Replacing a garage door is necessary to add security and value to your home. Learn how each door type affects the total cost of this project.
How Long Do Garage Doors Last?
Find out if it’s time to replace your garage door
Get quotes from garage door pros near you
No obligation · 100% free
Get quotes from garage door pros near you
No obligation · 100% free
Need Help With a Project? Connect With a Pro
Your garage door lifespan depends on material quality, with steel doors lasting 15 to 30 years and solid wood lasting 20 to 30 years.
Expect to pay $150 to $375 for garage door repairs, so addressing issues early helps you avoid higher costs down the road.
You should schedule regular maintenance to lubricate moving parts, inspect for damage, and replace weatherstripping to extend your door's life expectancy.
Hiring a local garage door company provides reliable help with spring replacements, cable repairs, and opener installations to keep your door operating smoothly.
Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.
For homeowners looking for both practicality and durability in their property, the longevity of a garage door is a crucial factor to consider. Knowing how long a garage door lasts allows you to make informed decisions about upkeep, repairs, and a potential replacement. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the lifespan of a garage, so you can get the most out of your investment.
How Long Does a Garage Door Last?
Typically, a garage door that is properly cared for can last for 15 to 30 years. The lifespan can vary depending on several factors, including the quality of materials, usage patterns, maintenance practices, and environmental conditions.
The type of material also makes a difference in overall durability. For example, steel garage doors are renowned for their long-lasting properties, as single-layer steel garage doors can endure for approximately 15 to 20 years, and triple-layer steel garage doors may even last for 25 to 30 years. While wood may require more rigorous upkeep, it can have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years.
The amount of use a garage door has will also play a crucial role in its lifespan. A door that is constantly opened and closed may experience more wear and tear. Regular maintenance, inspections, and prompt handling of any issues can help ensure optimal functionality, and extend the lifespan of your garage door. Environmental factors–like extreme temperatures, humidity, and exposure to corrosive elements–can also have an impact.
Garage Door Lifespan by Material
The type of material used to construct the garage door will impact its longevity. On average, a garage door lasts 15 to 30 years.
Below is a breakdown of the average lifespan of a garage door based on its material.
| Material | Lifespan (Years) |
|---|---|
| Steel | 15–30 |
| Wood composite | 15–20 |
| Solid wood | 20–30 |
| Aluminum | 15–25 |
| Fiberglass | 20–25 |
Factors That Impact the Longevity of a Garage Door
While the material used in the construction of a garage door is an indicator of its longevity, many other factors contribute to how long a door will function.
Material Quality
Again, there are five main types of garage door materials, and each type has its own strengths and weaknesses that could influence the longevity of your garage doors.
High-quality materials, such as solid wood or durable steel, have an increased likelihood of withstanding the effects of weather, wear, and tear over an extended period of time. Softer wood materials, wood composite, and aluminum have less durability overall, while fiberglass falls in the midrange of durability.
Installation
Garage doors are extremely heavy—weighing between 125 and 250 pounds on average for a single door and up to 500 pounds for a double garage door. Attempting to install a garage door yourself when you don’t have experience handling a project of such a high caliber can result in issues and even safety hazards that break down your garage door well before its expiration tag.
Knowing who to hire to build a new garage door can make a big difference. Hiring a local garage door company for installation ensures all components are aligned correctly, reducing the risk of malfunctions and premature wear.
Proper Sizing
You must fit a garage door precisely to the opening size for the door to experience the least amount of strain and premature wear. If you size a door improperly, then it may be subject to excessive stress, resulting in faster deterioration.
Most garages fall into standard sizes that you can refer to and easily purchase a door that fits the opening, but some homes have custom garages that may require a professional to size and order the correct garage door size.
Design
Enhanced features can make a difference, such as insulation and weatherstripping, and safeguard the doors from harsh environmental elements. Installing garage door alternatives like advanced opening mechanisms can reduce stress on the door's components.
Usage
Longevity is affected by the frequency of the doors opening and closing daily. Garage doors in high-traffic locations such as busy households or businesses are more likely to wear down quicker and could need increased maintenance and replacements.
Environmental Conditions
Garage doors may suffer from wear and tear due to extreme weather conditions, such as heat, cold, high humidity, and extreme temperature changes in a given day. Similarly, metal garage door components can corrode from elements such as salt in coastal locations. Poor soil quality, erosion, and water damage can also cause your garage floor to sink, which can knock your garage door out of alignment and cause structural damage that shortens its lifespan.
Maintenance
Maintaining a garage door regularly is crucial for preserving its condition. This involves lubricating its moving parts and thoroughly inspecting and replacing worn components. Failing to perform maintenance tasks may result in increased wear and a shortened lifespan for the garage door.
How to Extend the Life of Your Garage Doors
To ensure your garage door has a long lifespan, a combination of proper usage, consideration for environmental factors, and regular maintenance is essential.
Perform Regular Maintenance
It’s important to create a maintenance schedule for the parts of a garage door and arrange garage door tune-ups. Lubricating the hinges, rollers, and springs to reduce friction and wear is crucial. You should also inspect the garage door for signs of damage, rust, or wear and address problems immediately. You should also periodically replace the weatherstripping.
While you may be able to DIY some repairs, it's often best to hire a garage door professional. The average garage door repair cost ranges between $150 and $375.
Protect It From the Elements
You can also consider painting your garage door to provide an extended lifespan. If you don't know how to paint a garage door, you can hire a professional painter for the job. The cost to paint a garage door ranges between $200 and $500 per project.
Take your local climate into account, too. Install a dehumidifier in areas with high humidity and install insulation in cold areas. Opting for a high-quality door from a reputable manufacturer, and having it professionally installed, can also provide a solid foundation for long-term durability.
Limit Usage
Avoid stress on the door's components by using it too often or unnecessarily. The garage door opener lifespan is about 10 to 15 years, so caring for this mechanism is essential.
Angi Tip
If you tend to enter and exit your home primarily through your attached garage, it's time to break that habit and use your house doors instead. If you open and shut your garage doors between five and 10 times per day, you'll have to replace the springs every two to three years. Try to keep your garage door up-down cycles to twice daily—you'll get seven years or more out of your springs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Garage door services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.6★ avg. • 33 total reviews
- Maggie M.
Jason has helped me with multiple household projects, with the most recent being new door installation. He has always showed up on time and organized and has done an incredible job! Jason is very professional and he's now my go-to for anything around my house that needs to be fixed or...
Huff Garage Rescue, LLC - Thomas S.
Company came to look at my garage door that was off track. They also said I needed a brace on the other garage door. They put the door back on track, and I paid to install the brace. The technician told me I needed a new garage door opener, and it would cost $1000. Red flags went off in...
Precision Overhead Garage Door Service - Lisa S.
On Sunday 2/26 I requested quotes via Angi from 4 refrigerator repair businesses. Northwest Appliance responded to me Monday morning (2/27) and my refrigerator was repaired by noon the same day. Great communication, they did everything they said they would. The technician had the parts on...
- Warren C.
Excellent customer service and knowledge. I was recommend to him from my neighbour. My front door and window came in great and were installed beautifully perfectly, I m very satisfied with their excellent work, so decided to order one more big bow window for my living room. I cant wait for...
Window Depot USA of Central Ohio - Matthew L.
Called ahead and worked quickly to install keyless locks on vintage wooden doors.
Expert Lock and Key, LLC - Lori M.
Scott did not get appropriate access to the property prior to the scheduled inspection which required us to come back later in the day to complete it. He also, unprofessionally, knocked on a neighbor?s door in his attempts to reach someone with access. His overall report was fine though the...
Security First Home Inspections - Matt J.
I highly recommend KTM construction! I will look no where else for anything that needs to be done, in or out side of our property. The level of craftsmanship is 5 star service across the board! The level of detail, knowledge and professionalism is 5 star service across the board! Ken is a...
KTM Construction, LLC - Gary K.
Door Depot was very responsive - they came out the day after my call to assess my needs, then returned at my convenience to complete the work. They arrived early, and the work was completed in a shorter period of time than estimated. Very pleased with the results. I would definitely use them...
Door Depot LLC - Jim L.
Replace garage doors: Fast response, competitive estimate, timely work done well.
Village Garage Door - Bruce B.
I would have given an "A" rating were it not for the devil being in the details. 1. The van rear doors, when open, expose the track area and that had not been cleaned. Noticeable only when you look for it and then it's obvious. 2. Was able to get 99.5% of the dog hair out of the cargo area...
614 Detail
The homeowners guide to garage door services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Garage door tune-ups aren’t too expensive, and most of the fixes are simple. That being said, simple doesn’t always mean safe, so it’s best to hire a pro for this project.
Replacing a garage door sensor is one of the least expensive fixes for a garage door. Learn how you may not need to totally replace it if it only requires an alignment or cleaning.
Having issues with your garage door? Use these tips to get it working properly again to keep your car and your belongings secure.
Choosing your garage door opening style is a major consideration for both your wallet and your home. Learn the types of garage doors to find the one that best suits your style.
Winterizing your garage door can help you throughout the year, not only in the winter. Using this guide, you’ll learn how adding items such as insulation and even table salt can help prevent your garage door from freezing.