Updated 3/29/22
Damage to your residential garage door can happen in an instant. You may start pulling out of your garage before the door has finished opening, or a child could accidentally throw a baseball into the door, denting a panel. If the damage is minimal, you may consider letting the panel remain damaged without doing anything. Unfortunately, the damage is likely to worsen with time, and a small problem could turn into a big one before you know it.
Table of Contents
What Do You Need to Replace a Garage Door Panel?
Can you perform a garage door panel replacement, or do you need to get the entire door replaced? The good news is, you can buy individual garage door panels for most doors and replace them without the expense of purchasing new garage doors. Learn more below about how to replace your panels and what you need to know to find the right fit.
To replace a single garage door panel, you’ll need to know several things about your door, including:
- Dimensions of the panel
- Model
- Exact color
- Which section is damaged, such as the bottom, middle or top
How can you get this information? Look for the serial number on your door, then contact the manufacturer to request it. If you purchased your doors from DistribuDoors, call our office at 206-443-1640, and we can look this information up.
Steps to Replacing Garage Door Panel
Steps to Replacing Garage Door Panel1. Safely Close the Garage Door
The first step whenever your garage door is damaged, if possible, is to safely close it and keep it closed. Do not continue to operate the door, it may cause more damage. If the door does not close you may need to call a garage door technician to come out and get it closed for you. A service fee will apply.
2. Collect the Brand and Model Information
Once your door is safely closed search the inside for any brand or model information. Write down the information you find, or simply take a photo. A lot of time these stickers have fallen off or have been worn off.
You will also want to take a photo of the inside and outside of the garage door. Make sure the whole door is in the photo. Often experienced garage door technicians can tell you the brand and model information just by seeing the pictures.
3. Measure the Width and Height of the Panel
Next, get a tape measure and measure the full width of your door and the height of the section needed. Write it down. Garage doors are measured by width first (eg. W 16’ x H 21”)
4. Contact a Garage Door Repair Specialist
Once you have whatever brand/model information that you could find along with a photo and measurements contact the local garage door company of your choice. Give them all of your gathered information. They should be able to give you pricing over the phone or email in order to get your replacement on order ASAP. Some basic garage door designs may be available immediately, others will need to be ordered.
If you are unable to gather all of this info yourself, simply let your garage door dealer know that you will need someone to come out to get the information and provide pricing. Schedule an appointment and the garage door technician can determine the door you need after inspection. Gathering the information yourself will simply expedite getting your garage door fixed ASAP.
Replacing one or two sections will typically be more cost-effective than replacing your full garage door. However, if three or more sections need to be replaced you may want to also ask how much it would cost to replace the whole door with new hardware. Often installing a new garage door with brand new hardware will cost about the same as replacing three sections of an existing garage door. This all depends on the brand and model you have.
How Can You Buy Replacement Panels for Garage Doors?
While you can buy the garage door panels yourself, we do not recommend attempting a DIY installation.
Springs cause tension in the panels, which are also very heavy. An inexperienced person could get injured trying to do the replacement by themselves. They could also cause permanent damage to the garage door. Rather than risking it, reach out to a repair service company right away to install your new panel.
Once you’ve contacted a reputable garage door repair company, you’ll be able to purchase the materials you need and schedule a time to get your repairs. DistribuDoors offers panel repair service to new and existing customers in our service area, even if we didn’t install your doors.
When contacting us, we will ask you to provide the following information:
- Brand/Model information (found on the back or side of garage door)
- Photos of inside and outside of garage door (can be emailed or texted to the office)
- Measurements (width first, then height)
Major brands that we carry include: Clopay, Northwest Door, Amarr and Wayne Dalton.
Should You Repair the Panels or Replace the Garage Door?
Purchasing replacement panels for your garage door may not be the best solution. If the damage on a panel is due to age, the entire door will likely suffer the same issues within a short period, and you’ll waste money by replacing one panel and then having to replace the whole door shortly after.
Likewise, if you have several panels that need to be replaced, buying new doors is a better long-term solution. Sagging panels and cracked or peeling paint that remains an issue despite regular maintenance also signal the need for new doors.
Replacing one or two sections will typically be more cost-effective than replacing your full garage door. However, if three or more sections need to be replaced you may want to request a quote for the whole door with new hardware. Often, installing a new garage door with brand new hardware will cost about the same as replacing three sections of an existing garage door. This all depends on the brand and model you have.
Choose DistribuDoors for your Seattle Area Garage Door Panel Repairs and Installation
Do you need repairs on your garage doors? If so, DistribuDoors can help. We provide repair services to customers throughout the greater Seattle area. Thinking you might go with replacement instead of repair? We also sell Clopay® garage doors with the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. We’ll better any competitors’ deals submitted in writing by five percent, so contact us today to request repair service or get a free installation estimate on new doors.