How Long Do Garage Doors Last?
Find out if it’s time to replace your garage door
For homeowners looking for both practicality and durability in their property, the longevity of a garage door is a crucial factor to consider. Knowing how long a garage door lasts allows you to make informed decisions about upkeep, repairs, and a potential replacement. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the lifespan of a garage, so you can get the most out of your investment.
How Long Does a Garage Door Last?
Typically, a garage door that is properly cared for can last for 15 to 30 years. The lifespan can vary depending on several factors, including the quality of materials, usage patterns, maintenance practices, and environmental conditions.
The type of material also makes a difference in overall durability. For example, steel garage doors are renowned for their long-lasting properties, as single-layer steel garage doors can endure for approximately 15 to 20 years, and triple-layer steel garage doors may even last for 25 to 30 years. While wood may require more rigorous upkeep, it can have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years.
The amount of use a garage door has will also play a crucial role in its lifespan. A door that is constantly opened and closed may experience more wear and tear. Regular maintenance, inspections, and prompt handling of any issues can help ensure optimal functionality, and extend the lifespan of your garage door. Environmental factors–like extreme temperatures, humidity, and exposure to corrosive elements–can also have an impact.
Garage Door Lifespan by Material
The type of material used to construct the garage door will impact its longevity. On average, a garage door lasts 15 to 30 years.
Below is a breakdown of the average lifespan of a garage door based on its material.
| Material | Lifespan (Years) |
|---|---|
| Steel | 15–30 |
| Wood composite | 15–20 |
| Solid wood | 20–30 |
| Aluminum | 15–25 |
| Fiberglass | 20–25 |
Factors That Impact the Longevity of a Garage Door
While the material used in the construction of a garage door is an indicator of its longevity, many other factors contribute to how long a door will function.
Material Quality
Again, there are five main types of garage door materials, and each type has its own strengths and weaknesses that could influence the longevity of your garage doors.
High-quality materials, such as solid wood or durable steel, have an increased likelihood of withstanding the effects of weather, wear, and tear over an extended period of time. Softer wood materials, wood composite, and aluminum have less durability overall, while fiberglass falls in the midrange of durability.
Installation
Garage doors are extremely heavy—weighing between 125 and 250 pounds on average for a single door and up to 500 pounds for a double garage door. Attempting to install a garage door yourself when you don’t have experience handling a project of such a high caliber can result in issues and even safety hazards that break down your garage door well before its expiration tag.
Knowing who to hire to build a new garage door can make a big difference. Hiring a local garage door company for installation ensures all components are aligned correctly, reducing the risk of malfunctions and premature wear.
Proper Sizing
You must fit a garage door precisely to the opening size for the door to experience the least amount of strain and premature wear. If you size a door improperly, then it may be subject to excessive stress, resulting in faster deterioration.
Most garages fall into standard sizes that you can refer to and easily purchase a door that fits the opening, but some homes have custom garages that may require a professional to size and order the correct garage door size.
Design
Enhanced features can make a difference, such as insulation and weatherstripping, and safeguard the doors from harsh environmental elements. Installing garage door alternatives like advanced opening mechanisms can reduce stress on the door's components.
Usage
Longevity is affected by the frequency of the doors opening and closing daily. Garage doors in high-traffic locations such as busy households or businesses are more likely to wear down quicker and could need increased maintenance and replacements.
Environmental Conditions
Garage doors may suffer from wear and tear due to extreme weather conditions, such as heat, cold, high humidity, and extreme temperature changes in a given day. Similarly, metal garage door components can corrode from elements such as salt in coastal locations. Poor soil quality, erosion, and water damage can also cause your garage floor to sink, which can knock your garage door out of alignment and cause structural damage that shortens its lifespan.
Maintenance
Maintaining a garage door regularly is crucial for preserving its condition. This involves lubricating its moving parts and thoroughly inspecting and replacing worn components. Failing to perform maintenance tasks may result in increased wear and a shortened lifespan for the garage door.
How to Extend the Life of Your Garage Doors
To ensure your garage door has a long lifespan, a combination of proper usage, consideration for environmental factors, and regular maintenance is essential.
Perform Regular Maintenance
It’s important to create a maintenance schedule for the parts of a garage door and arrange garage door tune-ups. Lubricating the hinges, rollers, and springs to reduce friction and wear is crucial. You should also inspect the garage door for signs of damage, rust, or wear and address problems immediately. You should also periodically replace the weatherstripping.
While you may be able to DIY some repairs, it's often best to hire a garage door professional. The average garage door repair cost ranges between $150 and $375.
Protect It From the Elements
You can also consider painting your garage door to provide an extended lifespan. If you don't know how to paint a garage door, you can hire a professional painter for the job. The cost to paint a garage door ranges between $200 and $500 per project.
Take your local climate into account, too. Install a dehumidifier in areas with high humidity and install insulation in cold areas. Opting for a high-quality door from a reputable manufacturer, and having it professionally installed, can also provide a solid foundation for long-term durability.
Limit Usage
Avoid stress on the door's components by using it too often or unnecessarily. The garage door opener lifespan is about 10 to 15 years, so caring for this mechanism is essential.
If you tend to enter and exit your home primarily through your attached garage, it's time to break that habit and use your house doors instead. If you open and shut your garage doors between five and 10 times per day, you'll have to replace the springs every two to three years. Try to keep your garage door up-down cycles to twice daily—you'll get seven years or more out of your springs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Since garage doors last anywhere from 15 to 30 years on average, exactly when you should replace your garage door will depend on the specifics of your garage door and lifestyle.
If you rarely maintain your garage door, have a door made from less sturdy materials like aluminum or wood composite, or live in an extreme climate zone, you'll need to replace it more frequently than someone who lives in a mild climate zone, regularly maintains their garage door, and has a door made from solid wood or steel.
Most garage door openers last only 10 to 15 years. If yours is 20 years old and needs repairs, it’s a good idea to replace it. You wouldn’t save much to repair a garage door opener anyway since garage door pros charge anywhere from $75 to $150 per hour to fix one—though you can save by hiring a handyperson for between $50 and $75.
In comparison, garage door openers cost an average of $225 to $550, depending on the type you choose.
There are many signs that your garage door needs to be replaced, including:
Visual signs of wear and tear
Garage is slow to open and close or won’t open or close at all
Jerky motions while operating
Loose tracks or broken or worn rollers
Uneven garage door when open or closed
Sagging garage door
Noisy operation even after lubricating the moving parts
Broken or loose cords
Higher energy bills, which could mean poor sealing or insulation
- Garage Door Installation Tips Every Homeowner Should Know
- 11 Essential Tips for Buying a Garage Door
- 10 Garage Door Maintenance Tips for Maximum Longevity
- Who Do You Hire to Fix or Install a Garage Door?
- Convert Garage Door to Entry Door
- What to Do if You Backed Into Your Garage Door
- 50 Stylish Garage Door Ideas
- What Are All the Parts of a Garage Door?
- Standard Garage Door Sizes and How to Pick the Right One for Your Home
- Can You Install a New Garage Door on Old Tracks?
