Did you know that 71% of Americans use their garage door as the primary entrance to their home? More often than not, these garage doors are white! For us, our natural, unfinished product gleams in its clean, white simplicity. But when we want to truly allow the garage door to stand out, we are excited to offer our incredible factory finish with myriad options and total confidence in sustainability.

For nearly a century, our family has manufactured garage doors, and in that time, we have learned a great deal about the industry through our partners, products, and passions. Today, we are proud to add to our already environmentally friendly product a paint and faux stain coating that will endure the elements using molecular bonded paint to stand the test of time.

We manufacture our doors using advanced materials and technology to deliver a beautiful and durable product. Depending on your unique needs, we offer our innovative vinyl coated steel for the American Legends series and Versatex and Tricoya across all other doors to offer solutions for any creative, geographic, or budgetary needs. We offer these opportunities to best meet our customers' unique needs. We know that people want what they want, and we are here to provide it through quality, safety, and satisfaction.

Through our partnership with AquaSurTech (AST) over the last decade, we have found their commitment to quality was paramount which is a core value we hold dearly! According to Michael Braeuel, President of AST, "Most coatings are produced by combining a commercially available resin with a series of additives. D200's high performance is created by reacting (under high temperature and pressure) over 25 ingredients to create one single molecular structure. The resultant molecule can 'sense' the surface tension of the surface and align itself optimally with the molecules of the substrate to create a bond based on 'cohesion', in contrast to bonds created through mechanical adhesion." What this means to our final product is the finished face of our door will be one united material as it faces the elements allowing longevity that is unmatched. The benefit goes beyond the gorgeous appearance to the science of the door preventing bubbling, chipping, or lifting of the paint!

Our factory finish, made with D200 High performance paint, is a single application exterior waterborne coating system designed for direct application without primer to our vinyl product. It's extremely fast air dry and quick clean up offers low cost processes for in-factory and DIY finishing. Additionally it is formulated with heat reflective pigments to minimize heat gain for dark colors and is considered non-hazardous by EPA standards allowing for the vast color options in our palette. Above all else, D200 exceeds all environmental and performance standards, and the result is absolutely stunning! 

[pictured: Engine 55 of the Fire Department of New York - FDNY Red with hand applied black paint on the raised wrought iron design]

The magic of this paint system is the versatility to allow us to create our faux stain! Using a two part process of the same paint we use to coat our doors, our team of Artisans use their trained hand to apply first the grain design and then the top coat offering the final overall color. The result of this process allows us to increase grain depth or decrease it as needed as well as custom color match to your desired finish. The image below shows two samples: one is the actual piece of wood used on an entry door - the other is our custom sample. Can you tell the difference?

[pictured: custom match of faux stain]

In case you couldn't tell, the one on the right is the original, and the one on the left is our custom made sample!

Our faux stain will blow your mind! With this paint system, we are able to offer you all the benefits and beauty of real wood without the regular maintenance. The finish has a warranty of 15 years for adhesion, cracking, peeling, and reasonable fading. Additionally, this product can be refinished as time and trends roll on. Add all of these benefits to the long standing quality of our garage doors, and you will be sure to find satisfaction. 

For those of you who prefer to do it yourself, we proudly offer you the D100 system to handle your own after factory paint finish! We worked with AST to develop this system and acceptable colors to carry the same levels of quality but the artistry is in your hands!

Fimbel Finishing for YOU: 

Using our D200 High performance finish, all Factory Finished products will be delivered with a clean finish to last! While most of our products do not require finishing and may remain natural white, adding color to your project can add the wow-factor that we are after! Our vast and ever-expanding color palette includes blacks, charcoals, and dark greens as well as faux stains to truly replicate the look of wood without the maintenance or concern for exposure. With solutions for replacement of damaged sections to solutions for navigating tough exposures, we are sure our finishing options will brighten up your home and increase durability!

Click here to find a dealer near you and click here to have samples delivered directly to your home!

Highlights of our Finishing System:

• Long lasting for continued satisfaction
• Custom color matching available
• Water-based coating
• Safe, odorless, and non-toxic
• Passes test requirements for AAMA615 (Organic Coatings on Plastic Substrates)
• Low heat absorption due to heat reflectant pigments
• Excellent adhesion and abrasion resistance
• Excellent elasticity can withstand thermal expansion
• Excellent impact resistance
• Environmental Advantages:
  • Low VOC
  • Non-flammable
  • Lead and chromate free

At Fimbel ADS, we believe in offering your more in your garage door. We aspire to bring options to fully complement your project and satisfy your every need. Our capabilities had a chance to shine with a project nestled in a cozy neighborhood in the rolling hills of Eastern Pennsylvania. Garage door envy set in when they saw a friend's Fimbel Roaring Twenties set of doors sustainably manufactured using vinyl and a faux stain to replicate wood. As these homeowners were mid-swing of their own projects, they had to have one of their own.

The Project:

With visions of reinventing not only the garage but also the wood and stone façade, we set out to find their perfect door. Their original garage door, specifically, was in need of some TLC. While it was functional, the stamped steel raised panel door simply hung there - fulfilling its only obligations: to close the opening and to open on demand. It did just that. And only that.

Upon seeing the rest of the home's completed projects, the new two-level deck complete with fire pit and the excavated yard between the home and the fountained lake, it was clear this family understood quality and demanded satisfaction. For this family and their project, a Fimbel product was the solution for them: Our only challenge (or as we see it adventure) was to find their right door!

The Options:

The first step in navigating our product offerings is to understand that we make our doors in two innovative ways to offer a vast variety of styles and solutions. When buying a Fimbel door, you can count on the look of real wood, durable construction methods, low-maintenance, precision fit, bold windows, reliable R-value, and more, more, more!

Our first construction platform offers carriage and traditional styles using a vinyl clad steel pan and applying vinyl overlays to create the look of a classic wood door. This door is exceptional for two main reasons – the first is the platform (pan) made of a smooth, steel base made for the elements that we coat (clad) in a thin layer of crisp, white vinyl. This innovation allows for the American Legends series to live nearly anywhere, even near the ocean, without rusting and rotting away in the elements. To this we add the smooth, solid white overlays made of sustainable material. Separating ourselves from the competition's fake wood grain completes the constructed look to appear as real, traditional wood. Both features ensure the longevity our ethics demand, the look we all crave, and a price point sure to please.

Our second construction platform truly shines in the blend between tradition and innovation. Using a hand placed wood frame and nesting in our insulation, we laminate a vinyl back cover and a solid vinyl exterior that encases the face. This slab now becomes a blank slate to bring you more for your door. Using both 3/8" and ¾" material, primarily Versatex, we have options to add select profiles and nearly limitless designs to satisfy inspiration. You will see these designs in our Euro-Dor and Presidential Collections offering both carriage, traditional, and modern styles.

To achieve a more classic carriage look, we offer the Roaring Twenties. This series starts with the same platform yet adds solid, sturdy overlays pocketed (nested) into the face. The pronounced look of this classic style can be modified in myriad ways to satisfy decorative features and historic applications. Each of these series offers incredible longevity and beauty we can all feel good about!

The Bigger Picture:

Before the platform of the door could be selected, we needed to understand its forthcoming home. Measuring and truly understanding the opening – especially of homes older than 25 years – may be a game changer for many products. In many cases, the door is a standard size in the realm of a 9' x 8' or perhaps a double door measuring at 18'. For standard situations, navigating the opening is rather easy, but when a situation is unique – as is this project, it requires understanding of desire and opportunity. Fortunately, we offer both.

The uniqueness of their garage became a driver in selecting the construction platform they would need. The measurements of the opening showed us that the double door would require a low-headroom track and the uneven floor that puckered in the middle would need to be custom matched to properly seal the opening which was a pain point of their original door. Considering their current and anticipated use of the garage, we also needed to include an Insulated Glass package for quality and sustainability. Solving these problems can be challenging to some, but our capabilities allowed us to navigate with ease to the platform of the Euro, Presidential, and Roaring Twenties.

The Design:

After understanding what we offer, we talked about design. The garage of this home, as it does for many others, occupied approximately 30% of the home's frontage, so we had to complement the remaining 70%. We talked about the wood they would use to refresh the face of the home, the paint color they envisioned on the new front door, and the style of the desired front door.

What they showed me was an overlay front door almost identical to our Roaring Twenties series made by Therma Tru. The RT 12-S Charleston design with its clean, vertical lines and windowpanes would fit right in. 

The Finish:

With the desired design achieved, our next conversation was about color. The anticipated front door was going to be blue, the stone would remain light, and the wood was to be cedar. While the exposure of their garage door came into play with respect to the desired dark color and the known impact of heat on the vinyl, we had a solution. Using our wood composite in place of the vinyl, we were able to satisfy this job using our faux stain. Using a paint system developed with respect to the earth and the demands of vinyl, our finish provides lasting beauty. We hand apply the grain and overlay the stain color to offer a sustainable, virtually maintenance free wood look. For this project, adding a custom match to their chosen cedar became another easy solution.

The Result:

All had been prepared, and the doors would be ready in two weeks! That was until the COVID-19 quarantine of 2020. We all waited with anticipation of bringing this door to life, so as Pennsylvania began to open up, we set out for install on a cool, brisk spring morning with abundant sunshine. As the old door came out and slowly but surely the new door went in, it became clear that a dream was coming to life! Watching homeowners see each piece of their project revealed was fantastic. The benefit of quarantine is they were all home to witness the transformation. Their sweet daughter almost could not believe her eyes. She looked at me and said, "It's just so beautiful! So much better than the other one! So much more beautiful."

Darlin' we couldn't agree with you more!

Schnecksville, PA – project stats:

• Roaring Twenties RT12-S Detroit
• Low Headroom Track
• LiftMaster Operator with MyQ Technology
• Custom Pointed Scribe: ⅝" off center
• Custom Faux Stain to match Cedar
• Insulated Glass Package

Since the 1600's in the newly formed New Amsterdam under the ordinances of Peter Stuyvesant, brave residents have been fighting fires on behalf of the city and its evolving skyline. Today, after centuries of navigating changing governments and increasing demands, the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) remains the largest municipal fire department in the United States and a symbol of strength and honor. The world watched as these brave men and women responded to our broken buildings and hearts in the wake of the tragedy of 9/11, and we saw firsthand the level of dedication and bravery one must own to wear the emblems of this organization. At Fimbel Architectural Doors, we are proud to supply the sectional doors that give passage to their life saving efforts. 

A walk through the streets of New York's five boroughs will undoubtedly bring you past one of the 197 Engine Houses associated with the FDNY. Most of the doors you will see have been manufactured by Fimbel either then or now. To bring history to life and reinvigorate the heart and soul of the city, we worked with our Sales and Service team at Thompson Overhead Door in Brooklyn, the FDNY, and the Landmark Society of New York as is required to preserve the history and integrity of the architecture. Our result is the introduction of our custom Presidential Firehouse Series finding a home in many engine houses.

Fun Fact: when we put the replacement doors in, they replace our old Fimbel Doors –some of which have been in place and operating for over 80 years.

We know that engine companies carry the burden of suppressing the fire – saving lives, and we want nothing to stand in their way. For these essential, front-line heroes, safety must always be paramount, so the operation of the door is a critical function in successful missions. Our engineering and production teams designed and built custom sections, operators and hardware equal to the demanding life of the door thus ensuring this safety for decades which gave way for the design experience.

It is no easy task to blend innovation and old-world craftsmanship, but that is indeed what we do at Fimbel ADS. We construct our Presidential Series using innovative technology and materials, and others, by hand to allow for varied sizes. This is a critical aspect in any project, but since the openings of firehouses were not prescribed when first built, there is no guarantee a standard door would suffice. Additionally, in many cases, they have been modified over time to accommodate the changing shape, size, and nature of the engines from horse-drawn carriages to self-propelled steamers to the trucks we use today.

 As seen in this image of Engine 205 which was built in 1869, the architecture of the building is magnificent in its simplicity and strength. Perhaps the most centrally located of the affiliated firehouses, this building and its teams were tasked with serving the most affluent and valuable sections of the city over the course of time. Though times and modes of transport have changed, the architectural structure stands firm yet requires measurements that may typically be challenging to manufacturers. Due to the construction methods of blending custom frames with innovative materials, we knocked the obstacle of shape and size out of the way allowing the design experience to happen.

Designing the replacement door for this building required an aspiration for creativity and beauty balanced with the demand for historical accuracy. In many of our other Presidential Firehouse Series projects, you will see intricate scrollwork and glass patterns to complement the facades, but in this keystone location, simplicity shines. Thanks to the nature of our patented processes and advanced materials, the Team incorporated the shape and size of the five windows situated above the door. With the tremendous amount of light added by the new door in conjunction with the windows make it seem as though the building is watching over its people and structures: The result is a show of steadfastness and safety. And beauty.

As showcased in the June 2020 publication of International Door & Operator magazine, Engine 205 stands as a symbol of hope and strength. Remaining operational during the COVID-19 pandemic as an essential business brought with it a burden shared across the county, but it also brought with it a swelling of desire and pride. Together, we watched and admired the work done by our partners, especially the first responders. We are proud to have our door rest beneath the waving American flag adorning Engine 205 awaiting its call to action. We, the family and team, at Fimbel ADS will similarly be ready to support this effort and honor their legacy and ours.

To all the First Responders and Partners in making our world a safer, better place: We celebrate you and your families and will continue our mission of safety and quality so that you may continue yours.

To celebrate the fast-approaching Independence Day and our relief for gradual independence from lockdown, we invite you to celebrate safely and enjoy your independence from garage door maintenance with a Fimbel Architectural Door!

After these many weeks of COVID quarantine, we are all eager for a break. Our team members and industry partners have proudly maintained a steady and dedicated beat. Maintaining essential operations was no easy task, so we know the upcoming holiday will be a welcome relief. It is time for all of us to unwind and relax. The last thing anyone wants to do is worry about issues with garage doors – despite how much we love them.

Servicing your door is a critical item on the homeowner's checklist; unfortunately, it is often and

dangerously overlooked. Knowing that 71% of Americans use their garage door as the primary entrance to their home, we know the wear and tear on the mechanisms can invite unexpected costs, demands on your time, and threats to your safety.

In our home, there is one rule that will always lead the rest: Safety First. Our kids are programmed and trained to respond quickly to the question of, "what is our first rule of anything?", and they come back with a swift reply of, "Safety. Always." This same rule applies to our family business. For 95 years, we have proudly manufactured doors and track set-ups to be safe, made with quality, and beautiful enough for our own homes. It is our commitment to our family, and it is our commitment to your family, too.

In recent studies, we learned that 71% of Americans use their garage door as the primary entrance to their home. Considering the busy nature of life today, the function of the garage door is clearly essential.

Each June, the International Door Association (IDA) promotes Garage Door Safety month across the globe. To help you protect your family and your investment, we have gathered some tips to make sure that your garage offers you everything you need without the headache! We are truly thankful for the continued information and support the IDA offers us as members of the industry and manufacturers for our Dealers and homeowners. It is our honor to pass along their well-thought tips and tricks to keep you and yours safe all year round!

We'd like to thank our partners at the IDA for sharing this incredible information with us in order to help serve you, our customer!

Security:

• Burglars are smarter than you may think! Avoid leaving your garage door open unnecessarily, and make sure you know where the remote is at all times! In the event that your remote is lost, make sure to clear the codes and have the remotes and keypads reprogrammed.
  
• Do you lock your car when it is left in the driveway? If you have your automatic operator linked to your car, a burglar could get in unbeknownst. Remembering to lock your car helps to protect your home!
  
• The convenience of an automatic door is truly a great value; however, in the event of an emergency, such as a power outage, there are two things that will help you gain access to the garage. The first is making sure there is an emergency release cord within reach and know how to use it. Be sure that it functions properly. Also consider a garage door opener with a battery backup system to be sure the door can be opened and closed regardless of additional energy Sources.
  
• Keep the garage door opener and remote control out of reach of children. These features are tools - not toys!

Function:

• Your automatic door is a convenience: It should safely function with ease and without much noise. If the movement of the door is not smooth, you may have an unsafe condition. It is possible the spring system has become unbalanced and should only be maintained by a trained Professional.
  
• The genius of a garage door opener is its ability to reverse direction. When a descending garage door meets an obstruction, it reverses to avoid it. If your door does not reverse readily after contacting an obstruction, the opener's sensitivity may need adjustment. See your owner's manual for how to adjust your opener's sensitivity or call a professional.
  
• Included in the reverse feature is the photoelectric eye system. Installed 4-6" above the garage floor, and the eyes should be facing each other. As the door descends, the photoelectric eyes will catch any people or animals crossing the light beam. If your opener does not have photoelectric eyes, you may want to call a professional for an upgrade.
  
• Normal wear and tear may invite some squeaks and noise. As the squeaks and noises present, try a spray-on lubricant (recommended especially for garage doors). If this doesn't resolve the problem, reach out to a professional to assess the system. This is important because the springs are the most important and dangerous port of the door. Though they should last 5-10 years, it is important to listen and watch for any issues to avoid catastrophe.
• When a garage door is properly installed, it should be rather quiet in its movements and operation. Any time grinding or scratching sounds present, consider it a red flag to call a professional.

Observe:

• 20,000 children visit the emergency room each year due to garage door accidents. The wall push button for your garage door opener should be mounted at least 5' above the floor, and out of the reach of children. Teach kids to never touch the cable and roller areas, even if the door is not in motion. Visit doors.org for more information.
• When closing your automatic garage door, always watch the door until it completely closes to make sure no person or animal is caught under a closing door. Remember, never install wall buttons where they can be pushed and operated without clear sight of the door.

Our goal is to provide the highest quality under the safest conditions to offer you superior performance and a garage door with a long and beautiful life. Following these tips will add longevity and security to your home and convenience and peace of mind to your life.

In most homes, the garage door is typically the largest moving system and is normally used several times a day. Over time, parts can wear out and break - creating potential safety problems. Although we encourage monthly safety checks – June is Garage Door Safety month and a great time to get a professional installer to check your system. To find a dealer near you, visit our website.