A new garage door can greatly improve the appearance of your home. Aesthetics aside, you probably use your garage door at least a few times a day, which means it should work properly and efficiently. While replacing a garage door may seem like another unnecessary expense at first, when you stop and think about it, that price pales in comparison to your total investment in building or buying your home. Not to mention that upgrading is a huge investment for those looking for immediate and significant returns. Here are some signs that it may be time.
Installation and maintenance costs
Garage doors need to work properly. Like anything usable, it's natural to wear out over time. Cables, rollers, springs and weather strips are relatively inexpensive to replace. However, if the problem keeps coming back and you keep having to spend more and more money on the same repairs, it may be worthwhile to completely replace the entire unit. Generally, if you find that parts of the door are bent, dented, rusted, or weak in structure, the cost of repairing the door will not be worth it and you should consider replacing it.
It's not as reliable as it used to be
Garage doors are heavy and require a lot of effort (human or machine) to open or close. Since garage door components and door opener motors wear out over time, the weight of a garage door can add up to an accident or injury, so safety is also important here. A door that doesn't reverse when a security sensor is triggered, or has a habit of not fully closing, not only creates a security hazard, it also exposes your house to burglars and is a potential security risk. If your garage door starts to show signs of struggling or forgetting to fully close, it could mean it's time to replace it.
it groans and groans
Let’s be honest, the loud, screeching, thumping sound of an old garage door system isn’t music to anyone. A noisy garage door may indicate that a particular component needs lubrication, repair, or replacement. This problem may be small, but it should not be ignored. In addition to sounding inconvenient and unpleasant, sound can also serve as an early warning sign of something to come, as we mentioned above; a sudden failure can lead to an accident. If your garage door keeps giving an audible warning, this could be another sign that you need to be replaced, or at least you should contact a professional company for inspection and service.
it's outdated
Styles come in and out, and garage doors are no exception. Taking up nearly 40% of the exterior walls of an average home, it's safe to say that garage doors are one of the first things people notice. Even real estate agents admit that houses with garage doors sell faster than those without. Even if you don't plan to sell your home anytime soon, a new modern garage door will instantly boost the value of your property. In fact, a 2018 Remodeling Magazine Cost and Value study rated the ROI of upscale garage door replacements as more than double that of other popular remodeling projects, including adding master suites and backyard patios. Year by year,
it's turning into a money pit
Poor quality, poorly maintained garage doors can end up costing a fortune in the long run. If you've been in your garage for a long time and noticed it's getting colder, don't be quick to blame Canada's harsh winters -- there may be an underlying issue with the insulation or weatherproofing of your garage door. Furthermore, maintenance costs should not reach the point of becoming a burden. If you find yourself constantly spending money on garage door repairs, or facing ever-increasing heating bills, this could be another sign that it's time for a full replacement.
it lives in the past
Last but not least, modern garage door technology has surpassed the doors of the past. With features like remote operation via smartphone apps and smart sensors, maybe it's time to start enjoying the benefits and convenience of the latest technology that comes with the new model. Safety is also greatly improved compared to older door opener models.
