Garage Door Repair vs. Garage Door Replacement
Garage doors can last several decades without needing replacement if properly maintained. Some garage doors can simply be repaired while others need to be completely replaced. The best way to determine if you need a garage door repaired or replaced is to schedule annual preventative maintenance appointments with a professional garage door dealer. In the meantime, Amarr has helpful tips to help you determine whether a garage door repair or garage door replacement is better.
Replace Damaged Sections
Some garage doors can be repaired with a simple section replacement, but as garage door heights and technology have evolved, older doors may need a full garage door replacement. A local dealer can help you decide if a section replacement is enough or if a complete new door is necessary.
Repair Garage Door Cosmetic Damages
Visible, yet minor cosmetic damages to your garage door such as worn weatherstripping, faded decorative hardware, or scratched paint can often be easily repaired. However, more serious issues such as loose springs or dented sections may require a professional. A fresh coat of paint can often give your door a new look if there's no structural damage.
Replace Garage Doors for Improved Efficiency
Choosing a stylish yet energy efficient garage door provides improved curb appeal and energy savings. Over time, garage doors can lose insulation, resulting in higher energy bills for homes with attached garages. Since there is no easy garage door repair solution for replacing insulation, replacing your old garage doors with new insulated garage doors make sense. With insulated garage doors, homeowners can enjoy comfortable temperatures in the garage all year long.
Replace Older Garage Doors
If your garage doors are over 15 years old and are not operating properly, now may be the time to replace your garage doors. Garage door repairs on older garage doors often cost more than installing new ones. This is due to the limited availability of parts and upgraded garage door opener designs. New garage doors provide quieter operation, more efficient functionality and increased curb appeal.
Replacing Garage Doors Yields High ROI
When determining when to have a garage door repaired vs. replaced, several factors can be considered. Although cosmetics, color upgrades, and energy efficiency may play a role; budget is often the main factor when making this sort of decision. Although this may seem like a big expense, the yearly Cost vs. Value report shows that replacing your garage doors is the #1 way to add value to your home.
How to Start the Process of Garage Door Replacement
Residential garage doors come with a slew of options for style updates, noise reduction and increased efficiency that can greatly improve the quality of your home. You don’t have to wait until your door is hanging off its hinges before you replace it.
Garage door service from an independent, professional Amarr garage door dealer can help guide you through this process. With a consultation, you will get a better idea of how to improve the performance of your garage doors with new door springs, new rollers, new garage door openers, or a new overhead garage door. Going through this process will ensure the service to repair loose springs or replace parts is a step in the right direction of determining if a garage door replacement is needed.
A new garage door may best suit your need for an updated home exterior with low maintenance. Choose designs from a variety of options to meet any architectural style.
Design Your Dream Garage Door with Amarr
You can easily design your garage door from scratch with Amarr. Enter your door size, upload a picture of your home showing the garage door and select the design options that fit your style. You can see the difference online before calling a local Amarr dealer to continue your garage door selection process.
Once you’ve found the door style for you, contact your local Amarr dealer to purchase and install your new garage doors.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Can you put a new garage door on the old track?
-
If you’ve decided to go with a similar style and the same brand as your old garage door, you can put the new door on the old track. However, its thickness and weight may require an all-new track installation. A track system cannot support a door that is even a few pounds over the old one because it could cause serious safety issues.
-
How often should garage doors be replaced?
-
With the right maintenance, your garage door has a lifespan of around 30 years. However, life happens when you own a home. Events such as a a flying basketball from a neighbor, for instance, or a storm that’s downed a tree onto one of your panels can cause damage and impact its functionality. The time to replace your door depends on how well it’s doing its job to protect and insulate your home.
-
How to clean your garage door?
-
Keeping your garage door clean and well maintained can help ensure that it lasts for decades to come. Cleaning and maintaining your investment is paramount.
A steel or aluminum garage door can be easily washed with dish soap and a dense sponge or cloth. Never clean it with bleach, or a pressure washer.
Steel garage doors exposed to rock salt or ice melts can suffer rust damage, corroding them. Use soap and warm water to reduce the risk of rust and remain diligent during winter.
Wood garage doors should be inspected for weathering and deterioration. You can clean the door with water and a sponge in between inspections. If visible flaws do appear, you may need to refinish the surface.
-
How to perform maintenance on your garage door?
-
You’ll need to make sure that it runs efficiently as it is likely the largest opening to your home. Regular inspections can help ensure that the door is running smoothly without flaws.
● Look at springs, cables, rollers, pulleys and hardware for signs of wear.
● Lubricate the moving parts of the door regularly without involving any of the plastic parts such as rollers and idler bearings.
● Check the garage door balance.
You should always contact an independent, professional Amarr garage door dealer near you for help with repairs or to answer relevant questions.
-
Does homeowners’ insurance cover garage door replacements?
-
In most cases, if the cost of a repair outweighs the garage door’s purchase value, your insurance should cover this expense. Check with your homeowner's insurance to ensure you’re covered. Damages such as debris from a storm that have rendered your garage door inoperable are just one situation where your insurance could step in to cover the costs. The best solution is to contact your insurance company directly to discuss your specific questions regarding garage door replacement.