Should I Replace a Damaged Garage Door Panel or the Entire Door?
Your teenager has been waiting for this day forever. They finally have their driver's license. You want them to keep it simple for their first trip, so you tell them to just go drive around the block then park the car in the driveway. You anxiously wait as they go around a corner and out of your sight, but moments later they reappear and start the slow crawl up to the garage - only to misjudge it and slam the bumper right into the door.
After a lot of apologies and a fair amount of cursing, you're left with a decision - how do you get this fixed? Since it's only one panel that's' damaged, you might be tempted to just have that garage door panel repaired. But don't make that decision too quickly - there are many reasons you might take this as an opportunity to replace your entire garage door instead of just one panel.
Read below for some things to keep in mind when you're trying to decide what to do.
What is the Extent of the Damage?
The above scenario likely involves fairly minimal damage to the door, so replacing a panel would be the simplest fix. But the more panels that get damaged in whatever accident occurs, the more likely it becomes more cost-effective to think about a total replacement. Something else to keep in mind are the aesthetics of your door - depending on how it's designed, if you aren't able to find a replacement panel that matches perfectly, you could wind up with an expensive eyesore.
What Other Damage Occurred?
One thing that often gets overlooked when there's minor damage to the door is that it might not only be cosmetic. Any kind of impact can potentially damage the springs, rollers, opener or other components of your door. Some of those elements - the springs in particular - can become dangerous when they're at risk of failing.
It's important to have your entire door evaluated when any kind of damage happens so you can be certain you aren't looking at more extensive repairs. If you are, it might be worthwhile to go ahead and replace the entire door. If not, just fixing the panel should be enough.
How Old is Your Door?
Maybe the most important factor when deciding between a repair and a replacement is age. If your door is more than a decade old, it might be worth more to you to go ahead and upgrade it rather than just repairing it. There could be other components of the system that are suffering wear and tear you don't even know about yet, so it's better to just replace it all.
Plus, an older door means certain parts - like replacement panels - might be hard to find. Another consideration is the advancements in doors and garage door openers since your last installation; you could take advantage of quieter openers, smart connectivity and smoother overall operation.
Garage Door Panel FAQs
Yes, you can just replace the panels on a garage door. However, to get the best match for your exact garage door, you may need to reach out to the company that produced your garage door. Another thing that can interfere with replacing just a panel on your garage door is how well the new panel will blend in with the existing panels. If your garage door is older, the older panels may be too weathered for the newer panel to blend in well.
Yes, for most garage doors replacement panels are available to purchase so you can avoid having to replace the whole garage door. Older doors might not have panels available unfortunately. The process is a complex one, therefore residents often choose to hire out the panel replacement service for their garage door. All American Door Co. provides panel replacement service on a wide variety of door types.
The cost for a garage door panel replacement in the Minneapolis area might range from $150 to $600 or more on average.
The cost to replace can vary depending on several factors, including the material of the panel, the size of the door, and the specific model. Additionally, labor costs and any additional repairs or services required can impact the overall cost.
The Pros at All American Door Company Can Set You (And Your Door) Straight
Anytime your door suffers damage, it's better for your safety - and your wallet - to have it inspected by a trained professional, like the ones here at All American Door Company. You can trust we'll always provide the most cost-effective solution for you, so you can get the issue fixed while also doing what's best for your home. Send us a message online or contact us at (763) 244–1605 today!
