INSTALLING A NEW GARAGE DOOR
Want to seriously improve your curb appeal? Worried about your home’s safety? Sick of looking at that tired entrance to your home when you drive up?
If so, you’re probably overdue for a garage door replacement. Because a worn or compromised entry barrier to your garage can cause embarrassment or costly theft or injury.
“Once a garage door experiences years of wear and tear, it’s time to replace that door with a newer, more efficient model,” recommends Stephanie Eck with Green T Services in Aurora, Illinois. “A worn-out garage door can present safety hazards, such as problems with opening and closing the door that can cause a serious injury or damage to your car.”
Even if your door appears to be safe and working properly, swapping it out for a new one can increase the value of your home.
“If you’re thinking about selling your home, replacing your garage door is a great project to add to the list. It has a return on investment of nearly 94%, per Remodeling magazine’s 2021 Cost vs. Value report,” says Bailey Carson, home expert at Angi.
Modern garage doors are more secure and safe than previous models and technologies. Garage doors were often secured using a system with just one lock and cables. That meant if the single lock failed, the garage could be broken into. Now, multiple secure points are the norm.
There’s also a much wider variety of materials to pick from nowadays. Garage doors can be made of various metals, wood, composites, or even vinyl, fiberglass, or GRP: a composite of glass and plastic that will not rust. Keep in mind that some materials require more maintenance than others.
Garage doors have also become more hardy in recent years; wind-load requirements have increased, and newer technologies have helped manufacturers create stronger and more storm-resistant garage doors.
According to Remodeling magazine, the average cost to replace your garage door is $3,900. Shop around carefully and get quotes from several different vendors and installers. Note that the expense of replacing your garage door typically won’t include a replacement of your garage door opener – it’s usually purchased separately.