When To Replace Your Automatic Garage Door

If you stop and think about the most used areas of your home, your garage door would make at the top of your list. Being a frequently used item in your home makes it important to ensure that it’s working properly. Your automatic garage door is often an entryway into your home while also securing your cars and other cherished items, its job is important.

Like anything, over time even the most well-maintained garage doors will begin to wear out and will require replacing. As this home improvement item can be more costly than other home improvement exercises, it is important to know when you are due for a repair or when it’s time for a replacement. Here are some signs to watch out for:

How Long Does An Automatic Garage Door Last For?

Before we dive into the signs that it’s time to replace your garage door, let’s discuss how long garage doors typically last. Generally speaking, a properly maintained automatic garage door can last for decades. To maximise the lifespan of your garage door, we suggest you inspect it at least every 6 months. This can be a simple visual inspection.

There are multiple factors that can affect how long your door lasts and they include: Maintenance: this includes lubricating the moving parts along with cleaning your door with mild detergent to keep it clean from debris. Materials: the cheaper your garage door is, typically the shorter the lifespan. Given our hot climate here in Brisbane, be mindful of the appropriate materials best suited for our heat and humidity. Annual Inspection: bringing in a professional garage door company to do a proper yearly inspection will increase the years of your garage door. These inspections tend to minimise the severity of expensive repairs as they are picked up and rectified quicker than if left untreated for years. Usage: Like most things, the more we use it, the faster it will break down. If you use are a high user of your garage door, anticipate servicing it a bit more often than if you used your door much less.

Now that we know how long your garage door should last, let’s have a deeper look into some signs that your garage door needs replacing.

What Signs Am I Looking For?

The Age Of Your Automatic Garage Door One of the most significant indicators that it’s time to replace your automatic garage door is its age. While a well-maintained garage door can last up to 20 years, the average lifespan of a garage door is around 10 to 15 years. If your garage door is approaching or exceeding this age range, it’s likely time to replace it.

An Increase In Garage Door Repairs How often are you repairing your garage door? If your door is approaching the end of its life, you will know based on how often and how much you are spending on repairs. If you find yourself spending more and more money on repairing your garage door, it may be more cost-effective in the long run to replace it entirely. These repairs may be an electrical malfunction or your door may not be opening and closing properly anymore. These are common repairs that often lead down the path to replacement.

Poor Energy Efficiency With the increase in energy costs, energy efficiency is a hot topic these days. Older garage doors tend to have poor insulation and poor seals which can lead to higher energy bills. While new garage door models have energy efficiency at the forefront of their design with proper insulation which may assist with lowering your increasing energy bills.

Your Automatic Garage Door Has Become Noisy While some noise with garage doors is quite common, any excessive noise or hard clunking noises are not normal. Any changes to the sounds of your garage door are worth looking into. They can be a sign of mechanical malfunction which can lead to safety concerns. Newer garage door models are now made surprisingly quiet.

Wear and Tear If there is physical damage to your garage door, this can also be a sign that it’s time to replace it. Take notice of any dents, cracks, and other types of damage that can compromise the door’s structural integrity which can make it less safe and secure. After all, life happens and kids can dent a garage door with a soccer ball or crash their bikes into the door.

Another type of damage to be mindful of is caused by your climate. As we experience a large amount of sunshine per year here in Brisbane, your Brisbane garage door might fade or crack sooner than a door that operates in a cooler climate. In short, if your garage door has significant damage, it’s best to replace it rather than try to repair it.

If You Have Safety Concerns Garage doors can be dangerous if they’re not functioning properly. They are heavy and also heavily used by most owners. If your garage door is showing signs of wear and tear, there may be some safety concerns that need to be addressed. For example, if the door doesn’t close all the way or reverses unexpectedly, it can pose a risk to people, pets and your cars. If you’re concerned about the safety of your garage door, it’s best to have it replaced.

Boost Your Curb Appeal If you have recently moved into a new home or if you have lived there for many years and looking to refresh your property, often garage doors are at the top of the list. They can become outdated with your style and given they are front and centre for curb appeal, an updated stylish garage door can increase the value of your property. After all, first impressions last and your garage door is often one of the first things you and others will notice.

Knowing when to replace your automatic garage door is important for the safety and security of your home. If you’re experiencing any of the above signs, it may be time to invest in a new garage door. At T3 Garage Doors, we offer Brisbane residents a wide selection of high-quality garage doors to fit your budget and your style. Our team of experienced technicians can also assist with garage door installation and repair services. Contact us today to see how we can help you upgrade your home’s automatic garage door.