There are a few things worse to look at than damaged garage door panels – since your garage doors make up a large portion of your home exterior, cracked or dented garage door panels can cause a big eyesore.
Aside from how it looks, damaged garage door panels could also affect you in a practical sense. Your garage door won’t be able to protect your garage room fully. Outside draft, pests, or wildlife could enter inside. It’s a big security issue as well because anybody could pry the cracked portion easily.
The bottom panel is usually most prone to being worn out. After all, it’s the part most frequently exposed to garage floods, insects like termites, and dirt, among other things.
If your garage door panels look worse for wear, here are a few common questions we’ve answered, so you know what to do when it’s time to replace garage door panels.
When should I replace garage door panels?
Aside from apparent panel damage, there are certain signs that it’s time to call your garage door repair professionals to replace garage door panels:
- Paint is cracked or peeling off easily – it will be unsightly, and chipped paint might contaminate your garage area.
- Garage door panels are rusty – like chipped paint, rust just looks bad and will compromise the durability of your garage door.
- Dings and dents on several panels – you might experience bad weather, hailstones, or just rowdy kids playing football. Any high impact on the garage door panels could cause little dings or dents.
- Panels have been used for more than a decade – it’s perfectly expected that garage doors will wear out. Years of constant use will eventually require new garage door panels to freshen up your property.
- You want a new style – whether you want intricate, carriage-style garage door panels, or stick to contemporary custom doors, garage door panel replacement is a must if you’re changing the look of your garage.
How do I decide if I repair or replace garage door panels?
Again, certain signs point to the need to replace panels, but it depends on your goal and budget. One big consideration is how much damage your panels have. If the rest of the garage door is still in good condition, or if you can deal with minor paint damage or light dings on one side, maybe an entire replacement is too much at this time.
But if you have significant damage on the bottom panels due to car hitting it or storm aftermath, then that’s probably beyond a simple garage door repair. Take note, the panels might not be the only parts damaged. Some of the connected hardware or moving mechanisms may also be affected. In this case, it’s best to have an expert technician check the garage door.
The rule is: if multiple panels are damaged then it’s better to have the entire garage door panel replaced in one go.
Can I replace garage door panels myself?
This is a big no! Every member of the garage door industry will agree to this: do not, under any circumstances, attempt to replace garage door panels by yourself.
Whatever the material, garage door panels are heavy materials and are under tension from the spring mechanism on your door. Anything that goes awry could spell disaster for you – don’t attempt to DIY this garage door repair. Hire a professional service near you instead.
Make sure you discuss with your garage door service what model of door panels you have, the approximate size of panel/s to be replaced, and which section is damaged if it’s the top, midsection, or the bottom part.
How much does it cost to replace garage door panels?
There are a lot of factors that affect cost. For one, it varies depending on the material of your doors and the level of damage. Generally, the average price of a single garage door panel would run about $200-$700, depending on the model and brand.
Of course, doing repairs is the more affordable option – each steel panel is around $130, while wood panels go upwards in the $200 or more. Aluminum and fiberglass panels will knock you at about $150. But if the entire garage door is too worn out, it will be more cost-effective to replace the whole garage door.
Will the new panels match the old ones, or will it look weird?
If you need a single garage door panel replacement, it’s crucial to inform your garage door repair company of the garage door panel manufacturer. They’ll be the ones to research if the same panel is still available. If your doors are no longer in circulation, but there’s an identical panel, repainting the entire garage door could keep everything looking seamless. Consult with your garage door service team which paint formulation is best for the panel.
Let us assist you on garage door panel replacement
Here at Alpine Garage Door Repair, we have years of experience in different garage door panel replacements. Our professionals can assist you with all garage door repair and decision-making for your garage door panel upgrades.
Have any more nagging questions about replacing garage door panels? Get in touch with us today to learn more!