One Clear Choice Garage Doors sells and installs Breezy Living garage screen doors. Watch the video (click on View Now) to see how this screen door works.

Breezy Living Garage Screen Doors contain a retractable roll-up passage door, which allows the homeowner to enter and exit her garage without having to put the entire screen door up like she would have to do for roll-up electric retractable screens.

Notice how easy it is to operate the screen door and how it stores away out of sight when its not in use. Also, because it stores and operates entirely on the interior of the garage cavity and opening, the Breezy Living Garage Screen Door is approved for installation in most communities where the HOA may have banned aluminum sliders and electric retractables which are unsightly and require tracks and frames to be attached to the outside frame of the garage opening.

The Breezy Living Garage Screen Door is also a green product because it uses no electricity or power and 90% of the materials used in its manufacture are recyclable.

Call One Clear Choice at 303.565.6409 for more information or to get yours installed.

We are always looking for ways to bump up the curb appeal of our home and when Clopay approached us about sharing some interesting new products that do just that, we had to take a look.

But first we wanted to know what a garage door manufacturer knew about increasing a home’s curb appeal. Turns out A LOT! Typically garage doors don’t rank high on the beauty shot scale and we’ve yet to come across a Pinterest board dedicated to beautiful garage door photos, but according to a Remodeling Magazine 2011 cost vs. value report, maybe we should take garage doors more seriously.

According to the study, garage door replacement ranks in the top 5 exterior home improvement projects, netting a 71% cost return at resale, on average, nationwide. This is a huge number that could make a big difference in appraisals and your listing price.

Garage door replacement ranks high in both categories for a few reasons:

1. It is among the least expensive projects in the survey.

2. A new garage door improves curb appeal in a way that can affect a potential buyer’s first impression and, consequently, a home’s resale value.

Garage doors are a major exterior design feature, especially if the garage faces the street. An upgrade doesn’t necessarily cost a lot but it makes a big first impression, considering 73 percent of Americans now enter their home through their garage.

A remodeled kitchen and bath can help sell a home, but curb appeal is what gets buyers through the door. If they don’t like what they see from the street, chances are they won’t waste time going inside.

Door replacement can be done in less than a day and the visual gratification is instant.

3. Smart exterior upgrades improve energy efficiency – another important factor as homeowners look at ways to reduce the long-term costs of owning and maintaining a home.

Before & After

Have you looked at the condition of your garage door? The above study proves a point that you shouldn’t let your garage door become an afterthought when considering the exterior appearance of your home, in fact if you are looking for the best resale value on your home you should carefully consider the door style and condition.

Here are a few before and after photos that leave no question about the value of a good looking garage door.

This homeowner upgraded from a flush panel white steel door to a Clopay Semi-Custom Reserve Collection wood carriage house style garage door that becomes an instant focal point and also complements the wood Craftsman entry door.

BEFORE

AFTER

This is an architect’s house in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He didn’t realize there were contemporary garage doors to match the look of his home when he built it so he just went with flush panel steel doors to blend in with the facade.

BEFORE

AFTER

If these before and after photos don’t convince you that an upgraded garage door will improve the curb appeal of your home, then nothing will. In fact the eye-catching style of most of these new doors enhances the other elements of the house such as the windows, front doors and shutters.

If you think your garage door could use an upgrade, then stay tuned for our next article in which we dive a bit deeper on the overall design of the garage door and show you how to match your front door to your garage door.

This article is reprinted from the Charles & Hudson blog: http://charlesandhudson.com/archives/2012/02/door_to_door_the_most_bang_for_your_buck_is_a_gara.htm

To see more before & after photos, click the link above.

By One Clear Choice Garage Doors Owner & Garage Door Expert Chris Chapman

It is something so small yet it wields so much power. It is your garage door remote. Most likely attached to the visor in your car, this handheld device gets you in and out of your garage with just the click of a button.

Have you ever had to shop for a new garage door remote? If you have, then you know that the choices can be overwhelming.

We were here to help simplify things for you. When it comes to remotes you only need to remember 3 things:

1. DO NOT use a universal remote.

Not only can universal garage door remotes cause frequency interference; they are not always compatible with your garage door opener even though they say they are “universal.”

2. DO buy a remote that has the capability to work as many doors as you may have.

3. If there is a BEST garage door remote, it is the new 893MAX 3-Button Visor Remote Control by LiftMaster.

The LiftMaster 893MAX is compatible with all LiftMaster openers manufactured since 1993. It has a motion lighting system so that you can see the buttons in the dark and is appealing to the eye as well.

From LiftMaster: This powerful multi-door control can operate three garage door openers or gate operators, or MyQ™ enabled light accessories.

It features Security+2.0™ rolling code technology that significantly reduces radio wave interference and makes it virtually impossible for anyone to steal your remote control signal.

Plus, it’s compatible with all LiftMaster® garage door openers manufactured since 1993. Also, this garage door remote:

• Can control up to three garage door openers or gate operators, or MyQ™ enabled light accessories
• Is equipped with Security+2.0™ rolling code technology that virtually eliminates radio wave interference
• Is compatible with all LiftMaster® garage door openers manufactured since January 1993, and all 315MHz Security+® LiftMaster and Elite® gate operators

The 893Max 3-Button Visor Remote Control by LiftMaster retails for $41.95.

Our other top picks for best garage door opener remotes:

For price:

On the cheaper end of the spectrum is the 371LM Single-Button Remote Control from LiftMaster, retailing for only $34.95, which is amazing considering all of its features.

“Our basic single-button remote control isn’t so basic,” says LiftMaster. This garage door remote can operate a single garage door or gate, or turn your garage door opener lights on/off.

It can also be used as an extra remote control to turn on lights or small appliances inside your home – all from the comfort of your car. It features Security+® rolling code technology that sends a brand new code every time it is used.  One 5-year 3-volt battery is included.

For size/convenience:

If you are a person on the go, and want a smaller garage door remote option, consider the 890MAX 3-Button Mini Remote Control. It is small enough to fit on your keychain, or in your purse or pocket.

The 890MAX is also powerful enough to control up to three garage door openers or gate operators, or MyQ™ enabled light accessories.

For added safety, it features Security+2.0™ rolling code technology that virtually eliminates interference and sends a brand new code every time it is used.

A 5-year 3V battery is included, and it is compatible with all LiftMaster® garage door openers manufactured since January 1993, and all 315MHz Security+® LiftMaster and Elite® gate operators.

The LiftMaster 890MAX garaged door remote retails for $41.95.

If you’re still unsure of the best garage door opener system – whether it be an opener, or just a remote – give One Clear Choice Garage Doors a call at 303-565-6409 and we will be happy to help you decide what is right for you.

Chris Chapman from One Clear Choice Garage Doors appeared on Colorado’s Best 1/26/12. Watch the clip by clicking View Now above.

Part 3 of our series, “Your Garage Door Opener – Denver’s Best Reviewed” By One Clear Choice Garage Doors Owner Chris Chapman. See Parts 1 and 2 here.

Now, a word on brands that did not make the list:

Just because an opener did not make this list does not mean it is a product we would speak negatively about. There are simply more brands and models than I could cover in one article.

One Clear Choice services and installs all brands. Some runners up include:

1. Somner – A very cool opener; great in low headroom situations.
2. Martin – We do not see these very often for repair service calls, and they are quiet.

Why Liftmaster and not Chamberlain:

LIFTMASTER is the professional series and it is better. Solid rails, quality hardware, better warranty, professionally installed.

Also, we recommend that you install a garage door surge protector on all openers.  Liftmaster is the only company to make a surge protector specifically for the garage door opener and it warranties you against ALL power surges, spikes, or occurrences for five years, even lightning strikes.

Have fun choosing your garage door opener!

By Chris Chapman, Owner of One Clear Choice Garage Doors

In Part 1 of our series, “Your Garage Door Opener – Denver’s Best Reviewed,” we talked about the history of the garage door opener and why it is a luxury but not a necessity for actually lifting your garage door, and then we presented #4 and #3 on our list of the top 4 garage door openers on the market.

In Part 2 of our series “Your Garage Door Opener – Denver’s Best Reviewed”, we present our picks for the top 2 openers. Beginning with the runner up…

2. 3800 Liftmaster jack shaft

This garage door opener is one of One Clear Choice’s absolute favorites. No headroom? No problem. This opener mounts to the torsion tube and lifts the door by turning the tube.

What this means is that if you do not have the extra room overhead for a bulky opener, you do not need to resort to mounting your opener sideways with bulky hardware in a way that was never the designer’s intention, or cut into the ceiling to make it fit.

With this opener those problems are gone. It also comes with a track lock, and a cable tension sensor to keep the door from coming off track if the cables lose tension.

This garage door opener can have a battery backup and a remote light installed on it. The wall button is “Smart” – it tells the time as well as the temperature in the garage and features a soft LED glow making it easy to find in the dark.

The wall button can also tell you if your safety eyes are out of alignment, if the door is locked, or if you had a power failure – all in three languages (English, Spanish and French). When this opener goes to MyQ™ technology there will be no comparison.

1. 8550 Liftmaster DC belt drive with MyQ™ technology

Simply amazing, this belt drive garage door opener does it all. It is quieter than the 3280 and softer on the gears because of the DC motor that takes off slowly on start, and lands slowly, moving at a normal rate in between.

The wall button on this opener does everything that the jack shaft does and more, even telling you how many times you have cycled the door, and whether or not it may need service.

The computer inside the opener will even adjust the sensitivity when needed and is capable of identifying if problems are coming from cold or maintenance issues.

This garage door opener’s MyQ™ technology allows you to connect to your garage door opener through your cell phone and operate it. That’s right – if you have cell phone service, you can close your door from thousands of miles away. You can also open and close your door from any room in the house.

This garage door opener also has the battery back up to keep your door functional during power failure. The possibilities are endless with the 8550 Liftmaster DC belt drive with MyQ™ technology.

Wait till you see why certain openers didn’t make the list in our next post…

By One Clear Choice Garage Doors Owner Chris Chapman

Now that we have looked at the Top 10 Garage Doors for Denver, let’s review the top garage door openers.

Also known as automatic lifts or electric openers, garage door openers have been around a long time. Wikipedia tells us, in fact, that the electric overhead garage door opener was invented by C.G. Johnson in 1926 in Hartford City, Indiana, and became popular after World War II.

Since then, garage door openers have come a long way. They are stronger. They are quieter, some even as quiet as a whisper. And they are smarter, some even working with your home’s computer.

Most of us can’t remember life before automatic openers, and those that do remember it may say, “I’ve never had a garage door opener, I’ve never needed a garage door opener, and I do NOT want a garage door opener”, which tells us one thing with certainty:

Garage door openers are a wonderful luxury but are not what actually lifts the door. 

In other words, if your garage door is not working correctly, then a new opener, no matter how great it is, will not solve the problem. Call 303.565.4409 for a free diagnostic from One Clear Choice Garage Doors if you are experiencing issues with your garage door.

So if it’s a luxury and not a necessity, why purchase a new garage door opener?

There are two main reasons: convenience and safety.

1. Convenience

Garage door openers provide the convenience of being able to get in to your garage quickly without having to leave your vehicle and being exposed to the elements.

2. Safety

A properly working garage door opener can be one of the best additions to your home in regards to garage door safety. A garage door opener can prevent you from injury while lifting a heavy door; it will tell you when your door is not balanced and is too heavy; and it lifts the door the same way every time at a speed that is safe.

Before you purchase an opener and have it installed, go through the following checklist:

1. Make sure your door is rolling smoothly. Check to make sure that the rollers are not dragging, popping, grinding, or binding in any way.
2. Make sure your door is balanced. This means that it should take the same effort to lift the garage door as it does to close the garage door.
3. If your garage door is not working properly, and especially if it is heavy, do not try to rig your opener by turning the force up to higher levels in order to get the door up. YOUR OPENER IS NOT SUPPOSED TO LIFT THE WEIGHT OF THE DOOR. Doing this is extremely dangerous and even with lighter doors this practice can be fatal.

Now, on to the list. 

The following garage door openers are all Liftmaster brand openers. In my opinion, no other brand even comes close to Liftmaster in terms of popularity, consistency (reliability), and features. Liftmaster (made by Chamberlain) comprises 70% of all the openers installed in the world.

4. 3255 Liftmaster ½ hp chain drive opener

This garage door opener makes the list for economical reasons. Extremely affordable, and quieter than its ancestors, this opener has all the power you need to get your garage door going.

The Liftmaster chain drive opener, if installed correctly, will last as long as you own your home and maybe even forever, with proper door maintenance. No bells and whistles here. Just gets your door up and closes it behind you.

3. 3280 Liftmaster ½ hp belt drive opener

This garage door opener is One Clear Choice Doors’ bestseller by far.  This opener comes standard with a whisper drive motor for quiet and smooth operation, thanks to the anti-vibration hardware inside.

This opener is also reliable. I personally have never been on a service call that required a repair on this opener.

The wall button on this Liftmaster garage door opener has a light switch and a lock that enables you to lock out remotes when you are on vacation, or if you left your car in the driveway and your remote is in it and you don’t want to go get it. That way, if someone breaks into your car then they will not be able to get into your home.

In Part 2 we will reveal our top 2 picks for the best garage door openers. Stay tuned!

Here’s the audio clip of Chris Chapman on Mile High Sports Radio with Brandon Spano!