How Often Should You Replace Your Garage Door?
With today’s up-to-date technologies, manufacturers have all the means to build garage doors that can last and serve you for a pretty long time. You may be wondering how to know when your garage door needs a replacement and whether there is an exact number of times you should change your old door to a new one.
In this article written with help of Abell Garage Doors experts, we will discover all the ins and outs of the garage door life cycle and any other questions regarding this topic. So keep reading to know more.
How Long Can a Garage Door Serve You
If looking at this question in general, your garage door should function well for more than a few couple years.
The truth is, the frequency of replacing your door varies heavily based on multiple factors, including whether its supporting elements are well maintained or how often you use it.
The original panels of a modern garage door are crafted in a way that can last a minimum of 30 years. This is the approximate time span your door has before the urge for replacement knocks on your door. On the other hand, garage door openers are expected to last somewhere between 10 and 20 years.
The closer these estimated numbers get, the more likely they might need a replacement. However, a full replacement is not the only way in such cases. Swapping out components with minor problems or that tend to wear down quickly and getting help from professionals to make the amendments can also extend your garage door’s lifespan. Thus, to replace or to repair is the real question here, you need to find out.
When to Replace Your Garage Door
Here are the main issues in case a full replacement is required.
- When damage to the door is more serious and is way beyond cosmetic problems and minor malfunctions – It means, for example, your garage door has serious gashes and “wounds,” is on the edge of an auto collision, or was damaged during a bad storm.
- When you plan to upgrade your garage door from manual to automatic – At this stage, it’s more likely your door has already outlasted its natural life period. Moreover, you may also want to change its appearance to increase your house’s curb appeal. A new automatic garage door in a modern design, style, or color can potentially change the overall feel and extrinsic value of your property.
Some other cases when a replacement is required include your desire to reduce energy consumption, excessive noises or vibrations, and so on.
When to Repair Your Garage Door
If the problem your door is facing is not so major, you can go for repair instead of complete replacement. This includes the following circumstances.
#1 Your Door Suddenly Refuses to Work
If your garage door stops working properly, it means some parts need repair. The issue may be hidden in one of the elements of the door’s mechanism, such as a broken spring, snapped chain or belt, or a burned-out motor. A qualified technician can easily identify and fix these problems.
#2 A Sagging or Crooked Door
A sagging or crooked garage door is typically a sign of a problem with the torsion springs, which carry most of the door’s heavy lifting on themselves. In this case, you can quickly change the old springs to newer ones instead of getting a new door.
#3 A Damaged Panel of The Door
If your garage door panel is damaged but not to the extent of a complete replacement, you can probably get away with a repair. However, even though the problem with a panel is not fatal in most cases, you still better act as quickly as possible so that cracks won’t spread.
#4 A Failure of Door Sensors
If you notice that your garage door doesn’t open or close immediately anymore, then there are likely some issues with its sensors. The sensors are used to prevent potential injuries to people and pets, so you need to schedule a repair once the issue appears.
#5 A Feel of Heaviness in the Door
If your door is opened and closed manually and suddenly starts to feel much heavier, this indicates an added weight, which is a sign of a problem with springs. In this case, as well, the most simple solution is to replace the springs. And don’t forget to fix this issue sooner, as it can put massive stress on your garage door’s motor.
Get a Professional Opinion
When it comes to choosing whether to replace or repair your garage door, asking for a professional and qualified technician’s opinion is vital. It will help you to figure out what your next step should be.
A trained professional will carefully evaluate your door’s condition, including the safety mechanisms, and decide whether your door needs a full replacement or minor improvements.
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