How Long Should a Garage Door Last?

When it comes to your home, you likely know how long certain elements will last, such as the roof, appliances and flooring. How long a garage door lasts, however, might feel like a mystery. By understanding the length of your garage door’s life span and following a proper garage door maintenance plan, you can ensure you get the most out of your door and save money while doing so.

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Garage Door Life Span – How Long Do They Last?

Most garage doors last anywhere from 15 years to almost 30. One of the main components of a garage door that affects its garage lifespan is the extension and door springs. When closed, the torsion springs are above the door, and the extension springs are parallel to the horizontal tracks. If your spring breaks, it is typically a good time to look at other parts of your door such as the panels and sections. Based on their condition, you can get repairs or explore a replacement.

Factors That Affect Your Garage Door’s Life Span

A garage door could meet or exceed its anticipated life span, or you may need to replace it sooner than expected. Several factors can impact how long a garage door will last:

• Use: Your garage door experiences wear and tear each time you use it, and the more you use it, the faster it will wear down. For example, torsion springs last for about 10,000 cycles. When you open and close your garage door three times a day, that’s about 1,000 cycles a year, meaning you’ll need to replace it in 10 years.
• Maintenance schedule: Regular maintenance will extend the life span of your garage door. Your maintenance cycle may also include fixing issues and tending to door parts, which means your door can better withstand daily wear and tear.
• Climate: Weather plays a large role in your garage door’s life span, as high heat, storms and winds can weaken the door or cause damage.
• Material: Different materials have different longevity. For example, options such as steel last up to 30 years.
• Quality: Higher-quality doors are typically more expensive but can require fewer repairs to save you money.

How Often Should You Replace a Garage Door?

As your garage door gets older, it will likely need more and more repairs.  However, it can be hard to determine whether another repair is worth it or if you should replace your garage door entirely. Some signs a complete replacement may be your best option include:

• Your door is at least 20 years old
• Your door has begun to sag
• Your door is very loud or noisy
• You often make extensive repairs
• If your garage door is wood and the wood has become warped, chipped or cracked
• If your garage door is aluminum and the door has lots of dents and dings
• The door doesn’t open or close correctly
• You want to improve insulation or boost your curb appeal

How Long Does a Garage Door Opener Last?

The life expectancy of a garage door opener is typically 10 to 15 years. Since openers are essential for opening and closing your garage door, you’ll want to perform regular maintenance to ensure the opener continues to operate at its peak. If you’ve been having issues with your motor, it’s best to call a professional as soon as possible so you can continue to use your door without any issues.

Most homeowners start replacing their motor before 10 to 15 years. As technology improves, motors continually evolve, with many newer models offering better features and longer life spans. For example, many newer garage door openers allow you to open them with a smartphone app for more convenient use. Regardless of whether you wait the entire life span or replace your opener sooner, ensure you follow proper maintenance guidelines to keep your opener in excellent condition.

Ways to Increase Your Garage Door’s Life Span

While many of the factors that impact a door’s life span are out of your control, you can take several steps to help it last longer:

• Examine safety features: Your door should have a sensor-activated auto-reverse mechanism to keep the door from crashing to the ground. Ensuring your garage door system has the correct safety features and verifying that they are working properly can help prevent door damage.
• Inspect hardware: The door’s springs, cables, pulleys, bolts and other hardware can loosen over time. Checking these items can help your door function correctly and lower the damage risk.
• Test the door’s balance: A properly aligned door will operate smoothly, reducing the likelihood of mechanical issues that could shorten its life span.
• Clean and lubricate moving parts: Well-lubricated components generate less friction, reducing the chance of premature wear. 
• Wash the panels: Keeping the panels clean will prevent dirt and corrosion from harming the finish and causing the door to deteriorate faster.
• Clean the tracks: The tracks and rollers allow the door to move smoothly. Cleaning them regularly will contribute to a longer garage door lifespan.
• Care for the weatherstripping: The rubber weatherstripping at the bottom and sides of the door keeps dirt, debris and insects from entering the space. Ensuring that this feature stays intact — and replacing it when necessary — will help to preserve the door. 

Do You Need a New Garage Door? Contact the Pros at Best Overhead Door

Are you a resident in Tualatin, Tigard, Oregon, or the Vancouver, Washington, areas in need of a new stylish and durable garage door? If so, We offer estimates via phone, email and video conferencing or we can bring our showroom to you with hand samples and brochures. We’re a local company with over 30 years of garage door sales, installation and maintenance experience. We’re open to all residents of the metro area and we stock a full selection of Clopay® garage doors — guaranteeing the best quality construction and modern design.

We can educate you so you make the smartest ROI for your house. To learn more about our products and services, complete our online contact form or call us today at (503) 620-1205 to speak to one of our specialists.

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