Many homeowners take advantage of the reliability of their garage door, expecting the door and opener to operate optimally for a lifetime. Homeowners know how long the roof should last, but most people don’t know when to replace a garage door. With proper maintenance and care, you can avoid garage door replacement and expect your garage door to last a minimum of 15 years.
The Lifespan of a Garage Door
While garage door warranties vary, many manufacturers offer a warranty for their products for typically three years. How long your garage door will last largely depends on daily usage, but also depends on the construction, door quality, maintenance, and local climate. With these considerations, most doors will last 15 to 30 years. Garage door openers should reliably perform for 10 to 15 years.
Another component that affects the longevity of a garage door is the torsion and extension springs — largely responsible for the smooth opening and closing of your garage door. The torsion springs are located above the door when it is closed and the extension springs run along the side of the horizontal tracks. Like the breaks in a car, the springs are usually the first thing that breaks and need to be replaced, but when replaced, it can last another 10,000 cycles or more. The spring lifespan is measured in garage door cycles, which is the one-time opening and closing of the door. A standard spring is designed to operate for 10,000 cycles, however, there are high cycle options that a spring can last 100,000 cycles or more.
The life expectancy of a 10,000-cycle spring translates to these approximate daily usages:
- Two times daily should last about 13-14 years
- Four times daily should last about 6-7 years
- Six times daily should last about 4-5 years
- Eight times daily should last about 3 years
If your spring breaks, it is usually a good time to replace the other moving parts on the door, assuming your sections or panels are in good condition.
When to Replace an Old Garage Door
By updating your garage door, you can also improve your daily functionality and add curb appeal and style to your home. Garage door replacement tops the list of home improvements with the best return on investment at resale, but homeowners hoping to get the biggest bang for their buck need to invest their upgrade dollars wisely by choosing a design that fits the architectural style and price point of their home. Findings in REMODELING magazine’s 2019 Cost vs. Value Report show that replacing a garage door not only improves a home’s curb appeal, but the project also generates the best return-on-investment (ROI) when it comes to recouping cost at resale. With proper maintenance, your garage door typically only needs to be replaced every 15 to 30 years, but if you’re unsure if it’s time to replace your garage door, consider:
- Cosmetic issues like peeling paint, warping, cracking, or holes
- Check if aluminum doors have noticeable dents and dings
- Does the garage door sag
- If the door shakes or is noisy during normal operation
- If the garage door is slow to respond
- Are you making frequent repairs or noticing broken or rusted parts?
If you’re still not sure when to replace a garage door, call the Overhead Door Company of Charleston to find out more about the lifespan of your garage door or to upgrade your door today.