Your garage door is a focal point of your home and can add to its curb appeal. Besides contributing to your home’s value, your garage door is also a convenience to you and your family and adds a sense of security to your home. When investing in a garage, you want to know how long garage doors last. Understanding the life span of garage door openers and doors can help you stay on top of home maintenance and safety.
Since your garage door is such an essential part of your home, you want to make sure you take care of it so it stays in good condition for as long as possible. Inspecting your garage door monthly and testing the safety sensors will show you if any parts are not working properly. Doing maintenance and quickly addressing any repair needs will only make the life of your garage door and its opener longer.
Whether you are moving into a new build or own an older home, it’s important to know the life span of your garage and its opener.
How Long Does a Garage Door Last?
An aluminum or steel garage door will last 20 years or more. A wooden door can last about the same amount of time if you are taking proper care of it. The torsion springs work for anywhere between 10,000 and 20,000 cycles, depending on the option you select — some are even rated for 100,000 cycles. A cycle is one opening and closing of the door, which typically means eight to 14 years of use, depending on how often you open and close your garage door.
These estimates are not definite time frames for the longevity of your garage door’s parts. If you live in an older home, you should have records on when the garage door was installed and what maintenance has been done on it since it was installed. If you regularly take care of your garage door, it will last longer than a door that receives no maintenance or repairs.
Although most homeowners don’t replace their garage door until it stops working properly, you may choose to replace your garage door even when it is still working fine. If it’s time to sell your home, consider upgrading your garage door. Installing a new garage door is a home improvement project with one of the highest returns on investment (ROI). With a 93.3% return on average, garage doors can boost your home value significantly.
Factors that Influence the Life Span of Garage Doors
Your garage door life span depends on several factors. If you want your garage door to last its entire life, you should invest in quality maintenance and materials. The better your garage door care, the more use you’ll get out of your garage. Homeowners looking to invest in a new garage door or take care of their existing one should keep these factors in mind when estimating their garage door life.
Door Material
Getting a high-quality, well-insulated door will improve the life of your garage door. Upgrading to high-cycle springs and multi-layered builds can make your garage door last longer and be more energy-efficient than other doors. The more you invest in your door, the more you’ll get out of it. Choose a trusted company for your door selection and installation, and you’ll get a garage door you can depend on for years to come.
Maintenance
Regular, annual garage door maintenance is essential to keeping your garage door working for years. Neglecting maintenance allows smaller problems to snowball into significant damages. Left unchecked, these issues could become expensive repairs or even replacements. The more regular your garage door maintenance is, the longer your door will last, and the lower your repair costs will be. Regularly go through your garage door maintenance checklist to keep your door in good condition.
Use
While garage doors are meant to be used daily, they will wear out faster the more you open and close them. Garage door springs are rated for a set number of cycles. One cycle equals one opening and closing of the door — if you’re opening and closing your door multiple times every day, your springs will wear down more quickly. If you use a standard 10,000-cycle spring door twice a day, your springs will hold up for 13 to 14 years.
Each use will shorten the life span of your door, so be sure to get a door with springs and materials that meet your household’s needs.
Weather
Weather and environment play a significant role in a garage door’s life. Some materials are more prone to dents and scratches than others, so any debris or hail might damage your door. Additionally, the more extreme the temperatures and weather in your area, the more strain your door will be under. Choose a door that can withstand your environment, as severe weather can take its toll on a door’s life span.
When to Replace Your Garage Door
Even the best garage doors need replacing eventually. If you’ve had your garage door for a while, you might be wondering if it’s time to replace it. When performing your usual garage door maintenance, check for these signs to see if it’s time to get a new door.
- Unusual sounds: Strange sounds can mean it’s time to replace your garage door. If you hear grinding, squeaking, rattling or other unusual sounds, contact a professional. Your garage door might need some standard lubrication and maintenance, but it could have a severe issue that needs replacing. The longer you wait, the worse the problem will get, so get a technician in as soon as you can.
- Uneven lifting: Problems with lifting evenly could be a sensor issue, or your springs could be wearing out. If the springs are at the end of their life, you’ll need to replace them to ensure the safety and function of your garage door.
- Irregular speed: An irregular speed is usually caused by your garage door opener, but you’ll still need to get the entire door inspected to find the cause of the issue. Irregular opening and closing speeds are inconvenient and signal a larger issue with part of the door. You might have to repair or replace the opener or the door to correct the problem.
If your garage door is at the end of its life span, experiencing issues or you want to upgrade it, a replacement can be an excellent investment. While garage doors can have high upfront costs, you can save on energy and repair costs with a new, high-quality garage door.
How Long Does a Garage Door Opener Last?
Like the door itself, your garage door opener is an important part of the entire mechanism. The average life span of a garage door opener is about 10 to 15 years. Also, like the other parts of your garage door, this life span depends on several factors like how often you use the opener and how often you repair it.
There are other reasons for replacing your garage door opener besides its age. With recent technological advancements, upgrading your garage door opener means upgrading the convenience and security of your garage door. You can link the opener to an app on your smartphone, allowing you to open and close the garage door even when you are not at home. Additionally, many openers now have programmable package schedules, text alerts to let you know when the door is used and advanced security options. Modern openers last over a decade and improve your door opener experience dramatically.
If your garage door or opener isn’t working properly, no matter how old it is, you should call in a garage door professional as soon as possible. A garage door and opener are great to have, but they can pose a potential danger when they’re not working properly.
When to Replace Your Garage Door Opener
Like your garage door, the garage door opener life span isn’t the only factor to watch out for when considering replacement. Inspect your garage door opener for issues regularly to avoid expensive problems.
The life span of a garage door opener depends on the model you buy and how well you take care of it. However, you will eventually run into problems with your opener that need professional attention. Here are some signs your garage door opener needs replacing:
- Old: Once you’ve hit the life span of your garage door opener, you’ll want to replace it. Upgrading will improve the efficiency and function of your opener, reducing repair frequency and making garage door use easier. Additionally, you’ll get all the benefits of new garage door opener technology when you upgrade your opener.
- Noisy: Excessive noise means there’s a problem with your opener. Lots of creaking and clanking mean your opener is struggling to open the garage door smoothly. Contact a professional to get your opener serviced or replaced so you can use your garage quietly once again.
- Slow: A garage door that opens and closes too slowly is a safety risk. The opener might not be able to lift the door anymore. Additionally, this slow movement could lead to the door not opening at all. Get your door serviced to ensure the safety of your garage and household.
When replacing your garage door opener, you can choose from a selection of upgraded, convenient models. Look for openers that connect to Wi-Fi and send you codes for door operation to maximize the safety and ease of use of your garage door.
Contact Quality Overhead Door for All Your Garage Door Needs
When your garage door isn’t working correctly, Quality Garage Door will diagnose the problem and get it fixed fast. We offer a wide range of products when you’re in the market for a new residential garage door or garage door opener. We carry products from the top manufacturers worldwide, giving you the peace of mind of knowing you’re making an investment in your home that will pay for itself down the road.
We have been serving Toledo and the surrounding areas since 1982. Let us put our knowledge and experience to work for you. If you’re interested in upgrading your garage door or opener, request an estimate from us online. Quality Overhead Door has the products you need to enjoy a safe, long-lasting garage.
To learn more about our products or to get a quote, please contact us today!
Additional Resources On Garage Doors:
- How Much Headroom is Needed for a Garage Door?
- What is the Learn Button on a Garage Door Opener?
- What is a Jackshaft Garage Door Opener?
- How Do Garage Door Sensors Work?
- How Much Horsepower Does My Garage Door Opener Need?