The decision to repair or replace your garage door should be based on whether there is a real need for replacement. Of course, various factors and needs may affect people decision to replace their garage doors instead of repairing them.

If you’re unsure about what to do, you may first want to consider all the possibilities and develop a work plan based on your own goals and budget. While in many cases repairing a garage door makes more sense, replacing it has several benefits. So, apart from the obvious reason that the garage door is no longer repairable, here’s the top 7 reasons and the case for replacing your garage door.

1. Increasing Number of Repairs

Like any mechanical device, repairing broken garage doors might only prolong the equipment’s life for a little longer. Proactively replacing a garage door before frequent breakdowns begin might save you money in the long run and also save you valuable time having to arrange repairs and deal with malfunctions. If you find that the frequency of repairs and corrective maintenance is increasing, you may want to consider replacing your old garage doors.

2. Deteriorated Condition

Garage doors are constantly exposed to the elements, which means that over time, they will start to degrade even when repainted regularly. When you sum up the total costs of repainting or reconditioning your garage doors, replacing them might be a wiser financial decision considering that new doors come freshly painted and with new hardware such as springs, rollers, tracks, cables, etc.

3. Home and Garage Remodel

Remodeling your home may change its appearance, which might not match your existing garage door. If you plan to renovate, remodel, add new siding, replace the windows and front door, replacing the garage door can add significant curb appeal to your home and turn the project into a true success.

4. Maximizing Storage Space

Installing a garage door opener that is mounted on the wall instead of the ceiling, a high lift system to raise the garage door higher and closer to the ceiling, or a low headroom garage door kit can help create additional space and maximize storage in your garage.

5. Increase in Value

If your garage door makes up a large portion of the front of your house, replacing is can increase your home’s value and resale potential. Although the increase in value when installing new garage doors also depends on additional factors, such as the door’s style, finish and materials.

6. Improving Energy Efficiency

Modern insulated garage doors utilize the latest technology and materials. They are made from rigid foam insulation which better helps to improve energy efficiency and lower electricity bills. Older garage door models not only may have been built differently, but also lose their ability to insulate and contain all the heat or cool air in your garage and home over time.

7. Improving Security and Safety

Residential properties account for 67.2% of burglary felonies. According to an FBI report from 2017, there were 2,538,170 reported household break-ins with an average of $2,416 is lost in every break-in. These numbers expect to increase due to growing population and wealth gap. Old garage doors that also malfunction too often are more than just an annoyance, they can be easier to breach due to the lack of modern security features, can pose a potential safety hazard when breakage occurs, and may provide easy access for rodents and other pests.

Is It Worth It to Replace Your Garage Doors?

The average cost of repairing a garage door is $500, while the average cost of an economic garage door replacement is approximately $1600. However, replacing your garage door can repay an average of 88% of the replacement costs in total. A great return on investment compared to other home improvement projects.

Old and beat up garage doors can really stand out, and not in a good way. When chosen wisely, new garage doors have a range of advantages and benefits, including:

• Add character to your home.
• Increase reliability and reduce maintenance costs.
• May reduce the monthly utility bills.
• Improve the original design of your home.
• Increase your home’s security, functionality and value.

The replacement project is relatively inexpensive compared to other remodeling projects and can pay for itself by improving the appearance and value of your property. Although repairing your garage door may cost you less in most cases, modern manufacturing advancements enable door manufacturers to offer a wide range of design options for the residential sector.

For example, full-view garage doors can brighten your garage with natural light and also bring benefits such as resilience to the elements and durability, especially if you live near the beach. New garage doors can also be customized to create a unique design according to specific architectural requirements.

When Should You Repair Your Garage Door?

Repair your garage door when the garage door sections are not heavily damaged, if you’re not planning any significant remodeling projects in the near future, or if you’re simply looking to get your garage door working again without investing in a new installation project.

Evaluate the Cost vs. the Benefit

Think whether the expected benefits of replacing your garage door outweigh the costs and whether the replacement project is financially viable and worthwhile. Here’s how:

• Estimate the total cost of repairs and compare it to the cost of purchasing and replacing your garage door.
• Consider the expected lifespan of the repaired garage door and the potential for other future repairs.
• Assess the benefits of purchasing a new garage door, such as improved reliability, safety, and efficiency.
• Include long-term financial goals and personal preferences in your budget.

The bottom line is that you may want to rethink if new garage doors are really needed, before you make a decision to replace your garage doors instead of repairing them. Consult a licensed garage door repair professional who can evaluate your garage door condition and better help you make the right decision.