When was the last time you went out and took a look at your garage door? For that matter, when was the last time you examined your garage door from the inside? If you are like many people, as long as the door goes up and down like it is supposed to, and when it is supposed to, you probably pay very little attention to what is very likely the largest door in your home.

On average, your garage door accounts for nearly 40 percent of the frontal area of your home. A lack in proper and regular maintenance can result in this area becoming an eyesore, reducing the amount of security and comfort provided by the door, generating some potentially costly repairs, even leading to a personal injury situation.

By taking a few precautionary steps today, you can ensure that you will get the most from your overhead garage door.

But, it’s just a door

When you think about it, your garage door can be a key to the enjoyment of — and sense of security you may have in — your home. What sits as the gateway to your primary long-term investment also protects your many other primary investments — such as cars, boats, campers, lawn equipment, etc. Perhaps you have a workshop in your garage or you find it a convenient place to tinker on your car? Many people use the garage as a large room for entertaining or engaging in a variety of crafting activities that may require a larger working space or an area more conducive to making a mess.

In any case, if the garage door is not well kept, you run the risk of losing the convenience and security that comes with the door being in place and in sound working order.

Professional garage door installers recommend that you give your door a good going over about once a year (preferably just before winter). This work will involve lubricating and adjusting the door as needed, reviewing the status and safety of the garage door opener — if you have one — and making sure all the bolts, nuts and screws are tight and secure.

If you decide to do the work yourself, professionals recommend that you never touch the bottom brackets, cables or springs. A garage door is relatively easy to operate, because high-tension cables and springs are doing the bulk of the work. Should you inadvertently loosen the main brackets — which are generally located near the bottom — you’re creating a dangerous situation that may not allow the door to work properly, and may create a situation where someone could get hurt when using the door.

If you have an electric garage door opener, it is recommended that you periodically disengage the opener about once a year. This is a good idea for two reasons. First, to make sure you know how to do it. Second, to know that you can operate the door properly without it. This will come in handy should the opener break or the power go out when you least expect it.

If you do not feel comfortable doing the work yourself, you can get a professional to come out and do it for you. Typically, these visits last about a half an hour and cost around $50.
One of the more-common problems people experience with their garage doors is breakage of one of the high-
tension springs. On average, garage door springs should last between eight and 12 years. If one breaks, it is recommended that you replace both.

If you have other problems, like your door jumps its tracks, the professionals recommend that you don’t try to fix it yourself. Leave the door alone and call for help. What you do may ultimately cause more damage, or worse, cause the door to drop from the tracks to fall on your car or anyone standing under the door.

And when the worst happens?

Even with proper maintenance, the time may come when your garage door will need to be replaced. It might be that the weather has finally gotten the best of your old door, or perhaps you didn’t wait long enough before backing out or pulling in. It might be that time and weather have taken their toll. Wear and tear on the garage is evident in cracked brackets or bowing or buckling in the door itself. In either case, there is a replacement garage door out there to suit virtually every need and taste.

The biggest garage door decision you will make is deciding between a door of wood or a door of steel. While a wood door may add a certain aesthetic look to your home, and may be more durable than some steel doors, they can also cost more, require more maintenance and may be harder to find than steel doors.

Should you choose a wooden door, it is recommended that you paint, treat or stain both the inside and the outside of the door. Professionals say the biggest mistake a wood door owner can make is not treating the inside of the door. Condensation, humidity and other factors can ultimately lead to the door deteriorating from the inside out.

Steel doors offer a wide variety of options from non-insulated to dully insulated. There are also a wide array of window options and the ability to paint them in virtually any color.

You will want to review the various options with a local dealer and select a door that best suits your needs. Also, be sure to review the warranty information provided by the door manufacturer and installer. There may be a number of things that may void the warranty, such as painting the door black or a very dark shade of brown. Those colors tend to cause the door to retain too much heat.

To have your garage door installed, you can expect to pay $600-$700 for a basic, steel two-car garage door. From there, depending on which options you select, the door, with installation, could cost as much as $1,500. Check with your installer to make sure they offer the service of taking your old door away to be disposed of properly.