Your Guide to Garage Door Replacement Parts
Want to do some garage door maintenance to extend your door’s life or improve your home’s aesthetic look? That’s a smart choice. Buying a new door can be expensive, so finding your own garage door replacement parts and keeping up with regular maintenance can help you get much more value out of it. Here’s everything you need to know about spare parts, DIY repair and when to call us for help.
Where to Find Garage Door Replacement Parts
While you could just go on eBay to find garage door replacement parts, you’re taking a big risk when you do. The last thing you want to do is buy overhead door parts online and have them fall apart on your door! There may be quality issues. There are lots of fakes out there, so it’s best to get parts from a trusted source.
It all might depend on your garage door manufacturer. If you’re looking for Wayne Dalton door parts, for example, call us. We have almost every item you’ll need and we can order something for you if it’s temporarily out of stock. It’s so important to get a quality part you know you can trust!
- Torsion springs
- Rollers
- Remotes and keypads
- Slide locks
- Keyed locks
- Garage door bottom seals
- Hinges
- Lift handles
- Tracks
- Door sections
- And more
If you’re looking for specific garage door opener parts, call us with the type of opener you have and we’ll check our stock. While some garage door opener keypads and remotes are cross-compatible, it’s best to get LiftMaster parts from a trusted source. We also have Genie parts as well.
We also have specific decorative hardware for your garage door in many designs. If you need help finding good, quality parts, it’s best to contact your local garage door installation company, like ExCello Overhead Door. We can help you find decorative hardware for carriage-style doors, garage door replacement panels, and other good-quality items.
Beware of DIY Garage Door Repair
Now, before you go out and order parts somewhere, it’s best to first thoroughly diagnose what’s wrong with your door. Depending on the problem, you may want to repair it or replace your door entirely. And if you do need repairs, there are some things better done by a professional.
As a general rule, repairs that require replacing moving parts in the garage system should be done by a professional. Replacing springs or tracks are good examples of this. You should also work with professionals when replacing door sections, as they are heavy and require special care. Even if you feel like you have the knowledge to do it yourself, it could be an expensive risk you’re taking. Install something incorrectly and you’ll end up breaking more parts when you use the door. Then you’ll have to hire a professional garage door service anyway.
Here are some repairs that you can probably do safely by yourself:
- Installing lift handles
- Replacing hinges
- Replacing windows and inserts
- Installing a weather seal
When in doubt about repairing your garage door, just call the professionals.
Is It Better to Repair or Replace?
It’s common for garage doors to have minor problems that can easily be fixed. However in some cases, it’s actually better to buy a new door than invest a bunch of money into an old one. So before you buy any garage door replacement parts, first consider:
The Damage
Some problems are much more expensive than others. Dents and dings or peeling paint aren’t too costly to fix. Even if your door seems to have a major problem (like not opening properly), that could be fixed by simply replacing the springs. If your door only has one or two small things that need fixing, then repairing is probably a smart move.
However, there are some types of damage that are extremely expensive or even impossible to fix. Cracks in a wooden garage door are an example of this. As the door ages and the finish fades, the wood can rot, needing replacement. If your door is sagging or bent, that also suggests it needs replacement.
The Age of the Door
Another factor to consider is how old the door already is. Replacing the tracks or fixing the springs on your door isn’t a big deal, but if the door is already ancient, you’re just investing money in a door that needs to be replaced soon anyway. The older your door gets, the more frequently it will need repairs. So in the long run, you can end up spending a lot more money on garage door replacement parts with an older door.
Energy Efficiency
The last thing to consider, especially for an older door, is insulation. Many older doors simply don’t have the same energy efficiency as newer ones. A well-insulated garage door can help you save a lot of money, especially if you have living space upstairs over the garage. An insulated garage door helps keep adjacent rooms in the house warmer, lowering your energy bill significantly. So if you’re looking to repair a poorly-insulated garage door, it’s probably better just to replace it, since a new door can pay for itself over time in reduced electricity bills.
Garage Door Maintenance Best Practices
Instead of waiting until something breaks, there’s a lot you can do to maintain your garage door, extend its life, and save money. Here are some quick tips:
- Listen to the door in operation
- Check the cables and pulleys
- Clear the tracks of debris and rust
- Tighten the hardware
- Lubricate moving parts
- Test the auto-reverse safety features
Wrapping Up
If you want to repair or replace your garage door but aren’t sure what’s best to do, reach out to us at ExCello for advice. We sell the best and fix the rest. That means if we can repair your door, we’ll do it. And if we can’t repair it, we’ll help you find the best option to replace it. While regular garage door maintenance is important, it’s best to avoid the uncertainty and work with a professional company that can fix everything right for you the first time.
