A new garage door isn't cheap, so it's no surprise that homeowners would look for ways to save on a new garage door installation. Some will opt for the least expensive door they can find while others will be tempted to reuse parts from their existing door that appear to still be functioning properly. On some level that seems to make a lot of sense. But it's actually quite a risky idea, especially when it comes to reusing the garage door tracks. In this post, we'll examine this notion and discuss why your old garage door tracks should not be reused.
If you have decided to have a new garage door installed but are flirting with the idea of keeping the tracks to save a few bucks, consider the following five points.
#1: Old Tracks May Look Fine, But They're Not
If the tracks are more than ten years old, they likely sustained subtle damage that won't be immediately visible to the naked eye. The old door may have gradually adjusted to these defects over time but you cannot count on the new door being so forgiving. Also, it's quite possible that the new door will weigh more than the old door, which will only serve to magnify the extent of the problem. Remember, tracks are designed to handle the specific overhead door they are paired with. If you put a heavier door on old, compromised tracks that are not designed for that door you are inviting the worst kind of trouble. Maybe not on day one, but at some point.
#2: The Old Tracks May Interfere With a New Garage Door
A brand new door with brand new rollers, springs and other hardware will open quicker, run smoother, be quieter and seal up more completely than an old door. At least it will if it has the right tracks to run on. If you are saddling it with old tracks there's a good chance it will sputter through its motions, squeak and squeal as it rises and falls and may not open or close completely. All of that dysfunction is going to make what you spent on the brand new garage door seem like wasted money. Spend a little more on new tracks and do the new door justice.
#3: Keeping Old Tracks May Void Your New Garage Door's Warranty
Warranties are really only as good as their fine print. If you plan on installing a new garage door on old garage door tracks you had better read the fine print on your new door's warranty very carefully first. Garage door warranties include plenty of caveats. Some of the most common are that the warranty will be voided if you run the new door using an old motor or you run it on old tracks. It actually makes sense when you think about it. After all, the odds of an accident that results in damage to the door are greatly increased if you keep the old tracks. So why would a manufacturer reimburse someone for damage that could have been avoided? The short answer is, they probably won't.
#4: They Look Like Used Garage Door Tracks
People put a lot of time, effort and money into maintaining their Arvada home and making sure it always looks great. Why would anyone want to undermine all their hard work by keeping old garage door tracks? When paired with the old door they no doubt seemed acceptable. But that's because the door and tracks aged together. Once you replace the old door with a shiny new door the contrast between it and the old, worn tracks will be dramatic. With the door closed no one will see the difference. That much is true. But the old tracks will be visible every time you open the door. And worse yet, if you are trying to sell the house and prospective buyers see that you have old tracks paired with a new door they're going to wonder what other parts of the house have been similarly compromised.
#5: Old Tracks Can Compromise a New Garage Door Opener
The motor on your new opener was designed to handle a certain amount of weight and a certain amount of resistance from the door. If you keep the old tracks there is a better than even chance that those tracks are going to produce more resistance than new tracks would. First, because the old tracks will likely be worn and rusty in places, and second because it's likely the metrics of the new door will be slightly different than the original door. For instance, if the new door has a turning radius just slightly different than the old door the opener will have to work harder than it was designed to pull the door around the bend in the old tracks. Having to work harder will lead to more frequent breakdowns and a shorter lifespan for your door.
Reliable Garage Door Installation for Arvada Homeowners
If you're in the market for a new garage door or garage door repair, or you would like to discuss garage door sales with one of our highly-trained customer service reps give A Well Hung Garage Door a call today at (303) 422-0232, or write to us at awellhunggaragedoor@gmail.com. For nearly 20 years we have been helping the people of Arvada keep their garage doors running like clockwork, and we can do the same for you.