Frequently Asked Questions

Northgate Garage Doors, Inc.^™, based in San Rafael, CA, has proudly served Marin County and parts of San Francisco for over 50 years. As a locally owned, licensed and fully insured company, we are committed to delivering expert service you can trust. We provide expert installation, replacement, and repair of residential overhead garage doors, at competitive prices.

We partner with industry-leading manufacturers to offer a wide selection of garage door styles, materials, and custom solutions, including carriage style garage doors, sectional steel garage doors, and modern contemporary aluminum and glass garage doors. Whether you need a standard installation or a fully customized garage door, Northgate Garage Doors, Inc. provides quality craftsmanship and tailored solutions to fit your home.

Unlike many competitors, we do not sub-contract our work. Our highly trained technicians have the expertise to complete specialized and technically demanding garage door installations and repairs that many competitors may not be equipped to perform. Their advanced skill set ensures consistent craftsmanship, meticulous attention to detail, and long-lasting performance on every installation and repair.

We recommend an annual inspection of both the garage door and its hardware. Regularly checking the exterior surface of your wood garage door helps ensure that any necessary refinishing is identified before significant wear occurs.

If the finish is in good condition, basic cleaning and minor touch-ups are typically sufficient. Avoid using garden hoses or pressure washers, as excessive water can damage the wood and shorten the lifespan of the door. Instead, use a damp sponge or soft towel to gently clean the surface.

If the finish becomes noticeably worn or deteriorated, we recommend refinishing the door to protect the wood and maintain its appearance.

In addition to surface care, yearly lubrication and adjustment of the following components is essential to keep your door operating smoothly: pulleys, rollers, hinges, and springs. Call Northgate Garage Doors, Inc.^™ today to schedule your annual maintenance.

An insulated steel garage door is constructed with a durable steel exterior, a solid core of insulation, and a steel interior backing. This multi-layer design is chemically bonded to form a composite structure that offers superior strength, enhanced rigidity, and increased dent resistance compared to non-insulated doors.

In addition to its durability, an insulated steel door provides significantly better thermal efficiency, helping to maintain indoor temperatures, reduce energy costs, and improve overall comfort—especially in attached garages or climate-sensitive areas.

Standard sectional overhead garage door headroom typically requires 12″ to 18″ of clearance between the top of the garage door opening (header) and the unobstructed ceiling. Northgate Garage Doors, Inc.^™ specializes in custom-built solutions, including low-headroom track systems that can accommodate garages with as little as 8″ of headroom.

Every garage is unique, which is why we carefully assess each space before recommending or ordering a door. Our expertise in special track configurations allows us to provide solutions for even the most challenging installations. Some of these specialized track options include:

Vertical Lift Track – Ideal for garages with extremely high ceilings where the door can lift straight up without turning.

Follow-the-Roofline Track – Used when the garage ceiling is pitched along the angle of the roof, maximizing available overhead space.

Hi-Lift Track – Suitable for garages with unusually high ceilings where the door rises vertically before transitioning to a horizontal position.

Wood

Pros:

• Offers virtually unlimited styles, designs, materials, and sizes.
• Can be painted or stained to match existing finishes.
• Excellent for custom installations.
• Easier to repair and can withstand minor impacts.

Cons:

• Not recommended for areas with significant exposure to weather, as wood can warp, crack, rot, or expand and contract.
• Requires more maintenance and is generally heavier and noisier than other materials.
• Typically, it is more expensive than a steel door.
• Wood doors are unfinished. Customers must finish (paint or stain) prior to installation and maintain finish over life of door.
• Dark stains are not recommended for southern or western exposures due to sun damage.

Steel

Pros:

• Low maintenance. long-lasting durability or better warranty compared to wood.
• Quieter operation and typically more cost-effective.
• Pre-painted but can also be painted to match most finishes.
• Suitable for all exposure levels.
• Insulated options available for energy efficiency.

Cons:

• Limited in styles, sizes, and design flexibility compared to wood.
• Generally not as impact resistant as wood or composite materials.
• Commonly it has a woodgrain texture.

Aluminum or Glass Doors

Pros:

• Low maintenance with modern, stylish design options.
• Pre-finished with a variety of sizes and configurations.
• Quiet operation and excellent durability across all exposure levels.
• By allowing natural light into the garage, it enhances visibility.

Cons:

• Typically, more expensive than wood or steel options.

Most manufacturers offer a one-year warranty on their wood garage doors. This warranty remains valid only if the door is completely sealed on all six sides before installation and properly maintained.

The six sides include:

• The front and back surfaces of each door section.
• All four edges of each section.

It’s essential to fully seal all sides—not just the front and back—to protect the door from moisture and environmental damage. Always refer to the specific manufacturer’s warranty for detailed requirements and finishing guidelines to ensure full coverage.

Northgate Garage Doors, Inc.^™ does not specifically recommend one particular kind of paint, stain, or varnish over another. Standard house paint will work. Dark shades are not recommended on southern or western exposures. Refer to manufacturers’ instructions for specific details.

With a Doorstop: The finished opening should be the same size as the door.

Without a DoorStop: The finished opening should be 1½” narrower in width and ½” shorter in height than the door size.

Look no further – Northgate Garage Doors, Inc.^™ is Marin County’s trusted expert in residential garage door customization. Our tailored garage door solutions include custom sizes, low-headroom track systems, high-lift track options, and specialty configurations for challenging garage openings.