Eden Coast's Blog

Fantastic Social Media Tools for Garage Door Businesses!

Posted by Brian Clark on Tue, Oct 21, 2014 @ 09:15 AM

This week, we invite you to read this great article we found in the Fall 2014 DASMA Insider Magazine.  We certainly do appreciate Tom Wadsworth for letting us share.  We at Eden Coast can attest to the value of both Facebook and Houzz.  Both avenues have been great relationship builders for us.  We'd love to hear from you about your experience with Facebook, Houzz or any other Social Media tools you have found helpful to grow new and existing relationships with customers!

Although we have provided the article below, you can click on it to view a larger copy at the dasma website. 

 

Social Media

If you would like to browse the entire on-line magazine, here is the link:  http://www.dasma.com/PubMagInsider/093014/093014DAS.html.  In addition, if you want to check out the houzz website:  http://www.houzz.com/

We always invite your insight and experience!  Please share in the comment section below!

Until next time,

Brian

Tags: B2C, b2b, eden coast, garage door dealer, architect, builder, homeowner, garage doors

Tips and Tricks - Garage Door High Lift

Posted by Brian Clark on Wed, Sep 03, 2014 @ 08:15 AM

describe the imageHere’s the scenario: You’re at a sales appointment and the customer says “I want to put a car lift in my garage to store another vehicle and I need the door to go up as close to the ceiling as possible.” They go on to ask for specific dimensions and clearances, but you’re not really sure about how it will all come together. Here are a few tips I’ve gathered to help clarify high-lift issues. 

First, let’s define what high-lift is.
Simply put, high lift is the difference between the height of the door and the bottom of the horizontal tracks.

My “Rule of Thumb” for maximum high lift (up to 64” using 2” track) is Headroom minus 10”. Let’s look at an example:
  • The door you will be installing is 8' high (96")
  • The total front wall height is 12' (144")
  • This means the headroom is 48" 
  • The maximum high lift would be 48"-10" or 38".(The 10"deducted is the space needed for the horizontal track (2") plus the drums and end bearings). 
  • The distance from the floor to the underside of the horizontal track would be the door height plus the high lift. In this example 96"+38"=134" (total front wall height minus 10") 


I hope this helps the next time you need to figure a high lift job. Many thanks to C.H.I Overhead Doors for the majority of the drawing.

Please feel free to download our Headroom Requirements Worksheet for your use. 

If you have any tips and tricks you would like to share, feel free to email me at brian@edencoast.com. As always, we encourage your comments or suggestions in the section below. Thank you!

Tags: garage door dealer, builder, homeowner, garage doors, garage door design

Top 7 Tips for Choosing a Garage Door Repair Company

Posted by Brian Clark on Thu, Aug 07, 2014 @ 01:38 PM

 

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!

How to choose a garage door repair company (2)

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

 

 

 

Tags: B2C, garage door dealer, home improvement, builder, garage doors

Eden Coast's Garage Door Dealer Spotlight

Posted by Brian Clark on Tue, Jul 15, 2014 @ 09:07 AM

Allied Naples ShowroomIn 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 West Florida Logo

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

 


Tags: B2C, b2b, eden coast, garage door dealer, composite garage doors, homeowner, alternatives to wood doors, choosing composite vs. wood doors, garage doors, wind load doors, Miami Dade, wood doors

Garage Doors: More Sales Opportunities Than You Think

Posted by Brian Clark on Mon, Jul 07, 2014 @ 09:00 AM

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.

SalesOpportunities Sum2014 page 001.rev1

Visit DASMA's homepage

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

Tags: b2b, garage door dealer, home improvement, builder, homeowner

Six Key Questions to Review with Your Garage Door Dealer

Posted by Brian Clark on Tue, Jun 24, 2014 @ 08:17 AM

ID 100257605 (2)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.

 

 

 

Image stockimages

Tags: ongoing cost of composite door, price of composite doors, garage door dealer, weight of composite door, finish on composite door

Need Help Choosing the Best Garage Door Dealer for You?

Posted by Brian Clark on Mon, Jun 16, 2014 @ 08:12 AM

Choose a garage door dealer to exceed your needsWhen you’re in the market for a new garage door, choosing a good dealer is as equally important as the door you choose. Garage doors are large, heavy, potentially dangerous moving objects which require a level of skill and training to install and service.

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.


 

 

Image stockimages

Tags: garage door dealer, composite garage doors, composite garage door design, home improvement, architect, builder, homeowner

Latest Posts