Your garage door provides curb appeal, which can increase property value, and an astounding level of utility. They are made of an intricate system of components that, when properly maintained, work together to ensure the door operates efficiently. To maintain their value, they must also be free of major dents, dings or persistent noise. If your door is older, damaged or noisy, you may want to consider replacing it.
Here are some signs that it may be time for a new garage door.
Damaged Panels
Cosmetic damage can occur due to unintended collisions, balls thrown by children against the door, and Mother Nature. Depending on severity, cosmetic damage may be repairable, even if it means replacing one or two panels. If the damage is quite severe or more than two panels require replacement, the entire door would need to be replaced to ensure it is structurally sound and safe to operate.
Antiquated Design
Most garage doors are intended for drive-right-in accessibility and, as such, make up a large portion of your home’s exterior design. Perhaps when it was new, it was both sleek and stylish, but no design lasts forever. Today’s homeowners are installing upscale, eye-catching, energy-efficient doors for added curb appeal. Garage doors come in a variety of materials, styles, and colors to complement any home architecture.
Persistent Noise
Although some level of noise may be acceptable – especially if you have a chain driven garage door opener – a garage door that’s persistently loud or that wakes people up should be inspected by a professional as there could be several factors causing its increase in volume. The door and opener should both be looked at to determine which of the two is the culprit and what can be down to eliminate the noise.
Repeated Breakdowns
Your garage door is meant to open and close on a regular basis; usually four times per day. A properly maintained garage door should function for many years without subjecting you to frequent breakdowns. If, however, your door breaks down repeatedly, the money spent on garage repair, labor and parts may not make financial sense and a new garage door should be considered.
Nonefficient Garage Door
With heating and cooling costs continuously on the rise, it may make perfect sense to consider an insulated garage door; one with a high R-value. Threshold seals and weatherstripping along with an insulated garage door can keep heat in your garage during the winter and retain cooled air during the summer. Make sure to ask your garage door professional about insulated units and start saving money on your energy bills.
