Buying guide
Repair or replace your garage door?
Most garage door problems (springs, cables, rollers, sensors, a single damaged panel) are repairs. Replacement starts to make sense when several sections are damaged, the door is rotting or rusting through, it's unsafe or very heavy, or you want better insulation and curb appeal.
Usually a repair
- Broken springs or cables. These are wear parts, not a sign the door is done. See broken spring.
- Worn rollers, hinges, bearings. Cheap parts that make a big difference in noise and smoothness.
- Sensor and opener problems. Usually adjustment, wiring, or an opener part. See door won't close.
- One dented or cracked section. If the section is still made, it can often be replaced on its own, or reinforced with a strut.
- Torn bottom seal or weather stripping. A quick, inexpensive fix that keeps water and pests out.
Time to think about a new door
- More than one section is damaged, or matching sections are no longer made.
- Wood is rotting or steel is rusting through, especially along the bottom.
- The door is very heavy or has old, unsafe hardware, like extension springs without safety cables or no reinforcement for an opener.
- You're repairing it every year. Repairs add up, and the door's not getting younger.
- You want insulation, a quieter door, or a different style to match a remodel.
- You're selling. A new garage door is one of the most visible upgrades for curb appeal.
Questions to ask before deciding
- Is the door safe today? If not, fix the safety problem first.
- How old is the door and opener, and how many problems are there at once?
- Do you plan to stay in the house for years?
- Would you use the garage more if it were insulated, quieter or brighter?
Questions
Can you replace just one garage door panel?
Often yes, if the manufacturer still makes that section in the same style and color. Otherwise a reinforcement strut may stop a cracked section from getting worse.
How long does a garage door last?
A well-maintained steel door can last 20 to 30 years or more. Springs, cables, rollers and openers wear out sooner and are replaced along the way.
Does a new garage door need a new opener?
Not always. If the opener is old, has no battery backup, or the new door is heavier, a new opener is often part of the job. California requires battery backup on new openers.