Garage doors have come a long way, from the manual open/close doors of yesterday to today’s most advanced automatic systems. Modern garage door manufacturers build the doors themselves to last and serve your home for many years.
What you may be wondering is whether there’s a magic number for how long you can expect your door to last. How would you know when your garage door’s ready for a replacement?
In the following blog by Precision Door, we’ll address these garage door life cycle questions head on! Keep reading for the answers and more resources from your local garage door pros.
Your Garage Door Should Serve You Well for Decades
Truth be told, how often you replace your garage door is going to vary depending on a few factors, including how often it’s used and whether its supporting parts are well maintained.
A modern garage door’s original panels should last at least 30 years before replacement makes its way onto your to-do list. Garage door openers, on the other hand, will last between 10 and 15 years.
The closer you get to these estimated numbers, the more likely replacing will be. But a full replacement isn’t always mandatory. Swapping out parts that tend to wear out quickly or have minor issues is the cost-effective solution, and employing a professional to make the changes ensures that they’re done right. So to repair or to replace, that is the question.
When to Replace Your Garage Door
- Damage is deeper than just cosmetic. This means your door has deep gashes, was crunched in from a bad storm, or was on the receiving end of an auto collision, for example.
- You’re upgrading a manual door to an automatic. At this point, your door has likely more than outlived its life expectancy already.
- You want to increase your home’s curb appeal. A new garage door in a fresh style, color, or design has the power to elevate the overall feel and perceived value of your property. Read about how here!
When to Seek Help with Repairs
- Select panels are damaged. If damage to your door is isolated to one or two panels and all other parts of the system are in good working condition, replacing just the damaged panels is the best solution. Do keep in mind that if you have an older door, some panels may no longer be available.
- Your garage door isn’t working properly. Your garage door might be moving slower than usual or getting jammed on occasion. Reduced performance almost always indicates that a part needs to be replaced. Check out the most common garage door repair tipoffs here.
- You have a broken spring or part. If you’re able to identify a broken part on your garage door, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the entire system needs to be replaced. A broken spring is one repair that’s fairly easy to identify, as you’ll be able to see a distinct separation in the coil.
Before You Repair or Replace, Get a Professional’s Opinion
When it comes to making the executive decision of whether to repair or replace your garage door, a professionally trained technician’s opinion is a crucial part of figuring out what your next step should be.
As a company that revolutionized the way the garage door replacement process was handled, Precision Door of Delaware is proud to provide its customers with expert recommendations from certified, highly trained technicians.
Every garage door evaluation we conduct includes a complimentary safety inspection that helps us to confidently present you with your options, repair or replace, that will support your wants and needs and the safety and security of your home and family.
We’ll Send an Expert Out to You!
Schedule your free garage door consultation for your home or business here.
If you want to learn more about best practices for keeping your garage door in working order for longer, you might be interested in checking out our educational eBook Understanding Your Garage Door: How It Works and Who to Call. Consider it your initial training in garage door ownership.