The garage door is one of the best assets a home uses each day. It keeps intruders out, prevents precipitation from coming in, and adds a beautiful visual component to the curb appeal.
As with most home-based assets, the garage door eventually wears out. If it’s been 10 to 20 years since it was installed, you’ll want to see if any of the following symptoms are present.
Symptoms That Indicate a Garage Door Replacement is Necessary
Garage doors don’t fly open or slam shut when you press a button or engage a handle. They’re significant assets that could hurt someone if they’re out of control. What you should notice is a lack of hesitation when opening or closing. When it gets slower, it can indicate that a replacement is needed.
Here are some of the additional issues that can creep up on an aging garage door.
1. Appearance Changes
Vintage looks and antiques always have some value in curb appeal, but you don’t want to see those elements in a garage door. Any style becomes dated after a few years. Updating what you have to a modern design that matches the rest of the home, increases its beauty, and maintains weatherproofing is worth the investment.
2. Lack of Technology
Today’s best garage doors have new features and capabilities that the installed products from a decade ago don’t offer. Although updating for tech alone might not be worth the investment, an upgrade could still make your home more functional and secure than it is right now.
3. Functionality Loss
Garage doors must handle the external wear and tear that your property endures each day. There’s an expectation that a few dents, scratches, and dings will accumulate as time passes. Even the springs have a limited lifespan, which is typically around 10,000 user cycles.
The typical wear and tear on garage doors is easily repairable. Once the door starts breaking down a lot, it might be time to start considering a replacement unit.
4. Extra Noise
Garage doors aren’t meant to be ultra-quiet. When they roll up or down on the track, you’ll get some sound. It’s when the noise is more than what you’re used to hearing that an inspection is necessary. Sudden crunching, grinding, squeaking, grating, or banging can signify that a replacement is required.
5. Cost
The qualities of an old garage door can end up costing a lot of cash. It might not protect against incoming cold weather, allow cooled air to escape in the summer, or leak water when the rains come. Instead of shelling out the cash to keep fixing the breakdowns, it might be better to invest in something new that helps to keep everything where you want them to be.
Garage doors aren’t meant to be ultra-quiet. When they roll up or down on the track, you’ll get some sound. It’s when the noise is more than what you’re used to hearing that an inspection is necessary. Sudden crunching, grinding, squeaking, grating, or banging can signify that a replacement is required.