by Suzanne Lewisit
Where space permits, houses usually have garage doors. They last for a long time but due to accidents or regular wear-and-tear, it becomes necessary to have look for a replacement. But before you have your entire door replaced, consider checking first if you can remedy the problem with garage door panels. Garage panels only form a part of your actual door so replacing them will be cheaper.
Your options
While garage doors have more of a functional purpose, they are a major part of your house's exteriors so it's important for you to choose garage door panels accordingly. Your best bet still is to go to your original door's manufacturer to look for panels you can use. This way, you are assured that the panels will be compatible with your door. There are a range of styles available to you when it comes to panels so don't worry about finding one you can work with. Some of your options though include flush panels, long raised panels, short raised panels, and painted panels. If you want, you can use this time to add character to your garage door by installing a window panel. Panels are usually available in wood or steel.
He sent for lancewood to make the thills;
The crossbars were ash, from the straightest trees;
The panels of white-wood, that cuts like cheese,
But lasts like iron for things like these;
The hubs of logs from the “Settler’s ellum,”—
Last of its timber,—they couldn’t sell ‘em,
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809–1894)
Installation
You can easily install garage door panels on your own. Turn it into a home improvement project and involve the entire family. Not only will this make the work quicker but you also get to enjoy bonding time with everyone. To get you started on repairing those panels, make sure that your door opener is unplugged. After that, remove the strings to ensure that your door will not spring open while you are working. Close the door afterwards as you would, pulling it all the way down.
To remove old panels, unscrew the panels you want to remove. All panels are attached to the track rollers and each other so if the panel you are removing is not at the top, then you're going to have to remove all panels before it by sliding them up. Slide out the panel you want to remove when all others are cleared to let it through.
In putting back new garage panels, just do the reverse of what you did to remove the panels. Once all panels are in place, slide in the top panel back and attach everything. Open your door and then re-attach the spring. After that, you're done!
Avrum was there in the audience, I believe, in Berkeley on the afternoon in 1941 when, in conformity with the law subsequently enunciated by Murphy, what could go wrong, epistemologically, did. G. E. Moore was delivering the Howison Lecture in Wheeler Auditorium, which had a handsome coffered ceiling inset with glass panels. Giving a local angle to his defence of common sense, Moore declared that among the things he knew there and then was that light from the sun was streaming through the roof. Most in the audience were aware, however, that the glass panels were diffusers for electrical illumination; the roof of the building was solid and opaque. Someone had the temerity to point this out to Moore in the question period. He responded, “Oh dear me!” and went on to the next question.
—Wallace Matson, U. S. philosopher. Certainty and Surface in Epistemology and Philosophical Method, p. 7, Edwin Mellen Press (1991)
Safety first
However, if none in your family have the skills necessary, please be concerned about your safety first and let the professionals handle installation. A garage door panel is never enough of a reason to get hurt. Suzanne Lewisit owns and operates http://www.squidoo.com/garagedoorpanels2, Quality and Affordable Garage Door Panels.