Should I Replace a Dented Garage Door or Fix It Instead?

Fixing a garage door in Dunedin, FL, or just replace a dented garage door will help recapture your homes curb appeal as significant dents can be an eyesore.

Also, if you’re trying to sell your home it can affect potential homebuyer’s first impression of a house. Remember, even a miniature crack home window can make your buyer think there’s something wrong with your home so imagine a dented garage door.

Aluminum and steel garage doors are popular in many homes. Their strength and low-maintenance make them an excellent decision for homeowners. Despite their benefits, they have one negative aspect; they dent easily.

The dents can be little and not clear from a baseball or huge from unintentional backing into the door making an ugly dent. Usually, a dented garage door can be fixed, but, often a garage door replacement in Clearwater is a superior solution.

First, is the Damage Significant?

 A garage door can have dents for many reasons, some can cause more damage than others. When your child’s bicycle bumps into the door or a baseball ricochet off the door, a little dent may result.

However, if a vehicle reverses or accidentally accelerates into the door, there’s a higher possibility the entire garage door may bend. This can cause more damage that may require more work than cannot be accomplished by a simple patch job.

What material is your garage door made of?

Wooden doors that have splintered or scratched could most profit by an expert’s touch. But, if the doors are made of stainless steel or aluminum, little dents can be fixed with the correct tools, materials, and techniques.

You can either DIY or hire an expert who has many years’ experience in the garage door which will save you headaches and money.

Aluminum Garage Door Dent Repair

You can more easily fix aluminum garage door material. Get a bucket of water, dish soap, a sponge, a lighter, tinfoil, and a container of compressed air. Fill a bucket with warm water and add some drops of dish soap and mix evenly. Clean the dented area to remove all debris and dirt. Let it air dry before proceeding.

Next, measure and cut a piece of tinfoil and put it over the dent with tape. Hold the lighter fire over the tinfoil for at least a minute so heat can be transmitted to the dented area. Remove the foil and quickly spray the condense air over the area equally.

Because of the molecular structure of aluminum, the sudden change in temperature makes the dent reverse as the surface moves once again into its original position.

Steel Dent Garage Door Repair

Stainless steel doors require a different technique – use a steel door or auto body filling compound. First, wash the door’s surface with dish soap and water to remove dirt and let the area dry. Sand the dent with the recommended grit level of sandpaper and wipe the dust away. You need to replace a dented garage door when you can’t fix it since it makes your home vulnerable to crime.

Use a putty knife to apply the compound to the dent. Sand it again after the area dries with finer grit sandpaper and prime and paint the section to match the original color.

Reasons to replace your garage door

There are two significant reasons to replace your garage door:

Cosmetic Issues: Garage doors wear away after some time just like other parts of a home. A rusted door, scratched, or with large dents need replacement. Besides the fact that it is a wise investment into your home’s safety, it also increases the value of your home beyond its original price.

Substantial Damage: If you can’t fix a garage door that has been seriously damaged by wear and tear, strong winds, or a reversing vehicle needs replacement. Remember, door parts such as springs, track, and opener motor can get damaged too. Often, you will need to repair or replace these parts.

What to do when you can’t DIY

If you can’t fix the dent on your garage door yourself, there’s always the option of calling the experts at Sure Fix Garage Door Repair. Garage door repair companies near you have much experience in dent fixes, door replacements, and maintenance.

Is not expensive to replace a dented garage doorand can be a remarkable home improvement project that returns almost all your investment. So don’t lose hope when these above techniques don’t fix the dent.

For the best garage door replacement in the Clearwater area, Sure Fix Garage Door Repair has you covered.