New garage doors: when to replace instead of repair
Most garage door problems are repairs. But sometimes a door has had enough: it's dented, rusted, warped or drafty, or the repair quote is creeping toward the price of a new one. Here's how to think about it.
When replacement makes sense
- Multiple damaged sections, especially if your door's panel style is discontinued and matching sections aren't available
- Rust-through or rot on steel or wood doors
- An old, uninsulated door on a garage you heat, cool or use as a workshop
- Repeated repairs in the last couple of years
- Safety concerns, such as an old door with pinch-prone panel joints or an opener without safety sensors
- Curb appeal before selling. The garage door is a big piece of a home's front.
What to compare between quotes
Garage door quotes can be hard to compare. Ask each company to spell out:
| Item | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| Door model | Brand, model, steel gauge or material, panel style |
| Insulation | Insulated or not; type (polystyrene or polyurethane); the R-value the manufacturer states |
| Springs | Size, type, and cycle rating, matched to the new door's weight |
| Hardware | New tracks, rollers, cables and hinges, or reusing old ones? |
| Opener | Reusing your opener, or a new one? Will they test its auto-reverse? |
| Removal | Haul-away of the old door included? |
| Warranty | Door, springs, hardware and labor, and for how long each |
| Timeline | Is the door in stock or special order? |
Licensing matters on this job
A new door installed is almost always a job over $1,000, which in Virginia means the company needs a state contractor license (Va. Code § 54.1-1100). Before you sign:
- Ask for the license number and look it up on the DPOR License Lookup. It also shows complaints and disciplinary actions.
- Get a written contract with the price, scope, schedule and warranty.
- Be cautious about paying the full amount up front.
HOA neighborhoods
Many subdivisions in the region have homeowners associations with rules on exterior changes, sometimes including garage door style and color. If you're in one, check your HOA's architectural guidelines before ordering. Some require approval first.
Repair or replace: a simple rule
If one part failed (a spring, a cable, an opener) and the door itself is in good shape, repair it. If the door itself is the problem (damage, rust, no insulation, discontinued panels), get replacement quotes, and ask at least one company what a repair would cost so you can compare.