<h2 style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt"><font size="3" color="#990000">Top 10 Secrets about Today’s Garage Doors</font></h2><font size="2"> </font> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">(ARA) – In the last few years, garage doors have experienced a major transformation in their role on the American home. Today’s garage doors do a lot more than go up and down.</span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt"><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">They deliver style. They can help sell your home in a difficult market. They can save energy and protect your house from powerful winds. They don’t need to be affected by power outages anymore. They can even tell you when you’ve forgotten to close them. </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/8c.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/8c.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Does your garage door do any of that? If your door is 10 years old or older, it probably doesn’t. Want a reason to replace your garage door? </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">There are plenty of reasons listed on <a href="http://www.garagewownow.com/">www.GarageWowNow.com</a> , a new non-commercial Web site devoted to the new role of today’s garage doors. The site includes dozens of before and after photos that really tell the story. </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Here are 10 little-known facts about today’s new garage doors. They can …</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>1. Add a unique style to your home’s appearance.</strong> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Does every home on your street have the same garage door? A new carriage house garage door can differentiate your home and greatly increase its curb appeal. Today’s trendy looks range from hundreds of different styles of carriage house doors, contemporary doors and even raised panel doors in unique finishes and colors.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>2. Help sell your home.</strong> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class=&quot;MsoNormal">Replacing your garage door could increase your home’s asking price anywhere from one to four percent, according to a 2006 nationwide study of real estate agents by Stratamark Research. In a tough housing market, you can differentiate your home by upgrading the one item that can comprise up to a third of your home’s front facade</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>3. Save energy.</strong> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Today’s garage doors offer insulation options that can save energy in both winter and summer. The federal government agrees. In 2006 and 2007, the IRS granted a tax credit to homeowners who replaced their garage door with a qualified insulated door. </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>4. Protect your home from powerful winds.</strong> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Hurricanes, tornadoes and strong wind storms can reduce your home to rubble. Wind experts now recognize the critical role played by the garage door in protecting your home from high winds. Code-approved, wind-resistant garage doors are now widely available. In many wind-prone areas, these doors are not just helpful; they’re mandated by the building code.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>5. Withstand power outages.</strong> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">The garage door is now used more than the front entry door, according to the 2007 Perfect Home Survey. Since most doors are now automated, how will you get in your home during a power outage? Thanks to garage door opener battery backup systems, your door can keep operating even when power is gone. </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>6. Tell you when you’ve left it open.</strong> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">An open garage, especially at night, is an invitation to thieves and vandals. Today’s garage door openers offer in-house monitors that alert you when you’ve left your door open – a security tool that provides peace-of-mind.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>7. Operate at the touch of a fingertip</strong>. </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Exterior keypads are rapidly growing in popularity. The latest keypad models offer fingerprint-recognition technology that eliminates the need to remember codes and offers fast and easy secure access.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>8. Replace your front door.</strong> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">A recent nationwide survey of consumers reveals that 71 percent of homeowners use their garage door to enter and exit their home every day. In today’s fast-paced society, the garage door is the new front door for the American home. The garage door is more convenient, and it commands more attention than the front entry door.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>9. Reflect your personal style.</strong> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Are you into a sleek modern look or the quaint charm of yesteryear? Today’s manufacturers are producing hundreds of distinct varieties that were not available 10 years ago. Why settle for a door that looks like every other door on your street?</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/8b.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/8b.swf" wmode="" quality="hig
h" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>10. Be installed by a pro.</strong> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">This isn’t a job for the weekend DIYer. It’s a complex and potentially dangerous task. It’s best done by a pro, who can do the job in a few short hours, haul your old door away and make sure your new door and opener are operating properly. You can find the garage door professional nearest you at <a href="http://www.garagewownow.com/">www.GarageWowNow.com</a>. </p>  <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">Courtesy of ARAcontent</span></p></span>