Why it’s Time to ‘Get Off the Fence’ About A New Garage Door

It’s not something you do very often. In fact, you’ll probably change homes more often than you’ll ever get a new garage door. And that longevity is both a blessing and a curse.

The good part is that new garage doors are designed to last a very long time. Despite the fact that they are the largest moving object in your home, door designs, materials and technology have advanced to the point where most homeowners will only need to replace their garage doors once.

But that infrequent need for a new door can be a bit of a problem. Primarily, because it’s done so rarely, most people are very unfamiliar with the process of finding, buying and installing a new garage door – or even when they should start the process.

Instead, they start making subtle ‘adjustments’ in how they use the door. You know – you have to pull up on one side more than the other to make it open. Or you don’t notice the squeak that jars your neighbour awake every morning.

But unknowingly putting up with the ‘characteristics’ of a too-old garage door is still not the most pressing reason to get a new one. Many of Scarborough’s famous bungalows and semi-detached homes were built in the 1950s and 1960s. And, incredibly, many of those homes still have their original garage door.

Even if those doors still work properly, there are good reasons to change them. And if you’re suffering some of the other symptoms we mentioned above, which is why you’re thinking of replacing the door any way, the following points means you no longer have an excuse to avoid getting a new garage door.

1. Reduce Heating and Cooling Costs

Most new garage doors are insulated. And most old garage doors aren’t. Few homeowners understand how much of the house’s heated and cooled air can be lost through an attached garage. Especially if you have a room above the garage, an insulated garage door keeps more of your heated and cooled air where it belongs: inside.

Insulated doors also make your garage quieter; they give you the option to use the garage year-round as a work or recreation space; and they reduce the strain on your car’s engine during cold weather starts.

2. Less Expensive Than You Think

Again, because we don’t replace garage doors often, and simply due to the size of the door (it’s big – it must be really expensive!), most people over-estimate the cost of buying and installing a new door. Prices can vary, but your new door, even one that’s insulated, is probably more affordable than you think and can be installed in a day or less.

3. Smooth Functioning

New garage doors are well-balanced so that it takes very little effort to open and close them. Homeowners who have needed to replace their garage door openers often don’t realize it’s because the door is old and doesn’t move smoothly. That puts extra strain on the opener and reduces its life. So a new door will either save your back, or your garage door opener.

4. More Curb Appeal

Garage doors are the largest single feature on your home and can account for up to 40% of its look. In other words, installing a new door can be like re-doing a large part of the front of your home. Not only does that increase your home’s curb appeal, but, if you ever sell your home, you can bet that the old rusting door that you’ve been nursing for 20 years will be a huge turn-off for buyers.

If you add the money you can save from reduced energy costs and the increase in home value that a new door can bring, it far outweighs the cost of the door – which, as you now know, is lower than you think.