Your garage door is probably the largest moving object you own. It protects your cars, your tools, and in some cases, it also serves as a primary means of entry for you and your family. If it fails to work, you are left staring at a massive, stuck door and trying to decide whether you are stuck with just a service repair job or whether you need to invest in a whole new system. Such a predicament is not rare for homeowners. The best decision in this scenario depends on a number of considerations.
Garage Door Troubleshooting
Homeowners are faced with many problems regarding their garage doors over the years. Springs are under too much tension, meaning that eventually, they break after many cycles. Sometimes, panels can develop dents due to stray basketballs or accidental contact with an automobile bumper. Other times, in the case of old openers, the motor fails after many years of good service without any problems whatsoever. Tracks may also end up misaligned, meaning the garage door gets stuck partway through its path.
When Repair Is the Best Option
The first reason to always consider repairing a door is related to your wallet. It’s generally a lot less expensive to replace a spring or rollers on a door than it is to install an entirely new door system. If the price is right, Fort Lauderdale garage door repair is often a good option.
Another factor you should consider is the age of your door. A good quality garage door can serve for 15 to 30 years. If your door is still five or ten years old, it has a lot of life in it. Fixing a still young door saves your initial expenditure.
Another thing that will contribute to whether it is repaired or replaced is parts availability. If it’s a standard door, and it’s for an established brand, it won’t be difficult for you to look for parts to mend it. Assuming that spare parts can be found easily, then it is logical to have it repaired.
Why You May Want to Consider a Replacement
Other times, a “band-aid” solution is simply not good enough. Energy efficiency is one of the largest benefits of replacement garage doors. Traditional garage doors tend to not be insulated very well. This causes heat to escape in the winter and enter in the summer. Energy-efficient garage doors feature high R-value insulation that helps save your money on utility bills and makes your garage a comfortable place to be.
Safety is another factor to be considered. The safety features found in newer garage doors may not be present in older doors. Perhaps your current garage door poses a threat to your pets or children. An upgrade will ensure your safety.
Aesthetics are another area that greatly impacts your decision to upgrade your garage door. A major part of your home’s exterior fronts your garage door. A rusty, dented, or peeling garage door impacts your curb appeal. You could give your home an overnight facelift by improving your garage door.
The Final Decision
For you to make a final decision, you need to assess the damage levels. One of the rules of thumb used by many professionals in this trade is called the 50 percent rule. If you spend close to 50 percent of the price to replace a door on repairs, then you should replace it.
It is also necessary to take into consideration the “nagging” factor. If you can fix one thing now, will it actually break down the following month? If the door is nickel-and-diming you, a replacement will save your sanity.
The only way for you to truly determine which one is right for you is to have a professional inspection done. A professional can take a look at how well your system is working, give you a true price comparison for each option, and then advise you on how to make a decision based on that assessment.
Secure Your Home’s Future
When faced with the decision of whether to repair or replace the garage door at your home, making the decision does not have to be a shot in the dark. By comparing costs, evaluating the age of the current system, and looking at the value that the upgrade brings with its innovative elements, the decision is one that could save you money in the long run!
