Your residential garage door isn’t just another piece of mechanical equipment on your house; it’s the gateway to your home. It’s the last thing you see when you leave for the day and the first thing you see to welcome you home when you return.
If your garage door has become worn in some way, it can be an eyesore. If it’s become damaged, it can affect your ability to easily get in and out of your garage. In either of these cases, garage door panel replacement might be in order..
Let’s explore why this might be necessary, and how to replace a garage door panel.
Table Of Content
1. Garage Door Panel Replacement or Replace the Entire Garage Door?
2. What Are Some Warning Signs for Replacing a Garage Door Panel?
3. How Do Garage Door Inside Panels Get Damaged?
4. How to Replace a Garage Door Panel?: Next Steps
5. Ready to Get Your Garage Door Panels Replaced?
Garage Door Panel Replacement or Replace the Entire Garage Door?
The answer to this question completely depends on the current state of your garage door. With your door closed, take a visual survey of its condition from both the inside and the outside.
If the entire door is badly worn, faded in an unsightly manner, heavily damaged, or completely non-functional, you may have to get the whole garage door replaced.
However, in many cases, the wear or damage is localized to a specific area or two. That means you’ll likely be able to get the damaged garage door’s inside panels replaced instead of the entire door itself. Getting individual garage door sections replaced is generally much more cost-effective than getting a completely new door.
In some cases, however, getting a single garage door replaced entirely is the right choice. If integral, structural components of the door are irreparably damaged, a whole new door might be in order. Or, if you decide you’d rather invest in a higher-quality door that will look beautiful and last longer, you might choose to scrap your old door and get a new one.
In this case, we invite you to visit our showroom to find the best garage door for your house.
We’re located at 171 S. 18th Street, Sparks, NV 89431, and we’d love to help you find a great new garage door.
What Are Some Warning Signs for Replacing a Garage Door Panel?
If your garage door is showing signs of wear and tear, it might be time to consider replacing a garage door panel. A damaged panel not only compromises the aesthetics of your home, but also affects the security and functionality of your garage.
Here are some of the most common warning signs we see that indicate that garage door panel replacement might be necessary:
- Sagging Wood: One of the most common indicators of a failing garage door panel is sagging wood. Over time, the weight of the door can cause the panels to warp or bend, creating an uneven appearance. This not only affects the door’s functionality, but also poses a safety risk.
- Splintered Wood: If you notice splintered or cracked wood on your garage door panel, it’s a clear sign that it’s time for a replacement. Splinters can be sharp and dangerous, especially if you have children or pets around.
- Gaps between Panels: Gaps between panels are a telltale sign of trouble. They can allow pests, dirt, and moisture to enter your garage, potentially damaging your belongings. Additionally, if you see gaps between the door and the ground or between the door and the sidewalls of the garage, it may indicate that the panel isn’t aligned properly.
- Extremely Faded Color: Faded or peeling paint is more than just a cosmetic concern. It can indicate that the panel’s protective layer is compromised, leaving the wood vulnerable to rot and further damage. In short, if your garage door has lost its vibrant color, it’s time to consider a replacement.
- Significant Dings or Dents: Dings and dents may seem minor, but they can affect the door’s structural integrity. Over time, they can worsen and make it more difficult for the door to function smoothly.
- Inefficient Opening or Closing: If your garage door struggles to open or close, frequently gets stuck, or makes unusual noises, it’s a sign that the panels may be damaged or misaligned. These issues can not only cause inconvenience, but also compromise the safety and security of your garage.
In the best-case scenario, replacing a garage door panel alone might do the trick to fix your issue. Or, you might simply need new garage door hardware or other garage door parts if it’s a functionality problem. Only in cases of extreme wear or damage is an entirely new door usually necessary.
How Do Garage Door Inside Panels Get Damaged?
Though most people use their garage doors every day, regular wear and tear isn’t typically the culprit for damaged panels. Garage doors and garage door hardware are built to last for years.
In fact,replacing a garage door panel becomes necessary only if they have suffered some sort of direct assault. This type of damage enough to affect the aesthetics or functioning of the door might come from a car-related impact. If a car backs into the door while it’s fully or partially closed, a dent will likely be the result. Objects that are left in the door’s path when it closes can also be at fault, especially if it’s the bottom section that’s in need of repair. If a bicycle, trash can, or other large object obstructs the door’s closing, damage can result as well.
The impact of the aforementioned events can cause localized harm to garage door sections, but there is another type of damage that can lead to the need for replacement. Garage doors separate the inside of your garage from the elements, which means they can suffer significant wear over time from weathering.
A wood garage door especially can be prone to color fading from the sun, and cracking or sagging from long-term exposure to heavy moisture. Again, if this damage is fairly localized, you can get by with the more cost-effective solution of just replacing a panel or two instead of the entire door.
This brings us to the next question:how to replace a garage door panel? Let’s find out.
How to Replace a Garage Door Panel?: Next Steps
DIY panel replacement isn’t recommended for the average homeowner. The task can be frustrating, time-consuming, and even dangerous for someone who doesn’t have the proper training. Plus, if the new panel doesn’t fit perfectly with the existing panels, it could render your entire door non-functional.
An experienced garage-door specialist can also ensure that the final product looks aesthetically pleasing, which is important for homeowners who prioritize curb appeal. They can make sure the new panels match the old ones in color and sheen, which is difficult or even impossible for an amateur to get right.
Professionals like the ones at Thompson Garage Doors can also perform a thorough inspection to make sure there’s no other part of the door that needs fixing. They can check your garage door springs and even components like your keypad or garage door opener to ensure they’re in good working order, too. That way, they’ll leave you with doors that will be functional and nice-looking for years to come.
Ready to Get Your Garage Door Panels Replaced?
If your home is located in the Northern Nevada or Northern California area, Thompson Garage Doors is your local expert. Give us a call at (775) 356-6601 today. Whether you need a single panel replacement or an entire garage door installation, we’d be happy to use our decades of expertise to help.
