The average American garage door opens and closes thousands of times a year. Over time, wear and tear can lead to chipped paint, cracked panels and worn parts. It’s not always clear when to repair your door or simply replace it, but here are a few considerations to keep in mind.
The Life Span of a Garage Door
Garage doors don’t need to be replaced often. A high-quality installation can last up to 30 years with preventive maintenance. That said, you should take a few steps on a regular basis to check in on your door and ensure it’s still in proper working condition:
- Inspection: It’s important to inspect your garage door from time to time by opening and closing it manually and automatically. You should also visually inspect the rollers on the door track annually.
- Safety checks: You should regularly perform auto-reverse tests by placing a sturdy object like a brick to block the garage’s photo-eye sensor. While the door is closing, it should reverse automatically to prevent crashing into the object.
- Maintenance: It’s vital to respray your garage door panels, apply lubricant to moving parts, clean the tracks of debris and tighten up the tracks and hinges with a screwdriver on a regular basis.
Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Garage Door
As with most home hardware, it’s important to monitor your garage door for signs that it’s time for a replacement garage door. Pay attention to these key areas when determining whether or not it is time to replace your garage door:
- Noise: You should contact a professional to inspect your garage door when it becomes noisy or vibrates during operation.
- Motion: If the door stops opening or closing, it could be a battery issue that calls for repair or replacement.
- Panels: Damaged panels will open the inside of your garage to the elements — and the damage can spread over time.
- Energy: It might be time to replace your garage door if you notice your energy usage has increased. Newer doors with advanced insulation can help to regulate temperatures and your utility bills.
Sometimes it can be difficult to decide if you should replace or repair your garage door. Long-term garage use will undoubtedly cause wear and tear over the years, and the repairs may eventually become more expensive than the investment to buy and install a new garage door. There are some common garage repairs you can do yourself, but a brand-new garage door can save you a lot of time and money in the long run!
The Benefits of a New Garage Door
A new garage door can significantly improve your day-to-day life with convenient features and a stylish design. Newer door models offer superior safety features, like keypads rather than traditional key locks. Many also include smart home features — for example, you can use a mobile app on your device of choice to open and close your garage door remotely.
Another significant benefit is that high-quality garage doors can raise the value of your home, helping you earn a higher return on investment when you want to sell.
Contact Us for a New Garage Door in Central PA
When it’s time to replace your garage door, Cornwell Door Service is here to help. We’ve been serving our community for more than 40 years, and we have a wide selection of high-quality garage doors to suit the style of any home. Contact us online to request a new garage door, or call us at 717-273-9841 for more information!