Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) is urging consumers to be cautious following the streaming of a number of online videos that allegedly demonstrate how to fit powered garage roller doors without the help of a professional.
The Tamworth-based trade associate is keen to highlight that the repercussions of ‘DIY garage door installations’ can indeed be fatal and that instructional videos online are not an appropriate substitute for practical experience, specialist knowledge and industry expertise. In fact, homeowners face risking the safety of family, friends, and anyone else who may come onto their property with a garage door that has not been properly installed. In addition, should the garage door be on a public road, anyone who encounters an injury as a result of an unsafe or non-compliant door, can bring a civil lawsuit case against the homeowner.
“The garage door is the largest moving object in the home and fitting one is a highly specialised job,” explains DHF’s Commercial Director, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens. “Whichever type of garage door you choose, it is essential that it is installed by a competent person, who is preferably DHF trained and can ensure they leave the door in a safe and compliant condition. Replacing or upgrading to a powered garage door is a major investment in home improvement, yet due to rising costs of living and reduced disposable income, it may well be tempting to ‘cut corners’, but we are eager to stress the importance of compromising neither safety nor compliance.”
The installation of a powered garage door involves so much more than simply the task of fitting the product. Only by correct installation will a garage door be safe, operate according to the Supply of Machinery Safety Regulations, look good, be secure, insulate and/or prevent weather ingress, and this is largely dependent on it having been surveyed, measured, specified, ordered and installed correctly. In addition, new garage doors often come with a warranty but in most cases, for the warranty to be valid, the door has to be professionally installed. A ‘DIY’ installation can negatively impact the warranty, rendering it void.
“I would say to anyone looking to purchase a new garage door to do their homework first, DHF has a number of consumer publications on its website that clearly explains what to look for in a new powered garage door and what to expect from your installation company. Do not take the risk,” concludes Patricia. “Additionally, DHF members are covered by DHF’s Warranty Plus. The Warranty Plus promise means that if you have any problems during the normal two-year warranty period, resulting from incorrect or poor installation, and the installing member has ceased trading, it will be rectified to ensure the installation is of a satisfactory standard. Whatever you decide, ensure that your garage door is supplied and installed by a professional company that has had DHF training. It is a criteria of membership that our garage door member companies are trained; members can be found on the DHF website: https://bit.ly/2G8zMZ1 ”
