If you're like most homeowners, you haven't given too much thought about your garage door despite it being one of the most visible aspects of your home. The typical garage door often stays in service for decades before finally being replaced. One of the few times you'll pay attention to your garage door is when it develops a problem or you're planning a complete home renovation.
But
there will come a time when your garage door needs more than just a
simple repair. When your garage door's problems are too severe to
resolve through repairs or you're in the process of renovating your
home, replacing your garage door becomes a more viable solution.
Read on to learn when you're better off replacing your garage door with something newer and more modern.
1. Your Old Door Constantly Malfunctions
When was the last time you called a technician to take care of your garage door? One good reason to replace your garage door is if it frequently breaks down or requires professional service. A troublesome garage door can be inconvenient if it breaks down at the worst possible time — imagine being late for work because your car is trapped by a broken-down garage door.
Constant repairs are not only time-consuming; they're also costly. Between parts costs, labor costs, and fees associated with a typical service call, your old garage door may be more trouble than it's worth. When it comes to a garage door with a problematic track record, you are better off replacing it rather than investing more money in repairs.
2. Your Old Door Is Riddled With Rust
Rust is the eternal enemy of all things metal. No garage door is safe from the effects of rust and corrosion, especially in areas where garage doors are in constant contact with salt-laden sea spray.
Dents, dings and scratches in metal panels can also serve as gateways for rust and corrosion. A lack of regular maintenance and overall neglect can transform a pristine garage door into a rusty heap within a few years.
Metal garage door panels aren't the only components that are vulnerable to rust. Rust can attack and weaken moving parts and structural components. Hinges and rollers can freeze up due to rust inhibiting their movement. Rust also eats away at garage door springs, leaving them too weak to hold their tension and prone to snapping apart without warning.
In most cases, the only fix for a rust-riddled garage door is a complete replacement. Today's garage doors feature a variety of options for preventing rust and corrosion. Some doors feature tracks and other hardware that are powder-coated for improved rust resistance. Others offer stainless steel components that are naturally impervious to rust.
3. Your Old Door Clashes With New Décor
If you are planning on a major home renovation, then it's time to consider the visual effect your garage door may have on your completed project. While some garage door designs are highly versatile and can fit in with just about any home design, others may not have that same advantage.
A garage door that looks out of step with the rest of your home can severely impact your home’s curb appeal. The visual mismatch can even knock down your home's appraised value, which can be worrying if your home ever goes up for sale.
4. You Need a Garage Door With Modern Safety Features
You can teach an old dog new tricks, but an old garage door might not be as eager to learn. A decades-old garage door may be reliable, but it also lacks safety features that are nowadays common on the latest garage doors. Today's garage doors incorporate advanced photoelectric eye sensors and auto-retraction mechanisms to prevent injuries and accidents.
A brand-new garage door will also have features that help thwart break-ins. Older garage doors can be bypassed with relative ease, making them a tempting target for burglars. In contrast, modern garage doors are much harder to break into due to advances in overall design and materials.
5. You're Giving Your Garage a Well-Needed Upgrade
The overall design of your garage isn't set in stone. If you have recently purchased a new truck or RV, you may want to expand the size of your garage to fit your prized possessions. If your current garage door proves too narrow for your vehicles to pass through, you may want to upgrade to a wider door. Newfound height requirements may also necessitate a taller garage door.
A brand-new garage door not only breathes new life into your home, but it can also make your home safer and more functional. The experts at Edgemont Garage Doors can help you find the right garage door that perfectly matches your home's looks and needs. Contact us today to get started with your new installation.