When to Replace a Garage Door
Whether you have an old, uninsulated metal door that’s rusting or even broken or a newer one damaged in a collision, it’s not always easy to know when you need a new garage door. Regular wear and tear typically requires maintenance, servicing and repairs, but with extensive damage and diminished face value, replacing the door is the best option.
Replacing your garage door has many benefits. The most significant is improving your home’s value by enhancing its appearance, security, and insulation properties. It also saves you money by reducing heating, cooling and maintenance costs in the long term.
When Is It Time to Replace Garage Doors?
While some situations call for a professional to fix or replace garage door parts, it is sometimes better to update the entire system.
The following signs indicate it’s time for garage door replacement versus repair.
Outdated Style and Technology
Your garage door significantly impacts your home’s curb appeal and resale value. The door’s aesthetic appeal can diminish with years of use, and the original technology may become outdated.
In this case, replacing the garage door helps boost curb appeal and your home’s return on investment. It also ensures you enjoy advanced features like smart home integration, mobile compatibility and Wi-Fi connectivity to improve security and convenience.
Aging and Physical Damage
Garage doors are built to last at least a few decades. However, numerous factors may result in the premature aging of your garage door, necessitating its replacement.
Signs of physical damage that call for a complete garage door replacement include dents, dings, warping, rust, corrosion, cracking or fading paint and rotting panels. Generally, you should consider replacing your garage door if the signs of damage compromise its structural integrity and proper operation.
Decreased Function
Wear, tear and damage on different garage door parts may impair its performance. Some examples of garage functioning door issues include:
- Problems opening or closing completely.
- Stalling or sticking.
- Slamming unexpectedly.
- Slow operation.
When left unchecked, these issues worsen, threatening to hurt people and damage property in and around your garage. Schedule an appointment with garage door experts to run diagnostic tests to determine whether your door is due for a repair or complete replacement.
Increased Noises
A properly functioning garage door should always respond quickly and quietly. Creaking, grinding, banging, squealing, grating and excessive vibrations are signs of something wrong.
Worn-out parts, broken hinges, uneven tension distribution and broken springs often cause the noise. The issues can be fixed by replacing the damaged or worn components or upgrading your garage door, which may be more cost-effective in the long run.
Frequent Service and Maintenance
Although your garage door requires routine maintenance at least once or twice a year, you may need to replace it if you’ve been performing more frequent repairs and upkeep.
Replacing the door will save you time and money because a new high-quality garage door is low maintenance and easy to clean. You should also consider a replacement if you notice increased utility bills caused by reduced insulation or damaged weather stripping that minimized the door’s energy efficiency.
How to Choose the Right Garage Door Replacement
When deciding on the right garage door replacement, there are numerous factors you need to consider. These include:
Costs
Chances are that prices, options and accessories have changed since you were last in the market for a door. Get acquainted with the new prices so you can budget accordingly.
Your budget is affected by the materials, style, installation needs, long-time maintenance requirements and insulation properties. Generally, wood garage doors are more affordable upfront than metal garage doors, which are stronger and last longer.
Door Style
The right style for your home complements your overall design and architectural choices. There are three main styles of garage doors you can choose from:
- Carriage house doors: These feature an ‘old world’ or traditional barn style, giving your home a timeless aesthetic.
- Traditional door styles: This is the most popular garage door style because it suits many exteriors, including Victorian, colonial and neoclassical home styles.
- Contemporary styles: These are mixed-media garage doors with translucent panels and painted metal or wooden trims suitable for modern-style homes.
Materials
There are a surprising number of options for the materials used to construct your door. But here are some of the top choices among homeowners:
- Wood: An affordable material option that can be customized to match the design and finish of your home’s exterior.
- Steel: An incredibly strong garage door material that provides durability and superior resistance to warping, cracking and damage.
- Aluminum: A strong yet lightweight material, ensuring minimal strain on the opener and tracks and little to no maintenance.
Get Expert Garage Door Repairs and Replacements
Whitby Garage Doors is a locally owned and operated company of garage door experts in the Whitby, Ontario, area. We have over three decades of experience conducting garage door installations, maintenance, repairs and replacements.
You can count on us for modern, high-quality garage doors from Clopay® that’ll boost your curb appeal and withstand years of use.
Request a new door quote today for your garage door replacement.
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