A garage door is a crucial part of any home – it provides security and keeps your belongings safe. But how often should you replace your garage door?
Your garage door won’t need to be replaced for a long time. Your garage door will last longer if you keep it clean and do what the garage door contractor in Louisville, KY says. If you do maintenance on your garage door at least once a year, it can last for decades longer and add to the value of your home. But if your garage door is giving you trouble, you should get a new one.
Check your garage door often for any of these signs that need to be replaced. Call a garage door company in your area to get a quote if you need a new one. Use this guide to figure out when and how to replace a garage door as a good home improvement project.
If your garage door is more than 10 years old and isn’t working as well as it used to, you might need to replace it. If a garage door has any of the following problems, you know you need to replace it.
1. YOUR DOOR IS DAMAGED BY WEAR AND TEAR
Garage doors are opened thousands of times per year on average. Your garage door has been in use for at least ten years. Garage doors can become damaged from a lack of maintenance. These are the top reasons garage doors lose strength and function over time.
- Garage door weight: Over time, the springs and lifting cable can be damaged by holding the door up too long. The tension springs can break and fall if subject to excessive wear.
- Dirty and debris in the rollers: An loud garage door indicates friction on the track. Track alignment could be affected by debris buildup.
- Weather damage Over time, rain and other precipitation can damage the garage doors. Weather, rain, snow, and ultraviolet rays can cause rusting, warping, or discoloration.
2. YOUR DOOR IS NOT OPENING / CLOSING
Your garage door’s purpose is to allow access to your home and then close it to protect your privacy. You should inspect your garage door to determine the cause of any problems with moving it. You should choose a door that smoothly transitions from your car to your home’s interior. You can also replace parts of your garage door, like the opener.
Here are some common garage door problems. These issues could be why your door needs to be opened or closed correctly.
- An old garage door opener could pose a safety hazard. An old garage door opener could cause problems with the automated reversal function. This allows the door to reverse if someone or something is in its path. A faulty garage door opener could make your garage more vulnerable to theft. Burglars are skilled at bypassing an older garage door opener system. A new garage door opener is safer and quieter.
- Broken remote controller: The motor unit may have failed to work if the remote control isn’t working. Alternatively, replace the batteries or get closer to the door. You will need to replace the motor for the garage door opener if the engine has failed.
- A misaligned photo-eye: The photo-eye activates the automated reversal function. Even dust or a minor obstruction can affect the function of the photo eye. You may need to have your garage door inspected and replaced if it doesn’t close or opens completely.
3. THE DOOR HAS OBVIOUS DAMAGE SIGNS
If your garage door has been severely damaged by an accident, storm, or vandalism, you need to replace it. These are the types of damage that a professional would recommend replacing:
- Broken springs or lift cables: An damaged tension spring could be dangerous. If your garage door isn’t opening, likely, the tension spring isn’t working. The tension spring and lift cables can snap after much use. Broken tension springs can make a loud noise you can hear from any part of the house. A broken tension spring can be replaced, but it is best to be cautious. To avoid further damage, you should have your spring repaired by a professional.
- Track misalignment Garage doors that have fallen off the track won’t work anymore. Garage doors made of a material that rubs against the track could cause them to become out of alignment. If the track is misaligned, your door will appear crooked. Garage doors can cause damage to your siding if they are not aligned correctly.
- Dents A damaged garage door can prevent the track from moving smoothly. This can also affect your home’s curb appeal. You could also have gaps in your garage doors due to damage from sporting equipment and harsh weather conditions. You can fix one of the garage doors, but it is better to replace the entire door.
4. YOUR GARAGE DOOR IS A SAFETY HAZARD
You should keep your garage door locked and closed for safety. A damaged garage door could pose a danger to your safety and that of your family. Here are some reasons you may not feel safe near your garage or garage door.
- Burglary – the Intruders might try to gain entry through your garage. You may be asked to lock your tools to open the door. Your garage door might have an additional lock or be more potent than the one you already have.
- Old technology: Burglars may sometimes be able to figure out access codes for your garage. You can now set up a keypad to create a random access code sent to your phone. This will ensure that the password is unique every time.
- A broken photo-eye: The Photo Eye keeps your family safe and securely closes the garage door. The garage door will open if a child or pet gets under it while it closes. A damaged or defective photo eye can pose a severe safety risk.
5. YOUR ENERGY FEES ARE INCREASING
Over time, older garage doors lose their insulation. You may notice an increase in your monthly energy bills if you have an old garage door. These are a few reasons a garage door can improve your home’s energy efficiency.
- More insulation: You can ask your local garage door company for more insulation. You can also invest in more energy-efficient materials, such as wood.
- Give your HVAC a break. A new garage door will provide insulation that can reduce the strain on your HVAC system. Your HVAC system can take a rest if the garage temperature is comfortable.
- More innovative garage door openers: You can control your door remotely from anywhere in the world by connecting to your smartphone. Because you only open the garage door when necessary, this technology can save money on your energy bills. Innovative technology can also alert you if your garage door opens when you aren’t there.
GARAGE DOOR REPLACEMENT IN MOUNT LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
If your garage door has any of these problems, think about getting a new one. Look through our residential garage doors collection to find a high-quality option for your home. We also have reliable Genie garage door openers.
If you live in Louiseville, KY area, the garage door experts at Bluegrass Garage Doors can look at your door and tell you if you need repairs or a new door. Come to our Louiseville showroom, to look at what we have. To get an estimate, you can also email us or call us at 502-203-7878.