You might not think about your garage often, but it actually does a lot for you and your family. From sheltering your car from the elements to housing a wide array of items, your garage makes your life easier. However, a garage is only as good as its garage door, and no door lasts forever. But when your old door starts to falter, how do you decide between garage door repair and replacement? If you only need a small repair, you might not need to splurge on a brand-new door. On the other hand, repeated repairs on an older door will probably cost you more in the long run. Below are five sensible reasons to replace rather than repair an old garage door.
1. Old Doors Raise Your Utility Bills
Small garage door parts, including weather strips and door insulation, have come a long way in recent years. Depending on the time of year, overly warm or cool air may come in through your old garage door because of its lack of weather stripping or older insulating features.
A new and energy-efficient garage door can keep your home warm and cozy and lower your utility bills.
2. Old Doors Make For Noisy Neighbors
Older doors tend to make plenty of unpleasantly loud noise. You can avoid disturbing your (or your neighbor’s) sleep with a new and muted garage door.
Plus, your loud garage door could signal a dangerous problem. Popping, screeching, scraping, or knocking sounds are all sure signs that your garage door needs some serious maintenance—at the very least. A replacement door will cure your irritating garage door of its noisy movement, as well as solve any unsafe problems the noise represents.
3. Old Doors Often Lack Important Safety Features
If you moved into your home and inherited the garage door, you might not know how old your garage door actually is. Check the manufacturer label or owner’s manual to find out how old your model is. If you can’t find the owner’s manual, contact your local garage door provider for help determining your door’s age.
If your garage door is more than ten years old, it could have antiquated security features that don’t protect you or your family members. For instance, older garage doors are heavier than modern models, and they may lack auto-reversing features that cause the door to go back up if it senses an obstacle in its path, like a child or a car.
Modern garage doors are lighter than older models without sacrificing home security. They also include features like laser sensors, emergency stops, or release handles that can protect you and your family members.
4. New Doors Help You Repurpose Your Garage
Traditionally, homeowners use garages as storage places for cars and other items. However, garages are becoming some of the most popular areas for homeowners to repurpose and remodel—whether they want to create a “man cave,” a new bedroom, or a charismatic craft room.
If you want to repurpose your garage into more than just a storage space, the door is the first thing you should look at replacing. You’ll need a better-insulated door if you want to create a new room, and a more aesthetically pleasant door can complete your repurposed garage’s new look.
5. New Doors Can Boost Your Curb Appeal
The front of your house makes a first impression on your guests and neighbors. Don’t let people get the wrong idea about you from an old door with sagging sections and chipped paint. If your current garage door has dents, dings, or bends, its mechanism likely has enough wear to justify a replacement anyway.
It’s easy to remember a bathroom or kitchen remodel every ten years or so, but far fewer people remember that garage doors have a lifespan, too. Don’t get caught with a model from several decades ago—instead, update your home’s face with a new and functioning garage door.
To find out more about how a new garage door can make your life easier, consult your local garage door provider.