Like any other part of your home, there will come a time when your garage door will stop working properly, prompting you to assess whether you should get a repair or replacement. Most homeowners will gravitate towards getting repairs first, most especially when they need to work with a budget, but you have to keep in mind that this might be a temporary fix, depending on the problem you’re dealing with. However, you can’t automatically assume you’ll be needing a replacement right away either because that’s not practical.

To help you figure out if you’re due for a repair or replacement, consider the following scenarios:

Your garage door is difficult to operateGarage doors start feeling “heavier” to use over time because wear and tear and debris buildup create friction on moving parts. Typically, cleaning debris or lubricating moving parts will do the trick but if these don’t work, and you hear clicking sounds (a sign that something may be broken with your garage door) you may be better off with a replacement.

Your garage door has a damaged panelDamage can range from small dents to massive holes, caused by a number of reasons like harsh weather, normal wear and tear and improper operation. You can easily have minor dents or scratches repaired but if you’re dealing with bent frames or holes large enough to look through, you should consider getting a replacement.

PART 1: SHOULD YOU REPAIR OR REPLACE?

Your garage door is no longer attractiveThough it has nothing to do with function, a garage door’s appearance drives many homeowners to get a repair or replacement simply because it no longer works well with the rest of their property. Depending on the current state of your garage door, you may just need a few cosmetic fixes to restore your garage door to its former glory.

Sold on getting a new garage door? Head on over to Part 2 of this e-book to get to know the different types of garage doors available to you.

PART 1: SHOULD YOU REPAIR OR REPLACE?

Most homeowners didn’t have a say in the garage door their properties came with so it’s a big surprise when they find out that so many options are available to them. Having a lot of choices is always better than the opposite but choosing just one can be overwhelming. To help you get started, you should take the time to get to know your options, the most popular of which include:

UP AND OVER GARAGE DOORS

As their name indicates, these garage doors open upwards, moving horizontally to slide parallel to the ceiling. Up and over garage doors can be further divided into two types:

• Canopy Doors.These tend to protrude from the frame when fully opened, forming a canopy and thus giving the door its name. Canopy garage doors are popular because they are easy to install and operate as they are fitted with more lightweight panels.

• Retractable Doors.These slide completely inward into a garage when fully opened, an operation made possible by a series of runners and rollers that allow easy movement and extra weight support once panels are fully retracted.

PART 2: POPULAR GARAGE DOOR TYPES

SECTIONAL GARAGE DOORS

A favorite option in both American- and European-styled homes, the sectional garage door works like an up and over garage door but doesn’t swing out when being used. Instead, the garage door runs along a vertical track, which then turns parallel to the ceiling, tucking away its multiple panels.

ROLLER SHUTTERS

Roller shutter garage doors are like sectional doors in that they are made up of multiple panels. However, their panels are tucked into a neat roll instead of sliding horizontally into the garage, a movement that can also be automated with a motor for easier operation.

SIDE-HINGED DOOR

One of the oldest types of garage doors around, the side-hinged door operates much like a standard double door, with two door panels swinging outward to open. They best complement more traditional home styles but will work just as well in modern homes depending on the design of the garage door.

Make the most out of getting a new garage door by making sure you pick out the best one for you. Learn more about customization options you can take advantage of in Part 3 of this e-book.

PART 2: POPULAR GARAGE DOOR TYPES

Different homes have different needs and this extends to garage doors. As such, customization options are offered to ensure that your garage door perfectly suits what you are looking for. You can customize a garage door in several ways but you don’t have to take advantage of all of the options. Just choose which ones will apply to you to get you started on creating a garage door that will truly address all of your needs.

SIZE

At the heart of it, your garage door has to perfectly fit your home so size is an important consideration. Aside from simply ensuring that your garage door will be big enough to accommodate your vehicle, customizing size will also affect the overall construction of a door, with bigger doors requiring bigger panels, for instance, which may mean added weight that can affect operation ease.

MATERIAL

Your choice of material will greatly affect how your garage door performs because different materials have different attributes. Metal is lightweight and boasts of excellent durability, while wood, imparts a unique charm, being a natural material, while also withstanding dents and cracks and offering noise protection. Talk to your contractor about the exact material options available to you so you can take into consideration all of your choices and zero in on the best one for you.

COLORS AND PATTERNS

Much like any other part of your home’s exterior, garage doors can be customized to take on a range of colors or patterns to complement any existing scheme or theme your home may have. Painting a garage door is the easiest way to achieve the color you want but leave the task to the professionals to ensure you avoid unnecessarily painting over rollers, runners or hinges that may affect operation. Patterns on panels, however, are commonly offered in up and over and hinged garage doors.

PART 3: CUSTOMIZING YOUR GARAGE DOOR

WINDOWS

Who said garage doors have to be solid slabs of dullness? While they typically feature solid construction, garage doors can also be built with windows for aesthetic and daylighting purposes. Like standard windows, garage door windows come with different glass options, like stained or glazed glass, for added cosmetic appeal.

HARDWARE

Different types of hardware can improve the functionality of your garage door. While new hardware is best installed on new garage doors, replacing parts is also a quick way to boost function in existing ones when a full replacement is not yet possible or practical.

Garage doors typically don’t get the same kind of attention as other exterior doors, but take the time in repairing or replacing yours and you’ll find all the effort will be worth it. Don’t hesitate to talk to your local contractor for assistance!

PART 3: CUSTOMIZING YOUR GARAGE DOOR

Automatic Garage Door Company Inc.

8648 State Rt. 14 ,Streetsboro Ohio 44241

(330) 626-3311

AutomaticGarageDoorCompany.com