Your garage door is one of those modern conveniences that we tend to take for granted. You come home, it opens, it safely closes and locks, and you never pay much attention. It’s also a hard-working part of your home, acting as an outer wall, a door, and an appliance all at the same time. So how do you know when it’s time to invest in a new one?
Noise level
If your door has gotten a lot noisier when opening and closing, or it shakes while opening and closing, it might be time for a new one. While shaking and noise doesn’t necessarily indicate that something’s broken, it does imply that intense maintenance is going to be required very soon. Sometimes increased noise can just mean a certain component needs a repair or replacement, so it’s a good idea to have a professional come out and give you a consultation. Since properly functioning garage doors are designed to run smoothly without a lot of noise, sudden sounds in the form of grinding, crunching, grating, squeaking, or banging can be a warning sign that it’s time for a replacement.
Burdensome Repairs
As a hard-working component, wear and tear on your garage door does occur naturally over time. Dents build up through the years. Springs usually only last for 10,000 cycles. Many of these issues can be repaired with little hassle. If it door breaks down a lot, however, and you find yourself constantly worrying about whether the door will function, it’s probably time to consider a replacement unit. The money spent on service calls, labor, and parts associated with repairs can become costly.
Appearance
The attractiveness of your garage door affects the property value and curb appeal of your home. You may find yourself unhappy with the look of an old worn garage door, or you may find that the style itself is out of date. Updating the look of your garage door to a modern design that matches the rest of your home is worth the investment.
Efficiency and Safety
Older doors may be missing weatherstrips, bottom seals, and adequate sealing joints needed to keep out wind and water. The door might not provide the required insulation needed to protect your automobiles and other assets in your garage. Some older models of garage door lack motion detection, which can diminish the risk of closing the door on fingers or toes (or cars!) A garage door that does not work well can pose safety risks.
When you find that it’s time to replace or upgrade your garage door, give us a call! Midlothian Garage Doors has you covered.
