New Roller Doors Improve Kerb Appeal And Increase Property Values

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As the renovation movement continues to gain traction across the country, homes from all time periods are getting makeovers, sometimes using original materials but more often, using the best of new technologies. Renovators have found they can keep the original character of a dwelling without having to use outdated methods.

Garage doors are a good example of something very visible and functional that have improved in every aspect of their manufacture. At Direct Door Services we have been manufacturing, supplying, servicing and repairing garage doors for over 20 years. In that time, we have seen many innovations resulting in improved performance, security and aesthetic appeal.

Need Space in Your Driveway? Get Rid of Your Old Garage Doors

Homes built in the 1960s and 1970s typically had tilt garage doors and even though they may still be operational, we recommend to renovators that they replace them with modern roller doors, for a number of reasons. Firstly, space in most driveways these days is at a premium. Most households now have more than one vehicle, and the old, tilt garages, by opening outward and upward, take up unnecessary space.

Modern Roller Doors Safer and More Secure

Secondly, the technology involved in fastening the doors has vastly improved from the clunky old springs mounted on either side of the door frame, which can become dangerous when worn. If they fail, the entire weight of the door can come crashing down on vehicles or much worse, people or pets if they happen to be in the area at the time. Roller doors use safe spring systems mounted above the door, and because they are made of lightweight material, are much safer in all respects.

This does not mean, however, that they lack in keeping the residence secure. Older doors are much more vulnerable to break-ins than new roller doors which are made of superior quality materials and fastenings. They also have a range of additional security technologies such as alarms available on installation.

Great Looks and Low Maintenance – Can’t Beat It!

New roller doors beat the old tilt-type doors hands down when it comes to looks and ease of maintenance. Up to the minute fashion colours and finishes to match the rest of the residence enhance the appearance and increase the value of the property when new doors are installed. Modern doors with a baked enamel finish also don’t need painting, reducing the need to freshen up the old doors with paint every couple of years.

Keep the Weather Outside

With the often-violent nature of our weather, keeping the rain out of the garage is a big priority for home owners. Tilt-type doors do not seal as well as roller doors, which have been designed for maximum weather protection.

Having replaced many old doors with new, efficient, attractive and secure roller doors, we have many very happy clients who are glad they made the decision to get rid of their old doors. Contact Direct Door Services for an instant facelift for your property.

Help! Which Roller Shutter Is Best For My Situation?

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With so many different varieties of roller shutters available on the market these days, there is no such thing as an ordinary, standard-type roller product. This is great for the consumer who is now spoilt for choice, but for people unfamiliar with the shutter industry, it can also cause confusion. By the time they sort through brochures and websites trying to make a decision, they are often not confident that they have made the right choice.

As a company with over 20 years’ experience in this industry, Direct Door Services are well placed to advise clients who are confused about which type of shutter would suit their needs. For example, security may be a priority for some clients, while fire protection may be the most important issue for others. To help them out we offer some information about roller shutters and the various functions they perform.

Need to Keep Sound and Temperature Under Control?

Insulated roller shutters are the perfect product for industrial situations where there are thermal or sound issues that may impact on neighbouring properties. Lightweight yet strong, these shutters use foam of a specified thickness to reduce noise and control temperatures.

Shutters Available for both Light and Heavy Industry

Industrial roller shutters are available in a comprehensive range of sizes, strengths and colours. In light industrial situations such as counters, kiosks, sheds and supermarket entrances, they are an economical and versatile way to protect property from theft and damage. They may not be suitable for heavy industrial applications where large door openings and the constant movement of machinery such as forklifts and mobile cranes require a more robust and secure door system. However, there are roller shutters that are made to suit this challenging environment.

When Protection from Fire is a Priority

There are situations where roller shutters are required to stop a fire spreading from one area to another. In these cases, we can supply fire shutters that are activated from a fire control panel or via a fusible link that will automatically close the shutter when the temperature reaches 72 degrees Celsius. Most of the time they operate like any other normal shutter, but in an emergency situation these other features activate to protect people and property.

Intruders on Alert

Another product from our range is the security roller shutter. With determined property invaders an ever-present threat in our society in both the home and business environment, these specially reinforced shutters are designed to prevent unauthorised entry to premises.

These are just a few of the choices available, so it is not surprising that our clients are grateful for our assistance in helping them decide the best option for their circumstances. Once that decision is made, they can then focus on colours, finishes and other product enhancements. We supply, install, service and repair such a wide range of roller shutters that it is little wonder that they come to Direct Door Services for guidance.

Need Help Choosing The Right Type Of Door For Your Situation?

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As suppliers and installers of domestic, commercial and industrial roller doors, we understand how hard it is to choose the best type of door for your needs. It is never as simple as looking at a vacant door opening and making a snap decision. There are questions that need answers first; such as what is the key function of the door or what type of door would suit the space available.

In an industrial environment, for example, fire proofing may be essential in certain circumstances, but it is never requested for a domestic situation. However, for commercial properties where there may be large quantities of stock or electronic equipment, security could be a major characteristic needed by the owners.

At Direct Door Services our many years of experience enables us to help our clients choose the correct types of roller doors and shutters for their specific needs. Because we source our products from a range of different suppliers, we are able to offer any type or brand of door at a competitive price.

Some Features of Domestic Doors

Most garage doors are situated at the front of a dwelling, so the appearance of the door is just as important as its functionality. It must blend with and enhance the existing structure, so having a wide colour choice is essential. A poor choice here could reduce the value of the home by thousands of dollars.

The type of door is usually influenced by the space available. A panel lift door is excellent for tight spaces because it glides along the ceiling, saving ceiling space and not needing room outside to open and close. A tilt-a-door is perfect when there is plenty of space in front of the garage as it needs to open outward before it slips up into the ceiling space, roller doors are easy to operate as it just rolls onto a drum leaving you ceiling area clear but does require 350mm head room clearance.

For the Industrial Environment

This is usually a very active, no-frills scene, with fork-lifts and heavy machinery moving around quickly to meet deadlines. It needs a robust door that does not have to be completely removed if it is damaged. A roller shutter is the best option for this environment, as it is made from heavier materials giving that added security and are comprised of individual slats interlocked together, requiring only the damaged part of the door to be replaced, should the shutter ever be impacted.

Considerations for Commercial Applications

Many of the characteristics of industrial doors are applicable to a commercial situation, but sites like underground parking areas, shopping centres and office buildings, also require protection from fire. These are usually premises for use by the general public as well as staff. Therefore, the well being of large numbers of people is of major concern. This type of shutter closes automatically when the fire alarm is activated, and keeps the fire contained.

These are just a few issues to consider, so identifying the right type of door for a particular purpose is best left to experts like Direct Door Services. We have a solution to your roller door or shutter problem.

Roller Doors Also Need Cleaning and Care

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Roller Doors spend their lifetime with half of them outside in the weather, be it sunny, raining or howling storm or snow. The other side—the inside, is left to contend with the flotsam and jetsam that blows in when they are opened. Then, depending on your situation, be it domestic, commercial or industrial, these mechanisms may need to contend with smoke, steam, settling dust and grease particles, among others.

This does not mean that they don’t have their fair share of issues to contend with anyway. The simple operation of them contributes to wear and tear.

Factors That Could Impede Optimal Operation

Usually, the working mechanisms of such doors are placed inside to protect them from the elements. Even after being placed inside out of harm’s way, these operating mechanisms can still be obstructed or hampered in many ways.

Simple use alone will create a demand for regular cleaning, lubricating and general maintenance. For example – How often do you open and close your roller door?

Domestic Roller Doors

If you have a domestic roller door and work a normal week you could expect that you would open and close your roller door twice a day. This means on average that you door is being operated 730 times per year. That’s 730 openings and 730 closings.

This is just to get to and from work. Once you throw in the fact that there might be two of you opening that door twice a day you can see how quickly this number increases.

Commercial & Industrial Roller Doors

Depending on what your industry is, your roller door may also be opened and closed twice a day. If there is ever any downtime for meal breaks or rules about when your door is in use during the day, this number could double or even triple.

Different Maintenance Agreements For Different Doors

You can see why it is imperative that your roller door should be included in a cleaning and maintenance schedule. Just as you may routinely check a pool filter, clean out your gutters or dust your blinds you must also have your roller doors checked.

Direct Door Services maintain and service all doors in the Brisbane and Gold Coast Areas. We offer a range of service agreements to ensure you get the best out of your door and will continue to do so for many years to come.

Our experienced team can attend to motorizations, forming openings, re-springs, impact damage and more.

Go Motorised – Convenience And Protection In Tight Spots

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Are you dreaming of being able to drive into the warm and welcoming cover of a lockable garage? Those dark cold nights can make the outside seem a bit creepy. Your big problem is that you have a really tight spot and you think that it could be difficult to manoeuvre your car and your garage door safely.

For Ease of Access in Tight Spots

It maybe that all you really need is a motorised door that will open and close with the click of a button that you keep with the vehicle. They truly are the best solution to get you into warmth and safety and out of the cold or even worse – the wet – quickly.
They come in all styles so we are sure to find the right door to allow you maximum space to park the car and transfer the family inside without fear of getting wet.

Increase Your Street Appeal

Direct Door Services provide many styles or fascias to ensure we find the best possible match to your home. The host of colours, designs, and patterns are sure to please and you will find it difficult to decide which will suit.

Increases Property Value

We all know that by going the extra few yards such as pathways and landscaping, we add value to our homes. A quality garage door can offer not just increased street appeal, but also value to your home far beyond its cost. That sounds like a good investment.

The Cherry on the Top

The cherry on the top of having a Direct Door Services motorised door is that it offers peace of mind as you know that your motor vehicles and stored items are protected and secure. In some cases this is more than doubly important as your garage door offers access directly into our home.

Service Variety

Here are just some of the great companies we offer new installations, service and repairs, including insurance work, for:

  • Austral Monsoon
  • Ezi-roll
  • Gliderol
  • Mirage
  • B&D
  • Grifco Motors
  • Steel-line
  • Merlin Motors
  • ARD
  • ATA

    • So whether you need a new door, or an old door serviced or repaired give us a call.
    One of our friendly staff can come to you and offer an obligation free measure up and/or quote to get you on track to the garage door that your family and home deserve.

Improving Home Security with Garage Doors

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Home security involves a holistic approach. It is a combination of different security systems working together for the prime purpose of keeping a residential property safe from thieves and criminals. However, home security is tested not only by thieves and criminals, but also by unforeseen events such as accidents and natural disasters. Although much attention should be given to securing the main door, installing secure garage doors will help much more to keep the property secure at all times. More often than not, the home garage is used as an entry point when someone is breaking into a house.

If the garage door is not working properly and looks broken and weak, there is a good chance that your house can easily be broken into by burglars or criminals. At the same time, accidents can happen with faulty garage doors. If garage doors are not checked regularly, they can be effortlessly destroyed by a storm.

Garage doors can also give passers-by a glimpse of your property. You work hard for your property, but flashing it for everyone to see might attract thieves. If you have a garage door with windows, you might want to change it into a solid material to ensure that the home interior is not easily seen by people outside. Setting up an alarm system in your garage is also a good way to improve home security. You can also install lights in the garage to repel criminals from entering through the garage door.

Should You Hire a Professional?

When you notice that the garage door is not working properly, you can do maintenance by yourself if the problem is simple enough. Replacing hinges and putting lubricants on the rollers can easily be performed. Complicated mechanical problems such as improperly working remote controlled garage doors require the help of a reliable professional garage door specialist.

A good garage door specialist can work with both home and industrial garage doors. It is best to delegate the job repair to a professional to avoid further problems with the garage door. At the same time, working with something you are not familiar with might just cause an injury. These professionals have adequate knowledge and skills in handling the work.

Repair companies also offer warranty for the services they provide. Because of this warranty, you are also certain that they are doing their job. Otherwise, they will have to get back to the customer for any additional repairs.

Remember to choose a repair company with a positive feedback from past customers. For more inquiries about garage doors to improve your home’s security, please call 3802 2999.

Insurance for Your Garage Doors

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Garage doors are primarily installed for security purposes, but there are possibilities that the garage door might be damaged. It may be from an intrusion, a big storm, or any other cause. Because of the security risk, you will need to act fast to work with your insurance company for the quick replacement or repair of a roller door or shutter.

Direct Door Services understands the need of residents and commercial building owners to quickly get insurance claims on the damaged door. The company will help you through the tedious processes that you have to deal with to fix your garage door.

Temporary Security

First, it may be that the home or business premises may have to be secured temporarily. With the garage door damaged, your property would be exposed to danger, theft and more damage from wind and storms. The company can send someone to visit the site to make the roller door or shutter temporarily function, if possible. This will give you and the company ample time to completely fix the door.

Insurance Quotes

Before you can claim insurance, you must first get quotes from a garage door repair company. Direct Door Services can provide all the necessary garage doors insurance quotes you will need to get insurance-covered work on your garage door. All you need to do is to call the company to help you with getting insurance for your roller door or shutter.

Claiming insurance can be quite a pain. There are many procedures to follow and you have to be very careful in everything you do. You also have to be aware of any loopholes in the insurance policy that might hinder your claim. The company will remove the hassle and burden from you by sending the quotes to your insurance company.

Repair or Replacement

The company covers all types of insurance work for garage doors. Complete replacement may be needed if the door has been damaged severely. The company will send out a fully trained roller door specialist to assess the extent of the damage.

The company can handle small repairs up to the full replacement of the roller door of any brand or make. The work inclusion covers replacement of slats and guides. The company can replace a damaged motor due to fusion. A fully qualified electrician can go to your property to carry out any type of motor system repairs or replacements. Repairs and replacements can be done to all brands of domestic or commercial and industrial roller doors or roller shutters.

Types of Insurance

Remember that insurance claims can be limited, depending on the type of policy you have purchased. Insurance coverage also varies, so make sure you really do purchase the right type of insurance to cover whatever incidents might occur on your property. For instance, damage due to natural disasters may not be covered by all insurance policies, especially if they do not automatically include force majeure in the policy.

You must remember, however, that if the cost of repairs exceeds the insurance coverage, you will have to shoulder the remaining amount. In any case, having insurance coverage will still work very much to your advantage as you will never really know when a disaster or major damage will happen.

To inquire about insurance for your garage doors, visit the company’s website at www.directdoors.com.au.

Choosing the Right Garage Door for Your Home

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Installing a garage door in your home requires thorough evaluation of what it is you really need to suit your usage of the garage. Garage doors provide effective security for your vehicle and your house as well. But more than security, garage doors also add aesthetic quality to the house.

Garage doors, when selected and installed properly, can provide more convenience and ample security. They also enhance the appearance of the home. When choosing which garage door to install, consider the following factors.

Consider the Type of House

The garage door should go well with the style of the house. Naturally, old or colonial styles are certain to look good with the addition of a panel type garage door. Wood panel garage doors tend to go well with older house types. For more modern home styles, garage doors using metal or fibreglass materials would be a good addition.

Picking the Garage Door Type

Depending on the how you want the garage door to function, choose from the different types of garage doors. You may want your garage door to be fully automated. If so, then motorisation is needed for the garage door. It may also be that you do not require any automation in your garage door and simply want a classic look to complement the look and simplicity of the house.

Garage door types include roller doors, roller shutters, panel lift door and tilt-a-door type of doors. You may add in windows to the garage door to break the monotony in the door’s appearance.

What Material to Use

You can choose from different materials, from wood to stainless steel, to metal and fibreglass. When choosing the material for the garage door, remember that how long the door will last depends a lot on the material.

Each material has its pros and cons, so do consider these first and decide later which ones you can tolerate. Metal may be strong, but it can be dented if hit with some materials. Wood panels prove to be the least strong and they also require adequate maintenance, which could include staining and sealing.

Pick the Right Colour

The colour of the garage door should also be chosen properly so that the colour theme will bring out the best of the building’s style. There are many colours available for garage doors. You can go for neutral colours if you want to besafe, or you can use the colour of the trims of the house.

Garage doors are very useful in providing added security and convenience to the house. In choosing the right kind of garage door for your home, it is best to consult with a specialist in garage doors. That way, you get to know all the available options.

The Perfect Garage Door

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Choosing a garage door can be more confusing than choosing a door for your home. Not only are there a variety of materials and finishes to choose from, you also need to decide on the mechanism used to open and close the door.

Choosing the right garage door is, however, extremely important in terms of security, curb appeal and also convenience. Direct Door Services can help you to nail down the perfect garage doors. Here are a few things to consider:

Cost Effectiveness

Budget constraints do have to come into this equation but you really should choose the best door that you can afford. You need a door that is sturdy and that will last for a long time – steel and wood are good options.

The saying, “Buying cheap is going to cost you”, is especially apt here – factor in the useful lifespan of the door you are considering before simply going for the cheapest option. (It’s not really saving money if you have to replace it again in a few years.)

Good Quality

That leads to the next point – look for quality. A good quality garage door will stand up to the elements better and look good for longer. Also consider maintenance when deciding on what material to buy – steel and Colorbond are low maintenance options. Wood will require varnishing every few years.

To Tilt or not to Tilt

This is probably one of the most important decisions as it will often affect the material chosen for the door. Choosing one or the other is generally more a matter of space available than personal taste.

A tilt door is tilted up and out of the way and tends to take up more space. On the plus side, it is easy and quicker to operate. A roller door rolls right out of the way and takes a little longer.

The Actual Materials

The materials will dictate the end look. Having an ultra-modern shiny steel garage door may not fit in too well with traditional Queensland architecture. On the other hand, a wooden door may not go very well with an ultra-modern design. You need to take the architecture of your home into account when it comes to choosing a garage door.

You need to consider the longevity and maintenance aspects of your chosen materials as well. Wood, for example, is subject to more damage by the elements than steel or Colorbond.

With 18 years of experience in the industry, Direct Door Services is on hand to make this confusing choice a whole lot simpler. Let them come out to see for themselves and see what they will suggest. For more information go to www.directdoors.com.au

Choosing the Right Paint for Your Garage

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It might not seem like a big deal, but the paint you choose for your garage is important. This is the first thing that people see from the outside. The garage door has to blend well with the rest of the house and not be a visual liability. Often, garage doors are left out of the more important items to fix in the house. But, actually, they occupy a large space in the house and should be given the same attention.

Paint for Protection

Paint is not only for aesthetics, but also for function. It acts as protective covering for your garage doors. Paint material is essential in fighting off rust and any undue damage due to rust.

Garage doors may be made from different types of material. More information on garage doors here. For garage doors made mostly from wood, paint can act as an effective cover to protect them from climate and weather damage. Occasionally, you will need to do a re-painting of the garage doors to ensure that they are well protected from the elements. In early signs of rust showing or paint chipping off, act on it as soon as possible and do a thorough re-painting job.

What Paint Colour to Pick

People need to be careful in choosing the right colour for their garage doors as this could make or break the look of the entire house. More than often, the garage becomes part of the entire façade of the house, so the colour must blend or match the colour of the building.

It is a good idea to be guided by a colour palette to help you decide on which colour to select. There are available guides on colours to help you match different colours so that they will complement each other and be visually appealing even when they are not monochromatic.

The safest choice would be using the theme colour of the house, picking what is the most used tint on the house exterior. Be mindful about the style of the house as well. So if you have an old, traditional house style, choose a colour that will help accentuate the character of the house.

The garage door can also be used to provide a strong colour contrast to the house. If you have a modern type of dwelling, you can choose a colour that is more contemporary, yet still complementary to the colour range of the building exterior.

Garage doors can showcase your creativity and bring out the best of the home exterior. That is why choosing the right paint and colour for them is as important as deciding for the rest of the house.