This may seem simplistic, but there are many reasons why a homeowner may need a replacement garage door. You may be wondering if we really need to devote an entire blog article to the topic, and we’re here to say, “Yes, we do need to.” Why? Because one of your primary responsibilities as a homeowner is to keep your house in good working order and condition. As such, when aspects, features, parts, and entry points in your home need to be repaired or replaced, you should not delay.
Of course, when you change aspects of your home, consider that changing a garage door, window, or changing paint color on your home will change its entire style. If you change one thing, do you need to change more? Your garage door is a critical component of your home. It not only serves functionality and security, but it also plays an important role in aesthetics. Garage doors are major investment. And even though a quality garage door should last a long time, they do not last forever. There is certainly a myriad of reasons why you may need a replacement garage door. Let’s have a closer look.
1. You’ve Damaged It
This may be the most obvious reason of all. There are so many different ways a garage door can be damaged. Most of us immediately think of running into it with our car. And yet, there are other ways the garage door can be damaged. If you have windows, hard objects slamming into the window could break or crack the glass. In the end, it may not even be you. It could be neighborhood kids playing baseball in the street. There are plenty of neighborhoods in Akron, Canton, Cuyahoga Falls, and other Northeast Ohio cities and towns where kids still take to the street and play. An errant baseball could easily do some damage to your garage door.
The danger is multiplied if you have a glass garage door. They are beautiful but could be more prone to damage. Just make sure you get a professional opinion. In some cases, damage can be repaired or panels replaced, rather than replacing the entire garage door.
2. It’s Really Old
Everything wears down. Everything gets old. From humans to cars, buildings, clothing, food – even stars. That we know of, nothing lasts forever. Your garage door and its components are just the same. Physical components, nuts, bolts, wires, cords, springs, and rollers are all examples of components that wear over time. And the more you open your garage door, the more wear you put on it. If you are parking your car in it and entering and exiting it every day, it will wear faster.
Garage doors are one of the most frequently replaced large components of a home. Still, they will last a long time if taken care of. Your typical garage door warranty runs three to five years, but if kept up, they last much, much longer. Some garage doors last a decade or more. Warranties won’t cover them that long, but some can last that long.
3. You Need More Security
If you live in an older home, you may not have the most secure garage door when compared to newer models. And thieves aren’t waiting for you to get a more secure garage door. They are ready to break in right now. So, what do old garage doors lack? Well, for one, many old-style residential garage doors do not have multi-point locking systems. Modern garage doors are also outfitted with a minimum of two internal locks and can be optioned for more. A Euro profile cylinder lock prevents thieves from drilling open the main garage door lock. Other garage doors use locking rods instead of cables. Locking rods are incredibly difficult for bad guys to bypass. What’s the most secure garage door type? Rolling garage doors. They are the most secure, simply by virtue of their design.
4. Safety Features Are Lacking
If there is one thing just as important as security, it’s safety. Like all useful inventions, automated garage doors come with risks so dangerous they could take someone’s life. Nearly ten years ago, 30,000 injuries a year were caused by garage door accidents. Now we have technologies to lower those numbers.
Modern garage doors come with lots of safety features. Motion detection is one such example. When a vehicle or person crosses the path of a motion detection sensor, the garage lights turn on and any garage door motion is halted or reversed. Manual control is another important modern safety feature. A manual control cord is an emergency feature that works by disconnecting the door from the opener. The fact is that many old garage doors did not have these features. New ones do and you’ll have peace of mind knowing your family is safe by investing in a replacement garage door with enhanced safety features.
5. Curb Appeal Could Be Better
Are you ready for a replacement garage door that boosts your home’s curb appeal? The choice now goes beyond whether traditional or modern design. Today, you can choose from a multitude of materials, such as wood, steel, aluminum, fiberglass, and aluminum. There are different types of window panes, horizontal relief patterns, vertical lines and patterns, and barn door-style cross beams available for option. Whether you prefer a modern look with lots of glass panels or a traditional wood-grain look, make a statement that says, “Welcome to my home.”
Also, consider color when modifying or switching up your garage door. But remember, you don’t need to match your garage door color with your front door color. In fact, most designers will tell you that you shouldn’t match them. Your garage doors should serve a neutral function. Whatever your house is finished in – whether brick, wood, or otherwise – make sure you pick a color for your garage door that makes it disappears so your front door can be highlighted.
Now that you’ve read through the list, are you ready for a replacement garage door? Give us a call and we’ll come out and provide you with an honest, thorough, and transparent consultation regarding your replacement garage door needs!