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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Emails scams have been around for as long as there has been email. I’m sure all of us have been declared winners in the Nigerian lottery, but some scams are not so preposterous. Here’s one that came to my inbox just last week:

From: Kevin Lance [mailto:officeofkevin47@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2014 9:03 AM
To: Brian Clark
Subject: Qoute needed

Hello Sir/Mardam,

I am Mr Keven.I am contacting your company to make an order of 16 by 7 Non Insulated Garage Doors.I will like you to get back to me with the price of 13 units the specs below including tax to be picked up at your location.I also would like you to advice me on the terms of payment that you accept.

Below are the specs.

16 by 7 Non Insulated Garage Door

Thank you
Kevin.

I did not alter his message and as you can see, the grammar and spelling are a dead giveaway. He couldn’t even spell his name correctly from the hijacked email account. Below is a great article from the DASMA Insider on how to spot such scams and what to do if you fall victim. Please forward this message to make others aware.

As always, I encourage your comments and suggestions to further the discussion. Thank you!

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

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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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

So, you think you might want to go with composite materials for your garage door. You like the idea of not only an eco-friendly solution for the environment, but also, you want to move away from the rotting issues and the maintenance issues associated with wood.

Let's begin by answering the question, "What is a composite garage door?" Most composite garage doors are constructed by adhering various types of material to a steel door in an effort to achieve a wood-like appearance.

Understanding your choices when it comes to composite materials is the first step in the decision-making process.

Composite materials fall into 5 basic categories:

• Fiberglass

• Recycled wood and paper

• PVC

• Low density Foam

• High density or Reinforced Foam

To help you make the best decision, ask yourself what design and finishing options are most appealing to you. If you like standard stamped or pre-molded designs, then fiberglass composite would be a good choice for you.

On the other hand, if you want to be creative in your design, match the architectural expression of your home, match the style of your front door, or only be limited by your vision, then a PVC, a recycled wood, or a foam composite product will be a good fit for you.

PVC is a plastic option that offers the same workability as recycled wood and will not rot. It is heavier than many of the low density foams but is still lighter than wood. The greatest challenge this option presents is the limited color options that are available.  Dark colors cause the PVC to expand and contract which can lead to the overlay popping off the doors.

A recycled wood and paper product is heavy and may eventually have some rotting.  After all, it does still have some wood or paper in it. Its durability, however, is usually superior to a true wood door. Think about your design….are there going to be areas where water accumulates at the edges, in the corners, or at the bottom? Wet environments and water accumulation, even in small amounts, create rotting environments eventually.

Benefits of a low density foam composite material include no rotting and a much lighter weight than wood and other composite materials. However, this option does not offer the durability that recycled wood or high density or reinforced foam does.

The fifth type of composite material is high density or reinforced foam, which offers the best solution for limitless design and durability.

Once you understand the different types of composites available, along with the benefits and challenges they offer, the real choices begin. What kind of finish do you want? Will you stain or paint your door? Do you want only a rot-free door or do you want a maintenance-free solution? There are differences. I look forward to discussing those differences in our next blog posting!

*Image from:  http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=1499