All About Replacing Garage Door Panels
You take pride in how your home looks, but sometimes accidents happen anyway. From a little bump with the front of your car to storm damage caused by falling tree branches, there are practically a million different things that can damage your garage door.
So, how do you get it fixed without totally breaking the bank or requiring a ton of work?
Replacement garage door panels are an option that eliminates the need to buy a whole new unit. By just replacing the sections that need repair, you can save a ton of time and money.
This is also an ideal choice if you’re looking to update the visual aesthetic of your door without having to endure the cost of a total replacement.
Best of all, Executive Entries is here to help you through the entire process. Keep reading to learn more.
Can You Just Replace the Panels on a Garage Door?
Most people don’t realize that a garage door is not a solid unit but actually a series of panels linked together. This allows you to replace only the individual panels that are broken versus having to install a totally new door.
However, there is a little bit of a caveat to this. Not all door panels are replaceable due to the fact it might be impossible to find a match for the rest of the door.
Not sure what we mean? Let’s look at a scenario.
Let’s pretend your garage door is twenty years old and your teenager just backed into it. There are only three panels that need to be replaced, but the parts required to get this done just simply aren’t in production anymore and are totally unavailable.
In this instance, we would likely have to replace all the panels or install an entirely new garage door to ensure the unit looked right and closed completely.
What if your garage door is a standard model with no frills and less than ten years old?
There’s an incredibly high chance we can replace just the single panel and your unit will look as good as new.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Panels on a Garage Door?
Garage door panel replacement costs usually depend on the type of door and the materials used. For example, doors with wooden panels often cost more than those made from standard aluminum.
Those that are made from solid steel are also generally more costly. And you also have to figure in labor and whether or not the damaged area is at the top, middle, or bottom of the door.
It is also important to know that there’s a point when it becomes more financially prudent to replace the entire door altogether.
Depending on the size and materials required, any damage over three panels generally makes more sense to put in a whole new door on the existing tracks.
The good news is that most reputable garage door companies will help you weigh the pros and cons of replacement panels versus a whole new door.
Often, you can ask for a quote for both options to decide which one you should do. In situations where your door is older or there’s heavy damage, it is always a good idea to ask right away about the cost of a full replacement door.
How Do You Replace a Broken Garage Door Panel?
Replacing a damaged or faded garage door panel doesn’t take a lot of effort, but it is really something you want to leave to the professionals.
There are a lot of mechanics that go into making sure a garage door panel fits correctly and is watertight, so paying for the experience and knowledge of a trained technician is well worth the overall cost.
Plus, trying to ensure the door is securely in place on the track while you’re working on it can be somewhat dangerous for do-it-yourselfers who aren’t familiar with the process.
That said, the process of replacing a broken garage door panel starts with surveying the damage and determining what needs to be done.
Your garage door technician will then make a note of all sizes and place an order for replacement panels. If the door is standard or readily available, they’ll likely be able to get back to your home within a few days to start the actual repairs.
When this happens, they’ll begin by raising the door a few inches off the ground and then secure it in place under the rollers with a pair of vice grips on each side of the door.
Next, a special tool called a come-along is attached to the door and used to apply a bit of tension. Then the technician uses an impact drill with a special bit to remove the hinge hardware above and below the panel that needs replacement.
Then the come-along is used to remove the panel and a gap is left open for the new panel to be inserted. The new section is added and all bolts are replaced securely.
Garage Door Panel Replacement
If you’re considering replacing damaged garage door panels, it is a good idea to contact a professional. At Executive Entries, we can help you determine what size and style panels you need.
Then we can order them from our list of suppliers, install them securely in place, and ensure your garage door looks and operates as though there was never even an issue.
Ready to learn more about replacing your garage door panels? Please contact our Executive Entries team today to schedule a service appointment.