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Garage Door Replacement Panels: When to Repair or Replace

Garage doors went from a single panel that opened manually to sectional pieces that rolled up overhead in 1921. Since then, homeowners have had the chance to exchange a single section of a garage door instead of buying an entirely new one — a much more affordable option. This way, any dents, or cracks on a single panel can just get switched out.

All it takes is calling in a professional from Amarr’s dealer network to safely exchange the section so that it remains covered under warranty. Let’s explore what damages would require a replacement panel, how to choose a new section and when a completely new garage door is necessary.

Gauging Garage Door Damage

Garage door damage can come in many shapes and sizes, but looking for signs that you may need to exchange just a section versus the door will depend on the amount of harm that was inflicted on the door. For example, if a bike bumped into your door and caused a minor dent in a single panel, this could be a great case for door panel replacement. However, if a car backed into the garage and caused damage so that it cannot close or there is a massive hole in the door, this certainly will require garage door repair or total exchange of a new set of doors.

Generally, if your garage door functions properly, but has some paint chipping, dents, chips and cracks on one or two sections, this is perfect for panel restoration. While your garage is meant to keep your car safe from external harm, the door is also the largest opening of your home and should be maintained or exchanged to ensure your safety.

After you notice damage to your garage door, call in an expert from Amarr to ensure there are no other critical issues that need to be addressed. From there, they can let you know if your door needs any repairs and can help you find an exchanged section if that’s all that’s needed.

How To Choose a New Panel

After getting your garage door checked for critical harm, you’ll want to look for panel replacements. Color matching is an essential part of this process so that it blends in with the existing elements of the garage door.  It is important to note that a new section may not match to the older sections due to the colors fading over time.  Something to also keep in mind is that repainting the garage door could invalidate your warranty so getting an entirely new garage door will ensure color matching is exact.

Additionally, if the damage occurred on a door section that has decorative hinges and handles, then you’ll need to replace them as well. Many Carriage Houses have this style of garage door, and this could be a chance to update the color or style of these features.

You don’t want to be too hasty when looking for garage door panel replacement parts. If you skip talking to a professional and start shopping online right away, you could end up getting the wrong size, color or style. However, if your garage door section is damaged, you’ll want to start fixing it immediately.

Minor dents, cracks and especially holes can greatly affect the safety of your home and your belongings, and impact your house’s energy efficiency. Getting these fixed up right away is paramount.

Measuring Your Garage Door

While getting the proper measurements for an entire garage door replacement can be tricky, measuring your panel is fairly straightforward. To replace a section, all you’ll need is the length, width and height of the section and the door brand.  Your Amarr professional can help you measure when they come out to inspect the damage and make a recommendation.

Replace the Panel or the Door?

If there has been harm to your garage door following an accident or a natural disaster, but only one or two sections  have been affected, you could replace just the sections. This option is much more straightforward if your garage is relatively new such that it was bought within the last 10 to 15 years. However, older garage doors may be hard to exchange if the type, style or color has been discontinued.

You may also consider replacing your door if there are more than two panels with serious damage. For section replacement to make sense financially, the amount of damage to the section and door must be minimal.

Take a look at how much damage has been made to the door as well. In some cases, the destruction has affected more than just the door and involves some of the mechanical integrity of the mechanism as well. This is why it’s important to chat with a garage door specialist to check out the damage before ordering a new door, or panel or working on it yourself.

New Garage Doors

If you come to find out that your garage needs replacement, this could be great news since new designs and looks come out every year.  Garage doors have become more energy efficient and styling them can be a fun way to freshen up the exterior of your home. When you purchase a garage door from Amarr, you have the opportunity to customize it to fit your style and blend in with the rest of your home’s aesthetic. Or, you could take this chance to spark a new look altogether to launch a home renovation project.

Choose an Amarr Dealer as Your Garage Door Partner

When you work with an independent Amarr dealer, you get a garage door repair or replacement partner for life.  With over 4,000 dealers nationwide, there is a local dealer near you that has the perfect solution for your home. It’s easy to customize your new garage door with our online tool, or simply call your local dealer for advice and to schedule a consultation.

To get started on designing your dream garage door, start online today.