Our old garage door was really showing its age after many years of usage. The panels were starting to warp and cracks were forming along the sides. It was getting increasingly difficult to open and close the door smoothly without needing to apply extra force. We knew it was time for a replacement but weren’t sure where to start with such a big project. Here are some of the key lessons we learned going through the entire garage door replacement process ourselves from start to finish.
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Doing Research Up Front
There are so many garage door options nowadays in terms of material, design, and installation. We spent a good amount of time browsing online reviews and asking friends for recommendations to understand what would work best for our needs and budget. This helped narrow down our choices before contacting any companies. A handy resource we found was talking to the folks at Garage Door Replacement Poquoson as they gave us unbiased advice on popular brands.
Hiring a Certified Professional for Installation
While the removal of our old door and measuring for the new one seemed straightforward, we decided it would be safest to hire a certified garage door technician to do the actual installation. These professionals have all the right tools and experience installing different door styles to do the job properly. It’s not worth taking safety risks on such an important structural component if you’re unsure of your abilities.
Going with a Reputable Brand
We selected a quality steel raised panel door from Clopay based on their solid reviews. Choosing a brand backed by a good warranty gave us peace of mind that any issues would be covered. It has worked great so far with no problems. Steer clear of no-name or low budget options that may not be built to last.
Allowing Extra Time for the Project
Even with a pro doing the installation, it still took a full day to remove the old door, frame the new opening, and get the new door fully operational. Be prepared for some disruption to your day and garage access. Having extra patience is needed when tackling a big home improvement job.
Factor in concealed costs
While we budgeted well for the door itself, we didn’t anticipate additional small expenses like new garage door opener parts, minor electrical work, and extra materials. Have some wiggle room in your project funds to cover any other costs that may pop up.
Evaluating the Finished Result
Now that some time has passed with the new door, we are so happy with how it functions and enhances the appearance of our home. The installation was done flawlessly and it glides open with ease every single time. We’re glad we took on this upgrade and didn’t delay fixing our damaged old door any longer. An investment in a new garage door really does pay off in the long run.
In summary, properly planning, hiring qualified help, choosing trusted brands, allowing extra time, and budgeting for potential hidden fees are all important lessons we learned going through our garage door replacement project from start to finish. If aspects like the physical installation seem overwhelming, it’s definitely worth hiring certified experts like those at Garage Door Replacement Poquoson to stay on the safe side.
Juan Farr is an avid home blogger, with the goal of helping his readers find inspiration and ideas for their next project. He writes about everything from small design projects to large renovations. His goal is to help people transform their homes into something that reflects who they are.
