Over the past few weeks as I’ve shared the updates I’ve been making here in the garage, one question I’ve been asked in the comments a couple of times was if the new LED lighting I had installed would create any issue with my garage door opener.
During the renovation process, one of the things I had done was the replacement of the original seal on the garage door. Sometime over the past 40 years, a critter had chewed on the rubber part of the old seal in one corner and this seemed like a great time to get it replaced. The company I used for that is a large company here in the Atlanta area that specializes in garage doors, garage door openers, and garage door repairs. They tend to be a bit more expensive than other garage door repair companies, but they have a great reputation and stand behind their work. They installed my garage door opener many years ago when the old one died and have serviced my opener over the years when needed–which hasn’t been very often.
Also, for those who asked how far the new flooring comes out under the garage door, this photo below shows that really well. It looks nice peeking out and coordinates well with the white door and the new, dark-black seal.
During the time the garage door repairman was here, I asked if he thought I would ever have any issues with my new garage lights causing interference with my garage door opener. We got into a big discussion about that topic and his answer was, absolutely not. That’s exactly what the electrician had said when he installed them, so they were both in agreement on that. However, he said the thing you need to watch out for that can cause interference are the LED bulbs that are INSIDE the garage door opener itself. Ahhh, so maybe this is where the confusion comes in about using LED lights in garages.
Back Story: At the time we were talking, I had regular LED bulbs in my opener, I think the Amazon-branded ones. I wasn’t crazy about how they looked, they had a yellowish tinge, probably because they were the soft-white bulbs that I typically buy to use inside. I had been meaning to replace them with the “Daylight” type for the garage.
My garage door opener has been working fine but I was eager to hear what this HUGE Garage Door company here in Atlanta would recommend. The repairman said that the bulbs they recommend are the LED bulbs from Genie, the company that makes their garage door openers. He added that those are the bulbs he uses in his garage door opener and he’s never had any issues.
Even though I haven’t had any issues so far, I went ahead and ordered a set of Genie bulbs for my opener that same day. I purchased those here: Genie LED Garage Door Opener Bulbs. I’d rather head that issue off now rather than have it pop up sometime down the road.
Hard to really show lighting in a photo, but right away I noticed how much brighter these bulbs are than the others I had in the opener. Also, the light they emit looks the same hue as the light that’s coming from the new garage light fixtures I had installed recently. The Genie bulbs emit a pretty, bright white (not a yellow light) just like my new garage lights. I’m very happy with how they look. The new garage ceiling lights are from here: Garage Lights.
So, if someone tells you that you can’t have new LED lighting installed in your garage or it will interfere with your garage door opener, they may be referring to the bulbs that actually go inside the garage door opener itself, and not your overhead garage lighting. Both the electrician who installed my garage lighting and the garage door repairman from the biggest garage door company here in Atlanta have assured me that I should not have any problems with the functioning of my garage door opener due to the LED lighting I had installed here in the garage. That’s great news!
If you’ve ever had any issues with your garage door not working, you may want to try replacing the bulbs with the ones my garage door company recommends and uses. Again, you’ll find them available here: Garage Door Light Bulbs.
See you tomorrow for Tablescape Thursday!
Your garage just looks amazing. I love, love, the floor. Great place for a party too. Ha
Judy W
Thanks, Judy! lol Lots of dancing room! 😉
Great post! Thanks for the advice!
Hope it’s helpful. Thanks, Maureen!
Wow, I would have never thought about LED bulbs in the garage door opener causing problems. I still have old bulbs in mine, but they blew a long while ago, so no lights unless I turn on the “regular” lights. I had thought about getting LED lights for it though, now I know that I need the brand that was recommended to you Susan. Who knew….well you found out for us and now we know. lol Hugs, Brenda
I used to dread changing mine since I had to back the car out and get out a tall ladder. That’s one nice thing about newer bulbs, they last a long, long time.
Thanks, Brenda…hope this helps! 🙂
I have the same or similar floor in my garage and I love it. However, I noticed when I had gone on a trip (in hot weather) and returned home, my tires were very hot and caused the flooring to melt in the spots where the tires rested. My home is about 15 years old and that problem may have been addressed by now, but wanted to give you a heads up!
Kit, who did you have install your flooring? Granite Garage has told me that I don’t have to worry about hot tires, even after a long trip. Normally when I hear these kind of stories, people tell me that their painter installed the floor or someone like that, using the materials you can buy in the big box hardware stores. This is definitely something you only want to have done professionally by a company that specializes in this type of flooring. That’s all Granite Garage does and they do have a lifetime warranty.
Also a great tip for all those needing better garage lighting: new, brighter bulbs in the opener! Or whatever light sources there.
Definitely, although there may be a wattage limit since they are normally enclosed. But that does make a big difference!
Research, research, research…franki
Regarding LED bulbs, I had an appliance repair tech tell me to never use an LED bulb in any appliance because they cause problems. Just an FYI.
Susan, I’m green with envy of your fabulously organized tableware treasures! And, I especially enjoyed the trip down memory lane of all your past settings.
Thank you for checking on that and giving us the bulb information. So reassuring to know!!
Can you provide the link for the square lighting in the garage. I saw it somewhere but can not find it now. I believe you got them at Home Depot but I was not sure which light it is on the site I love following your blog
Sure, this is it: https://bit.ly/3nPEKhF. I love this lighting!