Is your garage door a disgrace? Apart from the inconvenience of getting in and out, a warped, dented, and malfunctioning garage door detracts from your home’s curb appeal and affects your energy bills.
The lifespan of most garage doors hovers around 15 to 20 years. So, unless you’ve replaced your door recently you’re probably a good candidate for a new one. This replacement could set you back as much as $1,544 for a basic setup, so it’s not surprising most homeowners put it off for as long as they can.
Don’t panic, sometimes you can eke a little more life out of your garage door with expert garage door repair instead.
Signs You Need Garage Door Repair
There are a few things you can fix yourself when it comes to garage door repair. However, garage doors are heavy and cumbersome, so there’s an element of danger in these tasks.
Rather work with a garage door repair company to avoid the hazards associated with a DIY garage door repair.
These are some of the most common things that can go wrong with your garage door:
It Takes Forever to Open and Close
Is your garage door old and slow? There are a few things you can do to get it back up to speed.
Old parts can affect garage performance. Look into replacing worn garage door pulleys or get an expert to check out your garage door opener.
A technician can advise you whether your garage door opener’s simply set on a low speed and adjust it accordingly.
Oil your garage door tracks, rollers, and hinges. All moving parts of a garage need lubrication to operate at maximum efficiency.
A well-oiled system places less strain on the motor and can help your garage stay in top form longer.
It’s Shuddering or Unstable
If there’s a whole lot of shaking going on when you operate your garage door, call a technician immediately. Your garage door rollers may need replacing.
Some of the causes behind an unstable garage door include damage from motor vehicle impacts, misaligned tracks, worn-out rollers, or broken cables. If your garage door comes off its rollers, it could cause injury to your family or pets. So, act fast!
It’s Unbalanced
An unbalanced garage door also calls for emergency repair. If one of the springs degrades due to this imbalance, it might snap.
Snapped springs mean your door could fall and injure someone. You can check the balance of your door by shutting down the automatic opener and closing it manually to its halfway point. If it won’t stay in place, call a technician.
It Won’t Open or Close
An unresponsive garage door’s a big problem with an easy fix. Usually, you just need a new garage door opener.
You can check if your opener’s faulty by switching it on and off, checking the opener’s indicator light, or opening the door manually. If your opener’s operational but your door remains stuck, call a professional.
Garage Door Replacement
There are a few instances where garage door replacement is the only solution to ongoing problems with your garage door. That’s not always bad news though.
Old garage doors with outdated parts can detract from the appearance of your home, while a new set can add value and curb appeal to your property. According to the latest cost-vs-value report, you could get as much as 94.5% of the cost of your new garage doors back when you sell your home.
Is It Time to Call a Garage Door Replacement Company?
A reputable and experienced garage door repair company will conduct repairs quickly and help you extend the life of your garage doors. Sometimes, their efforts could unveil more serious issues necessitating garage door replacement.
If your doors show any of the following signs, you’re probably about to become the proud owner of a new garage door:
It’s Falling Apart
Has your garage door become rickety, worn, and difficult to operate? A door that’s falling apart and breaking down every other day’s probably reached the end of its useful life.
Sourcing and replacing numerous parts on an old model garage door could cost more than a new garage door. Rather ask about garage door replacement.
It’s Damaged Beyond Repair
Serious damages that affect the operation of your door mean you need a new door. Severe weather, falling objects, or careless driving can all result in buckles and dents or even damage the tracks of your garage door.
In these cases, there’s no simple, cost-effective fix, order new garage doors.
It’s a Security Risk
Old garage doors lack the security features of their contemporary counterparts. Don’t place your family at risk by keeping a garage door that’s easily breached.
A break-in could cost far more than replacing your garage door. Rather replace your garage doors before it’s too late.
You’ll find a wide range of modern energy-efficient and secure garage doors to choose from.
Types of Garage Doors
Today’s homeowners have almost unlimited options when it comes to choosing a new garage door. New materials, smart operation systems, and high-tech insulation are some of the features you can choose from nowadays.
These are the main types of garage doors and materials:
Sectional Doors
A top-choice among US homeowners, sectional doors have panel sections connected with hinges. They roll up over a curved portion of the track at the top.
These low-maintenance doors can have window inserts and a variety of color options. They’re usually made of steel.
Roll-Up Doors
Roll-up doors feature heavily in commercial buildings. They have a no-frills design and suit areas with limited ceiling space. Some heavy-duty applications have no springs and feature enclosed units to prevent rust.
Due to these resilient features, these doors come with a high price tag.
Slide to the Side Doors
These doors slide open to the one side of the garage parallel to the wall and suit garages with little headroom. The lower trolleys work well with slightly sloped floors too.
The motor’s run by a retractable motor and the doors don’t need any balancing springs.
Side-Hinged Garage Doors
These old-fashioned doors work like ordinary doors. They swing open to the side on a hinge as barn doors do.
If you have a small garage with limited headroom and obstructions inside, this classic design may suit you. Nowadays, you can automate these doors using special conversion arms.
Tilt-Up or Up and Over Canopy Doors
These doors have one panel and pivot on a hinge mechanism. They tilt upward into the garage or sit parallel to the ceiling. When the door’s open it protrudes past the front of the garage.
Retractable versions of these doors lift into the garage independently from the frame and don’t protrude when open.
You’ll need more space inside your garage if you want to install this type of door.
The Best Garage Door Materials
Steel’s the most common, durable, and versatile material for garage doors.
You can order single or double doors with insulation in between the layers and choose various designs. It’s easy to paint your steel garage door to suit your home and they’re a low-maintenance option.
Wood adds timeless elegance to classic style homes, but it comes with a lot of maintenance and a high price tag. Wood doors suit homes located in places with mild, dry climates best.
Fiberglass garage doors don’t warp, crack, or shrink in humid weather and they’re highly customizable too. They can’t withstand windy conditions though.
Aluminum’s lighter and cheaper than steel but it won’t last as long.
Custom Garage Doors
If you want more than the standard garage door sizes and materials have to offer, you’re in luck. Specialist garage door contractors can help you tick all the boxes when it comes to a new garage door.
These experts can make magic happen when it comes to ticking all the boxes of your precise garage door requirements.
According to https://okdiscountgaragedoor.com, you can enjoy the benefits of a steel door as well as the classic aesthetic of a wood door thanks to the latest customization techniques.
Thanks to modern advancements and newly minted materials, you can have it all when it comes to choosing the perfect garage door.
Getting Your Garage Door Repair or Replacement Underway
Before you hire the first contractor that comes up in an internet search for ‘garage door repair near me’ do some research on your options. Read reviews, ask for references, and check out the credentials of contractors before you engage with them.
You need the best garage door repair company working for you if you want to reap the rewards of top-notch garage door repair and replacement.
For more advice on everything garage door-related, use our search facility to find more articles on the topic.
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