Having one of your garage door panels replaced is one of the most expensive garage door fixes and can cost you anything between $250 to $800, depending on the length and material. Replacing the panel with problems is still a cheaper alternative to replacing the whole garage door, costing an upward of $1000 (including labor and materials). However, this is not always the case. Sometimes, replacing the whole garage door makes more economic sense than replacing the problematic panels, especially if they are multiple. It’s always best to involve qualified technicians from a trusted garage door repair company for expert advice on the best choice for your particular situation before committing yourself financially.
This article will look at what you should consider when deciding to replace a section or the whole of your garage door following structural damage. Read on!
- The Age of your Garage Door
The age of your garage door is a critical aspect to consider when deciding to replace a panel or the whole garage door. Most roller garage doors Essex are designed to last between 20 to 30 years.. If your garage door is more than 20 years old and has damaged one of its panels, the best option may be to replace it. The high chances are that you may have to replace it entirely in a few years to come anyway; hence investing in costly repairs like panel replacement may not be a prudent decision.
A new door will also come with a modernized appearance that will match the look and style of your home compared with the aging one. However, age is not always a determining factor in garage door replacement. Some garage doors manufactured 20 to 30 years ago are still strong and working perfectly well with no signs of imminent failure, especially those maintained well over the years. It’s best to get a thorough inspection done by an expert on every aspect of your garage door’s working mechanism to help you make a sound choice on your replacement options.
2. The Cause and Extent of Damage
Another primary consideration to base your decision on whether to replace a panel or the whole door is the extent of damage suffered. A handyperson can quickly straighten out small-level damages from minor impact collisions. Suppose the damage led to several other issues, such as multiple panel damage, weird noises, jerky operations, and any other underlying issues. In that case, it might be best to upgrade to a new door.
Damages that severely affect the functionality of the garage door system may be costly to repair and recurrent. It may be much better to make a one-time complete door replacement to solve the issue once and secure your home.
3. Panel Vs. Entire Garage Door Replacement Costs
The total costs associated with replacing a panel or the whole door are crucial factors in your final decision. It’s a no-brainer that it’s way more sound to get a new machine when the costs of repairing exceed or come closer to buying a new one, be it a car or a garage door system. Replacing one panel is a viable alternative if the rest of the garage door is in good working condition. You can also replace multiple garage door panels; However, in most cases involving multiple panels, it’s more sensible to have a new door altogether as the costs will almost be the same.
4. The Availability of Matching Replacement Panels
Before deciding on replacing a section of your garage door, you’d first want to ensure that there are matching replacement panels for your particular door type. You can easily find matching parts for a relatively new garage door, but you might not be as lucky for older doors. A failure to find matching replacement panels may limit your option to get a new garage door installed. The easiest way to find out if there are matching spare panels for your garage door is by contacting the garage door company that installed the door to ask the manufacturer if they still have matching panels.
Alternatively, you can install a panel as similar as possible to the others and have it painted to match them.
5. You’re Aiming at Reducing Energy Costs
Sometimes homeowners replace their garage doors without severe damage to reduce energy costs. Older garage doors may add significantly to the overall energy bill as they are likely not to have adequate insulation. A damaged panel may give you the motivation to overhaul the old garage door system for a newer and energy-efficient door system.
