The Dos and Don'ts of Garage Door Panel Repair

Are you wondering how to repair a garage door panel? If you’re tired of looking at that broken or dented panel, you may be thinking about replacing it yourself. Learning how to fix a dented garage door panel is a matter of following a few steps. Just make sure to keep some safety precautions in mind. Dented panels can be relatively easy and straightforward, especially for experienced DIYers. However, certain cases require professional intervention. Read on to discover when repairing a panel on your own is ideal and when it’s best to call the pros.

Small-to-Medium-Sized Dents

The easiest panel problems that can be solved on your own include small dents and stripped paint. Dents can typically be hammered out, sanded, and repainted. However, this technique only works on aluminum garage doors and some steel doors. Other materials may require replacement garage door panels. Determining how many layers of paneling your garage door has will also affect how you will repair small to medium-sized dents.

Many aluminum garage doors have 2 layers: a hollow Pan door and some Styrofoam insulation. For these kinds of doors, pushing the dent out from inside of your garage should fix the dent. For more sophisticated garage doors, like a 3-layer construction, even the smallest dents must be repaired by professionals. This is due to the multi-layered nature of the door.

Large Dents and Cracks

When it comes to garage door panel repair, large dents and cracks typically require a full replacement. Standard garage doors made out of aluminum or steel must be removed from the track prior to removing the old panel and sliding in the new one. However, you should not attempt to do this on your own if you are inexperienced. Improper removal and installation can result in lopsided opening and closing and ultimately, it will impair operability. If you choose to do it yourself, make sure you have another person available to help you lower the door and align it properly.

If you need new wooden garage door panels, we recommend consulting with a professional in order to get the perfect match. Due to their weight, wooden panels are more difficult to install than standard materials.

At Larry Myers Garage Doors, we specialize in panel replacement. Whether you want your garage door to look like new again or want a fresh look for your home, we invite you to contact us today for a free consultation!