Quick Guide
Sound steel door, broken spring
Repair
Sound door, worn rollers and hinges, noisy
Repair, maybe with an insulation kit
Door over 15 years old needing a big repair
Compare with a new door
Panels cracked, rotted or rusted through
Replace
Weak or plastic hinges leaning under the weight
Replace, for safety
One dented section on an older or discontinued door
Usually replace
The Simple Rule
If the door is about 15 years old or more, and the repair would cost roughly a quarter or more of a new door, it's time to at least price a replacement.
Under that, repair usually wins. A garage door isn't like a car. A sound steel door can last a very long time if you keep replacing the moving parts.
When Repair Is the Smart Money
Springs, cables, rollers, hinges and seals are all wear parts. Replacing them doesn't mean the door is failing. It means the door is being maintained.
If you want a quieter, warmer door but the steel is in good shape, an insulation kit plus new rollers costs far less than a new door. See insulated doors for how that works.
Older solid wood doors that are still sound are often worth keeping too. They're heavy and need care, but some are better built than what replaced them.
When Replacement Makes Sense
- Age plus a big repair. The 15 year and 25 percent rule above.
- Structural damage. Cracked, rotted or rusted through panels. Durham humidity is hard on the bottom section of older steel and wood doors.
- A safety problem. Some older doors use weak hinges that lean or crack under the door's weight. A section can come loose. That's a real reason to replace.
- Damaged sections that can't be matched. Single sections are pricey, and older designs are often discontinued. See dented panels.
- You want something different. Better looks, insulation or quiet are good reasons on their own.
Money Not to Spend
If you're going to replace the door within a year or so, skip cosmetic work on the old one. New weatherstrip, paint or a fancy handle on a door you're about to remove is money gone.
A good technician will tell you this even though it costs them a small job. If someone pushes cosmetic extras on a door they also say is failing, ask why.
The Opener Is a Separate Question
Check the date on the opener's label. An opener around 15 years old or more with a stripped gear, no battery backup and no smart features is a good candidate for replacement, even if the door stays. See opener repair.
Watch for the Unneeded New Door Pitch
Most doors that need a spring are fine. A company that recommends a whole new door on every call, or prices a simple repair so high that a new door looks like the bargain, deserves a second opinion.
A fair recommendation for replacement comes with a reason: age, cost, damage or safety.
Run the Numbers
Get the repair quote and a ballpark for a new door. Our guides to spring costs and new door costs give you typical ranges to compare.
Want someone to look at your door and give you an honest read? Request a call back or call (919) 555-0136.