A garage door is a standard feature in many homes, and often does not give you trouble. In reality, though, a garage door only has a shelf life of about 10-15 years and can be replaced for a variety of reasons, including cosmetic, structural, or technological. Still, if you're wondering how long it'll be before you need to replace your existing garage door, here are some things to consider when estimating how much life your garage door has left.

How Often Is It Used?

Like everything else in your home, the life of your garage door can vary based on how much you use it. If you only open it and close it once or twice a day, you'll get a lot more life out of those parts than if you use it a dozen or more times a day. Most garage door springs are rated for 10,000-20,000 cycles (a cycle is every time it opens or closes), so divide that by your average usage and you should have a good ballpark estimate of its lifespan. It should be noted, though, that this estimate is for residential garage doors; if you have a commercial garage door, it could be rated for 100,000 cycles or more.

What Is It Made Of?

Not only is your garage door's lifespan determined by its usage, but also by the materials that its constructed with too. Though modern garage doors are much more sturdy than they were even 20 years ago, wooden garage doors can crack and warp over time, whereas fiberglass garage doors don't usually have that problem. A metal garage door is usually the most durable, but even that can be scratched or dented in due to storms. It's a good idea to ask a local garage door company for their opinion on the material if durability is a concern.

How Well Is It Maintained?

Virtually every garage door is exposed to some kind of daily abuse from the elements; that's why regular maintenance is vital to ensuring it lasts as long as possible. Tasks like lubricating the wheels, tightening the tracks, and even repainting the exterior can go a long way to protecting your garage door. Failure to do so will not only cause you to possibly have to replace your door, but if left untreated, can significantly impact your home's resale value as well.

If you have questions about the care and keeping of your garage door, reach out to a local garage door company for more information.

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