What is The Typical Lifespan of a Garage Door?

Your garage door is a focal point for your home and business
and can therefore significantly enhance its curb appeal. Besides contributing
to your property’s value, your garage door is a convenient point of entry and
adds a sense of security as well. That being said, with your garage door being
such an important part of your property, you’ll want to ensure that it’s well
taken care of! For example, by inspecting your garage door and testing the
safety sensors, you’ll know if any parts are not working properly. Doing
maintenance and addressing repair needs will only increase the lifespan of your garage door. If you’re like most
people, however – you probably don’t often think about your garage door unless
it stops working as it should. Furthermore, though it’s unfortunate, garage
doors have too often become an afterthought.

It’s important to note that there are two main components of
the garage door; the door itself and the torsion springs. For the garage door
itself, you might be familiar with the panels and frame – these pieces weather
the elements outside to keep your cars and other belongings safe. As for the
torsion springs, they’re what makes the garage door open and close.

In order to figure out the longevity of your residential or commercial garage
door, you need to consider your usage of it. Do you use it every day as a main
point of entry or mostly just for storage? In conjunction with usage, you need
to consider the construction quality, maintenance, and local climate conditions
that your garage door faces. For example, an aluminum or steel garage door can
last 20 years or more, but a wooden garage door may not last that long unless
you take proper care of it due to the material difference. As for the torsion
springs, on average, you should get anywhere between 10,000 and 20,000 cycles
(cycle = one opening and closing of the door). Thus, this equates to, on
average, 8 to 12 years.

You can extend the life-cycle of your garage door and its components by adhering to a regular maintenance program to maintain maximum performance. This includes regularly cleaning and lubricating critical parts, cleaning the door itself, and waxing or painting as needed. Plus, since garage door sensors play such a critical role in the safety and proper operation, they should be cleaned regularly as well. Lastly, it’s important to apply lubricant to garage door springs, hinges, and rollers. A garage door that is well-maintained will last longer and require fewer costly repairs – thus saving you money, time, and future frustrations!

Your home or business property is most likely the biggest
investment you will ever make, and as such, you want to protect the value of
that investment. We know that household and company garage door problems
usually start out small – and if they go unnoticed, lead to the door binding,
damaged panels, the door being off the track, etc. Don’t let your garage door
get to that point! Give us a call
today to receive a free, no obligation estimate for your next project.