Garage doors get lots of use in our fast-paced lives. The average garage door in America opens and closes about 1,500 times a year as families rush in and out for work, school, soccer games, doctors’ visits and vet appointments. That’s quite a workout – and one that can eventually lead to cracked panels, chipped paint and worn-down parts.
If you have a damaged garage door, you probably know you should do something about it sooner rather than later. Untreated minor wear can lead to significantly more damage over time. Damaged garage doors can also admit pests from outside and can pose a security threat by offering more convenient access to potential intruders.
If your garage door is a bit roughed up, you may be losing money as well. A damaged garage door lets in more air from outside. In the summer, this air heats your garage, which heats your house, which raises your air-conditioning costs. In the winter, excess cold air admitted through a broken garage door can add to your heating costs, too.
And of course, there’s your curb appeal. Depending on the layout of your home, your garage door can make up a surprisingly large percentage of the face your house shows to the world. A damaged garage door can give your home an unsightly appearance instead of helping to brighten the neighborhood.
Should you repair your garage, or replace it altogether? Below we will outline a few scenarios in which you might repair or replace your garage door. We’ll also offer some guidance on how to choose the best step for the aesthetics, safety and functionality of your home.
What is the average lifespan of a garage door? The average lifespan of a garage door is about 30 years with the right maintenance. But individual circumstances vary – maybe your newly minted teenaged driver accidentally backed into the garage door, or maybe a windstorm flung debris at your door and damaged some panels.
In any case, should you replace your garage door? Or should you repair it? The answer may depend on a few different factors.
Your garage door may have sustained only cosmetic damage, or its functionality may be severely compromised:
If your door has only one minor issue, such as peeling paint, then looking into a repair job is likely your best bet. If your door has several issues, though, such as cracked panels, a screeching noise and a laboring, jerky operation, then it may be time to look into an upgrade. If your door is so compromised it poses a significant security risk to your home, getting a sturdy new replacement door is an excellent way to make sure your home and family have the best protection.
The choice between garage door repair and replacement may also depend on cost. As with a totaled car, if the estimated cost to repair your old garage door ends up being more than the price of a new door, then getting a brand-new door is undoubtedly your best option. If you’re looking for replacement options that won’t blow up your budget, there are many economical alternatives available to the upscale styles.
If your garage door has only minor damage but it’s getting on in years – say it’s 10 to 20 years old – you may want to consider a replacement. An older door is likely to need replacement sooner rather than later. So it may not be worth investing in repairs for a door that doesn’t have much more life left. Replacing your older door, even if the severity of the damage doesn’t necessarily require it, can also have other benefits, such as a modernized appearance or a garage door that matches better with the style of your home.
If your garage door’s issues are minor, think about getting the door repaired rather than investing in a replacement. You’ll probably want to consider a garage door repair in these circumstances:
If your garage door needs a repair job, it’s best to get it done right away. Even small issues can put major stress on the doorframe and mechanical systems. This stress usually leads to more involved and expensive problems over the long term.
If the damage to your garage door is severe, you’ll probably want to think about getting a replacement.
Garage door replacement may sound expensive, but if you’re planning to sell your home soon, there’s good news – garage door replacements pay off in a big way. Most garage door replacements return 90% of their costs in the form of the increased selling price of the home. A Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association study found that an upscale garage door replacement had the highest return on investment of any home improvement project, and a Clopay study found that 70% of real estate agents say a new garage door helps a home sell faster.
Consider getting your door replaced in the following scenarios:
Garage door replacement may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Garage doors these days come in a variety of attractive options to suit any style of home, as well as a variety of materials, such as steel, aluminum and polyurethane, for added security, durability and insulation. Many quality options come in an array of price points, so you don’t have to break the bank just to get a stylish, functional new door that looks great on your home.
Your garage door replacement options are numerous. You can get a galvanized steel door to prevent rust, or choose a glass-and-aluminum door to give your home the glow of natural light. If you loved the look of your old wooden door but want something more durable, you can get a composite door with a steel interior and wooden finish or cladding. Or you can spring for a beautiful, handcrafted wooden door that will boost your curb appeal with the classic warmth of hemlock, redwood or cedar. Composite carriage house doors also add a traditional rustic charm to any home.
Once you’ve replaced your garage door, don’t forget to do regular preventative maintenance to catch small problems before they balloon into bigger ones. To make sure your new garage door stays in good working order, try some of these helpful tips:
If the check of your garage door reveals problems you can’t solve alone, or if garage door maintenance seems like something better left to the pros, you can always call a professional garage door company like Door Pros. Along with our installation services and repair and replacement services, we also offer routine maintenance to keep your garage door running smoothly for years to come.
When you need reliable garage door repair or replacement, turn to Door Pros. We are a leader in garage doors in San Francisco, San Rafael, San Carlos, Folsom, Granite Bay and surrounding communities. We are committed to the highest standards of workmanship and customer service, and we stock an extensive selection of garage door brands – Clopay, Wayne Dalton, Raynor, Windsor, Garaga and more – so our customers can find the styles they love.
When you need to get your garage door fixed, we can help with that too. Our technicians are experienced in cable, spring and hardware repairs.
Check out our gallery of garage doors to get a feel for what we offer. Then contact us today to request an estimate for your garage door repair or replacement.
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