Garage doors play a big role in the safety of the house as well as its curb appeal. This is why it is a must that the doors work without any issues. But as with any appliances and tools, garage doors also start malfunctioning, either due to old age or due to some other reasons, necessitating them being repaired or replaced. So, when is it time to replace the garage door?
There are a few signs you have to look out for, that shows that you need to replace your garage door. First, if your garage door has trouble operating smoothly. Next, if your garage door shows any visible and serious damage, you should also think about replacing it. Additionally, if the door is becoming old, replacing it is the best option.
Let’s take a detailed look at when you should replace your garage door.
How do I know if I need a new garage door?
Garage doors, especially automatic ones have an average lifespan of 30 years. But that doesn’t mean they won’t get damaged which will make it necessary to repair or replace them. Especially since an average residential garage door completes 1500 cycles per year, they are bound to be damaged or worn out.
But not every kind of damage will require you to replace your garage door. Some damages can be easily repaired and you won’t have to buy a new one. Some damages, on the other hand, require you to change a garage door. Here are a few ways you can know when you should change your garage door.
1. If more than one panel is damaged
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If your garage door has multiple panels suffering from damages, such as rotting, rusting, or corroding, then it is better to replace the garage door altogether than repair the panels. This is because repairing them will probably end up costing you more than if you had replaced the door.
Also, repairing them can sometimes create a weight imbalance in the door, which in turn puts a lot of stress on the tracks and rails of the door, causing them to malfunction down the line.
2. If the garage door makes unnatural noise or vibrates
Garage doors making noise is a telltale sign of something being wrong with the door and its parts. Depending on the type of noise, the damage can be so severe that will necessitate the replacement of the garage door.
For example, if your garage door keeps making a squealing noise when it opens or closes, that means you have damaged parts such as springs, hinges, rollers, etc. Read our article to learn details about the reasons for garage door noise.
Also, when you close your automatic garage door and you see it violently shaking or vibrating, it means there is something seriously wrong with the door, for example, it might have broken bearings or the tension on the door is not distributed evenly across the door. These two signs will mean that your garage door needs to be replaced as soon as possible.
3. If the door doesn’t open or close smoothly
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If you are confused about when to replace garage doors, look for irregularities in their operation. For example, when you close or open your garage door, it will not open or close smoothly. It will either not close or open fully and stop halfway through, or it will not open or close at all. The door will sometimes also close partially and go back up.
If you notice these things happening to your garage door, you must have broken and/or damaged parts in your door. You should change your garage door instead of repairing these parts since the damages have to be pretty severe for your door to be acting this way.
4. If the damage hasn’t been repaired for a long time
This one is actually down to the negligence of the owner of a garage door. If the door had suffered from minor to moderate damages, but the owner didn\’t take any necessary actions in time, the damages would exponentially increase.
These damages in time require you to change your garage doors. Because these small or medium damages will end up putting a huge amount of pressure on other components of the door, making them weak as well.
5. If you are looking for an aesthetic change
Not every reason for changing garage doors has to do something with the door being damaged. If you don’t like how your home or the door looks in general, you can change your garage door. You might want a different type of garage door, or want a garage door that is made of a different material than your current one, in which case, changing the door is the best option than customizing it.
6. If your garage is not energy efficient
Damaged garage doors let in more heat and cool air from outside during summer and winter respectively. As a result, you have to use your heating and AC units more and more, which causes the garage to be energy inefficient.
This also causes energy bills to skyrocket. If you notice your energy bills are going up and the garage is becoming uncomfortable to stay in with each passing day, it is time to replace your garage door.
7. If the garage door becomes a safety threat
If your garage door no longer keeps you and your home safe and secure due to being damaged, it having damaged sensors, or not closing all the way as we have mentioned earlier, it is time to replace it.
8. If the garage door is too old
The average age of a well-maintained garage door is around 30 years. So, if your garage door is approaching its final years, it is wiser to replace it instead of repairing whatever damages it is suffering from. Because you ultimately have to replace the door anyway a few years later.
So, instead of spending money two times, you can just replace it a few years early.
Final Words
The functionality of a garage door plays a big role in the safety of the house. So if your garage door is not functioning properly, and you find yourself wondering, “When is it time to replace the garage door?”, you need to take a look at the aforementioned signs and decide accordingly.
We, at Precise Garage Doors, offer our expert garage door repair and replacement services if you are ever in need of any.
FAQ\’s
What is the useful life of a garage door?
The average useful lifespan of a garage door is between 15 to 30 years. Depending on the material and the maintenance performed on the door, some garage doors can last even longer.
How much does it cost to replace a garage door?
The cost to replace a garage door depends on the type of the garage door as well as the material among other things. Usually, it costs around $550 and $1650 to replace a garage door in the USA.
Is it worth it to replace a garage door?
Whether it is worth it to replace a garage door depends on a lot of factors such as its age and the type of damage it has suffered. An older garage door and one which has suffered considerable damage is 100% worth it to replace. On the other hand, if the garage door is fairly new and it only has suffered minor or medium damage which can be easily repaired, then it is not worth it to replace the door.
How often should you replace your garage door?
You should replace your garage door once its lifespan ends. On average, changing your garage door every 30 years is a good idea. If your garage door is in fairly good condition even after 30 years, consult experts before replacing it.
