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4 Reasons Your Garage is the Best Place to Store Your Vehicle

in Garage Door Safety by elkgrovegaragedoorco

Our vehicles are our most important possessions. Aside from our houses, cars tend to be among our most expensive things we own. And we depend on them for so many things — to get to work, buy groceries, and get out for entertainment and recreation.

That’s why it’s so surprising that nearly half of all Americans don’t park their cars in their garages. In fact, 75% of middle income families in LA don’t park their cars in their garage. They either don’t have the room because their garage is full of clutter or they’re using it for important storage, or they are using the garage for recreational, office or living space.

But parking your car outside exposes your vehicle to both the elements and crime, especially in Elk Grove, California where crime is on the rise. Here are 4 reasons you should park your car in your garage.

Safety

If you don’t park your car in your garage, you risk your car to theft and vandalism. Your car becomes a target. When you park in your garage, you can protect your car by installing a fortified garage door, as well as security features like alarms and cameras.

Weather Protection

Cars and paint jobs wear out if your car is left outside over long periods of time and exposed to the elements. Weather in Elk Grove, California is no joke. Rainstorms get intense. The sun seems to bake everything in sight. This can be hard on your paint job and car in general. By parking your car in your garage, you protect it from the weather. And if you have installed an insulated garage door, it’s protected by the intense heat of California summers as well.

Protect Your Car’s Coating

Your car’s paint is probably protected by Teflon and a cost of wax. Harsh conditions like the monsoon like rain we get in the winters in Elk Grove, California can wear that protection away. Keep your car in your garage to preserve your car’s protective coating.

Prolonged Engine Life

If you have an insulated garage door, the temperature in your garage stays pretty consistent. This is much better for your engine, prolonging its life and optimizing its performance. The engine stays lubricated because the engine oil maintains its viscosity upon startup.

What Amount of HP Does Your Garage Door Opener Need?

When choosing an opener for your garage door, keep in mind that motors come in different power capabilities. Each is designed to raise a different sized door. It is important to choose an opener with the right amount of HP to ensure you’re not putting too much strain on the opener. Garage door openers typically range from 1/3 to over 1 horsepower. Most residential garage doors require an opener that has ½ HP, but it really depends on the size and weight of your garage door. If you have an average weight double door or a heavier single garage door, ½ HP is probably the ticket. A 1/3-horsepower opener can handle most doors 10 feet wide by 8 feet tall made of lightweight material, such as uninsulated steel. If you need help in selecting the right amount of HP for your garage door opener, we’d be glad to assist. We install and repair garage doors and garage door openers for the Elk Grove, California area.