When people install new things in their homes, one of the very first things they consider is the cost of things. If you can find a way to save some money, why not take the route?
One such way people want to save money during garage door installation is by using the older track to install a new garage door. But can you install a new garage door on old tracks?
Despite how good an idea it seems, installing garage doors on older tracks is a really bad idea. Not only is it unsafe, but older tracks are not compatible with newer doors also. Apart from that, this damages your properties such as the house and the car, and creates issues regarding warranty coverage.
Let’s take a look at why you shouldn’t install a new garage door on old tracks.
can you install a new garage door on old tracks? Is It Good or Bad?
Before debating whether or not you should install garage doors on older tracks, lets’ take a look at what garage door tracks are and how they function. If you understand the inner workings of a garage door track, you can understand why you must not install a new garage door on old tracks.
Garage door tracks are made of steel that is installed around the door’s frame. They are important for a few reasons. First, they help in the smooth movement of the door. Second, the tracks also support the weight of the garage door.
Without properly working garage door tracks, the door will not only be unable to move smoothly but its weight will also not be properly supported.
Now that you know how garage door tracks work, let’s take a look at why it is not recommended to install new garage doors on older tracks.
They are not safe
Garage doors have to be strong and sturdy to provide maximum safety to your garage and house. So they weigh quite a lot, no matter what material you choose.
So, if the garage door tracks are old, they may be corroded or rotten depending on the tracks’ material If that happens, there is no chance that they’ll be able to support the weight of the new doors.
This will be a disaster waiting to happen, as, during movement, the door can come down hard on either your car or worse, on someone. The result of the latter instance can be fatal.
So avoid using old tracks to install new garage doors.
They are incompatible with new doors
One of the questions we face the most is “are garage door tracks universal?” Whenever we hear this question, we know that the person asking this is thinking about using old tracks to install new doors. Garage doors are not in fact, universal. Each door comes with its door tracks.
So the doors and the tracks are compatible with each other.
But older tracks are made keeping the older door in mind, so when you install a new door, it will be incompatible with the new one.
They will differ in size and weight limit. If you insist on installing a new garage door on an old track, the difference in shape, size, and weight limit will spell disaster.
Causes property damage
As the newer garage doors weigh heavily on the old tracks, they will cause quite hefty damage to your property. The garage walls and the door frame will be damaged and will require you to pay quite a lot of money to fix them (you will eventually end up installing the correct track anyway).
Apart from that, if the door falls on your car, the amount of money you have to pay to repair it will be quite high. Even if it doesn’t fall on anything, it will still fall on the floor and cause significant damage to it, which also causes you to spend money.
You can’t claim a warranty
Your manufacturers will only pay you warranty coverage if both the door and the tracks are produced by the same company. If they find out that your door tracks are old while the door is newer, you can forget about getting any warranty from them.
They affect the curb appeal of your house
As long as the aesthetics and the curb appeal of your house go, having older tracks on the garage doors is a big no-no. They stick out like a sore thumb and seriously contrast the look of your house.
Your reputation will also be on the line as every time the door moves, the old tracks will cause it to make sounds, and your neighbors will be quite annoyed at that.
So, do you have to replace the track when replacing the garage door? Yes, you absolutely do have to, if you value your safety and reputation.
How to get a new garage door?
If you are thinking of getting a garage door, first decide what type of garage door you want. Depending on it, visit the distributors near you who sell garage doors.
Also, there are a lot of online garage door sellers that can deliver your door to your address. You can visit the Home Depot as well for buying a garage door.
Final Words
Garage doors need a lot of things to go right to function properly. Having the right door track is one of them. So if you ever wonder, “Can you install a new garage door on old tracks?”
Keep the aforementioned risks in mind. Rather than trying to save money on tracks, find some other ways to save money that won’t damage your reputation as well as your property.
