8 Ways to Make Your Garage Door Last Longer

You can make your garage door last longer despite frequent use and wear and tear. Maintenance and usage habits are critical variables. A garage door can last up to 30 years when well cared for. Otherwise, its life can be significantly shorter. Here are eight ways to extend the lifespan of your new garage door.

1. Inspect the Garage Door System Regularly

Closely inspect your garage door system at least twice a year. As you do, check for worn springs, cables, pulleys, screws, rollers, and other hardware. Tighten nuts, bolts, and screws as necessary. But if any parts look worn, warped, or cracked or a spring or cable is frayed or broken, call a professional to address it (handling high-tension components yourself is dangerous and can result in injury or death).

2. Use the Door Only As Needed

The more you operate your garage door, the faster parts will wear out. Garage doors last for a finite number of cycles. Only use the door if you’re working in your garage or if you’re exiting or returning with your car. And don’t let children open and close it for fun. If you have an older garage door, try to use it sparingly to get more time out of it.

3. Test the Garage Door’s Balance

To test the balance, pull the garage door opener’s release handle. Then, open the door manually. Lift it halfway to see whether it stays in place. If so, it is properly balanced. But if it falls, the system is imbalanced and you’ll need a technician to adjust or repair it. Maintaining the system’s balance reduces strain on the garage door opener and can prevent damage.

4. Test the Auto Reverse Function

Your garage door has an important safety feature that allows it to stop and automatically reverse if something’s in the way. To test this function, place an object in the door’s path and use the controller to close it. If the door doesn’t reverse, check the sensors and clean them if necessary. They may also need to be aligned. Check the owner’s manual for how to do this or call a technician for help. 

If the auto-reverse isn’t working, there’s a risk of property damage, injuries, or damage to the garage door that would warrant replacing it. 

5. Examine the Weatherstripping

A weatherstrip is a barrier that keeps water, ice, and dirt out of your garage. Poor weatherstripping can leave your garage door vulnerable to water damage, rusting, and other weather-related damage. Replacing this rubber strip is a simple task. But ensure it fits perfectly so it can help make your garage door last longer.

6. Clean the Tracks

Even a small amount of dust or debris in the tracks can strain the garage door. Spider webs and small animal nests can also cause problems. Gently brush or sweep them out. But don’t use water or cleaning chemicals, which can cause damage.

7. Wash Garage Door Panels

Neglecting to clean garage door panels can lead to corrosion and decay. Wash them with an all-purpose cleaner to remove as much dirt as possible, and then rinse them with water. You can also mix mild detergent and water and wipe the panels using a soft cloth or sponge. Your garage door won’t only look fresher. It will be protected and can last longer. Also, consider repainting it if the coating is chipped or faded.

8. Schedule Repairs As Needed

Many homeowners delay garage door repairs due to the cost. But the longer you wait, the more likely a repair issue can shorten the lifespan of your garage door. It also risks being injured by a broken part or a door that falls to the ground. Prompt repairs can avoid incidents and make your garage door last longer.

Contact Mesa Garage Doors Today

We install all types of residential garage doors in Southern California. Our trained technicians also provide garage door repair and maintenance services that can extend the system’s operating life. A variety of warranty options are available through our partners. For additional information on how to use and maintain your system, continue browsing our resources, and for service or more advice on how to make your garage door last longer, call (714) 947-4528 today.

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Tips to Enhance Your Home with a New Garage Door

A new garage door can enhance your home in many ways. But it pays to carefully consider your options. According to a 2023 report by Remodeling Magazine, garage door replacement can yield a return on investment (ROI) of 102.7%, resulting in a profit when selling your home.1 Here’s how to enhance your home with a new garage door (with a little help from Mesa Garage Doors) to get as much out of it as possible.

Match It with the Style of Your Home

The more your new garage door accommodates the style of your home, the more value it will have. Wood carriage house or steel doors are best suited for Colonial and Victorian homes. They’re often found with prominent handles, iron hinges, and other decorative hardware. 

Modern garage doors with stained wood or pebble glass are suited for modern- or contemporary-style homes. Double-hung wood windows are an attractive option for garage doors installed in Craftsman homes. Simply changing the color, material, or design can enhance the look of your home’s exterior.

Restore the Structure’s Original Look

A garage door takes up a lot of space on the front facade, so a worn unit doesn’t help curb appeal. If you have an older home, find out what the original garage door looked like. Or, if the door is showing its age, determine how it was when new. Its replacement can feature a material, paint color, or finish that restores the property to its former glory.

Choose a Color Carefully

The color of your garage door, front door, and house can match, but they don’t have to. If your front door is blue, yellow, or red, a gray garage door is a good match. But any garage door should be a uniform color or it may look dated. The most common colors include:

  • White: Gives a garage door a bright look that many homeowners seek.
  • Soft Gray: A neutral soft shade that blends in with many colors of bricks.
  • Dark Gray/Black: Goes well with a black window trim, while deep black-blue is a trendy alternative.
  • Taupe or Beige: If your bricks are in this color family, choose the same for your garage door.
  • Walnut Brown: A great choice if you like warmer tones; it can also make a door look like higher-end wood.

Add Windows to Your Garage Door

Windows are a popular option on garage doors. They’re welcoming and inviting (on the outside and inside). Plus, they allow natural light in, which is great if you use your garage for storage or as a workshop. You’ll also use less energy on artificial light.

There are lots of options for decorative glass. Many homeowners choose clear glass for their garage doors. Tempered glass is common, as it’s impact-resistant. Tinted, frosted, or mirrored glass are also among the many choices available. 

Make It More Energy Efficient

A well-insulated garage door can help improve home comfort. Foam insulation is more effective than fiberglass or cellulose. Look for insulation with an R-value of 10 or higher for an attached garage. Many garage doors are prefabricated with a layer of insulation.

Even if you’re refurbishing an old garage door, you can replace the weather seal (or make sure your installer provides sealing). Weatherstripping is easy to install and has many benefits. It keeps out drafts and prevents dust, moisture, and pests from getting into your garage.

Update the Keypad

The keypad is a small but important feature. It allows you to enter the garage without a key or remote and improves home security. We advise sharing the code with only authorized visitors. 

Modern keypads are sleek and often futuristic. Some can be integrated with smart home systems to automatically turn lights on when you enter or off when you leave. Depending on the model, you can monitor your garage door from a smartphone.

We Can Help Enhance Your Home with a New Garage Door

Mesa Garage Doors is the #1 garage door company in Southern California. Our factory-trained installers can help you select your home’s best material, color, and options.  They also install traditional, classic, and modern garage doors that accommodate one or multiple cars. We’ll even beat the advertised price of a licensed competitor. To receive a new garage door estimate and get started with enhancing your home, call (714) 503-8822 or contact us online.

Source:

https://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2023/

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