How Long Should a Garage Door Last?

Many homeowners place reliability among their top priorities when it comes to selecting garage doors. With such a wide range of options in the market, it can be difficult to know what products are best for your property, but longevity will inevitably be a key factor in the decision-making process. 

Many manufacturers provide warranties on their garage doors, but these vary. These days, garage doors are built to last, and while how long they last depends on how often you use them, most garage doors should perform well for at least 15 years, with quality products lasting up to 30 years. 

Quality, maintenance, climate and construction are all factors that play a part in the longevity of a garage door, and in this article, we’ll explore what you can do to ensure it lasts longer, as well as identifying the signs you should be looking out for that indicate it needs replacing.   

How to maintain my garage door

Before we take a look at when you should start thinking about replacing garage doors, let’s first turn our attention to garage door maintenance. Properly maintaining your garage door can add years to its life, keeping it performing at its best and enhancing reliability.

Regular maintenance will not only help you prolong the life of your garage doors, but also spot any potential problems early so that they don’t become bigger issues. 

Types of maintenance that you should be carrying out include: 

• Pulleys and cables – give them a look over to make sure they’ve not become frayed, torn or damaged in any way. If they have, get in touch with your garage door supplier who can repair and replace.

• Tracks and rollers – check these components for any dust or debris. These parts of the door collect these things quite easily, so be sure to give them a good brush every so often to remove them.

• Bolts – the tracks that garage doors run on can become loose over time, so be sure to check all your doors bolts and tighten them if necessary. 

• Lubrication – tracks, hinges, springs and rollers come under significant stress when constantly opened and closed, and lubricating these areas will help them run smoothly. You can purchase garage door lubricants at your local hardware or DIY shop.     

As well as these checks that you can do yourself, we also recommend calling upon the services of a professional at least twice a year, and at SAA Industrial & Garage Door Specialist, we offer an extensive repair and servicing offering that ensures your garage doors continue to perform at their best.  

When should I replace my garage doors?

While regular maintenance is certain to help prolong the life of your garage doors, there will be times when a full replacement is necessary. 

There are a number of things to keep an eye out for that could trigger you to replace a garage door. First and foremost, if its operation and functionality have started to deteriorate. If you notice a shaking, jerky motion or it’s particularly noisy when opening, it may be time to consider a change. Also, if you have an automated garage door and it’s slow to open and close when activated, you may also need a new one. 

Typically, people will consider replacing a garage door if it’s become damaged. Garage doors spend all of their time outside, so are exposed to the elements and wear and tear is common. Minor damage such as rust and paint peeling can be easily repaired, but it’s important to assess the extent of damage before concluding whether a replacement is needed. For example, if its structure has been compromised or the door is unable to open and close correctly, then a replacement is needed.

It’s also important to consider the age and cost of your door. If it’s already significantly old, it may be more cost-efficient to replace it with a new one, especially if repairs are going to be costly. 

Finally, if you’re looking to give your kerb appeal a boost, having a new, modern garage door installed is always a good way to enhance the appearance of your property. 

At SAA Industrial & Garage Door Specialists, our team has a wide range of garage doors that you can choose from. Whether you’re looking for a product for your domestic property or require a secure option for your business, we supply, install and maintain a whole host of garage doors, while the one thing that stays the same is the reliability of our products. Operating throughout Brentwood, Waltham Abbey, Essex and the Greater London area, for more information on what we do get in touch today.