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How Long Should the Various Parts of Your Garage Door Last?

white garage door with silhouette

Being a homeowner is one of the main objectives for most people in their lives, but it comes with a lot of financial responsibility. Things break, need to be replaced, etc. The worst thing is when you're not at all expecting things to break. In this article, we're going to look at how long garage doors last, as well as the expected lifespans of the various components that are essential to the proper functioning of your garage door. That second part is important, as some people read that their garage door should last 20-30 years and expect to not spend a dime on garage door repair and maintenance in that time, which is obviously unrealistic. While the door itself may last for a lengthy period with little to no repair (depending on how you treat it), the moving parts will need to be swapped out multiple times in that same period.

As a garage door repair and installation company in Loveland, these are some of the most common garage door questions that we receive, so we're used to explaining the rough lifespans that you can expect for the various garage door components.

Let's Start With the Door Itself: How Long Should It Last?

You might not like this, but before we get to the nitty-gritty and discuss actual numbers, we have to say “it depends”. Garage door lifespans vary enormously according to how they're treated and whether regular maintenance and garage door repair is carried out as and when it's needed. But, here are some rough timeframes to give you an idea of what to expect. The main factor here is the material your garage door is made from:

  • Steel (20-30 Years) – Widely used material and for good reason. They last a long time when looked after. Rust and getting bent out of shape are the main risk factors that can influence lifespan.
  • Aluminum (20-30 Years) – Lighter than steel and resistant to rust, there are some obvious benefits of aluminum garage doors, but you do have to be more careful with how you treat them as they will dent more easily.
  • Wood (15-30 Years) – The lifespan of wooden garage doors can vary enormously according to the care and attention that goes into maintaining them. Treat them well and they can be a beautiful feature of your home. Neglect them and they won't last long.
  • Fiberglass (20-30 Years) – A newer material in the garage door space, fiberglass is great at resisting the varied weather conditions we experience in Loveland, but not quite so good at resisting impacts.
  • Vinyl (20-30 Years) – Vinyl provides all of the benefits that fiberglass does with increased durability. If you're looking for a lower-maintenance garage door that can last for years and years, this is a good choice. It might cost you more upfront though.

How Long Do Garage Door Springs Last?

Garage door springs are without doubt one of the most important components in your garage door setup. Broken garage door springs won't just affect performance, they will render your garage door unusable. They're responsible for supporting much of the door's weight when the door is lowered and raised.

In terms of how long they last, most garage door springs are rated for 10,000 cycles. How long that equates to in weeks, months and years just depends on how often you use your door. Some people open and close their garage multiple times per day, while others might only access their garage a couple of times per week.

The following real-world example will give you a better idea. If you were to open and close your garage door twice per day – fairly common, once when going to work and again when you come home – your garage door springs should last roughly 14 years. The more cycles per day – maybe you store things in the garage or use it as a workout space – the shorter the lifespan they will enjoy.

How Long Do Garage Door Rollers Last?

There are two factors that will heavily influence the lifespan of garage door rollers; the material they're made from and the frequency of maintenance. These rollers can be bought in a variety of materials including plastic, nylon, and steel, and most manufacturers will recommend they're maintained (condition checked and lubricated) every 6 months. Here's what sort of lifespan you can expect from your rollers:

  • Plastic Rollers – These are the cheapest options and will likely only last a few short years, depending on how often you open/close the garage door.
  • Steel Rollers (without Ball Bearings) – These are a slight upgrade, being a little more resistant, but will still not last that long. A few years at most typically.
  • Steel Rollers (with Ball Bearings) – Now we're talking. You get a lot more out of these rollers and if they're well looked after, you can expect to get up to 15 years of use. They are noisy though.
  • Nylon Rollers – These are the crème de la crème and are the option we always recommend if the client has the budget, as they operate much more quietly and they last longer – up to 20 years!

    • We Can Help Make Your Garage Door Last Longer

    Proper maintenance and timely garage door repair are key when it comes to extending your door's lifespan as much as possible. If you live in Loveland or the surrounding area and would like us to give your garage door a check-up, get in touch today.

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