Garage doors are part of the envelope of the garage; like other parts (windows, doors, siding, roofing), they’re exposed to natural elements and eventually need to be replaced. Wind, rain, debris, the impact from a basketball or other objects, and continual use will wear them down. If you’re considering replacement options, you may have noticed some of this wear on your door, or you might be ready for a new look. Either way, you’ll want to know that garage doors don’t last forever. How long do they last? Read on to find out.
How Do I Know If I Need a New Garage Door?
Not everyone waits until their garage door has reached the end of its lifespan before replacing it, but if you’ve run into a few problems, it might be time to call it.
5 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Garage Door
- Your wood door is cracked, warped, or peeling
- The garage door panels have several dents or holes in them
- The door won’t open properly or is not closing
- The door panels or hinges are rusty
- The door sags
If you have an older door or if you’re making changes to improve the energy efficiency of your home, you should also consider replacing your garage door with an insulated model. Changing a couple of windows or exterior doors can improve the comfort of a room or hallway and may provide energy savings, but making several upgrades at once will lower the cost of your energy bills. Plus, garage door replacement is consistently one of the best remodeling investments↗ homeowners can choose.
How Long Do Garage Doors Last?
The lifespan of your garage door will depend on the quality of the door, usage, climate, and maintenance. Today’s doors last anywhere from 10 to 15 years, and well-maintained wood doors may last longer.
Quality: Like with most things, you get what you pay for. High-quality doors typically have higher price tags than low-quality doors. That also means you get stronger, longer-lasting doors. Remember to look for reviews and seek recommendations before you decide on a door.
Usage: Garage door systems are made up of multiple parts. The more you use the door, the more important it becomes to inspect its condition periodically. When one part wears down, it weakens the rest of the system because the undamaged parts are put under more pressure, that includes the door. Often the first part of the door system to break is the springs. Broken or damaged springs can cause the door to crash or sag. Damaged door panels and hinges can be a strain on the door opener motor, cables, and springs. Some common repair questions are, “can I open my garage door if the spring is broken?” and “can I replace just one garage door spring?“.
Climate: Local climate can also impact the lifespan of your door. Regions with extreme weather conditions typically have more problems with their garage doors. Excess wind, rain, cold, heat, tornados, earthquakes, and hurricanes can all affect parts of your door system.
Maintenance: Regular maintenance can extend the life of your door or at least help you get the most out of the door, considering other conditions.
Considerations for Choosing a Door
To be honest, choosing a garage door is mostly about looks but if you want to compare prices, it’s helpful to know there are many differentiating factors between doors. Learn more below.
Styles
- Traditional
- Carriage House
- Contemporary
Materials
- Wood
- Steel
- Aluminum
- Glass
Insulation Values
Garage doors offer insulating value. Insulation is important because it acts as a barrier between indoor and outdoor temperatures. If you run your heating and cooling you’ll want to keep that hot or cool air inside; if the door isn’t insulated, your HVAC unit will work overtime to replace what’s lost through the garage.
Different types of insulation are available, but the R-value is the most important thing to look at. The ‘R’ in R-value stands for resistance, and R-value is the measure of thermal resistance to heat flow. Better insulation results in a higher R-value.
Manufacturer, Retailer, & Installer
Do your research before choosing a door manufacturer (brand), retailer, and installer. Your retailer is usually your installer and the brand options available may be limited depending on the retailer. If you’ve decided on a brand, shop around for a trusted retailer especially if they will also be your installer. It doesn’t hurt to ask for a few bids to compare pricing before you buy. With Google, it’s easy to check for reviews for any company you consider working with.
Dallas-Fort Worth Garage Door Replacement Services
Garage door replacements should be completed by a professional. Schedule an inspection or replacement service with a trusted garage door company.
For service from the friendliest garage door experts in Texas, contact our team at Doorvana. We build, service, and install garage doors in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. We invite you to learn more about our company, services, and products by exploring our website. If you’re ready to talk shop, give us a call at 817-500-5988 or send us a message.
