Shelia Hammonds, President Stan Mountain, Guest Speaker Ron Heidt, John & Cassie Ahearn
The latest trends in garage doors was the topic at the August membership luncheon of the North Texas Home Builders Association held Thursday, Aug. 2, at the Kemp Center for the Arts.
Ron Heidt of Spring, Texas, director of builder sales for Overhead Door Corporation, said installing a high-quality garage door is the second most important way to increase the value of your home. He stressed that doors are available with 20-year to lifetime warranties.
During the presentation, he discussed two new doors on the market. The Impression Collection is a panel door engineered with an artfully molded wood grain fiberglass surface concealing durable steel construction. It comes in a variety of architectural styles with three-section styling on seven-foot high doors and four-section styling on eight-foot high doors. It is available in 10 colors along with a choice of three types of windows and optional hardware.
Heidt stressed that the Impression Collection is made with foamed-in-place polyurethane insulation with an R-value of 7.6 that helps control costly heat loss and heat gain. He added that this type of insulation can diminish street noise and makes the door quieter as it operates. “These doors also are designed with award-winning safety and technology features including pinch-resistant door panels and factory-installed powder-coated interior hardware that ensures proper alignment and smoother operation with a clean interior appearance.”
He added that the fiberglass exterior utilizes Therma-Tru Accu Grain technology providing the beauty of wood without the maintenance.
Heidt also discussed the Modern Aluminum Collection of sleek, sophisticated garage doors. “The Modern Aluminum Collection door provides a unique look for today’s more contemporary-styled homes.” It combines glass and aluminum for unparalleled visual appeal, strength and light infiltration. It is available in the 511 Series for door sizes up to 16-feet wide and the 521 Series for doors up to 26-feet wide. The 521 Series also offers a joint seal between sections for additional weather resistance. He added that the Modern Aluminum Collection offers an array of glass choices, including double strength, tempered, Low E, insulated, frosted, mirrored, reeded and tinted glass. Light-filtering glass also is available to add style while maintaining privacy. Additionally, Heidt said the Modern Aluminum Collection features 197 powder coat color options to best match the home. “Clear, anodized finish comes standard. We also have solid aluminum panels for a unique, distinctive look. Doors also can be anodized in light, medium, or dark bronze.”
For homes located in extreme wind conditions, Heidt said you can safeguard your home with a wind load-rated system. This is available on the 521 Series and means your door can be built to withstand a variety of wind conditions, including hurricane-force winds, and meet all local building codes.
Heidt mentioned to the audience that Overhead Door invented the electric garage door opener. New openers use a DC motor that is quieter than previous motors.