Advances in fingerprint recognition technology have allowed home users the convenience and security that fingerprint recognition provides for an affordable price. The LiftMaster Fingerprint Keyless Entry system is an easy way to keep your garage safe while managing multiple users.

With up to 10 fingerprints allowed at any one time, it’s ideal for big families or for businesses with several employees requiring access. And there are no PINs or passwords required, so there’s no danger of forgetting the code to gain entry – which is especially important for those allowing access to children, who may find it difficult to remember codes.

To activate the Fingerprint Keyless Entry once your fingerprint is stored in the system, you simply have to swipe your finger across its sensor and it will scan your fingerprint for a match. Setup is simple, too, involving only four steps.

The Fingerprint Keyless Entry system offers a safeguard against forgotten or lost keys, since access to the garage and/or home (if there is an interior door in the garage, as there are in many) is possible with your digit and nothing additional to carry around. This includes a wireless garage door opener which, while also having its own convenient features, still runs the risk of being forgotten at home or in another car or lost.

There’s also an added layer of security in the system’s Security+® rolling code technology, which ensures a new code is sent through the system every time the entry pad is used.

The Fingerprint Keyless Entry runs on 4 AAA batteries, making maintenance easy. It requires a compatible LiftMaster garage door opener, but it works with all LiftMaster openers in the 315MHz range.

For a close-up view of a working unit and a tour of its features check out this video.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSCZtiMy1Cc[/youtube]

The blog sponsored by: Groenewal Ramsey Door

It’s never too early to win 2011 Super Bowl tickets and it’s never too early to start making some predictions! As we make our way into the 2nd game of the season, there’s no doubt that the 2010 NFL season will be full of surprises. Of course, this is what we love about football – the underdogs who kick butt, teams that look great on paper but not on the field and the most exciting of the year, a match-up between the Manning brothers.

So, let’s get to some Super Bowl predictions.

I predict that the Indianapolis Colts will win the AFC Divisional Title, representing the American League. They seem to be the most complete team in the NFL and are led by Peyton Manning. Manning is at the prime of his career and arguably one of the best quarterbacks. With an improved defense from last season, which certainly did not lack during the 2009 year, it’s going to be hard to top the competitiveness and skill of the Colts.

As far as the NFC Division goes, there are quite a few teams that seem to be in the running for the division champs. With plenty of competitive teams that have amazing potential, it’s hard to pick just one. However, I predict that when it comes down to it, the Green Bay Packers will be NFC Division champs, representing the National League. With a weakened NFC Division, Green Bay has the most experience and potential to seek their way to the Super Bowl. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers continually improves each season, being a strong force for the team, with hopes to lead them to the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

So who’s going to win? Although we won’t know for sure until game day, I predict the Colts will win a close margin game over the Packers.

The blog sponsored by: Groenewal Ramsey Door

Image c/o superbowl2011livestream.blogspot.com

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSkH37KU1z8[/youtube]

Just like clothes and shoes follow suit with the current fashion trend, so do home improvement projects. From granite counter tops, to laminate flooring, to stainless steel appliances, we all know which types of projects are current and trendy. When it comes to garage doors, the same holds true and many homeowners are turning to the beautifully constructed and popular carriage-house style doors.

Carriage garage doors are perfect for rustic country and Victorian homes, although even contemporary homes are finding creative ways to make them mesh. They feature a swing-out appearance, much like a set of barn doors, yet they can conveniently operate as overhead garage doors. These doors also feature window inserts and beautiful hardware, such as wrought iron handles to give way to the swing-out door appearance.

Carriage-house style garage doors are commonly made from wood for an authentic appearance, but many companies are offering them made of steel as well. This is because steel is low maintenance, durable and can be purchased as an insulated door. However, if you love the look of real wood, there are plenty of carriage doors on the market that can be primed and stained to your exact specifications.

Blog sponsored by Groenewal Ramsey Door

References: Image from garagedoorserviceguys.com

When it comes to choosing a garage door, homeowners are often faced with the question of what material to choose. Wood is beautiful, steel is durable and aluminum is cost-effective. Yet what is the right choice for your home? Don’t panic, as we have a breakdown of the most common garage door materials, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

WOOD – With great insulation and cost-effective prices, many people are choosing wood garage doors. They offer natural materials, feature window inserts and are perfect for traditional homes. However, wooden doors are difficult to maintain and require regular refinishing. Some companies also deliver doors that are unfinished and will need to be primed and painted after delivery.

STEEL – Steel is the most popular choice because it’s affordable, low maintenance and can be purchased in a variety of colors and finishes. That means if you like the look of wood but don’t want the upkeep, you can purchase a steel door that has a wood texture. On the downside, steel isn’t a great insulator and can be quite thin. To help with this, look for thicker doors that are insulated.

ALUMINUM – Good ‘ole aluminum! It rivals steel, except it is less durable and more likely to dent. You can still get many cool colors and textures in aluminum for a lower price, which is why it’s still a popular seller.

References: Image from vanmeer.net.

Blog sponsored by Groenewal Ramsey Door

With the tax credits that have been issued for 2009 and 2010 on energy-efficient home improvements, many homeowners have finally gotten that long-awaited garage door for their home. Of course, the garage door MUST comply with the criteria to be energy efficient, including that it is installed on the primary residence and placed on insulated walls. As long as everything checks out, you can apply for your tax credit.

For garage doors that were purchased in 2009, the 2009 IRS Form 5695 was to be filled out and submitted with the 2009 taxes. This form is not yet available for 2010 taxes, so it’s important to keep the necessary information at hand so you can fill out the form for next year. However, the forms will look the same, but with different dates.

Also be sure to save your receipts and the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement. This statement will be provided by the company, or you can find it on their website. Keep record of the cost of labor and the door costs, breaking down the prices. Although the actual tax form is the only thing that needs to be submitted, it’s important to have this other information on-hand.

Blog sponsored by: Groenewal Ramsey Door

This video explains the 2009 energy tax credit in detail.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTJTPk0u-ws[/youtube]

Video brought to you buy ThermaTruDoors and MyEnergyTax.com.

Is is time to replace your garage door? With the new tax credit in place and the abundance of choices on the market, it’s never been a better time to tackle this project. But what are some of things to look for when choosing a reputable company? After all, it’s not just the front-end of the project that needs to go smoothly, as you want to ensure that the company stands by their product if you should ever need them.

• How long has the company been in business?
• Can the company provide a “Certificate of Insurance” to show that it’s fully insured? This insurance should cover general and umbrella liability, as well as auto worker comp.
• Look at the company’s address and see if they have a location showroom near you. Or do they just list a P.O. Box number or general area?
• Be sure that there is a contact number, such as a local number or 800 number for customer service.
• Does the company offer a comprehensive website that showcases their products? Also look for customer reviews online.
• BE SURE TO ASK if the installers work on commission!
• Talk to the company about the tax credits that offer up to $1500 through the energy rebate program.

References: Image from Madden Door & Sons, Inc.

Blog sponsored by: Groenewal Ramsey Door

You read that right – you can get a tax credit when you buy that long awaited garage door for your home! The reason: In February 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was passed into law and credits homeowners for energy-efficient improvements that are made on the home. So if you purchased a new garage door in 2009-2010 or are planning to, you may qualify for this credit that has jumped from $500 to $1500 (note that this is the maximum and is over the 2009-2010 tax credit period).

Here’s how to know if your new door qualifies:

• The tax credit only includes garage doors installed from 2009-2010.
• The garage door has to be in service for five years or more.
• The garage door has to be installed on insulated walls.
• The garage door must be installed on the buyer’s main residence (no lake houses or summer homes).
• The perimeter of the garage door must have access to air filtration.
• The garage door must have a U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) that is less than or equal to 0.30.

This video offers some great tips on installing energy-efficient garage doors:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-poW6Z8YyE[/youtube]

Blog sponsored by: Groenewal Ramsey Door

It’s true – years ago when shopping around for a new garage door, the choices were limited. White or brown were the standard colors and the doors came in a 16-foot size with a small, but inconvenient metal handle at the bottom. If you plan to do some shopping in today’s market, expect to be surprised at what you will find!

Garage doors have become a popular way to update and remodel the home, since the front of the home is what people see first. Not to mention, most homeowners are in and out of the garage door throughout the day, so it makes sense to have one that is visually appealing and convenient. So what are some of the unique choices out there today?

Forget white doors, now you can indulge in the popular earth-tone colors, such as taupe, gray and hunter green. Homeowners find that matching the garage door to window shutters and entryways is a great way for the house to stand out. Window inserts are also popular, but instead of one style, there are dozens to choose from! In fact, carriage style doors are the most popular and a great seller for all styles of homes.

With bigger vehicles, people are also opting for the larger size door – an 18 foot garage space that offers more room! Wood is a great choice, especially because it can be painted different colors and is in fact cost-effective. Although not as durable, aluminum garage doors have the potential to be coated with just about any color. Steel, while much harder to purchase in colorful shades, is durable and low maintenance.

References: This image is from idcdoors.com.

Blog sponsored by: Groenewal Ramsey Door