Garage-Door-Replacement-vs-Repair There inevitably comes a time when your garage door is due for a makeover. Whether as a consequence of natural events, such as age, or manmade problems, such as backing your car into the door, you’ll end up asking yourself: “Should I repair or replace my garage door?”

If that moment has come, it is essential to know how to discern whether your experts for garage door repair in Encinitas, CA, should try and salvage your existing door or replace it with a new, better model. In the following article, we’ll show you how to do just that. Read on!

How do I know if I should repair or replace my garage door?

Since this decision has a practical, financial, and aesthetic side, it is important to consider several factors:

How old is your garage door?
What’s the extent of the damage?
How much will repair/replacement cost?

A combination of answers will ultimately determine whether you should repair or replace your garage door.

How old is your garage door?

On average, a quality garage door can last 15 to 20 years with regular maintenance only. However, after that time, they’ll start showing signs of aging. They’ll start squeaking and screeching, stop working periodically or completely, or develop a whole host of problems.

At this point, a repair can entail anything from replacing one section of a garage door, to a complete overhaul. And that can cost a lot of money, even as much as the new door. Therefore, it is best to consider replacing them altogether, even if it isn’t damaged at all. Simply put, repairing isn’t financially feasible if the garage door is too old.

What’s the extent of the damage?

The extent of the damage will play a critical role in making the final decision. In general, we can split it into 2 categories:

Cosmetic damage;
Structural damage.

Cosmetic Damage

Cosmetic damage, as the name suggests, concerns only the aesthetics of your garage doors. Peeling or fading paint, minor scratches or cracks here and there, or a few loose screws do not call for a complete replacement.

They do, however, call for timely intervention as even a minor issue can quickly escalate. For instance, a new coat of paint can prevent steel from rusting or wood from rotting, given that the damage isn’t too big.

The good thing here is that you can take care of most of the minor repairs yourself. A new coat of paint, bolt tightening, or lubricating a garage door mechanism is all easy work that won’t take you much time.

Structural damage

Unlike cosmetic, structural damage can be disconcerting, depending on the extent. This damage type can range from moderate to severe and can impede or completely devoid your garage door of functionality. It may even pose a serious security risk.

In the case of moderate damage (e.g. rusting, bent sections, etc.) repair can sometimes be an option. The operating word being “sometimes”. However, when damage is severe (e.g. door won’t open or close at all, parts of the mechanism are broken, there’s extensive impact damage, etc.) repairing is never feasible.

How much will repair/replacement cost?

In the end, everything boils down to your budget and preference. As we mentioned, sometimes the repair can cost more than a new garage door. On the flip side, maybe you’re getting tired of seeing the same old dull gray door every single day and longing for a change in scenery.

Either way, it is best to contact the pros and have them do a thorough inspection. Their expertise will help you determine whether the repair is a practical solution, or if replacement is the way to go.

Who are the leading experts in garage door repair in Encinitas, CA?

For the finest garage door repair and replacement service north of San Elijo Lagoon, you need not look further than Radford Garage Doors & Gates. For 80+ years we’ve been Encinitas’ #1 choice due to our client-centric approach, undeniable quality, and unparalleled efficiency. Give us a call today to get the most out of your garage door for years to come.