FAQ
Garage Door Questions, Answered
In-depth answers about broken springs, noisy doors, openers, pricing, and maintenance from Denver’s G Brothers Garage Doors. Tap any question for the full guide.
General
General questions
Are your garage door technicians licensed and insured?
Yes, our garage door technicians are licensed, insured, and background-checked. Here's why that protects you and how to verify any company before you hire.
Read answerGeneralCan you fix my garage door the same day?
Yes, most garage door repairs are same-day. Here's what same-day service covers in Denver, what's on our trucks, and how to get on the schedule fast.
Read answerGeneralDo you offer 24/7 emergency garage door repair?
Yes, we offer 24/7 emergency garage door repair across Denver and the Front Range. See what counts as an emergency and what to expect when you call.
Read answerGeneralDo you offer financing for a new garage door?
Yes, financing can spread the cost of a new garage door over monthly payments. Here's how garage door financing works and when it's worth it.
Read answerGeneralDo you offer free garage door estimates?
Yes, G Brothers offers free garage door estimates on new doors and replacements. Here's what's included, when it's free, and how to book one.
Read answerGeneralGarage door frozen to the ground? How to free it
Garage door frozen to the ground? Don't force the opener. Here is how to safely free a door frozen to the slab and keep it from freezing again this winter.
Read answerGeneralGarage door maintenance: how often and what's done
How often should you service a garage door? Once a year is the rule. Here is what a garage door maintenance tune-up includes and why it pays off.
Read answerGeneralHail and sun damage to a garage door in Colorado
Garage door hail damage and sun damage in Colorado: what is cosmetic, what is structural, and when to repair one panel versus replace the whole door.
Read answerGeneralHow do I choose a reliable garage door company?
Choosing a garage door company? Here are the checks that separate a reliable local pro from a fly-by-night operator, and the red flags to walk away from.
Read answerGeneralHow does flat-rate garage door pricing work?
Flat-rate garage door pricing means one fixed price before work starts, with no hourly meter or surprise add-ons. Here's how it works and why it's fairer.
Read answerGeneralHow much does garage door repair cost?
How much does garage door repair cost? Most Front Range repairs run $150 to $600. See typical prices by job and what moves the number up or down.
Read answerGeneralMy garage door is stuck. What should I do?
Garage door stuck open or shut? Here are the safe steps to check first, what to never force, and when a stuck garage door needs a tech, not a fix.
Read answerGeneralWhat areas does G Brothers serve?
G Brothers covers Denver, Lakewood, Arvada, Aurora, Littleton, and the wider Front Range for garage door repair and installation. Check your area here.
Read answerGeneralWhat garage door services does G Brothers offer?
G Brothers handles spring repair, opener service, off-track fixes, new door installation, and commercial work across Denver and the Front Range.
Read answerGeneralWhat warranty comes with G Brothers' work?
G Brothers backs labor and parts on garage door repairs and installs. Here's how warranties work, what manufacturers cover, and what voids them.
Read answerGeneralWhen should you replace a garage door?
When to replace a garage door instead of repairing it: most last 15 to 30 years, but age, repeat repairs, and rising bills can tip the call to a new one.
Read answerGeneralIs the Amarr Heritage Collection a good choice for Colorado hail and weather?
Yes, the Amarr Heritage Collection is a strong pick for Colorado hail and weather.
Read answerGeneralIs the Amarr Lincoln Collection a good choice for Colorado hail and weather?
The Amarr Lincoln Collection handles Colorado weather well.
Read answerGeneralIs the Ankmar Choice Collection a good choice for Colorado hail and weather?
The Ankmar Choice Collection is a solid entry-level steel door that handles Colorado weather adequately.
Read answerGeneralWhat is the best garage door lubricant?
The best garage door lubricant is a silicone or white lithium spray made for garage doors.
Read answerGeneralCan I use WD-40 on my garage door?
Not as a lubricant.
Read answerGeneralIs the C.H.I. Planks Collection a good choice for Colorado hail and weather?
Yes, the C.H.I.
Read answerGeneralWhat is a cosmetic damage exclusion on Colorado homeowner insurance?
A cosmetic damage exclusion lets your insurer deny claims for dents and pitting that do not compromise waterproofing or structural integrity.
Read answerGeneralDoes filing a hail damage claim raise my insurance premium?
Filing a hail claim in Colorado may raise your premium, but the increase depends on your insurer, your claim history, and whether the storm was a widespread weather event.
Read answerGeneralIs the Doorlink Carriage Collection a good choice for Colorado hail and weather?
The Doorlink Carriage Collection performs well in Colorado weather in the 24-gauge, 3-layer insulated configuration.
Read answerGeneralHow do you do the garage door 2x4 reversal test?
Place a flat 2x4 board on the floor in the center of the door opening.
Read answerGeneralWhat wind speed must a Denver garage door be rated for under ASCE 7?
Denver and the Front Range require garage doors rated for a basic design wind speed of 115 to 140 mph under ASCE 7.
Read answerGeneralWhy is the garage door bottom bracket so dangerous?
The bottom bracket at each lower corner anchors the lift cable, so it sits under the full pull of the torsion springs.
Read answerGeneralWhat is the best garage door bottom seal for an uneven floor?
Use a rubber bulb seal or a 4-inch wide T-end rubber seal.
Read answerGeneralWhy does my garage door sweat or drip condensation in winter?
Condensation forms when warm, moist garage air hits your cold door surface.
Read answerGeneralWhat are garage door cable drums, and why do they matter?
Cable drums are the grooved wheels at each end of the torsion spring shaft that wind the lift cables and raise the door.
Read answerGeneralWhat hail size can a 24-gauge insulated steel garage door withstand?
Based on installer field experience (not standardized tests), a 24-gauge triple-layer polyurethane door resists hail up to about 1.75 inches before permanent dents; two-layer 24-gauge handles roughly 1.25 inches; single-layer doors dent at 1.0 inch or less.
Read answerGeneralDo I need a special lubricant for my garage door in Colorado winters?
Yes.
Read answerGeneralDoes the NEC require a GFCI outlet for a garage door opener ceiling outlet?
Yes.
Read answerGeneralWhy has my garage door remote range suddenly gotten shorter?
The most likely cause is a weak battery in the remote, even if the remote still works up close.
Read answerGeneralHow do I remove rust from a garage door?
Sand the rusted area with medium-grit sandpaper down to clean metal, treat it with a rust converter or primer, then repaint with exterior paint matched to the door.
Read answerGeneralWhat is a garage door strut, and does my door need one?
A garage door strut is a horizontal metal brace bolted across a panel to stop it from bending or sagging.
Read answerGeneralWhat is a garage door threshold seal and how is it different from a bottom seal?
A threshold seal is a rubber or vinyl strip glued or anchored to the garage floor directly under the door.
Read answerGeneralWhat is a threshold seal and how does it stop my garage door from freezing shut?
A threshold seal is a raised rubber or vinyl strip glued to the garage floor, not to the door itself.
Read answerGeneralWhat are the different types of garage door tracks?
The main garage door track types are standard lift, low-headroom, high lift, and vertical lift.
Read answerGeneralWhat is the lock or vacation mode on my garage door opener?
Vacation or lock mode is a button on the garage door wall console that disables all handheld remotes and keypads, so no one can open the door wirelessly while you're away.
Read answerGeneralWhat should be on a garage door vacation security checklist?
Before leaving for vacation, lock the garage door from the inside using the manual lock or lock mode on the opener, disable remote access, unplug or put the opener in vacation mode, and verify the door and side entry are both secured.
Read answerGeneralWhat are the different types of garage door weather seals?
Garage doors use four main weather seals: a bottom seal in the door's lower edge, a threshold seal on the floor, side and top weatherstripping around the frame, and thin seals between the panels.
Read answerGeneralWill my garage door open during a wildfire power outage?
No.
Read answerGeneralWhat ember-resistant sealing do Colorado WUI garage doors need?
In Colorado Moderate and High Fire Intensity WUI zones, garage door gaps must be sealed to 1/8 inch or less using ember-resistant weather-stripping, door overlaps onto jambs and headers, or metal flashing on jambs and headers.
Read answerGeneralWhat is the HOA garage door approval process in Castle Rock, Colorado?
Castle Rock HOA communities require a Design Review Application to the architectural board before installing a replacement garage door.
Read answerGeneralHow do I get HOA approval for a garage door replacement in Highlands Ranch?
Submit an Architectural Review Committee application through the HRCA portal or office.
Read answerGeneralWhy can't I program my HomeLink to my garage door opener?
Rolling-code openers require a two-step HomeLink programming process that standard fixed-code openers do not.
Read answerGeneralHow does a garage door work?
A garage door works on counterbalance: tightly wound springs store energy that offsets the door's weight, so the door feels nearly weightless.
Read answerGeneralHow do I childproof my garage door?
Childproof a garage door by testing the auto-reverse and photo-eye sensors monthly, mounting the wall button at least 5 feet high out of children's reach, keeping remotes away from kids, and teaching children never to play under or near the door.
Read answerGeneralHow do I clean a garage door (steel, the right way)?
Rinse the steel door, then wash it with mild dish soap and water using a soft brush or cloth.
Read answerGeneralHow do I do a garage door balance test?
Pull the opener's red release cord, then lift the door by hand to about waist height and let go.
Read answerGeneralHow do I lock my garage door manually?
Most garage doors have a built-in slide lock or T-handle lock.
Read answerGeneralHow do I lubricate my garage door in cold weather?
Use silicone spray or white lithium grease in Colorado winters.
Read answerGeneralHow do I seal my garage door for winter?
A fully sealed garage door needs four zones: a bottom seal on the door, a threshold seal on the floor, side weatherstripping on the door frame, and a top (header) seal.
Read answerGeneralWhat are the main parts of a garage door called?
A garage door's main parts are the panels (sections), hinges, rollers, and tracks that guide it; the springs, cables, and drums that counterbalance its weight; the bottom bracket and bearing plates that anchor the system; and the opener and photo-eye sensors that move it and keep it safe.
Read answerGeneralWhat is a RollJam attack and can it open my garage door?
RollJam is an RF attack discovered in 2015 that jams your remote's signal, captures the rolling code you transmit, then replays it later to open the door.
Read answerGeneralDoes Security+ 2.0 protect against a RollJam attack?
No.
Read answerGeneralWhat are pinch-resistant garage door panels?
Pinch-resistant panels are garage door sections designed with a curved or recessed joint between sections so fingers cannot be caught when the door bends as it opens.
Read answerGeneralWhat is a garage door drop test and how do you do it?
A garage door drop test checks whether the door is properly balanced.
Read answerStill have a question?
Call us and describe what your door is doing. We will tell you what is likely wrong and what it costs.