To Repair Or To Replace? The Decision is Yours
Homeowners are often faced with the decision to repair or replace their garage door. This is especially true if your garage door won’t open all the way. You may be asking yourself: Should I repair or replace my garage door? How do I know which option is worth it? What will provide the most return on investment (ROI) in the future?
Garage doors have been hit hard because of COVID-19 with over a 100% increase in price. There have also been some major delays due to supply chain issues. Things are different now; there are more things to consider.
That being said, you don’t have to figure out your garage door alone. We have a few things for you to ponder that will help you determine what you should do when faced with this decision.
1. Do You Love the Appearance of the Garage Door?
If you already have a working garage door and you love its appearance, it may be hard to think of replacing it. After all, if the style works for your home, it can be harder to find something new that you love.
If your door has a few minor issues or needs a little bit of updating, your best bet will likely be to repair it instead of replacing it. You could simply replace some of the hardware, give it a new coat of paint, upgrade your opener, or give it a good cleaning and your door will be as good as new. These things, combined with some basic maintenance, will keep the garage door you love going for a long time. If this sounds like your case, then hold off on the replacement and opt for some maintenance instead.
Summary: If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.
2. What’s Your Budget?
Money is a huge factor for things like this. Getting your garage door replaced can be very expensive. It could pay off in the long run, however. A garage door replacement has a 91.1% ROI for the Atlanta GA area, according to the 2022 Cost v. Value Report. That’s the second highest score for home improvement projects! Nationally, a garage door replacement is the #1 home improvement project, with a 93.3% ROI. This means that a full replacement could add to your home’s value if you’re looking to sell.
On the other hand, getting an upgrade for your garage door is costly upfront. If your garage door only has minor issues, you have a lower budget, and/or you’re not looking to sell your home in the near future, a garage door repair might be a better option. If, however, you have extensive damage, a higher budget, and/or are looking at potentially selling your home, a garage door replacement might be a great option for you!
If a whole replacement seems outside of your budget, you can always opt for replacing builder-grade equipment with high-end hardware. This will help extend the life of the garage door and its parts. It will also dramatically reduce the noise of the door when it’s operating!
Summary: Short-term spending for long-term payoff.
3. Have You Considered the Opener?
Is your opener the problem? We get a lot of customers who blame the door when the opener is the issue. If your garage door is stuck, won’t open, or opens slowly, the problem may not actually be with the garage door. The garage door opener could be to blame.
If you suspect your opener is what’s causing you issues, there are a few things you can look for.
- Try restarting your garage door opener.
- Try changing the batteries in the remote.
- Try clearing any debris away from the garage door sensors.
If these don’t work, try to manually open your garage door. If you’re able to, then the problem is likely with the opener. If not, a technician will have to examine your garage door.
The only way to really tell this is to hire a professional to inspect your garage door and opener. The technician will be able to tell you if the opener’s to blame and whether or not it can be repaired if that’s the case. In some situations, it may be time to invest in a new garage door opener. This is still cheaper and less of a hassle than replacing a garage door.
Summary: The door might not be to blame.
4. Is Curb Appeal Important?
Curb appeal is definitely something you’ll want to consider when making the decision to repair or replace. If your current garage door is worn-out, faded, and just looks outdated all around, it might be time to get an upgrade. This will not only help the garage door to work better, but it will also enhance your curb appeal and market value.
If you want your home to look good on the outside, then a replacement is definitely the way to go. There are a lot of modern and carriage house garage door styles that will instantly enhance your home. Browse some ideas for a new look here.
Summary: Looks do matter.
5. Are Panels Damaged?
The final thing to consider is whether or not the panels are damaged. If you have damaged sections with cracks, dents, or water damage, you could potentially replace just the damaged parts. This will, of course, depend on the extent of the damage.
If you have minor damage contained to just one panel, you should be able to get a panel replacement. This is a lot cheaper and more simple than replacing the whole door. With all the new technology and materials, we’ll be able to match the material, style, and color of the new panel so that it seamlessly blends in.
On the other hand, if there is heavy damage that spreads across a wide portion of your garage door, it may be wiser to go ahead and replace the whole thing. If several panels need replacing, it’s most likely cheaper to do the whole door at once.
Summary: What’s the damage?
Contact Us for Garage Door Repair or Replacement
There you have it, our top five tips to help you determine if you need to repair or replace your garage door! Still not positive on what to do? That’s okay! Give us a call and we’ll have one of our expert technicians inspect your garage door and help you determine what the best option is for your home and budget. Don’t wait, call Aaron Overhead Doors today!
