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Did you know that the average garage door in America gets opened and closed approximately 1500 times a year? Garages are central to family life. As people go out for work, school, doctor’s appointments, school meetings, and more, the garage is where the real movement begins and ends, each day.
With proper care and maintenance, your garage could last you up to three decades. While many people rarely even think about the value of the garage, they may only begin to ask questions when the state of their garage begins to affect the curb appeal of their homes. Below, we discuss everything you need to know about the lifespan of your garage doors.
How Do I Know If I Need a New Garage Door?
The average lifespan of a garage door is approximately 30 years. However, your garage door can only stay this long if you carry out maintenance. Therefore, how long your garage door last will largely depend on circumstances. Below, we help you determine whether you should repair or replace your garage door entirely:
The Type of Damage
There are several types of damage that may determine whether you will replace or repair your door.
Minor Damage
Minor damage is that which is visible but does not affect the structural integrity of your door. This will include things like fading or chipped paint or a crack. If you are dealing with superficial structural damage, you are better off repairing the door than replacing it.
Moderate Damage
In other cases, the damage to your garage door may be a little more serious. This means that your door has acquired some artificial damage and the structural integrity of the door is compromised as well. For instance, if your door is rusted, it will not work as well as it used to before. The garage will not be protected from the elements, pests, or even potential intruders. In such a case, you will want to have the door replaced.
Serious Damage
The damage is severe if the garage door will not open or close. Without a doubt, you will need to look into replacing the door with a new one. Some of the signs that you need a door replacement include if the door is making squealing noises as it opens and closes or does not open at all. Before changing the door, you will need to ensure that the door does not simply need a new set of springs or batteries.
You may find that your door has multiple issues mentioned above. Do not hesitate to replace it.
The Age of the Garage Door
If your door has minor damages and it is over ten years old, it may be a good time to consider replacing it. The reason why experts recommend a replacement is because the door will need a replacement sooner or later anyway as it will not have much of a life left. Furthermore, since garage doors have a significantly longer life span, replacing them can offer a much-needed facelift to your garage and home at large.
Replacement or Repair Costs
Another factor that will determine whether you need to repair or replace your garage door is the cost. The total cost of door replacement or repair involves much more than the price of a new door. If you can afford to replace your garage door without breaking the bank, then you can get a new door. However, you can choose a more economical alternative to replace your current door.
Garage Door Maintenance to Increase Garage Door's Lifespan
Once you have replaced your garage door, you will need regular preventative maintenance. This maintenance will help you catch small problems before they become unsolvable and you have to replace the entire door. Some of the helpful tips you could use include:
Assessing Door Balance
Sometimes garage doors get out of balance and then sag to one side. In other cases, the door may be hard to open or get heavier. Instead of waiting for the problem to get out of hand, you can let a professional replace the torsion springs of the door.
Look at the Cables and Pulleys
The pulleys on your garage door may become damaged over time and the cables frayed. Therefore, you should constantly check on the garage door system to see if these parts have changed. If they have, you will need to call a professional garage door company.
Tighten Loose Hardware
There are brackets on your garage door rollers. Over time, these brackets become loose due to wear and tear. Therefore, you will need to check on these bolts occasionally to ensure that they are properly holding onto the different sections of the track.
Why Your Garage Doors Need to Stay in Top-Notch Condition
Some of the reasons why your garage door should stay in top condition include:
Untreated Minor Wear and Tear Can Lead to More Serious Damage Over Time
One of the major reasons why you need to care for your garage is that any cracked panels, worn down parts, and even chipped paint may lead to more serious damage in the long term. While you may not have the time or you may think that you are not spending your money on minor damage, you may find yourself spending more time on repairs and using more money for the same. Furthermore, damaged garden doors can quickly become a passage for pests from outside. This can cause a security threat as well, as it will give potential easy access to your house.
Damaged Doors May Be Causing You to Lose Money
If you have a damaged garage door, it is letting in air from the outside. This means that during the summer, your garage has been getting overheated, which in return will heat your house and raise your air-conditioning costs. When it is colder, cold air will get into the garage through the broken door and add to heating costs.
Loss Of Curb Appeal
Your garage may be laid out in such a way that it makes up a large percentage of what people see when they look at your house. A damaged garage makes your home look less appealing and it can be embarrassing if your home is making the neighborhood look dull. If you plan on selling your home, having your garage in top-notch condition plays to your advantage.
How often should you replace a garage door?
While there is no exact amount of time that you will need before replacing your garage door, you will know when you need to replace it eventually. If you start experiencing problems with your door after ten years, you may need to replace it.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Garage Door?
The cost of replacing garage doors may vary and can be anywhere between a few hundred to thousands of dollars. Some of the factors that will affect the cost of replacement include:
Materials
You can replace your door with different materials including fiberglass, vinyl, and steel. Wood and steel garage doors are affordable while other options tend to be more expensive. However, wood will cost more to maintain over time. You may need to install additional insulation to improve energy efficiency.
Labor Costs
You will probably need to hire a professional to replace your garage door as this is a more cost-efficient option. If you replace the garage door by yourself, you may make a mistake that will cost you in the long run. While labor will add some hundred dollars to your costs, it will be worth it. Labor costs will also include the costs of removing and disposing of the old door and putting in the new one. However, you need to realize that some doors, such as taller ones, will cost more labor than others.
Door Size
Taller doors or doors for two-car garages will cost more money than one-car garage doors because the doors are larger. The two-car garage doors cost a little less than double a one-car garage door.
Location
It goes without saying that in areas where the cost of living is higher, the cost of garage door replacement is higher.
Door Parts That Need Replacing
You will be able to use parts of your old garage door even with the new one. However, in cases where you do not know the age of your garage doors, you may have to buy the entire door and its parts to be sure that they will function correctly.
Reach Out To Experts
Even with this information in your hands, it is still normal to experience confusion when you are having problems with your garage door. Therefore, you need a reliable repair or replacement expert to help you with your door replacement.
As one of the leading door replacement experts in your area, we have what it takes to help you. We are committed to serving experts with respect and professionalism. We can help you make a choice on the right garage doors and the styles and install, fix or remove it.
