Garage doors get lots of use in our fast-paced lives. The average garage door in America opens and closes about 1,500 times a year as families rush in and out for work, school, soccer games, doctors’ visits and vet appointments. That’s quite a workout — and one that can eventually lead to cracked panels, chipped paint and worn-down parts.
If you have a damaged garage door, you probably know you should do something about it sooner rather than later. Untreated minor wear can lead to significantly more damage over time. Damaged garage doors can also admit pests from outside and can pose a security threat by offering more convenient access to potential intruders.
If your garage door is a bit roughed up, you may be losing money as well. A damaged garage door lets in more air from outside. In the summer, this air heats your garage, which heats your house, which raises your air-conditioning costs. In the winter, excess cold air admitted through a broken garage door can add to your heating costs, too.
should you replace your garage door? Or should you repair it? The answer may depend on a few different factors.
Your garage door may have sustained only cosmetic damage, or its functionality may be severely compromised:
Minor: Sometimes, the damage to your garage door is visible but does not affect the structural integrity or function of your door. Your door may have chipped or fading paint, or a large crack may have appeared. If the damage to your door us purely cosmetic, you’ll usually get more value out of repairing the door rather than replacing it.
Moderate: Sometimes, though, the damage to your garage door isn’t just cosmetic — the structural integrity of your door is compromised as well. A warped or rusted door, for example, will not work as effectively as it once did. It also won’t keep out the elements as well or help protect your garage from thieves and other intruders. If your garage door has structural damage, you’ll likely want to look into having the door replaced.
Serious: If the damage to your door is so severe that your door will no longer open and close as it should, you may want to look into replacing your door with a new and functional one. If your door gets stuck, makes a terrible squealing noise as it operates, opens and closes only sometimes, or won’t open at all, a new door is probably in order. However, it’s always a good idea to make sure the problem isn’t a simple one, such as just needing a new battery or a new set of springs.
Consider getting your door replaced in the following scenarios:
If multiple panels are damaged. In this case, you’ll likely need to think about getting a replacement door. Multiple cracked or rotting panels are easier to deal with through a replacement than by trying to fix the extensive structural damage. This issue can also cause an uneven weight distribution, which puts too much extra stress on the framework and motor. You’ll want to get your door replaced quickly to protect your garage from bad weather, intruders, bugs and neighborhood animals like stray pets or raccoons.
If your garage door is noisy or vibrates excessively. If your garage door makes a squealing noise when you operate it, or if it shakes excessively as it moves, you may need a new door. Your door may have broken hinges, broken springs, worn-out bearings or an uneven distribution of tension, or it may have reached the end of its lifespan and need an upgrade.
If there’s long-term structural damage. If your door has had damage for a while and you’ve been putting off repairs, there’s a strong likelihood that you’ll need to replace the door. What may seem like cosmetic damage may be putting substantial amounts of wear and tear on the door’s frame and mechanical systems. If these stresses have persisted for some time, they may have damaged the door’ mechanisms to the extent that a total replacement is your best option.
If you’d like to upgrade your home’s appearance. Of course, your door doesn’t have to be damaged for you to decide to replace it. If you’re remodeling your home and going for a different look — or if you’d just like to upgrade your garage door to something sleeker or more attractive and inviting, that’s a great reason to look into a cost-effective and high-quality new garage door.
If you’re seeking to reduce energy consumption. Concerns about energy efficiency may motivate you to replace your door as well, even in the absence of any serious damage. Older garage doors may not be well insulated and are likely to let in heat and drafts that significantly add to your energy bills. In this case, replacing your door with one that offers tighter seals and insulating polyurethane panels may be an attractive option. The savings you see on your energy bills will soon offset the money you spend up front.
Garage door replacement may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Garage doors these days come in a variety of attractive options to suit any style of home, as well as a variety of materials, such as steel, aluminum and polyurethane, for added security, durability and insulation. Many quality options come in an array of price points, so you don’t have to break the bank just to get a stylish, functional new door that looks great on your home.
Call the Garage Door Professionals Today > 305.229.4007 954.491.1003
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