The one item that wouldn’t be in your garage sale is your old garage door. Who would want it? It creaks, doesn’t lock properly and is showing signs of rot around the edges.
You might get one more year out of if you’re lucky. On the other hand, it might be best to strike while the iron’s hot. Here are the tell-tale signs that will let you know that it’s time to say, ‘Out with the old and in with the new!’
1. Some Serious Sagging
Wooden garage doors are especially prone to sagging. To stop this from happening they need to be regularly maintained. If not, they’ll soon start to deteriorate and sag often due to rot.
You can run the risk of your wooden garage door cracking and becoming damaged over time. Paint can peel away, the wood can start to splinter, and it can spoil the overall look of the garage as a whole.
Even if your garage door isn’t wooden, it could still begin to sag. That means there’s an underlying issue. You should always seek professional advice at this point.
If the garage door needs replacing you might want to consider a custom-built roll-up variety. They offer great security against burglary. You can read more about them on this blog post.
2. Persistent Noise or Rattling
If your garage door makes a noticeable and unusual noise when opening and closing, it could be time to replace it. The same applies if the door shakes when you open or close it.
Repairs for these sorts of issues can be expensive. Even once fixed, the same problems could well return at some point in the future. Occasional garage door malfunctions are normal and can be fixed by garage door repair experts.
However, if you notice repeated breakdowns from age or normal wear and tear, you should consider replacing the door. Put the money you’d spend on repairs toward a new door instead.
Security Risk
A garage door that does not work well is also a security risk. The door might not provide the required protection for your vehicles and any possessions you store in the garage.
It might make more financial sense to invest in a new garage door when these issues crop up. If you decide to stick with your old problematic door, sooner or later the cost of any repairs will outweigh what it costs to buy a new door.
3. An Old Garage Door Is Less Efficient
Older garage doors don’t tend to have as good functionality as their modern counterparts. They may not have the best safety features, for example.
This could include things like having insufficient weather strips, bottom seals, and sealing joints. These are essential to keep the wind at bay and reduce the risk of weather damage.
4. Avoid Unnecessary Injuries
In the past, there have been around thirty thousand injuries each year caused by accidents with garage doors. Many of these incidents involved children.
A significant number of children have even died or suffered permanent brain damage in such accidents. These occurrences could involve faulty automatic garage door systems. They can cause the door to close unexpectedly.
You should check regularly to ensure your door closes the whole way. Ensure that its automatic reverse mechanism is being triggered as it should be. If you don’t, the door could be a danger to you, your family and pets.
The most modern doors can detect motion. This reduces the risk of you or a loved one getting their hands or feet stuck in a closing door.
5. The Design is Outdated
If you live in an old house with character, then your garage door may be an aesthetic match. Even so, it might be time for a rethink. Modern garage doors can complement all sorts of architectural designs.
Garage door windows come in many styles such as antique, arch-shaped and printed glass.
A lovely property can be badly let down by an unattractive old garage door. The doors are large in size so they tend to be very noticeable. They can make up a significant portion of the house’s facade.
Spruce up the front of your house up with a beautifully designed garage door. If you’re thinking of selling your home then this will add value to it. Remember, an old, creaking garage door could put potential buyers off.
Installing a new garage door shows that you’re taking care of your home. That’s a very attractive image to present to anyone who may be considering buying your home.
6. The Door is Difficult to Close and Open
Has the garage door has been gradually getting harder to close and open in one movement? If so, then it may not be worth your time or hard-earned cash to fix up. When the problem gets worse over time, it also starts to get irritating.
You don’t want to get your day off to a bad start every day of the week. That can happen if you’re having to struggle to close and lock the garage door every time you set off on your daily commute.
7. Your Garage Is Going to Be Multi-Functional
It could be that you’re considering converting your garage into another living space. At this point, you might want to consider changing the door. Modern garage doors come in some great contemporary designs.
You could go for some stylish tinted glass windows with aluminum frames which could feature in your new garage door. You could go for a clean, sleek look or repeat metals and styles in the hardware used on door and its windows.
You could match the color of the door with the exterior of the house for a consistent look. That’s not a golden rule though. If you want a different color, research those which are going to complement each another.
It’s Time to Splash out on a New Garage Door
An old garage door can make or break the look of your property. It could also be a security issue. It might also provide insufficient protection against severe weather conditions. If so, then it’s time to invest in a new garage door.
Read more articles about useful home improvement tips on our site.
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