Garage door questions from Miami homeowners, answered
Everything we get asked, in one place, written by the people who do the work, not a content agency. If your question isn't here, call (786) 315-9238 and ask us directly.
Something is wrong with my door
Diagnosing the fault from what the door is actually doing.
Why won't my garage door open but the motor runs?
The trolley has almost certainly been disconnected from the door, usually because someone pulled the red emergency release cord. Close the door fully, pull the cord back toward the door until it clicks, then run the opener once to re-engage. If the motor runs and you hear it spinning freely with plastic debris below, the drive gear has stripped instead.
How do I know if my garage door spring is broken?
Three tells: you heard a loud bang, the door feels enormously heavy if you try to lift it by hand, and there is a visible gap of an inch or so in the coiled spring above the door. Any one of those is enough to stop using the door.
Can I open my garage door manually if the spring is broken?
You should not. Without the spring the door is carrying its full weight, 150 to 400 pounds, with nothing counterbalancing it. It can drop. Leave it where it is and keep people and vehicles clear.
Why does my garage door close then immediately open again?
Two likely causes. If the opener light blinks, the photo-eye safety sensors are misaligned or blocked. If the sensors are fine and the door touches down before reversing, the close-limit is set slightly too low, so the opener thinks it has hit an obstruction. The limit is adjustable but easy to overshoot, so it is worth having set properly.
Should both garage door sensor lights be green?
No, and this is the most misread thing on a garage door. The two eyes are not the same part. One sends the infrared beam and one receives it, and they use different colored LEDs on purpose so you can tell them apart. On a LiftMaster or Chamberlain the sending eye is amber and the receiving eye is green. On a Genie the sender is red and the receiver is green. Either way you should see one of each, and both should be burning steady. The one to watch is the green one: if it flickers or goes out, the beam is broken or the eyes are out of line.
Why is my garage door so loud all of a sudden?
Sudden noise usually means something has worn through rather than drifted: a roller that has lost its bearing, a hinge that has cracked, or a chain that has gone slack. A door that has gradually got louder is normally dry hardware and worn steel rollers.
Why does my garage door reverse before it reaches the floor?
Something is breaking the photo-eye beam, or the opener is reading mechanical resistance as an obstruction. Check the sensor LEDs first; if they are solid, look along the track at the height where it stops.
All 18 other questions in this topic
Each of these is answered in full on the page it belongs to.
Garage door won't open: causes, fixes and Miami repair
- How quickly can you get to a door that won't open?
- What does it cost to fix a garage door that won't open?
Garage door won't close: causes, fixes and Miami repair
- Where are the garage door safety sensors?
- Can I just disconnect the safety sensors?
- Why won't my garage door close in the rain?
- How much does it cost to fix a door that won't close?
- Why is my garage door not closing all the way?
- Which garage door sensor is the receiver?
- How do garage door safety sensors work?
- Are garage door sensors universal?
Noisy garage door: causes, fixes and Miami repair
- What is the quietest type of garage door opener?
- Can I use WD-40 on my garage door?
- Will new rollers make my door quieter?
- Is a noisy garage door dangerous?
Garage door opens or closes then reverses: causes, fixes and Miami repair
Repairs and parts
Springs, cables, rollers, panels, tracks and emergency work.
Do you offer emergency garage door repair in Miami?
Yes. CMC Door Service takes emergency calls seven days a week from 8am to 6pm across Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe County. Call (786) 315-9238 and we will dispatch a stocked truck for same-day service where availability allows.
What counts as a garage door emergency?
A door stuck open leaves your home or business unsecured, so that is always treated as urgent. Broken springs, snapped cables, a door off its tracks, and a door that has come down on a vehicle are the other common emergencies we respond to.
Should I try to force a stuck garage door open myself?
No. If a spring or cable has failed, the door is carrying its full weight with nothing holding it. Forcing it can drop the door. Leave it where it is, keep people and vehicles clear, and call us.
Why has my garage door opener stopped working?
The most common causes are a misaligned or blocked photo-eye safety sensor, a failed capacitor or logic board, stripped drive gears, or travel limits that have drifted out of adjustment. A blinking motor-unit light usually points at the safety sensors.
What causes a garage door cable to snap?
Fraying from age and cycles, rust from Florida's salt air and humidity, a door coming off its tracks, or a cable coming off the drum after a spring failure. Cables and springs work as a pair, so one failing often stresses the other.
What makes a garage door come off its track?
Usually a snapped cable, worn or seized rollers, a track bent by an impact, or loose track brackets. Hitting the door with a vehicle is the other common cause.
What is included in a garage door tune-up?
A 25-point inspection covering spring tension and balance, rollers, hinges, cables, tracks, opener force and travel limits, photo-eye safety sensors, lubrication of moving parts, and weatherseal condition.
What does a broken garage door spring look like?
Look at the torsion spring on the shaft above the door. An intact spring is one continuous coil; a broken one has a gap of two or three inches where the two halves have sprung apart, and the coils either side of the gap are often splayed and shiny where the metal tore. You will usually have heard it go: a broken spring lets go with a bang like a gunshot, and after that the door is far too heavy to lift by hand and the opener strains or will not move it at all. Do not use the door until it is replaced.
How much does garage door spring repair cost?
From our published Miami cost guide: $399 on a single-car door, and $649 on a double, which runs a matched pair. High-cycle springs cost more up front and last two to three times longer. You get an upfront price before any work starts, and the estimate is free. Call (786) 315-9238.
Can I replace a garage door spring myself?
We strongly advise against DIY spring replacement. Garage door springs are under extreme tension and can cause severe injury or death if mishandled. Always hire a licensed professional with proper tools and training.
All 70 other questions in this topic
Each of these is answered in full on the page it belongs to.
Emergency Garage Door Repair in Miami
Garage Door Opener Repair in Miami
- Is it worth repairing an opener or should I replace it?
- Which opener brands do you install?
- Do new openers work with a phone?
- Do I need a battery backup opener in Florida?
- Will you sync the button in my car and set the keypad?
- My car button stopped working after the new opener went in. What now?
- Are garage door openers universal?
- What is a universal garage door opener?
- Are garage door opener remotes universal?
- Can garage door openers be reprogrammed?
- Can a garage door remote be cloned or copied?
- Why is my garage door opener beeping?
- Which garage door opener works with a Tesla?
- Do garage door openers work with Apple HomeKit?
- Which garage door opener is easiest to install, and can I fit one myself?
- How much is a Chamberlain or a Genie garage door opener?
- What do reviews say about Genie garage door openers?
Garage Door Panel Replacement in Miami
- Can a single garage door panel be replaced?
- When is replacing the whole door the better option?
- Will a replacement panel match the rest of my door?
- How long does panel replacement take?
- Does a dented panel actually need replacing?
Garage Door Cable Repair in Miami
- Can I use my garage door with a broken cable?
- How much does garage door cable repair cost in Miami?
- Should both cables be replaced at once?
- How long does a cable replacement take?
Garage Door Off Track Repair in Miami
- Can I put the door back on the track myself?
- How much does off-track repair cost in Miami?
- Can the door still be used until it is fixed?
- How quickly can you get to an off-track door?
Garage Door Tune-Up in Miami
- How often should a garage door be serviced?
- Will a tune-up stop my door being noisy?
- Can a tune-up prevent a spring from breaking?
- Do you service doors you did not install?
Garage door maintenance plans
- How much does a garage door maintenance plan cost in Miami?
- What does each maintenance visit include?
- Why does a garage door need maintenance twice a year in South Florida?
- How much is a commercial preventive-maintenance agreement?
- How do I start a plan and pay for it?
Garage Door Preventative Maintenance in Miami
- What maintenance do I have to do to keep my garage door warranty valid?
- How often should I clean a garage door if I live near the water in Miami?
- Can I pressure wash my garage door?
- What chemicals will damage a garage door finish?
- How often should a garage door be maintained?
- What does a maintenance visit include?
- Is maintenance actually worth it?
- Can you set up maintenance for a commercial property?
- Will maintenance fix a noisy door?
- Are garage door seals universal?
Garage Door Repair in Miami: Springs, Openers, Cables and Off-Track Doors
- How quickly can you get to a repair in Miami-Dade?
- What are the most common garage door repairs?
- Do you repair all brands of garage door?
Garage Door Roller Repair & Replacement in Miami
- How do I know my rollers need replacing?
- Nylon or steel rollers?
- How much does roller replacement cost?
- How long do garage door rollers last?
- Should all the rollers be replaced at once?
- Are garage door rollers universal?
Garage Door Spring Repair & Replacement in Miami
- How long does a garage door spring usually last?
- How long do garage door springs last?
- Should I replace both springs at the same time?
- Do you offer emergency same-day spring repair?
- What is the difference between torsion and extension springs?
- Are these even the right springs for my door?
- How do I check what size spring is on my door now?
- Are garage door springs universal?
Spring replacement prices
Pricing, estimates and booking
What it costs, how quickly we can come out, and how the estimate works.
How does garage door financing work?
We send your estimate with a Wisetack payment link. You tap it, answer a few basic questions, and see real offers in about a minute. Pick the plan that fits, we install right away, and you pay monthly. Your provider is paid in full up front, so nothing about the job waits on the loan.
Does checking my options hurt my credit score?
No. The prequalification is a soft credit check with no impact to your score. A hard inquiry only happens if you accept a plan, per the terms shown at signing.
What does a door cost per month?
As a guide on Wisetack's published example basis of 24 months at 9.9% APR: an $1,800 entry door is about $83/mo, a $3,750 commercial door about $173/mo, a $3,700 rolling door about $171/mo, and a $7,050 premium wood-look door about $325/mo. Qualifying customers may see 0% APR, and terms run from 3 months.
Do you offer same-day garage door repair?
Yes, subject to availability on the day. Our trucks carry springs, cables, rollers and common opener parts, so most repairs finish in one visit. Call (786) 315-9238.
How much does garage door repair cost in Miami?
From our published Miami repair guide: springs run $399 on a single-car door and $649 on a double-car door, which runs a matched pair. A racked door is $499 single-car, $649 double-car. Cable repair runs $349 and rollers $349. Panel replacement and opener repair are quoted once we see the door. Estimates are free and priced upfront.
Is the estimate really free?
Yes. Free and no obligation, with an upfront price before any work starts.
Do you cover my area?
We cover Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe County including the Florida Keys. If your city is not listed on the site, call and ask, because it is very likely we do.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. License #26BS00015, fully insured, for both residential and commercial work. The number is on every estimate we write and in the footer of this site, and it is worth checking on any contractor you get a quote from, not only us.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace a garage door?
The rule of thumb is 50 percent: if the repair costs more than half the price of a new door, replacement is usually the better investment. Replacement also makes sense if several panels are damaged, the door is 15 to 20 years old, you are repairing it more than twice a year, or it does not meet current hurricane code.
All 42 other questions in this topic
Each of these is answered in full on the page it belongs to.
Garage door financing
Areas we serve
- Which areas does CMC Door Service cover?
- Do you charge a travel fee for outlying areas?
- My city is not listed. Do you still come out?
- Is same-day service available everywhere you cover?
Garage door repair in Miami
- What areas does CMC Door Service cover?
- Which garage door brands do you install?
- Are your garage doors hurricane-rated?
- What are your hours?
Free estimates
- How quickly will you get back to me?
- Do you need to visit to give a price?
- What information helps you quote faster?
- Should I tip a garage door repairman?
Contact us
About CMC Door Service
- When was CMC Door Service founded?
- How much experience does your team have?
- What brands are you authorized for?
- Who are your commercial clients?
- Do you have bilingual technicians?
- Who exactly is coming to my house?
Broward County
- Which Broward cities do you cover?
- Do Broward garage doors need to be hurricane-rated?
- Do you charge extra to travel to Broward?
- Can you handle commercial work in Broward?
Garage door repair prices
- How much does garage door spring replacement cost in Miami?
- How much does it cost to fix a garage door that will not open?
- Do you charge extra for weekend or emergency garage door service?
- How much does a new garage door opener cost in Miami?
- How much does garage door panel replacement cost?
- Why do hurricane-rated garage door parts cost more?
- What warranty comes with the work?
- How do I know I am not being overcharged?
- Someone else already quoted me. Will you look at their number?
- Do you charge for a garage door repair estimate?
- Do you offer a garage door maintenance plan?
Monroe County and the Keys
Buying a new door
Styles, brands, materials, sizing and what suits a South Florida home.
Are hurricane-rated garage doors required in Miami-Dade?
Miami-Dade and Broward sit in the High Velocity Hurricane Zone, the strictest wind-load region in the Florida Building Code. New and replacement garage doors in hurricane impact zones have to carry the required approval for the wind loads at your address.
Why does the garage door matter so much in a storm?
It is the largest opening in most homes. If it fails, wind gets inside and pressurises the structure, which is what lifts roofs. Reinforcing the door protects far more than the garage.
What makes a garage door hurricane-rated?
A combination of gauge and bracing (we use 21-gauge aluminium with WINDCODE reinforcement) plus heavier tracks and hardware, and a product approval covering the design pressures for the location.
How much does a hurricane-rated garage door cost in Miami?
Our published prices start at $1,800 installed for a one-car hurricane impact rated steel door and $3,000 for a two-car door. Insulated construction, a heavier wind rating, impact glass and carriage-house or wood-look faces take it up from there, to $4,950 for a Coachman and $7,050 for a Canyon Ridge, and higher again on the widest openings. What moves the price is the wind rating level, the insulation R-value, the material, whether you want impact glass, and any custom design work.
What is the best garage door material for a Miami home?
Steel is the most popular choice here and for good reason: durable, low maintenance, and available hurricane-rated. We recommend at least a double-layer insulated steel door for Miami, which helps with heat and gives better structural integrity in a storm.
How much does a new garage door cost?
It depends on size, style, insulation and wind rating far more than on brand. We measure on site, confirm the wind-load requirement for your address, and give you a written price. The estimate is free and there is no obligation.
How long does a new garage door installation take?
A standard residential door is usually a single-day installation once the door has arrived. Lead time on the door itself depends on the model and finish you choose, which we confirm in the written quote.
What size garage door do I need?
Single-car doors are typically 8 or 9 feet wide and double-car doors 16 feet, but South Florida homes vary and headroom matters as much as width. We measure on site during the free estimate rather than working from standard sizes.
Do you remove and dispose of the old door?
Yes. Removal and disposal of the existing door and hardware is part of a replacement installation.
All 87 other questions in this topic
Each of these is answered in full on the page it belongs to.
Hurricane Garage Door Installers in Miami: HVHZ and NOA Approved Doors
- Can my existing garage door be reinforced instead of replaced?
- Does a hurricane-rated door lower my insurance?
- Does my garage door have to be impact rated if it has no windows?
- If I fit an impact rated garage door, do I still need a shutter over it?
- How is a garage door's wind rating actually measured?
- What does HVHZ approval actually mean?
- What wind speed does a garage door have to withstand in Miami-Dade?
- What is a Notice of Acceptance and do I need one?
- How do I tell whether my existing garage door is hurricane-rated?
- Which hurricane-rated brands do you install?
- What happens if my garage door fails during a hurricane?
- What paperwork do I get when the door is installed?
Garage door designer
- Can I see a door on my actual house?
- Is the design tool free to use?
- What if the door I design is not available in Florida?
- What happens after I choose a design?
Choosing a garage door for a Miami home
- Should I choose aluminum instead of steel near the water?
- Can I have a wood garage door in South Florida?
- Does an insulated garage door actually save money in Miami?
- What should I look for in a garage door opener?
- How do I know a door meets Miami-Dade hurricane code?
Commercial garage doors
- How much does a commercial garage door cost in Miami?
- Do I need an insulated commercial door?
- What is a WindCode rating?
- Do you handle commercial permits and inspections?
- Which operator goes on a commercial sectional door?
Garage door styles
- Which garage door style is most popular in Miami?
- Does the style affect whether a door is hurricane-rated?
- Is real wood a bad idea in South Florida?
- What is the difference between short panel and long panel?
- Can I see a door on my own house before buying?
Hurricane-rated garage doors
- How much does a 16x8 garage door cost in Miami?
- How much does an insulated garage door cost in Miami?
- How much is a single-car garage door, 9x7 or 10x7, installed?
- Insulated or non-insulated in Florida?
- Do you offer financing on a new door?
Clopay doors
- Are you an authorized Clopay dealer?
- Which Clopay collections do you install?
- How much does a Clopay Avante glass garage door cost?
- What is the difference between Canyon Ridge and Reserve Wood?
- Can I preview a Clopay door on my own house?
- Are Clopay doors available wind-rated?
Amarr doors
- Are you an authorized Amarr dealer?
- Which Amarr collections do you install?
- Are Amarr doors available hurricane-rated?
- Which Amarr door suits a modern Miami home?
- Which Amarr garage door comes with a lifetime warranty?
- What is the highest R-value Amarr garage door?
- What is the tallest Amarr garage door available?
- What is an Amarr Carriage Court garage door made of?
- How thick is an Amarr Lincoln garage door?
- What makes an Amarr Classica carriage house door different?
Haas doors
- What is Haas Door known for?
- Which Haas styles do you install?
- Can I design a Haas door before ordering?
- Are Haas doors suitable for Florida wind codes?
- What is the R value of a Haas garage door?
- How are the sections joined on a Haas 2400 series door?
- What does the L mean in a Haas 2400 model number like 2480L?
- What panel designs does the Haas 2400 series come in?
- Are dark Haas colours a good choice for a sunny Miami exposure?
- What is the difference between a Haas 2400 and a Haas 2500 series door?
- How is a Haas garage door protected against corrosion?
- How airtight is a Haas 2000 series garage door?
- Does Haas make a full view glass and aluminium garage door?
Raynor doors
- What is Raynor known for?
- Are Raynor doors wind-rated for Florida?
- Can I see the Raynor range?
- Do you service Raynor doors as well as install them?
AA Impact glass doors
- Where are AA Impact glass garage doors made?
- How thick is an AA Impact glass garage door and will it fit low headroom?
- Why does a glass garage door need 3 inch track?
- What is the biggest single lite impact glass garage door?
- What is the R-value of a full view glass garage door?
- Which glass tint keeps a garage coolest in Miami?
- How is impact glass in a garage door actually built?
- What glass tints and interlayers can I get?
- What frame colours does an impact glass garage door come in?
- Does a glass garage door seal against wind driven rain?
- What gauge are the hinges on an AA Impact door?
- What aluminium is the frame made from?
Eden Coast doors
- What is an Eden Coast garage door actually made of?
- Will an Eden Coast wood look garage door mold or rot in Miami humidity?
- Do Eden Coast wood look doors attract termites or warp like real wood?
- Is an Eden Coast garage door insulated?
- What is the R value of an Eden Coast garage door?
- Where are Eden Coast garage doors made?
Openers and gates
LiftMaster openers, smart control, gate operators and access control.
How much does a commercial gate operator cost installed in Miami?
Commercial slide gate operators start at $8,750 installed for a LiftMaster SL3000UL and $8,800 for a CSL24UL, with the heavy-duty and industrial slide units from $11,100 to $12,100. Commercial swing operators run $9,100 to $12,000, with the CSW24UL at $9,200. Barrier arms start at $9,300 and the industrial barrier is $11,400. Every one of those packages includes the monitored photo eye UL 325 requires, and the slide operators also carry the resistive sensing edge for the leading edge of the gate. Those figures are the operator and its installation on a gate that already has safe mounting and power at the post. Running power out to the gate, trenching and civil work, the gate leaf itself, loop detectors, access control hardware, permits, and any lift or freight are quoted separately after the site visit, because they depend on the property rather than on the operator.
What kinds of commercial gates do you install?
Cantilever and track-mounted sliding gates, single and double swing gates, and barrier arm systems, for commercial properties, HOA communities, industrial sites and parking facilities.
Do you install the access control as well as the gate?
Yes. Keypads, card readers, telephone entry systems and remote access are all part of what we fit and program, so entry management is handled end to end.
How much does a gate motor cost installed in Miami?
These are the installed starting prices we work from, and which one applies depends on the gate. Sliding: a Benincà BULL from $3,050 for a residential rack-driven operator, $4,500 for the 1,000 lb BULL 1024 SE and $7,000 for the heaviest commercial BULL; LiftMaster from $7,350 for an RSL12UL, $8,750 for an SL3000UL and up to $12,100 for an industrial slider. Swing: a LiftMaster LA400UL package at $5,500 and an LA500UL at $6,400, each for a single leaf, with commercial swing operators from $9,100 to $12,000. Barrier arms from $9,300. Every one of those includes the monitored photo eye UL 325 requires. Quoted separately after the site visit: the second arm on a double swing gate, running power out to the gate, trenching, repairing the gate itself, loop detectors, access control and permits, because those depend on the property and not on the motor.
Can you automate a gate I already have?
Usually yes, provided the gate is structurally sound and hangs and rolls correctly. We check the gate, hinges, posts and track first, because automating a gate that already binds only breaks the operator.
What happens to the gate in a power cut?
Every operator has a manual release so the gate can be pushed by hand. Benincà's BULL 6 and BULL 8 sheets list a manual release with a key lock, so it takes a key rather than just a handle to free the gate. Battery backup is what keeps the gate working through the outage itself: Benincà lists it as an option on the 24 V DC BULL units and builds it into the BULL 1524 FC, and LiftMaster's RSL12UL, CSW24UL and CSL24UL carry it as standard. Worth having in South Florida storm season.
What safety devices does an automatic gate need?
Monitored entrapment protection, which UL 325 requires on any automatic gate. In practice that is a pair of photo eyes across the opening that stop the gate for a car, a pet or a child, and on many sites a sensing edge along the leading edge of the gate that reverses it on contact. We fit them, set them and test them in front of you at handover. A gate without them is not compliant.
How much does a LiftMaster gate operator cost installed in Miami?
Installed starting prices: $5,500 for an LA400UL swing package and $6,400 for the heavier LA500UL, each for a single leaf; $7,350 for an RSL12UL slide operator; and on the commercial side $8,750 for an SL3000UL, $8,800 for a CSL24UL and $9,200 for a CSW24UL. Every one of those packages includes the monitored photo eye UL 325 requires, and the slide operators also carry the resistive sensing edge for the leading edge of the gate. The second arm on a double swing gate, running power out to the gate, trenching, repairing the gate itself, loop detectors, access control and permits are quoted separately after the site visit, because those depend on the property rather than on the operator.
How much does a LiftMaster garage door opener or motor cost installed?
Opener and motor are the same thing, and most people in Miami say motor. It is $849 installed for the 2220L, a 3/4 HPS chain drive with camera and myQ; $949 for the 2420L, the same chain drive with battery backup added; $999 for the 6580L, a 1 HPS belt drive with battery backup and a 360 camera; $1,149 for the 6690L belt drive and $1,349 for the 4690L heavy-duty chain drive, for a wide or insulated door; $1,499 for the 98022 wall mount, which bolts beside the door and frees the ceiling; and $2,099 for the 98032 heavy-duty wall mount, rated for doors up to 1,100 lb. Those are fitted prices with the old unit taken away, the safety sensors set and the remotes and keypad programmed before we leave, not box prices. If the opener you have is under about ten years old and only one component has failed, repair is quoted after diagnosis and is usually the better value.
Is battery backup worth it in Florida?
Yes, and in some jurisdictions a new opener has to have it. A garage door with no backup and no power is a door you have to release manually and lift by hand, which is the last thing you want the day before a storm.
Can you fit an opener to my existing door?
Usually, yes, provided the door is balanced and the springs are sound. We check the balance first, because an opener fitted to an unbalanced door burns out.
What is myQ and does it cost anything?
myQ is LiftMaster's smartphone control: open, close and see the door state from your phone, and get an alert if it was left open. Basic control is free; some extras such as camera video storage are a paid subscription. We set it up on the day and hand you a working app before we leave.
All 51 other questions in this topic
Each of these is answered in full on the page it belongs to.
Commercial Gate Installation in Miami
- Which gate operator brands do you carry?
- Can you repair a gate that another company installed?
- How long does a commercial gate installation take?
Gate Motor Installation in South Florida
- Which gate operator brands do you install?
- What is the difference between the LA400UL and the LA500UL?
- What access control can you add?
- What size gate can a gate motor handle?
- How many times a day can an automatic gate open and close?
- Does a gate motor need 115 V power at the gate?
- How fast does an automatic gate open?
- Rack drive or chain drive on a sliding gate?
- How does the installation process work?
LiftMaster gate operators
- Do you stock LiftMaster parts?
- What size gate will an LA500UL take?
- What makes the commercial units different?
- Do you service LiftMaster gates you did not install?
Benincà gate operators
- How much does a Benincà slide gate operator cost in Miami?
- Is Benincà easy to get parts for in Miami?
- Why choose an underground operator?
- What is the difference between BULL and BISON?
- Do you fit Benincà barriers?
- What size gate will a Benincà BULL take?
- How many cycles a day will a Benincà BULL run?
- Does a Benincà gate operator work in a power cut?
- What voltage does a Benincà BULL need?
- Does Miami heat affect a gate operator?
Viking Access gate operators
- Does a solar gate operator actually work in Florida?
- How many cycles will it run on battery?
- Is Viking related to FAAC?
- Can you convert my existing gate to solar?
CAME gate operators
- Can CAME run the gate and the intercom together?
- Do you do multi-unit buildings?
- Are photo eyes required?
- Do you service CAME equipment you did not install?
LiftMaster openers
- Belt or chain?
- What is a wall mount opener?
- Is my old LiftMaster still supported?
- What does LiftMaster error code 4-1 mean?
- What is the LiftMaster 84602?
Benincà openers
- Can a Benincà operator go on my existing door?
- What is a manual chain release for?
- Do you carry spares?
- Is it worth going 24 volt at home?
Manaras operators
- Do Manaras make a residential opener?
- What is a jackshaft operator?
- Which one suits a washdown area?
- What is a high performance door operator for?
- Can you retrofit a Manaras to my existing door?
Raynor operators
Hurricane, wind code and commercial
Hurricane impact requirements, wind ratings, and commercial rolling doors.
What types of commercial doors do you service?
Rolling steel service doors, insulated rolling doors, fire-rated rolling doors, sectional overhead doors, high-speed rapid doors, and loading dock equipment. We work on warehouses, distribution centres, retail storefronts, manufacturing plants and climate-controlled storage.
Can you service commercial doors outside business hours?
Our standard hours are 8am to 6pm, seven days a week. Because a failed dock door stops the whole operation, commercial breakdowns are prioritised for same-day response wherever we have availability.
Do you offer maintenance contracts for commercial properties?
Yes. Scheduled preventative maintenance covers lubrication, tension adjustment, roller and track inspection, and weatherseal replacement. Planned servicing is far cheaper than an unplanned shutdown.
Are your commercial doors wind-rated for Miami-Dade?
Where the application calls for it, yes. We install wind-load rated models such as the Model 3400 that meet Florida Building Code requirements, including Miami-Dade High Velocity Hurricane Zone approvals.
What is the difference between a rolling steel door and a sectional garage door?
A rolling steel door coils into a barrel above the opening. A sectional door runs back along the ceiling on horizontal tracks. That one difference decides most commercial specifications: a rolling door needs headroom but almost no depth behind the header, so it suits storefronts and loading bays where sprinklers, ductwork or a mezzanine already occupy the ceiling.
What design pressure does a rolling door need in Miami-Dade?
It depends on the opening, not the county. Miami-Dade is a High Velocity Hurricane Zone, so a commercial door needs a Notice of Acceptance and the pressure is written by the engineer against the building's exposure, height and opening size. In practice most South Florida service openings are covered by a door rated to 65 psf in both directions, while wider or more exposed openings move up to 70 or 100 psf.
How much does a commercial rolling door cost in Miami?
Troubleshooting on an existing rolling door is $495, and slat repair is $1,095 minimum. On a new door the price follows the opening. A galvanised steel service door rated to 65 psf starts at $3,700 installed, runs about $4,400 at an opening 8 ft by 8 ft and about $5,300 at 10 ft by 10 ft. A 70 psf perforated model starts at $4,500 and a 100 psf model at $4,800. Fire doors start at $5,550, aluminium grilles at $4,250, counter shutters at $4,300, stainless 304 at $10,650. Operator and permit are quoted separately. Every figure is a starting point from our catalogue and not a firm quote: the exact number depends on the width, the height and the design pressure your opening has to meet.
All 8 other questions in this topic
Each of these is answered in full on the page it belongs to.
Commercial Garage Door Service in Miami
Rolling steel doors
- How much does a roll-up counter door cost?
- What is a wind rated roll-up door, and do I need one?
- Do fire doors have to be tested?
- Can you fix a rolling door that has come out of its guides?
- What is a chain hoist and when do I need one?
- Which motor goes on a commercial rolling door?
- Do you service rolling doors you did not install?
Warranty and what is covered
What we cover, what each manufacturer covers, and the exclusions that are in every one of those documents.
Is my garage door warranty still valid if I live near the water in Miami?
Partly, and the part that drops out is the part you would notice. On an AA Impact aluminium and glass door the warranty table asterisks two rows, the standard 2604 finish at 5 years and the hardware at 3 years on a home and 1 year on a commercial building. The footnote reads: not covered if installed or used within 2 miles of a coastal area or any body of water containing salt water. Note the wording, it is not limited to the ocean, it says any body of water containing salt water. The rows with no asterisk are the frame at limited lifetime, the premium 2605 finish at 10 years and the laminated or insulated glass at 5 years, and those keep running. On the steel side, Eden Coast's limited lifetime warranty does not apply to damage or deterioration caused by atmospheric conditions, and it names areas subject to excessive salt atmosphere directly.
What is the difference between an AAMA 2604 and an AAMA 2605 finish?
Five years against ten, and a footnote. AA Impact's brochure states its powder coating meets AAMA 2604 requirements with a 5 year warranty, and that AAMA 2605 is also available with a 10 year warranty. The warranty document gives the same two terms, but asterisks the standard 2604 row as not covered within 2 miles of salt water while the premium 2605 row carries no asterisk at all. So near the water the upgrade is not buying you five extra years, it is buying you the difference between coverage and none.
What kind of opener do I need for an impact glass garage door?
A side mount, also called a jackshaft. AA Impact states its doors are designed for side mount jackshaft operators only, and that center mount operators are strongly discouraged and expressly excluded from the limited warranty, because they put excessive load on aluminium components and fasteners when springs weaken or fail. If one is fitted against that recommendation, AA Impact requires written approval first, and the door professionally serviced and balanced at least once every six months with the documentation kept. Skip that and coverage is void for any damage, defect or failure of the product.
What does your warranty cover and for how long?
CMC covers our own labor for one year on every repair and installation we do. The parts themselves carry the manufacturer's warranty, and those run from one year to lifetime depending on the brand and the model. A LiftMaster belt drive opener carries a lifetime motor and belt warranty with 5 years on parts. Clopay insulated steel doors carry a lifetime paint finish on a single family home, 5 years on the sections and 3 years on hardware and springs. We publish the full brand by brand terms on this page rather than saying we stand behind our work and leaving it there.
Does the manufacturer warranty cover the labor to fit the replacement part?
No, and this catches people out. Clopay, Amarr, Haas and Raynor all state that removal, reinstallation and labor are the owner's responsibility. The manufacturer supplies the replacement part; somebody still has to fit it. AA Impact and Eden Coast say the same thing in their own words: AA Impact limits its responsibility to supplying the parts needed to repair the product and states it will not be responsible for labor, delivery costs or expenses related to repair or replacement, and Eden Coast puts all labor costs for replacing sections, springs, windows or hardware on the original purchaser. That is exactly the gap our one year labor warranty closes on work we did, and after that year the labor on a warranty part is a normal service call.
Does the warranty transfer if I sell the house?
Generally no. Clopay, Amarr, Haas and Raynor all state their residential warranties are non transferable and run to the original purchaser only. Haas and Raynor go further on their best coverage and tie it to how long the original purchaser owns the home, so it ends at the sale by definition. If you are buying a house with a recent door, assume the warranty does not come with it and price accordingly. There is one exception worth knowing: AA Impact states its warranty is transferable to a subsequent property owner provided AA Impact receives written notice within 30 days of the ownership transfer, along with proof of the original purchase. Thirty days from closing is a short window, so that has to be handled with the rest of the closing paperwork.
Will the warranty cover my door if a hurricane damages it?
No. Manufacturer warranties cover defects in material and workmanship, and they specifically exclude hurricanes, wind, flood and hail. Amarr names all four in writing. That is not a loophole, it is the difference between a warranty and an insurance policy: the wind rating and the Notice of Acceptance are what deal with the storm, your homeowner's policy is what pays for storm damage, and the warranty is there for a part that was made wrong.
All 8 other questions in this topic
Each of these is answered in full on the page it belongs to.
Garage door warranty
- How long do I have to report a garage door defect under warranty?
- Can I repaint my aluminium garage door without voiding the warranty?
- What warranty comes with a Haas 2400 series garage door?
- What does the Eden Coast warranty cover and for how long?
- Does salt air affect what is covered?
- Do I get a shorter warranty because I live in a condo?
- Is a belt drive opener really worth it over a chain drive?
- What do I need to keep to make a claim?
Everything else
How much does it cost to export a door from Miami?
Motors we can price off the shelf: a residential opener powerhead is $500 goods-only for the 2220L chain drive and $1,220 for the 98022 wall mount, and a commercial operator starts at $605. Doors are different. Our catalogue prices doors installed, because that is how we sell them here, so a goods-only door price is quoted per order against your sizes, quantity and the wind rating the destination asks for. Packaging, freight, insurance and documentation are quoted separately by destination, so you see every cost as its own line.
What is the minimum order for export?
There is no fixed minimum, but below roughly a pallet the freight starts to cost more than the goods. For a single door it is usually cheaper to buy locally. Ask us and we will tell you honestly whether it is worth shipping.
Do you export gates and gate operators?
No. Export is garage doors, rolling doors and the motors that drive them. Gate operators, dock equipment and service work stay inside our South Florida service area.
Do you speak Spanish?
Yes. Most of this export business is Latin America and the Caribbean, and you can deal with us in Spanish end to end. This page has a Spanish version.
How long should a garage door last in Miami?
A steel door inland commonly runs 20 years or more. Within a couple of miles of the water, salt air shortens that, and we see bottom section corrosion and hardware failure from about year 12. Springs are a wear part regardless and are rated in cycles rather than years, so a busy household will replace springs two or three times over the life of one door.
Do I need a permit to replace a garage door in Miami-Dade?
Yes. Replacing a garage door in the High Velocity Hurricane Zone is permitted work, and the door has to carry a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance or Florida Product Approval for the design pressure at your address. Like for like repairs to springs, cables, rollers and openers generally do not require a permit.
Will a new garage door lower my insurance in Florida?
It can. Florida insurers price partly from a wind mitigation inspection, and approved opening protection is one of the things that inspection records. An impact rated door is the product that qualifies. Repairing an unrated door does not change the rating, so it cannot affect the inspection.
What does HVHZ mean?
High Velocity Hurricane Zone. Miami-Dade and Broward are the two counties inside it, and the building code there sets a higher bar than the rest of Florida. In practice it means the garage door has to match a current product approval for your opening's engineered design pressure, and the paperwork gets checked at the permit desk rather than taken on trust.
What is a Miami-Dade NOA?
A Notice of Acceptance is Miami-Dade County's product approval, confirming a building product passed the impact and wind-pressure testing required in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone. It names the exact product, its approved sizes and pressures, and its expiry date.
All 21 other questions in this topic
Each of these is answered in full on the page it belongs to.
Export orders
- How long does it take?
- Can you ship a hurricane rated door abroad?
- Which Incoterms do you work to?
- Do you install outside South Florida?
- Can I pay in a currency other than dollars?
Our work
- Are these photos of your actual jobs?
- Can you do a job like the one in the photos?
- Do you handle both residential and commercial work?
Repair or replace
- Can you replace just one panel of a garage door?
- Is a garage door worth repairing if it is 15 years old?
- Do you charge for the estimate?
HVHZ approvals and impact ratings
- Which hurricane test standards does a garage door have to pass in Miami?
- Is the design pressure on the approval the pressure the door failed at?
- How can I tell what my garage door is rated for?
- Does an approval cover a whole brand?
- Who is responsible for making sure my garage door meets Florida building code?
- Are Haas garage doors Miami-Dade approved?
- Can I get a real wood garage door that is Miami-Dade approved?
- Does my garage door need a Miami-Dade NOA?
- How do I know my garage door is approved?
- Do approvals expire?
What the answers look like in practice
Springs, openers, rolling doors and gates, all finished by our own technicians.
Models and collections we install
The doors, finishes and hardware we fit across South Florida.
Still not sure what's wrong?
Describe it on the phone and we can usually narrow it down before we arrive. Free estimates, same-day service, 7 days a week.