Can I Automate My Existing Garage Door?

Published on 3 August 2018

If your manual garage door is becoming a chore, but you’re not too keen on the idea of investing heavily into a new remote-controlled garage door – we feel your pain. Don’t worry though, as many existing manual garage doors can be automated.

There are a few exceptions, however. For example, if your door is too badly damaged or warped, they might not work too well with the addition of an electric motor. If this is the case, you should instead consider repair or replacement. Similarly, if your garage door has a unique spring and gear arrangement, automation could also be difficult.

Save for these examples, automation should be possible, and in this article, the Diamond Garage Doors team will discuss this process for the various types of garage door.

Up and over (retractable)

Generally considered the easiest type of garage door to automate, and also the most cost effective, too. In order to automate these doors, a boom is installed above the structural opening and, at the other end, an electrical motor is installed.

It’s worth noting that, given their similar structures, sectional garage doors can be automated in the same manner.

Up and over (canopy)

Unfortunately, canopy up and over doors are not as simple to automate as their retractable cousins, and will need something a little bit more complex to make them work. For these doors, a bow arm conversion kit may be required. The bow arm will be fitted against the door and can slide, this means it can fully open and shut.

Side hinged doors

Nearly all types of side hinged doors can be automated, thanks to their simple design. This can be achieved in two ways: 1) A swing arm kit, which works by installing two pivotable arms to each side of the door and the boom, or 2) an electromechanical system, which consists of a series of mechanical components used to open and close the doors.

The benefits of automating your garage door

• It extends the life of your current door, meaning you don’t have to buy a new one.
• Hate having to open your garage door in inclement weather? Well, once you’ve automated your garage door, you remain in comfort of your car’s cabin.
• If you live with elderly relatives, they will struggle, or simply won’t be able, to open a manual garage door.
• Automation can also improve security, as forced entry is much more difficult than with manual doors.

If you need your garage door automating, look no further than Diamond Garage Doors. On top of this, we carry out emergency repairs for garage doors, and have a comprehensive range of replacement parts on hand to get your garage door back up and running in no time. All of our garage doors are fully compliant with relevant safety legislation, and our team of professional engineers carry out every installation with safety and reliability in mind. To find out more about our services, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.

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