If you have an older garage door, eventually you will need to ask yourself whether repair or replacement is the better option. The following can help you make an informed decision.

1. Weight Issues

Some older doors, particularly those made of wood, can be quite heavy. This is a pain if you have to open the door manually, and even some automatic openers have issues with heavier doors. If the door is in good condition and attractive, it may be worthwhile to update to an automatic opener that can handle the weight. Otherwise, replacing it with a lighter, more modern door is the better option.

2. Poor Insulation

Insulated doors are the industry norm these days, but this wasn't always the case. If you have a detached garage, then the overhead door can lead to a lot of energy loss in your home if it isn't well insulated. Some older door designs can be insulated with the use of special insulation panels. You will need to ask a repair service if this is an option for your door, then compare the cost of insulating the old door to the cost of installing a new insulated door.

3. Panel Damage

Some damage is easy to repair. For example, if there is peeling paint on a wood door or a small dent in a metal door, it makes more sense to have the door repaired. On the other hand, rotting wood, rusty metal, or cracked vinyl usually can't be repaired successfully, so replacing the door is the better option.

4. Warped Door

Wood doors are the most prone to warping and sagging. It is often a side effect of rot and moisture causing the boards to swell and the wood fibers to weaken. Usually, a warped door needs to be replaced. The only time this may not be the case is if the door is sagging due to failed hardware issues. In this case, the hardware can be repaired or replaced as long as the panels aren't damaged.

5. Outdated Design

A door may work well, but the design may be outdated and detracting from the curb appeal of your home. Before replacing the door, consider whether a new coat of paint is enough to update it. If not, then replacing the door with a more modern design may be worth the expense.

Contact an overhead door repair service to see if your door can be repaired or if getting a replacement is the only option.

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