Chances are, a new garage door isn’t at the top of your list of priorities. And we understand, as long as it opens and closes, people don’t pay that much attention to them.
But we should be paying more attention to them, after all, garage doors are the largest moving object in your home, they represent up to 40% of your home’s façade, and a lot of the time, are used at the main entrance.
So, have a little think about your garage door, if you agree with any of the annoyances listed below, it’s probably time to think about getting a new one.
1. You keep having to get it repaired
If you’re investing a significant amount of money in getting anything repeatedly repaired, it’s generally a good idea to consider replacing it instead. While a new garage door is a large investment, this recent Remodeling Magazine article suggests it’s one of the top three items to invest in, and could earn you up to 91% in ROI.
Although a new garage door might seem like too big an investment, when you look at the bigger picture it is definitely worthwhile. On average, a new garage door will cost $1,650, which is just 0.7% of the value of a $250,000 home.
2. You keep having to repaint it
If you’re spending a lot of time repainting your garage door to cover up flaky paint and rust, you should think about getting an upgrade. After all, we’re sure there are other things you would rather spend your time doing. Nowadays, most metal garage doors come with weather-resistant baked-on paint that require little to no maintenance. Enquire about the type of galvanization used and how many coats of paint have been applied.
3. It just looks ugly
If you’re thinking about selling your home, you’re probably doing everything you can to improve your curb appeal. A garage door takes up to 40% of your home’s façade, so you want it to look nice. If, right now, it sticks out like a sore, ugly thumb, it’s maybe time to consider replacing it.
There are endless models and styles available these days, and you can even add in decorative that match your front door. Any real estate agent will tell you; your house will sell quicker if the garage is attractive.
4. It’s difficult to open and close
You should be able to open your garage door one-handed, so if you’re struggling to lift it, the door is likely not well-balanced or just too heavy. Well-balanced garage doors weigh between 8 and 10 lbs. While your electric garage door opener can open up to 250 lbs., it is only supposed to replace human strength, so if it’s straining to lift a heavy door, it will be bringing it down with just as much force and could cause injury.
5. Defective garage door opener
If you keep having to jump out of your car to manually open the garage door in the rain because your electric garage door opener is faulty, it’s time to look at a new system.
Since 1993, electric door openers have been equipped with rolling codes increasing your security and two automatic reverse systems. You can even now get electric door openers that can be operated from smartphone, so you can open and close your garage door from anywhere in the world.
6. It’s too cold
If you spend a lot of time in your garage and often feel cold, your garage door is likely not well-insulated and weatherproofed. A properly insulated R‑12 level garage door will keep your garage nice and warm, so you can complete your DIY project in comfort.
7. It’s too noisy
There’s nothing worse than that horrible, grinding sound that garage door opening systems sometimes make. The good news is, the source of the sound is probably easily detected, and the majority of the time it’s nothing major. The bad news is, it could be a symptom of something worse and could pose a danger to your family. The best thing to do is to call a specialist for a tune‑up service call.
Are you ready to make an investment?
If you have any questions about the issues mentioned in this blog, give us a call at 607-687-5126. We’ll be more than happy to answer all your questions and can even come out to your home to evaluate the situation.
If you know you want to buy a new garage door, send us a request for an online quote. And why not try out our Design Centre or have a look through our image gallery or inspiration.
Add new comment