 
There are several well-informed decisions that have to be made when choosing to go with a composite garage door.

 
After choosing a composite door, many people think, “Alright, we don’t have to worry about rot or insects! Now we can move on to the next decision.”  If a rot-free door is your only concern, then you will have more options available to you in the composite garage door arena. 

If you want to take your information gathering to a deeper level, then one of the most important considerations is going to be the ongoing cost of owning a composite garage door.  

For the sake of this discussion, let’s limit our focus to stained doors.  Most composite doors are faux stained or stained with a wiping stain just like wood. While that, in itself, is not a problem, most people forget that their research started with the words, “rot free and maintenance free”.  

So, if a composite door is finished with the same materials that are used on wood, then the clear coat becomes the most important factor. 

What is the clear coat? It is the clear coating that is applied over the stain to protect it from the elements and to block the harmful UV rays that cause fading and damage.  Some of the clear coats need to be reapplied annually based on your UV exposure to keep the finish from fading, cracking or peeling and just as important, to preserve your warranty.  

So, while some composites have no wood in them at all and will not rot, the maintenance becomes about the preservation of your look and finish.  When considering your finish, ask yourself:

• Will it be stained?
• Who is going to stain it? 
• What will it be stained with?

Remember that the most important factor about finishing is what will be applied as the clear coat. 

My best advice in searching for the door that most meets your needs, is to make sure you define specifically what you are looking for. Important issues to consider are:

• Are you looking for the same architectural detail that wood offers?
• Are you looking to have the same stained effect that wood offers?
• Do you want your doors to be only rot free?
• Do you want your doors to be rot free and maintenance free?

Each of these questions, and answers more importantly, will narrow the focus of your search as you move forward.

When it’s time to decide, ensure that you are armed with as much information as possible.  There are some great composite materials out there, each with their own benefits. However, there are very few different types of finishing techniques out there. I would encourage you to search for the finish technique that is head-and-shoulders above the rest.  I hope I have helped you feel better equipped to find the best one for you. 

Keep in mind that just because your architect or designer has suggested a wood door, doesn’t mean that is your only choice.  Remember that there are quality alternatives that provide the look and feel of wood. 
 

Image:  graur razvan ionut 

I know, I know.  I promised to continue with the considerations for a composite garage door discussion I started last week.  However, with Jeld-Wen’s announcement earlier this month that they are ceasing production of their composite garage doors, many people have found themselves asking this question and searching for alternatives.  You may be asking yourself:

1.  Is there really an alternative?

2.  Will I have to sacrifice the design I chose?

3.  What about pricing?

Is there really a comparable alternative?  YES!  There are other composite door manufacturers in the marketplace.  We have been flooded with questions, and have comforted many a customer during this transition.  If you already picked out a Jeld-Wen design, provide it, and see what the solution looks like. 

Will I have to sacrifice the design I chose? Probably not!  The benefits of custom manufactured composite garage doors are numerous.  If you like a specific design, then get it!  If you like a specific design but want to make some changes, even better.  It’s your house; it’s your garage, and you should have your heart’s desire!  

What about pricing?  I think you will find that apples-to-apples, pricing should be comparable across the board.   Jeld-Wen made a good door, but rest assured, there are quality solutions available.

So rest easy.  The same benefits that attracted you to Jeld-Wen are available through a few select manufacturers!

Image by Michal Marcol