The garage door on your home is more than just a functional entryway—it’s a big part of the overall aesthetic of the building. On many homes, the garage door is one of the most prominent visual features on the front of the home. That means anyone looking at your home from the street will likely be drawn to the garage door before seeing anything else.
But if your garage door is not in top shape, you’ve got more than an aesthetic or functional problem on your hands: If your garage door won’t open or close properly, it could also be a safety or security hazard.
Here are some signs it may be time for a new garage door.
Noisy or shaking operation
When your garage door opens or closes, does it make a loud noise every time? Does it shake quite a bit in the process of opening or closing? If so, this may be a sign that it will require maintenance soon, or it may start to break down. You may be able to extend its lifespan by calling a garage door repair service to come and check it out, but you may find that it’s more cost effective in the long term to just have it replaced.
Sagging door
Many garage doors are made of wood. With doors like this, over time, they may start to sag. This can be caused by many factors, including rot, decomposition and general deterioration. Even garage doors made of material other than wood may start to sag. No matter what the door is made of, however, if it is sagging, that is a sign of a larger problem. You should call a professional to take a look right away if you notice any kind of sagging.
Damaged wood
If the wood of your garage door or the surrounding area is cracked, rotting or damaged in other ways, this may be a sign that it’s time to get a new garage door. While some damage can be repaired, like peeled paint or small nicks and scratches, rotting or splintered wood may become a structural issue and should likely be replaced as soon as possible.
Older doors
If your garage door is older, it may lack updated safety and convenience features that newer models have. In this case, even if the door is working well, it may be worthwhile to consider replacing it with a modern door. There are many more styles and features to choose from these days than ever before, and you may just find the one that brings out the best visual aspects of your home and makes your day-to-day life easier.
Garage doors are not always a quick fix—sometimes garage door replacement is needed. Whether you need repairs or a total replacement, when you need the best garage door service from friendly, experienced professionals, as well as the best selection of new garage doors to choose from, reach out to Affordable Dock & Door today. We’d be glad to schedule a consultation to discuss your garage door needs!