11474 Joseph Campau Ave. Hamtramck, MI

World Renowned street artist Shark Toof

World renowned street artist Shark Toof, known for his larger than life street murals, is opening his first bar in Downtown Hamtramck. Shark Toof, originally from Los Angeles, started painting graffiti in 1985 and after graduating from Art Center College of Design, traveled the world creating artwork for clients such as Ritz Carlton, Samsung, Apple, and Heineken. He most recently participated in Detroits 2017 Murals on the Market.

According to Shark Toof, the Carbon Room had been on his radar for several years. Having fallen in love with the creative community in the area he took this as an opportunity to bring something different yet communal and inclusive to the area. He’s brought a completely new experience for the area that is sure to create a buzz!

Mural in Detroit by famous street artist Shark Toof

As a large-scale street artist, his creativity is not confined to the intricate details of just the furniture, décor or paint color but rather encompasses the entire structure of the establishment. His vision for the windows was quite unique. He reached out for help creating these custom, one of a kind door features and we were thrilled to be a part of the transformation. (For more custom solutions, check out past projects here.)

Fabrication and Installation

Shark Toof discovered an amazing set of old, weathered, industrial windows while at a scrap yard this past summer. After consulting with our team, he entrusted us with giving them a new lease on life. The frames, rusted and holding only shattered remnants of glass panes, were up-cycled into fully functioning full view doors. These doors would open up the inside of the venue to the bustling downtown community area.

During the fabrication process, the frames where reinforced to give back some of the shape they’d lost over the years as well as to provide a stable base for which we could mount the necessary door hardware. Of course, in order to truly bring them back to life again new window panes had to be installed. The reinforcements that were made helped create new casings for the glass to sit where the old ones had rusted away. The rust that had built up on the frames over their time was a huge element in Shark Toof’s vision for these doors and therefore their finish was left in as raw of a state as possible.

Design/Vision

Overall, this was quite the renovation. A large aesthetic departure from the glass block features that existed before. The once bright blue-faced Carbon Room has since taken on a more historical look that is “borderline burlesque”.

Before his art career took him on the road, Shark Toof spent quite some time working as an antique shop manager. That experience has molded his taste ever since. This bar, crafted completely around his creative and unique artistry, is covered in eclectic antique elements. Internally, the design and soul of the establishment is reminiscent of an old parlor, taking cues from the Eastlake Movement of the Victorian era.

Much like the new exterior façade, the inside will have a revamped look. Art deco lamps topped with hand blown rose-colored glass shades, one-of-a-kind folk art bar backs as well as marble tabletops from the 1880s will fill the space. Separate “rooms” will be created via the furniture and décor. One of these spaces will be a bit more intimate with vintage couches and a fireplace.

Drawing on his previous experiences managing both the antique shop in LA as well as his art career, Shark Toof has shown that he knows the kind of energy and commitment it takes to get this business off the ground. We are so grateful to be a part of this wonderful endeavor and appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this up and coming hot spot!

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For most of us, the garage door bears the brunt of the traffic that comes in and out of our homes. All that use means your doors are in need of some love and attention. To make sure your operators and springs last, it’s important to do some preventative seasonal maintenance on your hardware. Lower temperatures mean the operators and springs are working harder to keep the doors moving at the same rate that they did when it was warm outside. We’ve compiled a list containing three of the most crucial maintenance procedures you can do to help ward off the deterioration of your door.

1. Lubrication:

The easiest and most straight forward thing for any homeowner to do is to spray lubricant on any and all moving parts of their door. The tricky part is that not all moving parts require the same lube. I can’t stress this enough, DO NOT use classic Multi – Use WD 40 on your garage doors. Although it’s great at removing water condensation and moisture, it can also repel or wash off other lubricants. It may seem to work just fine initially, but in the long run this will cause your rollers to dry out. For lubricating your doors and hardware we recommend “WD 40 Specialists : White Lithium Grease”, “WD 40 Specialists : Water Resistant Silicon Grease”, “Blaster Garage Door Lube”, or “Blaster White Lithium Grease”. These are a few examples of good quality door lubricants/greases that you can find at almost any hardware store (I’ve linked them to Amazon for your convenience).

2. Door Balance:

An unbalanced door adds extra strain on your opener as the weight of the door is not being compensated by the springs properly. Over time this can result in a motor going bad. By keeping your garage door balanced, the strain placed on your opener is minimized as it’s operating within the proper weight parameters it was designed for. If you have a manually operated garage door, a properly balanced door would allow for an easier lift and close with less effort exerted on your behalf.

To check and see if your door is properly balanced, begin with the door in the fully closed position. If attached to an operator, release it by pulling down on the cord connected to the release lever. Raise the door about half way up and if it stays there without shooting up or falling down then it is probably pretty good and in proper balance. If not, please don’t try to adjust the tension yourself, it’s very dangerous. Doors are heavy and therefore the springs are wound very tight. Don’t place yourself at risk, give us a call at (586) 726 – 1100 and we’ll be more than happy to come adjust it for you.

3. General Operator Safety:

By operator safety we mean making sure that if something is under the door, it won’t close, or if your door comes down on something, it immediately reverses back up on contact. The easiest and safest way to do this would be first to place an object large enough to block out the path of the eye beams under the door. When you try to close the door using either the wall mount or car remote, the door shouldn’t move.

To check if the reverse function is working properly, place an obstacle roughly 1.5 inches tall (just below the eye beam sensor level) underneath and in the way of the door. Press either the wall mount button or one of your car remotes to close the door. If the door immediately reverses back up to the fully open position on contact than everything works properly. Especially in the cold winter months, a little more force may be needed to move the doors up and down. If it takes a bit to reverse or doesn’t want to reverse at all, give us a call and we’ll come take a look. Your safety and the safety of your family members is our top priority.

Maintenance Summary:

• Lubricate all moving parts with the appropriate kind of lube including tracks, rollers and springs.
• Make sure the door is balanced properly to prevent extra wear and strain on your operator as well as to make for effortless manual use.
• Perform operator safety tests on your door to prevent accidents and avoid future operator issues.

See Also : Garage Door Doesn’t Work in the Cold?

We’re Here to Help!

If you would rather an experienced professional with the proper tools and knowledge take a look or if you have any further questions about your door’s maintenance, our experienced team members here at Motor City Door Company can be reached at (586) 726-1100. Be sure to express that you’re interested in setting up a full preventative maintenance service call and one of our crews will come out and take care of everything for you.

The post Maintenance Checks for your Garage Door to Make Before Fall appeared first on Motor City Door Company.

April 25 – 28, 2018 | Las Vegas, Nevada

Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino | Las Vegas Convention Center

A few months ago we were fortunate enough to take the entire team on a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada for the 2018 IDAExpo. This trip was a great team building experience, especially for some of our younger members. Meeting with our vendors and seeing some of the newest advances in our industry was also a great motivation for us as we begin the busy summer season.

A Truly Hands-On Experience

The International Door Association put together an amazing Expo equipped with plenty of guest speakers and technical training. The event granted us the opportunity to see the wide range of the products and possibilities that are available to us and our customers.

First hand we were able to see, touch, and operate some of the cutting-edge equipment on display. This was also a wonderful opportunity to network. Finally being able to place faces with many of the names that we converse with on a regular basis gave us the ability to further solidify relationships with these companies in an interpersonal way. Not only is this very beneficial for our team members and for our company but also the consumer. It helps to raise the quality and level of care that our customers receive as well.

Providing Valuable Insight

Another amazing perk to this trip was that we were able to give feedback, in person, directly to the manufacturers about their products. To provide first hand experiences our expert technicians have had using their products was extremely rewarding. Able to express directly to manufactures things that might be beneficial improvements to their products was an unbelievable experience for us as well as extremely gratifying for our technicians who depend on these products to make their jobs that much more doable. Anything that helps us provide the best service possible for you, our customers, we take very seriously. Being able to speak, in person, to the companies that create the products we use has helped us, as a company, feel as though we were doing our part in contributing back to the door community. This interaction has played a huge part in our efforts to make a difference in the forward progression of our industry’s future.

We had an incredible time exploring the Expo as well as getting our fair share of Vitamin D in the process. Our team returned from Nevada with a revitalized and energetic attitude. We are thrilled to continue creating an even more enjoyable, rewarding experience for you with the most up-to-date products our industry can offer.

If it’s been a while since the last time we spoke or if you’re interested in seeing what sort of solutions we might have for your door problems, give us a call or send us an email! We offer free estimates on all new installations and provide the best in quality service and preventative maintenance.

The post IDA Expo 2018 in Las Vegas!! appeared first on Motor City Door Company.

There is a general set of guidelines that all dock leveler technicians follow when approaching the inspection of your dock equipment. This list can fluctuate in length based on how frequent the equipment is used as well as the how much time went by between inspections, but some typical bullet points on their list would be:

• Check all safety devices on the unit.
• Clean the upper portion of the plate, lower rollers and between the side angles.
• Clean all debris from the pit or from the vicinity of floor mounted units to avoid any interference with the rolling mechanism.
• Inspect the hold-down assemblies, lip assist assemblies, and other mechanisms for wear and/or damage.
• Inspect the safety leg system and return spring operation.
• Check rollers, pins and bushings for any signs of wear.
• Check the springs for elongation.
• Inspect all welds under the leveler for fatigue or failure.
• Check general condition of the dock leveler.
• Operate dock leveler after service, check for any abnormal noise or vibrations.

5 Steps to a Thorough Evaluation for Proper Maintenance of your Equipment:

Our process for dock leveler maintenance inspections is fairly simple and straight forward. To walk you through the typical inspection process, we’ve assembled an easy 5 step break down.

1. Cleaning: Technicians thoroughly clean equipment and components under and around the equipment to ensure longer life and a more efficient workplace. This prevents dirt and debris from clogging working parts and causing premature wear.

2. Lubricating: By correctly applying lubricants in the proper places our technicians ensure that your equipment continues to work efficiently. This reduces equipment downtime since the components are protected from wear, moisture and corrosion.

3. Adjusting: Equipment that is improperly adjusted can waste time and create hazards in the work environment. Necessary components are properly adjusted to make sure your equipment works smoothly and consistently.

4. Inspecting: Once the cleaning and adjustments have been made, our technicians thoroughly inspect the loading dock equipment. Our technicians have been trained to bring small problems to your attention before they become bigger issues. At this time, predictive maintenance solutions are offered as needed.

5. Documentation: Lastly, we provide you with documentation to show exactly what service work has been completed, to indicate areas of concern, as well as recommended solutions to those concerns. This will save you potential headaches down the road.

The post Have Your Dock Levelers Been Inspected? appeared first on Motor City Door Company.

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Reduced Energy Costs

One of the most important reasons for insulating a garage door is that it lowers energy costs. Whether your garage is heated or not, a well-insulated door helps to reduce airflow, which keeps the whole house more contained. For example, if you have a heated/cooled room above the garage, an insulated door will keep the air from escaping below and through the door. In addition to the benefit of lower household bills, a garage that doesn’t get too cold will allow you to jump in your car in the morning without having to warm it up, wasting gas. For that reason, from an energy cost savings perspective, insulated is the way to go.

The type of insulation in your garage door can also make a difference. The two most common types of insulation you’ll find for your garage door are polyurethane foam and polystyrene insulation. Polyurethane foam can make doors more rigid and dent resistant, which is perfect if you have kids who play in the driveway. It will also deliver twice the thermal performance of polystyrene insulation of the same thickness. This is particularly crucial for those with workshops or valuable equipment that can be damaged by the cold. Polystyrene insulation is a generally the most financially friendly option and has half the thermal performance of Polyurethane foam.The effectiveness of the insulation is expressed as an R-value*, which is a measure of thermal resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation in the door.

Noise Reduction

Another benefit of an insulated garage door is that it reduces noise penetration through the walls and ceiling. The insulation dampens any extraneous noise, allowing for a more peaceful, comfortable home. Two main noise sources that a well-insulated door will help reduce include:

• Outside Noise – quiet the noise of the streets and/or neighborhood.
• Reduces Opening/Closing Garage Door Noise – this is especially helpful if you have to leave early or come home late. A quieter door allows everyone in the home to rest undisturbed.

SEE ALSO: Why You Need An Insulated Garage Door

Increased Safety

An insulated door can even add a higher level of safety to your garage and home.

Be Careful About Over-Insulating!

While insulating your garage door has many benefits, as noted above, it’s important to keep in mind the safety concerns for over-insulating. One of the things about a garage door that is just too insulated is that it traps everything inside the garage. This can be a huge hazard if a car is left on with the door shut, or if you have any substances like gas cans or any other spirits with heavy fumes. Before insulating, be sure to take note of these items to determine how heavy the insulation should be and whether the garage the safest place for them at all.

SEE ALSO: Garage Repair Tips & Tricks

Visit Motor City Door for More Garage Door Winterizing Information, Today

As always, if you have any questions or concerns about insulating your garage door, visit Motor City Door, today. Motor City Door has a long history of serving the Metro Detroit area with any and everything garage door. For more questions or to set up an appointment, visit us or contact us at (586) 501-5874.

The post Why Properly Insulated Garage Doors Are Safer and More Energy Efficient appeared first on Motor City Door Company.

SEE ALSO: What To Know When Replacing Your Garage Door

Metal Components Warping

One thing that can happen to garage doors during the colder months is the metal components within can shrink or warp out of shape. The cold can cause the metal of a garage door and the tracks it’s on to contract, which in turn halts a door in its motion. One way to allay this is to add lubrication to the rollers and tracks. This should help the door to break free from the hold. Another way to ensure a door doesn’t get help up is to add insulation on the inside. The warmer the garage, the less likely a door will get stuck.

Hardened Grease

Another issue that can occur during cold weather is that the grease, which is there to keep the rollers moving along the track smoothly, begins to harden. Use a grease solvent to loosen some of the hardened grease and then wipe it away with a rag. For more stubborn patches, use a wire brush. After you have removed the old grease, apply new lubrication to the tracks and your door should open and close without interference.

RELATED: How to Prepare Your Garage for Winter

Broken Springs

A garage door with a broken spring is not something to take lightly. The spring is what helps the door to raise and lower itself. Once one starts to go bad, it can be near impossible to get the door to open. There are a few reasons a spring might go bad, including:

• Rust – when springs rust up, they start to corrode and fall apart
• Worn Out – springs have a lifespan of about 10,000 cycles and will degrade soon after
• Improper Maintenance – not often enough or not handled by a professional

If it does seem like a spring issue, be sure to call a professional immediately. Preventative maintenance can help lower the number of broken garage door springs as well.

SEE ALSO: How to Prevent Broke Garage Door Springs

Visit Motor City Door for Garage Door Problems all Winter Long!

If you get held up by your garage door because of the cold this winter, try one of the solutions above. It you can’t seem to get to the bottom of the issue or if it’s more serious, like a broken spring, trust in Motor City Door to help you fix it! And don’t wait it for it to get too cold to make any fixes your garage door might need. For any questions or to set up an appointment, contact us at (586) 501-5874, today!

The post Garage Door Doesn’t Work in the Cold? Here’s Why! appeared first on Motor City Door Company.

RELATED: Safety Tips for Fixing a Frozen Garage Door

Weather Seal Replacement

The weather seal at the bottom of your garage door may seem like it can last for forever, but like the cables and hinges, the weather seal can start to wear away, too. When this happens, the possibility of animals crawling underneath in search of warmth and shelter increases. Not only that, but a worn away weather seal will result in cold air creeping under the door which leads to increased energy usage and higher bills. And if your weather seal isn’t in the best condition, water can leak in, creating puddles in your garage which can freeze and become a hazard.

Cables and Rollers

The importance of fully functional garage doors can be taken for granted when they’re always in good condition. But the moment the necessary parts within the garage door mechanism starts malfunctioning, you notice. Take the time to repair and maintain the intricate parts of the garage door, such as the:

• Cables – can warp and snap due to the cold, leading to danger for door users.
• Hinges, Rollers & Tracks – need to be lubricated every three months for safe usage.

SEE ALSO: How To Prevent Broken Garage Door Springs

Add Insulation

One reason a garage is such a convenience is because it doesn’t allow your car to be exposed to the elements. It’s great walking out in the morning and not have to worry about scraping any new snow that may have fallen overnight. But what about a cold garage? It’s certainly no fun when you get in your car and it’s freezing cold because your garage isn’t properly insulated. Another good reason to insulate your garage door is that it will help to keep the energy costs down. Adding insulation may not seem like a repair, but it can dramatically extend the life of your garage door and subsequently your garage and items inside.

SEE ALSO: How To Keep Cool With Garage Door Insulation Routine Maintenance

Routine Maintenance

Some small, yet important repairs to make before you ring in the new year include:

• Clean the door before the snow gets too deep.
• Remove any grime or grit that may have accumulated over the year.
• Lubricate the tracks so that the rollers can move through easily, free of debris.

SEE ALSO: Garage Repair Tips & Tricks

Motor City Door For Repairs and Maintenance

Don’t forget that Motor City Door can help you out this winter season with any and all garage door repairs. For some of the more difficult tasks, like replacing springs or panels of a door, call the experts to request a free quote! The time is ticking by so make sure you take care of your garage door repairs today! Contact us at (586) 501-5874 and schedule an appointment right now!

The post Garage Door Repairs to Make Before the New Year appeared first on Motor City Door Company.