When garage door damage occurs, you have a decision to make as a homeowner. You could choose to replace a single panel on the door or replace the whole door altogether. Several factors go into the decision. When you break down the elements and conditions, you can decide on the best option.
Follow this guide to learn more about the process and the reasons to choose one repair over another based on various circumstances.
Age of the Door
No matter what is wrong with your garage door, the age of the door has a big impact on whether to replace a single panel or the whole door. Logistically, the garage door you have may not be manufactured anymore. Finding a single panel that is compatible with an older door can become a bit of a challenge.
Even if a matching panel is found, you could run into aesthetic issues. For example, the new panel may not match the exact color of the rest of the door. In this case, the door could lose curb appeal with even slightly different colored panels. Painting the whole door would result in additional costs and may need professional help to properly complete the task.
The garage door itself may not offer the same insulation and weather protection as newer doors. Older garage doors were not as energy efficient as newer versions. A full replacement could provide better climate control inside the garage. Doors with insulation will help keep warm weather out of the garage and give you more opportunities to use the garage space.
Door Damage
If the age of a door is not a factor, then consider how much damage has occurred to the garage door. For example, one of the more common reasons for garage door damage is due to a car bumping into the door. If a single panel has a dent or scratches, then you can simply replace the panel.
The replacement is not just for aesthetic reasons. A dented door could change the way the door moves and operates when lifted. In some cases, the damage goes beyond a simple dent. If some of the structural elements of the garage door are damaged from a car, you could need a whole door replacement.
However, the garage door damage may not be from a car. Wear and tear could cause changes to the garage door. For example, a door could have rust or wear on the bottom panel. In some cases, you could replace the bottom panel. If the rust or wear has impacted other panels then you would need to replace the whole door.
Additional Damage
Sometimes, slight damage like a dent could have a bigger impact on the rest of your garage. The springs and rollers are crucial elements of a garage door and any type of damage could lead to operation problems. A hard impact could cause rollers to crack or springs to misshapen. The damage could result in the need for a whole new door system.
Prolonged use of a damaged system also puts more strain on the garage door opener. The extra strain could lead to additional problems and possible damage. You may notice the garage door goes up slower, slightly jams, or makes strange noises as it lifts and lowers. Do not ignore the sounds.
Errors with a garage door opener could lead to more damage before you even make a decision. For example, a garage door could slam down hard and cause more damage to multiple panels. Panel damage could result in garage door elements scraping against each other as the door opens. The force could lead panels to chip, crack, or break off.
A full door replacement will help quell the extended issues and result in a garage door with smooth operations. If the repair process is done soon enough, then you will avoid extensive damage to the opener and can use the same opener with a new garage door.
Garage Door Evaluation
Before you make any final decisions on your garage door, consider a professional evaluation. A garage door professional has years and experience and may see elements you didn't realize were a problem. You will explain when the problem first occurred or how the door was damaged. A professional will then inspect both the interior and exterior of the garage door.
After the evaluation, you can let the expert decide what the best option would be for you. Their analysis will often detail the pros and cons of each job. In most cases, a full replacement will be the best option if a new door can fit within your budget range. Many of the estimates are done for free, but you should contact a company first to find out their policies and procedures.
For more information on garage door repairs and replacements, contact us at
Edgemont Garage Doors. Our repair technicians have years of garage door experience and will help you find the best solution for your home.
