Your garage door is a highly visible, hard-working surface that is subjected to all sorts of use and abuse on a daily basis. And yet, during the warm weather months, we often neglect to give our garage doors the same kind of care that we give our homes’ windows, patios and other exterior areas. Now’s a good time to expand your spring and summer cleaning checklist to include the garage door. Here are some tips.

In most homes, the garage door is the single largest moving part. It is big and heavy, particularly so if you have a wind-loaded door with extra bracing. Over the course of a year, if you use your door an average of three to four times a day, it will go up and down about 1000 to 1500 times. To prolong the life of your door and ultimately save on service expenses, follow these  steps to lubricate a few key parts. It's easy and takes just a few minutes.

While we definitely recommend a thorough service inspection by a certified Raynor dealer every 1 to 2 years, there are a few things you can check yourself to prevent problems from escalating. These visual checks should become a routine for you every month, especially if the garage door experiences hard use in your home.

In cold winter months, garage doors can literally freeze to the floor, causing all kinds of stress for the homeowner and potentially for the garage door and opener if forced open. There are some simple remedies for this. We’ve heard quite a few creative ideas – some are good solutions, some are not so good.

Ever wonder what those little strips are called that divide panes of glass on a window? Hint: they aren't called "strips." Or what's the difference between R-values and U-values? Check out our new Glossary Page and learn about those topics and much more. And after you've sharpened your knowledge, perhaps you'd like to test yourself by filling out our Garage Door Terminology crossword.