Most homeowners don’t spend much time thinking about their garage doors — until something goes wrong. One of the most common reasons homeowners end up needing garage door repair is damage to the outer door.
If you find yourself with a damaged door, you may wonder whether it’s better to replace a single panel or the entire door. There are several factors to consider before making a decision.
Cost
In most cases, when there’s damage to a garage door, the easiest and most cost-effective way to fix the problem is by replacing the damaged panel or panels rather than the whole door.
Replacing a panel, or even several, is usually a fraction of the cost of investing in a whole new door. It also takes less time and results in less waste, which can all contribute to the cost.
Extent of Damage
If a single panel is damaged, it probably doesn’t make sense to replace the whole door. If more than half of the panels are damaged, however, it’s a different story.
While replacing panels is generally more cost-effective, expenses can add up quickly if you’re replacing a large number of them. If the majority of the panels need to be replaced, you may be better off replacing the entire door rather than trying to fix each panel separately.
Age of Door
When homeowners sustain damage to their garage doors, it’s usually a good time to assess the door as a whole.
If your door is nearing the end of its life, it may be best to replace it rather than tinkering with individual panels. The latter option doesn’t make much financial sense if you’re just going to end up replacing the entire door a short time later.
Other Factors
Other factors might also influence your decision, such as the availability of replacement panels or the prospect of a new garage door that adds value to your home. Some homeowners simply want to change the look of their home and use the need for garage door repair as an opportunity to implement aesthetic enhancements.
Trust Larry Myers Garage Doors for Your Garage Door Needs
Larry Myers Garage Doors has decades of experience in the industry and can help you make a decision that’s right for you. Whether you have minor damage to a new door or catastrophic damage to an antique door, we can help. Contact us today to learn more.