How Long Does a Steel Garage Door Last? (4 Factors That Impact Its Lifespan)
One way to measure the value of your steel garage door investment is the door’s lifespan. Your garage door may not last 100 years, but if it lasts at least as long as you live in that house or own that garage, you’ve made an excellent purchase.
As you embark on your garage door-buying journey, you’ll want to make sure you choose a good product. In this post, we’ll explain how long a steel garage door should last and three factors that impact its lifespan.
How long does a steel garage door last?
The lifetime of your door depends on multiple factors, but generally, a well-cared-for steel door should operate reliably for up to 30 years. Knowing your door’s lifespan can help you decide when it needs tune-ups and repairs.
Whether you are choosing a door for a new home or a replacement door, you will want to select a door that will last for several years.
So, what factors impact the lifespan of a steel garage door?
4 Factors:
- The quality of the door
- Daily usage
- Regular maintenance
- Weather conditions
1 – The quality of the garage door
The phrase “you get what you pay for” comes to mind in any home improvement project. We can also apply it to garage door choices. Choosing a cheaper door means sacrificing durability, lifespan, and in some cases, security.
The better your door’s quality, the more it will withstand regular wear and tear. Additionally, steel doors can withstand hot and cold weather compared to wood garage doors with no problems. They won’t split or rot and are resistant to dents, rust, and corrosion.
How do you know you’re getting a high-quality door?
People primarily rely on the expertise of their sales consultants and reviews. Something you will want to look for in a good steel door is the gauge of the steel. Garage doors should be constructed with 25 gauge steel or less. Steel doors starting at this gauge point will withstand regular use and are less likely to rust. Consider a smaller gauge door if your door gets more frequent. Remember, when it comes to steel, the smaller the gauge, the heavier or thicker the steel.
2 – Daily usage
A steel door that is treated well should last about 30 years. However, garage doors consist of several moving parts that can break down. The part most garage door folks will warn you about is the door’s springs. Springs have a lifecycle of about 10,000 cycles; springs on a garage door that is used two times a day might last 14 years, and doors used six times a day can last as little as four years. Many people overlook the wear on their garage door springs which can result in damage to other parts of the door system like the drive.
3 – Regular maintenance
Avoid repairs by keeping up with regular maintenance. Home appliances like your HVAC system, laundry machines, refrigerator, dishwasher, etc., benefit from an annual tune-up. So does your garage door. There are parts of the garage door system that we can’t see; scheduling a service appointment can help extend the door’s life. Usually, homeowners don’t call a garage door company for help until it’s time for a significant repair or complete replacement.
In addition to a tune-up, give your door a surface wash every few months to remove buildup. A good wash will keep your door looking good.
4 – Weather conditions
The weather conditions in your area will also factor into the lifespan of your garage door. In some areas, that means excess rain, extreme heat or cold, strong winds, etc. Homeowners in regions with destructive weather patterns need to be particularly picky about their door choice.
Quality steel doors can withstand damage caused by the force of hailstorms, strong winds, and expansion and contraction.
A steel door is a good choice in Southern California, where we have a warm climate. The door will last longer because it doesn’t face destructive weather and can also be an energy-efficient choice. Insulated steel doors can reduce solar heat transfer, decreasing the stress on your HVAC unit.
Which brands make steel garage doors?
All the top garage door brands offer customizable steel door options. Our team recommends garage door options from Amarr, Clopay, and CHI.
Please take a look at our steel door options on our Door Finder page to learn more.
Where can you buy a steel garage door in California?
For quality and attractive steel doors, contact our team at Heritage Garage Door. We’ve proudly provided garage doors to Southern California homeowners since 1989.
With Heritage Garage Door, replacing your outdated garage is easy. We offer a wide selection of doors from leading manufacturers. To learn more about our products and services, explore our website.
Ready to talk garage doors? Give us a call at (951) 880-1999.
