A garage door can last for many years with proper care, but there comes a point when repairing an old door is no longer the most practical option.
In general, replacing your garage door may be worth considering when:
- The door is very old and no longer operates reliably
- Door panels, tracks or other components have significant corrosion or deterioration
- The cost of repairing the existing door is approaching the cost of a new door
- The door has been seriously damaged in an accident
- An old tilt door is being upgraded to a sectional door
- An old roller door is being upgraded to a sectional door
- You want better insulation, security, appearance or day-to-day operation
Upgrading an Old Tilt Door to a Sectional Door
Many older Auckland homes were originally fitted with traditional tilt doors.
One reason was the relatively low garage ceiling height found in many older homes. Traditional tilt doors can operate in lower headroom situations because of their different lifting mechanism.
However, tilt doors have several limitations compared with modern sectional doors.
These limitations are a major reason why many homeowners choose to replace an old tilt door with a sectional door.
1. Larger Gaps Around the Door
A traditional tilt door moves as one large panel and requires clearance around the door frame for its operating mechanism.
This can result in larger gaps around the sides and sometimes around the top of the door.
Compared with a properly fitted sectional door, these gaps can allow more:
- Wind
- Dust
- Leaves
- Insects
- Outside air
to enter the garage.
2. A Large Single Door Panel
A tilt door consists essentially of one large panel that moves as a single unit.
This means the weight of the entire door is concentrated into one large moving structure.
The opener and operating mechanism therefore have to move the complete door as one piece.
If the door panel becomes damaged, severely corroded or structurally deteriorated, repairing a single section is generally not possible in the same way as replacing an individual panel on a sectional door.
In many cases, significant damage can therefore result in the need to replace the entire door.
3. Reduced Garage Door Opening Clearance
The operating mechanism of a traditional tilt door can reduce the usable opening of the garage.
The power arms and lifting mechanism occupy space around the sides of the opening.
When the door is open, part of the door also moves into a position below the garage header.
This can reduce the effective width and vertical clearance available compared with a correctly designed sectional door system.
This can be particularly noticeable when parking larger vehicles, vans or SUVs inside the garage.
4. Security Limitations
Traditional tilt doors can have security limitations because of the way the door closes and seals against the frame.
Depending on the door design and condition, the side edges may not be as securely retained as a modern sectional door.
If there is excessive movement, worn hardware or gaps along the sides, it may be possible to create an opening by lifting the edge of the door.
The large single-panel construction can also make the door more susceptible to movement during strong winds.
Modern sectional doors generally provide a more secure and controlled closure when correctly installed and fitted with suitable locking and opener systems.
5. Clearance in Front of the Garage
A tilt door swings outward as it opens.
This means the vehicle needs to be positioned a certain distance away from the door before opening.
You cannot usually park a vehicle tightly against the garage door and then open the door in the same way you can with a sectional door.
This can be an important consideration for short driveways or garages located close to the street or property boundary.
6. Spring Safety and Containment
Traditional tilt doors can use different types of spring systems, including springs mounted around the operating mechanism.
The way these springs are installed means that, depending on the particular system, a failed spring may not be contained in the same way as a modern enclosed torsion-spring system.
Modern sectional garage doors commonly use torsion springs mounted on a shaft above the door. The spring is installed around the shaft, which helps contain the spring if it breaks.
A failed spring can still be dangerous and should always be handled by a qualified garage door technician.
7. Alignment Problems in Older Homes
Many tilt doors have been operating for several decades.
Over this period, the power arms, hinges, pivots and other operating components can gradually wear.
Older houses can also experience small amounts of structural movement or settlement over time.
When these factors combine, the door can become misaligned.
Common symptoms include:
- The door rubbing against the side frame
- One side moving differently from the other
- The door not closing evenly
- The bottom edge hitting the ground before the rest of the door
- Increasing resistance during operation
- The door becoming difficult for the opener to move
Sometimes these problems can be repaired, but when multiple components are worn and the door itself is old, replacement with a modern sectional door may be a more practical long-term solution.
