Garage door companies are always looking for ways to discern themselves from their competition, and those that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award are already several steps ahead. In addition to its Diamond Certified status, R & P Garage Doors differentiates itself by only using high-quality materials in each of its installations, regardless of the client’s budget. “We make sure we get our customers what they need without sacrificing quality,” says owner and 30-year industry veteran Rick Gibbs. “Just like in any industry, there are cheaper brands available, but we believe in always giving our clients the best value for their money.”

R & P Garage Doors has been installing, servicing and repairing garage doors for residential and commercial clients throughout the East Bay since 1996. The family-owned and operated company has experience with a variety of door styles, including wood, steel and copper. In addition to its garage door capabilities, it can install roll-up and sectional doors for commercial properties, repair and maintain garage door openers, and fix gates and gate motors. “Our industry experience and quality of materials and labor really make us stand out,” says Mr. Gibbs.

Unlike garage door companies that merely act as sellers or installers and leave clients to navigate their new systems on their own, R & P Garage Doors educates every customer about the complexities of their garage door before, during and after the installation. “We get into the technical side of our doors and explain things like springs, rollers and hinges so our customers have an idea of what they’re buying,” explains Mr. Gibbs. “Even if they don’t sign a proposal, at least they leave with some basic knowledge and can take that information with them.”

Another unique feature of R & P Garage Doors is its comprehensive approach to garage door maintenance. The company’s yearly maintenance program includes a safety check, a lubrication of all moving parts, a spring adjustment (if needed) and a check of the garage door opener’s reversing feature. “We only charge a minimal labor fee for our maintenance service,” says Mr. Gibbs. “It’s another example of our dedication to our customers.”

Q: How soon can you start my garage door project?

A: It depends on the extent of the project. Special order doors can take up to four weeks from order to installation, but we can usually complete on-the-shelf item installations within one week.

Q: Should I choose an insulated garage door or a non-insulated one?

A: It depends on your house’s exposure. If you’re planning on installing a steel garage door and your house faces east, south or west, we always recommend a vinyl back to deflect radiant heat that’s generated by afternoon sunlight. If your home faces north, however, insulation won’t be as beneficial because the garage won’t get as much sun. In that case, you can opt to install windows instead.

Q: How important is the gauge of steel on my garage door?

A: People put a lot of emphasis on the gauge of steel on their doors, but it’s not that important—especially with some of the other components available today.

Q: What’s the difference between a screw drive motor and a chain motor in terms of noisiness?

A: Screw drive motors are the quieter of the two, but we tend to use chain motors for single-story homes that don’t have rooms above their garages. If you have a living space above your garage, we recommend a belt drive, which is even quieter.

Q: What will happen to my old garage door when you install a new one?

A: We’ll remove your old door and dispose of it properly.

Q: I take evening walks and don’t want to carry my key or a hand-held remote. Can you install a keyless entry system on my garage door?

A: Yes, we can mount an exterior keyless sensory system that mounts to the wall on the outside of the garage door and requires you to enter a code number. These systems are also handy if your children come home from school before you—instead of carrying keys, they can punch in the code number and get into the garage.