When to Repair Your Garage Door Instead of Replacing It

The value of your home is important no matter how long you plan on remaining in your home, whether that’s for the next 40 years or just the next four. Your garage is a critical factor in your home’s value, and it’s an excellent investment for homeowners. 

A new garage door can increase a home’s listing price. With such an excellent cost vs. value ratio, it’s no wonder lots of homeowners are eager to replace an out-of-date garage door with a new one.

But outright replacement may not always be the best choice for a homeowner. In some cases, a garage door repair would be a better option. So how do you decide between repairing and replacing your garage door? Here are a few questions to ask yourself when choosing whether to repair or replace:

• What is the condition of your garage door?
• What parts need to be repaired or replaced?
• How old is your garage door?
• What is the condition of your garage door opener?
• Is your garage door still safe to use?
• What is your budget?

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll find all the information you need to make your decision.

Cost of Repairing vs. Replacing Your Garage Door

Your garage door is an important part of your home’s security and functionality, and it’s not uncommon for it to require repairs or replacement at some point. However, the decision to repair or replace your garage door can be difficult, especially when you’re trying to balance cost with quality and longevity.

The cost of repairing your garage door will depend on the extent of the damage, the type of door you have and the cost of labor in your area. Generally speaking, minor repairs like fixing a broken spring or replacing a panel will be less expensive than major repairs like replacing the entire door or motor. However, it’s important to remember that repeated repairs can add up over time and may cost more in the long run than simply replacing the door.

Replacing your garage door can be a significant investment upfront, but it also offers benefits in terms of increased energy efficiency, improved security and better curb appeal. Additionally, if your current door is old or outdated, replacing it can increase the value of your home and make it more attractive to potential buyers.

What Goes Into the Cost of a Garage Door Repair?

When it comes to repairing your garage door, understanding the factors that influence the cost can help you make an informed decision and avoid being overcharged. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:

• Type of garage door: Specialty materials or wood can be more expensive to repair than steel or aluminum doors.
• Extent of damage: Minor issues like broken springs or damaged panels may be relatively inexpensive to repair, while more significant damage to the motor or tracks can be more costly.
• Replacement parts: The cost of replacement parts can vary depending on the type and quality of the materials used.
• Labor costs: Larger doors or more complex repairs may require more labor and specialized equipment, which can impact the cost.
• Location: If you live in a remote or hard-to-reach area, you may need to pay more for travel expenses and labor costs.
• Emergency repairs: There may be additional fees if you need emergency repairs outside of regular business hours.

What Goes Into the Cost of a Garage Door Replacement?

Garage door replacement is a significant investment for any homeowner, and understanding the factors that affect the cost can help you make an informed decision. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:

• Size of the door: Larger doors require more materials and labor, which can drive up the cost.
• Material: Different materials have different costs, with wood being generally more expensive than steel or aluminum.
• Style: Basic styles with minimal design elements tend to be less expensive than more elaborate designs, such as those with decorative glass panels or intricate woodwork.
• Insulation: Insulated doors are more expensive but offer energy efficiency and noise reduction benefits.
• Windows: Doors with windows can add to the cost, but can also enhance your garage’s appearance and natural light.
• Hardware: Upgraded hardware, such as handles and hinges, can add to the overall cost of replacement.
• Installation costs: The cost of installation can vary depending on the complexity of the installation and any modifications or repairs needed to the existing structure.
• Labor costs: Skilled technicians are necessary for proper installation and may add to the overall cost of the replacement.

Ultimately, the decision to repair or replace your garage door will depend on your specific situation and budget. If your door is relatively new and the damage is minor, repairing it may be the most cost-effective solution. However, if your door is old or the damage is extensive, replacing it may be a better long-term investment.

When to Repair Your Garage Door

If you’ve been experiencing issues with your garage door, you may be wondering if it’s time to find a replacement. If one of the following problems occurs, you may be able to hire a garage door repair service to fix it instead.

1. Your Garage Door Has Suddenly Stopped Working

If you find that your garage door isn’t working one morning, your initial expectation might be that you need a door replacement. Oddly enough, a sudden breakdown is typically an easier fix because the problem tends to be isolated and hasn’t been worsening for years, which can result in irreparable damage.

Before you call anyone, check the batteries in the remote to make sure you don’t need to replace them. If the solution isn’t new batteries, call a professional to diagnose the problem quickly and make the repair.

2. Your Garage Door Has a Damaged Panel

If you dent your garage door with your car, don’t panic. This accident doesn’t spell the end of your door. The repair may be simple and affordable and is likely not a cause for total replacement.

A damaged panel should be fixed early to make the repair cost-effective. Ignoring this trouble area for a while will cause the issue to spread and make the repair much more costly. Replacing multiple panels is no cheaper than replacing the door altogether, so try to fix the single damaged area as soon as possible.

3. Your Garage Door Feels Heavy

Because garage doors are quite heavy, the springs that assist your garage lift mechanism with lifting the door can begin to wear down with use. These springs prevent the lift motor from wearing down rapidly and enable you to open the door by hand if your power goes out.

A heavy door may signal worn springs. This issue is usually an affordable, quick fix involving a simple replacement of the springs by a professional. Both springs should be replaced to keep your door balanced. New springs will make your door feel much lighter.

4. Your Garage Door Is Leaning

If one side of your garage door appears to be lower than the other when the door is closed halfway, you probably have an imbalanced door. This could signify that your door is putting additional burden on your lifting mechanism and speeding up the mechanism’s wear and tear.

Balance is essential to the efficiency of a garage door. If one side is sagging, then one of your springs has worn down more than the other. This imbalance will put additional stress on your door’s lift motor. The repair is another that is relatively simple. A professional will replace your springs and rehang your door to restore your door’s balance.

Remember to hire a professional to conduct your repairs. While a simple problem with your garage door may seem like an easy fix you can handle on your own, you’ll be putting your safety and investment at risk by trying to fix the issue yourself.

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When to Replace Your Garage Door

At what point is repairing your garage door no longer the practical option? Here are a few signs it’s time to replace your garage door altogether:

1. Your Garage Door Hasn’t Been Working For a While

Though suddenly occurring issues are often reparable if addressed as soon as possible, issues that are neglected for an extended period tend to require a replacement. Because the door opens and closes so many times, even seemingly small problems can cause significant damage over many uses. Eventually, the damage becomes severe enough that the door will need replacement.

2. Your Garage Door Is Significantly Damaged

If extreme weather or an errant tree limb severely damaged your door, a simple repair might not be enough to fix the problem. With enough damage to a garage door, replacement becomes the only cost-effective option.

3. Your Garage Door Doesn’t Have Child Safety Sensors

New garage doors include sensors that cause the door to stop moving if they detect a pet, child or object under the door. This feature can prevent injuries to people and animals as well as damage to items in your garage. After-market installations are not always cost-effective, so replacement is the best way to ensure your garage door is equipped with the most up-to-date child safety sensors.

4. Your Garage Door Has Aged

A garage door can be one of the details on a house that stands out and adds to the value and appeal of your home. A new coating of paint on your garage door may improve its appearance, but because designs for garage doors progress a lot over time, newer doors offer a more modern, aesthetically appealing look.

New garage doors are also sized for modern vehicles, so an updated garage door can also be more practical. Older garage doors are easier to break into, but new doors and additional security features to protect you and your home have improved.

If you’re looking for a fast, low-cost way to enhance your home’s value, replacing your garage door is the perfect way to do so.

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5. Your Garage Door Is Consuming A Lot of Energy

Poor energy efficiency is another reason to replace your garage door. Because garage doors are so big, open doors let in a lot of air from outside. Even with significant insulation, the difference in temperature between the garage and your home will affect your energy bill.

New garage doors can offer better energy efficiency compared to old doors. Materials and insulation technologies have changed over the last few decades. The new garage doors provide better energy efficiency compared to the old version. The good news is that a new garage door can increase the value of your home. The even better news is that it can also lower your energy costs. The added value results in you saving even more money.

6. Your Garage Has Been Broken Into

If someone has broken in through your garage door, the best course of action is to replace your door. Though you may be inclined to believe that resetting the security code may be enough, you don’t know exactly how the intruder entered, so you may not be addressing the right issue. Installing a new door is the best method for ensuring the intruder doesn’t return to your home. Your peace of mind is worth the expense of a garage door replacement.

In these instances, replacing is the better option or sometimes even the only option for your garage door.

Whether you replace or repair your garage door, you’ll want to hire professional help. Garage doors tend to be more complicated than other DIY home improvements. If you try to repair a garage door on your own, you risk making a mistake that could result in the breakdown of interacting systems, which could end up costing you even more money. You could also risk your safety by attempting a DIY garage repair. We recommend placing the task of repairing or replacing your garage door in the hands of experienced professionals who will get the job done right. Doing so will save you the time, stress and cost of attempting the repair yourself.

Garage Door Opener Repair and Replacement

Garage door openers allow you the convenience of opening your garage door with the simple press of a button. You can control your garage door from just about anywhere and you can set a schedule to open and close your garage door automatically.

If your garage door is old. Safety efficiency and security measures have improved tremendously in the last decade. Your garage door opener will give you some signs when you need to repair or replace it. You may notice that your garage door does the following when your garage door opener starts malfunctioning:

• Moves slower
• Starts vibrating
• Makes loud, unusual sounds
• Opens intermittently

Whether you need to repair or replace your garage door opener depends in part on its condition. First, you need to determine what exactly is wrong with your opener. Is the opener’s gear damaged? Is the chain or belt broken? Is the rail disconnected or twisted?

Regardless of any issues you’re having with your garage door opener, you should replace it if it’s at least a decade old. Often it can be more expensive to replace a garage door opener than to repair it. It could make sense to purchase a new one as it will be the latest technology and work better.

Ultimately, the best way to determine whether you should repair or replace your garage door opener is to have a professional inspect your opener.

Other Factors to Consider

You may want to consider some additional factors as you’re moving forward with repairing or replacing your garage door.

1. Your Budget

How much can you put into this project? Is it possible to fix a small issue or is it more cost-effective to replace your door? Repairing your garage door is not always the more cost-effective option if the door is likely to break down again in the near future. Replacing a door can be an excellent investment because your new door will last longer and will need less maintenance, saving you money in the long term.

2. Aesthetic Appeal

A new garage door can also have a tremendous impact on the aesthetic appeal of your home. Old garage doors can become rusted, rotten and bent, which can give the impression that the rest of your home is also poorly maintained and falling apart. This will negatively affect the value of your home and your ability to sell it.

3. Warranty

You’ll get a longer warranty when you invest in a new garage door. At Oregon City Garage Door, we provide a one-year warranty on all of our garage door installations.

Get Your Perfect Garage Door With Oregon City Garage Door

If you’re looking for a new garage door, we have the right one for you. For over 25 years, Oregon City Garage Door has been catering to the garage door needs of those in Oregon City, Portland and surrounding areas and cities like Wilsonville, West Linn, Oak Grove, Hillsboro, Happy Valley, Gresham and more! You can select the garage door you want and if you need help making your decision, our team of experts can help you choose from a wide range of excellent options.

Our team of experts will install your new door and ensure it works as it should. We can also take care of hauling your old door away when you schedule a door replacement with us.

Call us today at 503-632-3070 to speak to our team. You can also fill out our contact forms to request service or a new garage door quote.