Q: Do I need a garage door opener?

• <div><p>You don&rsquo;t need a garage door opener unless you need or desire the convenience they offer. While you may be able to open some garage doors manually, having a garage door opener makes life a lot easier. There is an exception, though&mdash;a motorized opener is an absolute must if you have a two-car garage (or larger), as the door will be too heavy for the average person to lift on their own.</p></div>

Q: Is it cheaper to buy a garage or build one?

• <div><p>In most cases, it&rsquo;s cheaper to build a garage, but it depends on how much of the labor you do yourself. If you can do most of it yourself, it tends to be cheaper than buying a prefab garage. But if you hire a contractor to build it, it&rsquo;ll likely end up more expensive than a prefab garage.</p></div>

Question 1

Do I need a garage door opener?

Accepted Answer

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You don’t need a garage door opener unless you need or desire the convenience they offer. While you may be able to open some garage doors manually, having a garage door opener makes life a lot easier. There is an exception, though—a motorized opener is an absolute must if you have a two-car garage (or larger), as the door will be too heavy for the average person to lift on their own.

Question 2

What is the average lifespan of garage doors?

Accepted Answer

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A garage door should last 30 years, give or take, before it needs replacing, so your panels should last for around that long as well. However, you should replace your garage door panels sooner if the door doesn’t function smoothly if one of the panels gets visibly damaged, or if an issue with a panel is creating a security issue.

Question 3

How can I open the garage door when the power is out?

Accepted Answer

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There are three ways to open the garage door when the power is out. One is to invest in a solar panel and battery system or generator backup power. Another method is to use the quick-release key to disconnect the garage door from the garage door opener. You can also use the key to your house to wait out the power outage and reset the garage door opener once the power returns.

If your garage door key is inside your home and you don’t have a spare key on hand to access your entry points, then call a locksmith.

Question 4

Is it cheaper to buy a garage or build one?

Accepted Answer

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In most cases, it’s cheaper to build a garage, but it depends on how much of the labor you do yourself. If you can do most of it yourself, it tends to be cheaper than buying a prefab garage. But if you hire a contractor to build it, it’ll likely end up more expensive than a prefab garage.

Question 5

Why do my garage door cables keep coming off?

Accepted Answer

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There are several reasons garage door cables can come off multiple times. The most common reason is that the springs have too much or too little tension and require adjusting. Other causes include track alignment issues that keep the door from operating correctly or smoothly. A damaged winding drum or obstructions in the cable's way can also cause it to come loose.