Getting the Most Out of Your Garage Door Warranty
All new garage doors come with a warranty. But if you asked 100 Loveland homeowners what's included on their garage door warranty, you'll likely get a lot of blank stares. And that's understandable. People are busy and don't have the time to sift through warranty details. Especially since reading through a warranty is about as much fun as waiting in line at the DMV. But it's important that you understand your garage door warranty in case you ever need garage door repair. In this guide, the team at C & M Garage Doors take a close look at garage door warranties and how to get the most out of them.
Things Covered in a Garage Door Warranty
When you buy a new garage door, that door is going to come with a warranty attached. The warranty ensures that if there are problems with the door, the manufacturer will replace or repair any defective components. The following components are typically covered by the warranty.
- Torsion/extension springs: These are the workhorses of the door and do most of the heavy lifting.
- Opener: The opener doesn't actually lift the door. The springs do that. The job of the opener is to set the door in motion and then to regulate that motion so that it's nice and smooth.
- Tracks: The tracks guide the door as it opens and closes, ensuring safe, predictable movement.
- Rollers: The rollers are attached to the sides of the door and ride up and down inside the tracks.
- Panels: The surfaces of almost all modern overhead doors are divided into rows of panels that may be wood, metal, composite or even glass.
- Hinges: The hinges are located at the top and bottom of each panel and allow the door to make the turn from vertical to horizontal and back again.
- Misc hardware: This includes the various nuts, bolts and fasteners used to hold the door together.
If any of the above-listed components are defective in some way, the manufacturer should replace them free of charge as long as the warranty is active.
Gallery: Typical Warranty-Covered Repairs & Components
What is Not Covered by a Garage Door Warranty?
The following will not be covered by the garage door warranty, or may in fact void the warranty altogether:
- Damage caused by misuse or abuse.
- Damage caused by DIY repairs.
- A door that has not been installed by a qualified professional.
- Not having a qualified professional perform regular maintenance.
- Damage caused by natural disasters.
- Unauthorized modifications to the door or any of its component parts.
- Painting the door may void the part of the warranty covering the finish.
- Normal wear and tear that occurs over time.
You can't do anything about natural disasters or the normal ravages of time, but if you want to make sure your garage door warranty will be there for you when you need it, have the door professionally installed, resist the urge to perform your own repairs and don't modify the door in any way.
The Two Kinds of Garage Door Warranties
The manufacturer's warranty
Up to this point, the manufacturer's warranty is what we have been using as our point of reference. It covers defects in parts, materials and construction. The coverage period for a manufacturer's warranty will often differ by manufacturer.
The extended warranty
The extended warranty is additional coverage the homeowner purchases that extends beyond the period covered by the manufacturer's warranty. An extended warranty may also cover additional components not covered by the manufacturer. The specifics of extended coverage vary from policy to policy.
What You Should Do if Your Garage Door Starts Acting Up
If your garage door starts malfunctioning in some way, here are some steps to take that will ensure you can invoke your warranty with confidence:
- Make sure you register your door: Many manufacturers will require that you register your door within a certain amount of time after installation in order for the warranty to be valid. Skipping this important step could nullify the entire warranty.
- Document everything: If, for example, the door is shaking when opening or closing or doesn't open or close all the way, get videos of it misbehaving that you can use to back up your claim.
- Call the company that installed the door: Make sure that if you call for garage door repair, you call the company that handled the garage door installation. They will typically perform the repairs and then handle the warranty coverage claim for you if you like.
- Don't delay: In most cases, you will have 30 days from the time the problem appears to make a warranty claim. If you wait longer than that, you'll be out of luck.
- Always keep records of maintenance work: The manufacturer will want to be sure the door has been properly maintained. If you cannot produce proof of professional maintenance, they may deny your warranty claim.
Avoid Mistakes When Filing a Claim
Mistakes that occur when filing a warranty claim can result in your claim being denied. Always make sure you…
- Contact the manufacturer or the company that installed the door as soon as you notice a problem. Waiting could result in further damage the manufacturer will not cover.
- Be clear in your communications: All of your communications regarding the door should be clear and concise. Make sure you include details like the date of purchase, the serial number and a detailed description of the problem.
- Be sure to follow up: Sad but true that warranty claims are not always handled in the most expeditious fashion by the manufacturer. So be persistent. Whether you are communicating with the warranty provider via telephone, email or some other method, stay on them.
Quick Tip: If your warranty claim is denied, ask for the denial in writing and the specific clause used to deny coverage. That documentation is helpful if you escalate the issue to a consumer protection agency.
What Happens if Your Claim is Denied?
If the manufacturer ends up denying your claim, make sure they explain to you exactly why. If you believe their denial is invalid, contact the Colorado Attorney General's Office Consumer Protection Section. You can also file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
This video explains how to file a complaint with the BBB:
Frequently Asked Questions
Warranty lengths vary by manufacturer and by component. Springs and hardware may have shorter warranties (often several years), while panels and finishes can carry longer coverage. Always check the specific warranty documents for durations and any prorated terms.
Most manufacturer warranties exclude damage from natural disasters or severe weather. If the damage is due to a manufacturing defect, it may be covered; storm or impact damage is typically not. Check your policy and consider homeowner's or separate storm insurance for that coverage.
DIY repairs often void warranty coverage. Most manufacturers require installation and repairs to be performed by qualified professionals. Always consult your warranty terms before attempting any repair yourself.
Typical documentation includes proof of purchase/installation, warranty registration (if required), maintenance records, photos or video of the issue, and the door's serial number. Keeping a maintenance log helps speed up approval.
Request a written explanation for the denial. If you disagree, escalate to the installer, contact your state's consumer protection office (e.g., Colorado Attorney General), or file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Small-claims court is another option for unresolved disputes.
For a Garage Door Company in Loveland That Won't Let You Down, Contact C&M
The garage door warranty is intended to cover you in the event that 1 or more of the door components are faulty in some way. Unfortunately, it won't cover you should you back into the door with your car or neglect to maintain it.
C & M Garage Doors offer expert garage door sales and service. We have years of combined experience and will diagnose and repair any problems with your door so you can stay compliant with your warranty. Call us today at (970) 663-7335.
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