A garage door is a necessity for most homes, but there comes a time when it’s more of an annoying safety hazard than anything. It’s during these times that it may be best to ditch the garage door and get a new one.
Before you decide to go this route, there are a few questions you should ask yourself for example, is the door sagging? is it making unsettling noises? Or do you want to trade it in for one with a technology upgrade?
In this article, we’re going to go over these signs and more so you know if your garage door isn’t living up to standards.
1. Sagging
When wood starts to deteriorate and rot, it can start to sag. There are a number of reasons why this could happen. Maybe you aren’t maintaining it properly, or maybe the weather has finally gotten the best of it.
Even if the door isn’t wooden there is still a chance it could sag which means you have a pretty large issue. A Sagging door is a safety hazard so you’ll want to get the door replaced as soon as you can.
2. It’s Creating a Lot of Noise
When your door is starting to wear out it will start to creak, vibrate, and make more unsettling noises. This doesn’t mean you have to replace it right away but it is annoying.
Not only is it annoying but it means there is an issue going on that may cost a hefty amount to get fixed. If this is the case, it’s probably cheaper just to get the whole thing replaced.
3. Cracked and Rotted Wood
Not only can wooden doors deteriorate, but they can also start to crack and rot over time too with the weather. This could cause the doors to sag over time, it can cause splinters, and just be an eyesore in general.
Paint will start to peel on down the road. When this happens you can liven up the door you have now, or get a new one. Keep in mind that any repairs you do will be temporary. Wind and elements eventually wear the door down.
4. There is a Safety Issue
Older garage doors just don’t come with the same safety features that newer ones have. Newer garage doors are equipped with an eye. This eye is able to detect when something is under the door and prevent it from closing all the way.
This makes the door safer because it stops it from closing on you, a family member, or a pet. If safety is something that you start to worry about, then it might be time to trade your door in for a younger model.
5. It’s Lacking in Appearance
Every bit of your home contributes to your overall curb appeal. If you notice that your neighbors have really nice doors, it may be time for you to upgrade and add property value to your home.
Vintage items can add an interesting flair to a home, but not when it doesn’t match the look of the house. If your home looks fairly modern but your garage door is stuck in the stone ages, it just won’t mesh up well.
6. It’s a Pain to Close and Open it
The point of having a garage door is that you’re able to easily open it, park your car, and get access to your home. If it’s difficult to do that, then why have one at all?
Unless you already had a new discount garage door installed, there is no point in fixing issues like these. You might as well get a new one that you’ll enjoy looking at more on a daily basis.
7. Speed
For obvious safety reasons, your garage door isn’t going to fly open at the press of a button. It could hurt someone if they are standing too close. Even so, the door should at least start to open as soon as you press the button.
If you’re left waiting several moments for the door to open, this could be easy to fix like a faulty wire, or the batteries in your remote wearing out. If it’s not one of these simple solutions, then it may be too expensive to repair, thus you’ll need a new door.
8. Outdated Technology
Are you driving down the neighborhood feeling envious of all the neat garage doors everyone else on the street has? Then it might be time to upgrade your garage door so you can take advantage of this newer technology.
Rolling Codes
Rolling codes make it harder for burglars to get into your home. Older garage doors use the same code every single time the radio signal goes from your remote to the garage door to open it. This means these numbers can be identified and used without your knowledge.
Rolling codes means that a new code is used every single time so someone has to go through a lot more trial and error to get the right one.
Backup Battery
Imagine this, you come home with a car full of groceries during the middle of a terrible storm. You attempt to open your garage door and can’t. This is because you have an older model that can’t open during a power outage.
Newer garage doors have a backup battery source so even during the worst storms, you can still get in and out of your garage.
An Outside Keypad
If you’re depending on a key to open your garage this only isn’t safe but it’s also easy for you to get locked out. Imagine if you accidentally lock your key somewhere, you won’t be able to get back into your garage. Also, a garage key can easily be swiped.
You know what can’t be swiped? A code to the keypad on your garage door. Also, if you lose your key somewhere it won’t be as tragic because you can use your code to get into the garage. Having an outside keypad is just more convenient.
Make it Smarter
While you’re deciding to upgrade your garage door, why not opt for making it a little smarter. No matter what smart device you use, there will be an opener available to you, and it’s pretty neat.
You’ll have access to voice commands, the door will be able to recognize your vehicle, and you can schedule it to open and close. This means, you don’t have to worry about forgetting to close it, and you can have it scheduled to open for guests.
Speaking of guests, if you have a friend or family member pop up for a visit while you’re at the store or work, you can use your smartphone to open it from where ever you are. If you’re really worried about security, most of them have a camera that you’ll have access to as long as you have an internet connection. You’ll know first thing if someone tries to break in.
9. Functionality is Lacking
No matter what material your garage door is made of, it’s bound to suffer wear and tear over time. This could be anything from dents, to a spring breaking down. You shouldn’t have to worry about your door just not working.
If you have to wonder if the garage door is going to function everytime you get home and it breaks down often, then those are clear signs that it’s time to replace the door with a newer model.
10. Your Power Bill is Suddenly More Expensive
Did you get your power bill this month and clutch your chest in agony? This might be because the garage door is breaking down.
When the insulation and weather stripping on your door starts to wear out it will let more wind and other elements through. This means, your house has to work harder to cool or heat your home.
Another reason your power bill could go up is the door is using more power to try to function. The more power it exerts, the more you’ll pay.
Reasons to Say Good Bye to the Garage Door and Get a New One
The garage door is an essential part of your home in most cases. It acts as a second line of defense against burglars and can add character to your house. Problems occur when it’s no longer doing those things, however. It’s time to get with the times and update that outdated door.
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