Is your worn-out garage door crying out for replacement? You can easily solve this problem with suitable garage door replacement panels. Garage doors tend to age with the passing years. Depending upon the materials of the garage door (glass, wood, aluminum, or steel), you can detect some signs of damage, such as rotten wood, metallic rust, glass cracks, or dents on your door panels.
If not taken care of in time, the damage can cause a major safety risk along with damage to other parts. But the Express Garage Door technicians are here to take care of it. They can help you identify the degree of damage and find the perfect replacement panels for your garage door.
On that note, this comprehensive guide will answer some of the most pressing questions about garage door panel replacement, helping you figure out the right time to call a technician.
What are Garage Door Panels?
Garage door panels are the fundamental components that make up the entire garage door. These panels are used in sectional garage doors, consisting of several panels attached to hinges. Depending upon the size and the style of the garage door, the number of panels used to build the garage door varies.
Generally, a standard-size residential garage door of 7 to 9 feet in height needs 4 to 8 door panels. Likewise, if the garage door is bigger, you may need more panels. As for the material, the garage door panels are made up of wood, steel, aluminum, or glass. Regardless of whatever style, size, or material, the sectional garage door panels are easily replaceable.
Common Reasons Why You May Need to Replace Garage Door Panels
The average lifespan of a garage door is typically 15 to 30 years. But, as things are bound to wear and tear over time, panels of a garage door can also go through substantial damages for several reasons. If the panels are severely damaged, you will have to replace the panels accordingly with the consultation of a well-experienced technician. Now, let’s take a look into some of the common reasons that suggest you need garage door replacement panels:
1. Structural Damage
The damage in a garage door structure can be a result of accidental impact, for example, the collision of a vehicle into the garage door. Such accidents leave huge dents and cracks in the door panels. Dented panels, in turn, lead to misalignment of the garage door and prevent the door from opening and closing smoothly. If the dented panels are not replaced immediately, the misaligned door can damage other parts of the garage door system, such as tracks, rollers, and so on.
2. Wear and Tear
Commonly, garage doors are used at least twice a day. Although the garage door system has a lifespan of 15 to 30 years, the door panels can suffer significant wear and tear over the years due to constant usage. The wearing of the panels can be detected in the form of rot in wooden panels, rust in metal panels, cracks in glass panels, or warping.
The severity of wear and tear depends upon the panel’s material, steel being the sturdiest of all. Wearing it can cause functionality issues with the garage door and dulls the appearance. So, replacing the defective panels proves to be the best option in such a scenario.
3. Elevate the Appearance
As the exterior of your garage door is constantly exposed to changing weather conditions, it tends to lose its aesthetic appeal after a few years. Harsh sun rays can fade the paint on the garage door panel, while too much moisture can cause cracking and peeling. These surface damages on the panel hamper the overall look of your garage door.
But, if you replace the dull-looking panels with the new door panels in your garage, it will immediately restore the brand-new look of your garage door.
What to Consider When Replacing a Garage Door Panel?
The garage door in your house is as important as any other part of your house and cannot be neglected. From protecting your garage to adding a pleasing look to your entire house, your garage door needs careful attention. Therefore, if you feel the need to replace your garage door panels for any of the reasons mentioned in the above section, make sure to consider the following aspects:
1. Visual Inspection of the Garage Door
Before calling a technician, examine the door first so that you can provide the technicians with a brief detail about the condition of your garage door. While examining the door, you can visually inspect it to detect any dents, rust, rot, and so on.
Likewise, check the functionality of the door. Try opening and closing the door and see if it slides smoothly. In case of any noticeable defects on your garage door, tell the technicians over the call so that they can bring in the right tools to deal with the issue.
2. Check for the Severity of the Damage
Before considering the panel replacement of your garage door, you have to determine the severity of the damages. If the damages on the door panels are minor and have not contributed to the malfunctioning and degraded looks of the garage door, then panel replacement is not required. But if the damage is severe and clearly visible, affecting the aesthetics and the functionality of the door, panel replacement will be the best idea.
3. Determine the number of Panels Requiring Replacement
Identify the number of panels of your garage door that are severely damaged and must be replaced. Before you proceed with the further steps, you have to decide how many panels you will be replacing so that you can order the replacements accordingly.
Panels with minor dents or fading in a small portion can be fixed and won’t require replacement. Only consider replacement in case of visible damages with high severity.
4. Check for the availability of Suitable Panels
The replacement garage door panels to be installed in your door must fit the rest of the panels in terms of material, style, and size. As each type of panel comes with a different set of features, mismatching the panels across different designs or materials doesn’t work.
There are various categories of garage door panels available when it comes to the material, style, and size:
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These are some of the things you need to take note of while looking for the availability of panels that fit your garage door perfectly. If you find it difficult, you can ask a technician to help you through the panel selection process.
5. Get Professional Help for Panel Replacement
One of the most important things to consider for replacing garage door panels is getting professional help. Garage door details can be a bit daunting if you are unfamiliar with it. A lack of sufficient knowledge of garage doors can lead to making wrong decisions, costing you extra bucks.
Therefore, it’s better to contact a well-experienced technician for the task. From panel replacement requirements to new panel installation, a reliable garage door technician will take care of all aspects of the panel replacement process.
6. Clear the Garage Space
You can assist the technicians by clearing your garage and driveway space for them to work without interruption. Replacing garage door panels involves disassembling the door panels and installation of the new one.
The panels are large and heavy, which means the technicians will require clear space to work and finish the job properly. If you have your car in the garage, you can park it somewhere else for a while. Likewise, make sure not to let kids roam around the garage door to avoid any potential injury.
Tips on Garage Door Panel Replacement
Panel replacement on your garage door can dramatically extend its lifetime. Instead of changing the entire door, replacing just a few panels can take a huge financial burden off of your shoulders. But, there are several things to be considered for the replacement process, as mentioned in the above section.
To make the process easier and simplified for you, here are some of the tips you can follow for a successful garage door replacement process:
- Be mindful of the material, size, and style of your garage door panels.
- Choose the right garage door panels that perfectly align with the rest of the panels.
- Go for good-quality panels for better durability.
- Do not attempt to replace the panel on your own, and get professional help.
- Make sure your new garage door panel installation abides by the standard local building codes and regulations.
Garage Door Panel Replacement Steps
Replacing garage door panels is a complex process requiring a good amount of experience. If you attempt to do it yourself, you may cause more damage to the door and injure yourself. Therefore, it’s better to leave the task to the expert garage door technicians. However, if you want to learn what the process might look like, here are some steps involved in panel replacement:
1. Measure the Garage Door Panel
First, you should get the measurements of the garage door panel to determine its precise dimensions. Get the measure of the width and height of the panel to order the fitting panels for replacement.
2. Disconnect the Opener
Scan the opener motor at the center of the garage door system and unplug the opener from the power socket. Unplugging the opener disconnects the system from the electrical power. Now, pull the emergency release cord, a red cord hanging by the ceiling, and disconnect the trolley from the opener.
3. Remove Tension from the Springs
Now remove the tension caused by the torsion spring. For the removal, you have to close the garage door and keep it in the down position. Secure the door by adjusting a clamp on its side so that the door does not open during the removal process. Slowly loosen the screws on the torsion spring above the garage door.
4. Adjust the Garage Door for Panel Replacement
Slide the garage just four to five inches above the garage door and secure the door with vise grips. Place the vise grips at the sides of the door right above the panel you want to replace. Now, grab the come-along tool, and adjust it to the side of the door on the section above the panel that is to be replaced.
5. Panel Removal
Now that the door is secured and placed in the right position, you can proceed with the panel removal. Start undoing the hinges of the panel you want to remove. After removing the hinges, crank up the come-a-long down, which creates a gap between the panels for the removal. Once the panel is low enough, lift the panel and pull it out.
6. Install the New Panel
Place the new panel in the door frame. Hinge the bottom part of the panel first. Then, adjust the come-a-long to remove the gap between the panels. Now, hinge the top section of the panel, securing it in the door frame.
7. Check the Door
Now that you have installed the new panel remove any clamps attached to the door. Pull the emergency release cord and plug the opener into the power source, which will re-engage the automatic system of the door. Now, open and close the door using your remote control. The door should operate smoothly.
Can You Replace a Garage Door Panel by Yourself?
No. The process of replacing garage door panels is a series of complex steps that should not be attempted by individuals without expertise. It requires years of experience and thorough knowledge of garage doors. One should know how to use all the tools for panel replacement, including locking pliers, clamps, winding bars, general maintenance supplies, hand tools, drills, and wrenches. Given the complexity of the task, let a technician handle it for a better result.
Garage Door Panel Replacement Costs
The cost of replacing garage door panels varies based on the type of garage door, size, material, and labor cost. Considering all the factors, replacing a single-door panel may cost you from $350 to $700 on average. But, if you have more bucks to burn, you may also spend as much as $1000 or more. Here is a detailed breakdown of approximate budgeting for the panel replacement:
1. Garage Door Panel Cost
The greater chunk of your expense is taken up by replacement panel cost. It’s important to remember that the cost of a panel is determined by its type and material. If you are looking for a good-quality insulated panel with a warranty, you may have to invest around $250 to $380 on a single panel.
2. Panel Replacement Labor Expenses
You also have to allocate expenses for labor, which might fall within the range of $70 to $180 approximately. The labor cost includes the labor setup and mobilization time and minimum hourly rate. However, different garage door companies may charge labor costs differently as per their standards.
3. Extra Supplies Cost
Replacing the garage door panel requires some extra basic hardware materials, including replacement fasteners, lubricants, sealants, and adhesives. The overall cost of the panel replacement also includes the cost of these basic materials. Considering the average cost for the basic extra supplies, the total expenses for the materials may range from $10 to $15.
4. Equipment Allowance
Lastly, the panel replacement cost includes equipment allowance. The technicians you call for the job bring their own set of heavy-duty equipment required for the panel replacement. The technician’s equipment includes a pneumatic framing nailer, miter saw, electric planer, and so on. These tools add to the efficiency and quality of the work and require you to pay an extra cash as equipment allowance, which might cost around $40 to $60.
Contact Express Garage Door For Garage Door Panel Replacement Services
At Express Garage Door, we prioritize offering top-notch services for your garage door. The services we provide include garage door panel replacement, garage door replacement and installation, and all kinds of garage door maintenance work and repairs. Trusted by hundreds of customers, we are backed by reliable and competent technicians, who make us one of the leading garage door companies in Fort Worth. So, grab your phone now and call us at 214-543-2891 or email us at garagedoorexpressdfw@gmail.com to rip the benefit or services.
Conclusion
Investing in garage door replacement panels not only adds to the appearance of your house but also strengthens the safety of your garage door system. If you come across any defects in your garage door panels that scream for panel replacement, consider reaching out to us immediately. We assure you the quality restoration of your garage door in no time!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A garage door system comprises numerous components assembled with precision. The complex system of an automatic garage door system consists of the following major parts:
- Garage door panels: Panels are the horizontal segments of the garage door that make up the entire door.
- Hinges and brackets: Hinges and brackets are used to connect and hold the components of the garage door together for smooth functioning.
- Rollers and tracks: Tracks are the paths along which the garage door slides and rollers assist the door’s motion along the tracks.
- Cables: Cables balance the door and help the garage door open and close evenly.
- Door opener: Helps to open and close the garage door using electric power.
- Trolley: It is the rail located at the center of the garage door system and acts as a connection between the garage door and the opener.
- Torsion springs: Balances the garage door by creating torque.
- Extension springs: Holds the door in its place while opening and closing the door.
- Photo eye sensors: These sensors detect the objects under the door and ensure safety by stopping or reversing the door.
- Emergency release cord: It disconnects the trolley from the garage door.
- Garage door seals: The garage door seals insulate the garage from external weather conditions.
- Remote: Remote helps control the garage door from a distance.
- Garage door locks: It secures the garage door once it is closed.
You can buy garage door replacement panels from Express Garage Door. We will arrange optimal quality panels with high durability. Besides, you can also buy the replacement panels online either on Amazon or any other reliable online platforms. But, buying the panels from online stores can be tricky as there are numerous options to choose from. So, do thorough research on the online stores and ensure the suppliers are reputed for quality products and have substantial positive reviews. Also, try to avoid going for the cheapest prices, which might compromise the quality of the garage door panels.
Yes. The sectional garage doors are designed in such a way that each panel is easily replaceable. You can replace any number of panels that require replacement. All you have to do is call the technicians at Express Garage Door, and they will insert a new panel in your garage door.
Not really! Interchanging the garage door replacement panels means you are mixing different types of panels in your garage door. Each type of garage door panel is designed with a different set of parameters. The parameters vary as per the size, style, and material of the garage door, as well as the manufacturers. If you try to mix up different panels, you may have to deal with the following problems:
- The distinct patterns of the panels may clash and affect the aesthetics of the garage door.
- Even a small difference in the measurement of the panels can cause the door to misalign and malfunction.
Therefore, interchanging the panels is not recommended. But, if you wish to interchange, make sure the panels are from the same manufacturer, engineered with similar design parameters.
Garage door panels with glass can be risky to handle by yourself as glass panels are heavier and require careful handling. Therefore, it is wise to get professional help to replace glass panels on your garage door. But, if you are curious to learn what the process of replacing garage door panels with glass looks like, read along:
- Measure the existing glass panels and buy new panels with the same measurements.
- Put the safety gear, such as safety gloves and eye protection glasses, on before proceeding with the task.
- Remove the old glass panel from the wooden or aluminum frame of your garage door using tools such as a screwdriver, pliers, or putty knife.
- Clean the new glass panel and insert it in the frame carefully.
- Screw the glass panel into the frame to secure it in its place.
Yes, you can if your roll-up garage door is a section roll-up. Roll-up garage doors are of two types: section roll-up and rolling sheet roll-up. A section roll-up is made of multiple horizontal panels assembled to form a complete garage door. The panels of section roll-up doors are easily replaceable. On the other hand, a rolling sheet garage door is made out of a single sheet of metal, mainly steel. Damage in any one section of the sheet can lead you to replace the entire garage door panel.
