So you’ve got a broken garage door. Should you fix it, or is it time to replace? Consider how often a door gets used in a day – likely two to three times easy. Add that up over several years, and it’s understandable when you have issues from time to time. Your average garage door lasts 20 to 30 years before it needs replaced. Most homeowners will replace their garage doors at least once or twice in their lifetime.
Nine times out of 10 you can repair a broken garage door. But eventually it will need to be replaced. Here are a few signs to look out for.
Housekeeping and Curb Appeal
One of the most common reasons for garage door replacement is cosmetic. Your door may have multiple panels that are rusted, multiple dings and dents, or it’s just falling apart. Wooden doors may be warped beyond the point of return. While simple dings and dents can be smoothed out with a rubber mallet, deeper dents may not be as easy to fix.
Keep in mind the cosmetic effect a broken looking garage door has on your home overall. It can even bring down your property values. A new garage door is actually a financially healthy investment in the equity of your home. And your neighbors will certainly appreciate it.
Missing Panels
If you have a wooden garage door that is missing a panel, you can usually repair it. But if it’s missing more than one panel, you’re better off just replacing the whole door.
Fixable Irritations
Other garage door problems are easily fixable. If you have a loud garage door, lubricating the hinges and rollers, as well as tightening all the bolts, can help make it quieter. Bottom seals can be replaced. If you’re not sure of the cost to repair the garage door, give us a call. We’d be happy to come out and make a recommendation or estimate.
Is Your Door Dangerous?
As older doors break down, they become dangerous. They’re not up to date on safety features. The doors are rusty, panels are falling off. Perhaps they are in such disrepair they can be easily broken into by thieves. A door that is falling apart is dangerous to your family’s safety. Simply repairing it won’t be enough. You need to replace the door outright.
Consider a New Garage Door Investment
The good news is a new garage door has one of the highest returns on investment than all home improvements. That’s because a new door can substantially improve curb appeal to a property as well as the property value of your home. If you have a door that is in disrepair, the value of a new door is transferred to the resale value of your home. That’s why it’s a good idea to replace an old door, even if you are selling the home. In fact, it’s what realtors will first recommend when it comes to property improvements.