Frequently Asked Question

Q. Why should I choose an insulated door if my garage is not insulated?

A. A garage door opening is very large. Insulated doors will help to reduce the transfer of heat or cold air into your garage. This is important for a number of reasons:

1. If your garage is attached to your home, air in the garage can travel through the doorway to your living area.
2. If you use your garage as a workshop, your comfort will be a top priority.
3. If your garage is below another room in your home, air can travel through the ceiling of the garage into the floor of the room above. An insulated door will keep temperatures in the garage fairly stable to reduce the temperature fluctuation in the room above.
4. An insulated door is generally quieter and has a more attractive interior than a non-insulated door.

Q. What are the benefits of a steel door versus a wood door?

A. Steel doors may require less maintenance than a wood door. Amarr steel doors are pre-painted with a factory-applied baked-on coating. Amarr recommends an annual cleaning of the exterior of the door with a common household detergent and warm water at least one time per year. Amarr wood doors are unfinished and need to be primed and painted or stained on all six sides of the door upon delivery. Amarr recommends visual inspection of the paint or stain finish on wood doors one time per year to confirm if another finish application is necessary.

Q. I've been comparing R-values of various doors and am surprised at the variance among them. Can you explain this?

A. Many manufacturers use R-values to show the energy efficiency of their product. This number is calculated based on the thickness of the insulation and its chemical properties. Therefore, most of the published R-value numbers, reflect only the R-value of a section, not of the installed door. A door's insulating capabilities can be greatly affected by the door's construction. For that reason, Amarr's insulated doors are built to maximize energy efficiency. Our thermal break, door section construction and insulation help keep your garage as comfortable as possible.

Q. What type of spring is better...extension or torsion?

A. The two types of springs used on garage doors today are extension and torsion springs. Extension springs are attached on either side of the door and stretch along the horizontal track when the door is closed. Torsion springs are typically located just above the top section of the door and are mounted to the header. They are wound springs and do not expand or contract when the door is moved. Some homeowners prefer torsion springs because these springs offer more safety and provide better balance to the door for smoother operation.

Q. How do I paint a wood door?

A. Amarr manufactured wood doors are specialty wood products and have natural wood variations. Wood doors require special finishing prior to installation. To finish, preserve and protect your beautiful Amarr wood door, all six (6) sides of each garage door section must be finished within two (2) days of receipt of door and prior to installation to validate the warranty.

• Preparation
  Lightly buff or sand any natural surface imperfections.

• Painting or Staining
  Prior to installation, all six (6) sides of each garage door section must be painted (or sealed) with one (1) coat of exterior grade primer (or stain) and two (2) coats of high quality exterior grade paint (or sealer, if stained), in accordance with the finish manufacturer’s instructions. Dark shades are not recommended for stain grade wood doors on southern or western exposures. Dark shades may requires additional maintenance.

Q. What is Wind Load? And how do I know if my garage door needs to be a Wind Load door?

A. If you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes and windstorms, you may need a garage door that is engineered to meet strict building code requirements for high winds. Your local professional garage door dealer/installer can determine the appropriate Wind Load door for your area.