My home maintenance list has grown long and I’m not sure which projects to tackle, so I’ll start asking about garage doors. We have two single car doors. The house is near to 40 years old. The bottom panel is damaged, likely from north facing, total shade and water/dampness. The bottom of each panel is shriveling up and you can see a little gap of light at the top of one.
Is it difficult to replace only the bottom panels? If not, any resources for recommendations on how to go about it?
If we need new ones, what price range do they run? We don’t live in Taj Mahal, so decent quality suburban subdivision type would be the description of what I’d be considering. I realize there is a huge range of options and price ranges out there, but haven’t been out looking yet. Would a big box place be just as good as a specialty store?
Can anyone help me sort this out and educate me on what to look for if I must get new doors? Thanks in advance!
Edited 8/22/2005 7:21 pm ET by dtgardengirl
Replies
From your description are these wood framed roll ups or the single section flip up door?
They are the roll up type. Thanks. I was beginning to wonder if this message fell off radar.
there are a lot of independent garage door people, give some a call and see what they say. In the Los Angeles area one company advertises $400 ? for a roll up complete. On the other hand just had one installed on a two car garage with an 8' high opening and it was $1200 with opener.
i would ask for a 9x7 raised panel polyback insulated door if it were me steel front
From what I'm seeing, REPLACE, rather than repair is needed. I suspected that would be the best option. I poked around a little and it seems there are many options, and one of the prominent ones is the steel front with insulation, which we need. Since we are empty nesters without a B-ball issue, denting is less of a concern that is probably a good option. The key now, is to find the best quality at the best price for the two single doors. (not expecting that we'll be here forever, but durable for a good while, yet not be an issue upon sale...) We can dream!
Can anyone recommend a brand that met their satisfaction in durability and appearance? Unless you live in my area, the company installing is something I need to research, however, I would like to know some good performing brands/types from first-hand experience. Then I can narrow my search to companies who offer those doors worthy of consideration.
I learned at work years ago that Quality = product that meets requirements. My requirements are something reasonably price, that offers insulation and reasonable durability. I don't need a Caddy, probably a Taurus quality door recommendation.
Thanks for those responding to this increasing critical issue. We only have a short time before winter, so I want to move on this fairly soon, but want to do some homework before shopping.
I have a Raynor garage door, made in Dixon, Illinois. http://www.raynor.com/
Mine is a steel sectional type, with insulation and steel on the inside face ("3-layer" per their nomenclature), too. It has powder-coat hinges and track, and ball-bearing wheels. The label shows "Decade Showcase" as the model name, although I'm not sure they offer that exact model anymore. Have had it since 1996, without any problems, although where I live (Orange Co., CA) would probably qualify as "easy duty" from a weather standpoint. It works reliably; never have had to replace or adjust the springs. I have had to adjust the door travel, but that's on the opener, not the door.
It still has the original factory-applied finish which still looks good, even though it has a direct southern exposure in sunny SoCal. The door has "obscure" glass lights with the "Stanford Colonial" pattern snap-in frames, which have also been absolutely trouble-free. I'm definitely satisfied with the door.
Hope this helps,
Tejonista
Edited 9/17/2005 2:29 am ET by tejonista
Edited 9/17/2005 2:30 am ET by tejonista
tejohnista,
Thanks for the info. Having never shopped for garage doors before, it helps to have some idea. My inlaws Condos, are replacing wooden garage doors. I don't know her brand, but it looks great. I appears to be wood-looking metal outside, with foam and metal inside. The new seals look good too.
If I can talk dear hubby into going looking, maybe we can get this done before winter winds start their chill.
Wayne Dalton is a good brand and so is US Steel. But check on-line under garage doors and you can start your search that way. Most of the national brands hold up well.All I ever Needed to Know I learned in Kindergarten- Robt. Fulghum
Warren, thanks for the tips. If I can drag my hubby out looking, things will move quicker. With our weather changing to cold quickly, we need to get moving NOW. I just hope we find something long-lasting, attractive to the home and still within the budget. I have no idea how much they cost and we'll have to shop to find out. I wonder if they have to replace tracks, etc. and how much that would add to the installation. I imagine that depends on how good the old tracks are and I'll need an estimate on installation after we select the doors. I appreciate your help on this one!