Your garage door makes up more than 30%of your home’s exterior. With that in mind, keeping it looking good is a big part of your home’s curb appeal. Over time, a garage door can deteriorate. It can accumulate dirt, rot, rust, or pests, all of which contribute to your garage door losing its visual appeal. 

With the proper maintenance, however, you can combat these problems and ensure your door stays in good shape. Whether your garage door is made of wood, steel, or glass, here are a few maintenance tips you can follow to keep it looking fantastic for years to come. 

Wood Doors vs Steel Doors vs Glass Doors

Although garage doors made from different materials generally require similar maintenance, there are a few important differences to keep in mind.

• Wood –Wood garage doors are popular for their natural aesthetic and beautiful craftsmanship. They provide many benefits but are more susceptible to problems such as discolouration and rot. They are also vulnerable to damage from pests, including termites, rodents, and more.
• Steel – Steel garage door are the most common type of door and, generally, you won’t need to worry about pests. However, they are more susceptible to rust and corrosion, especially if you use salt on your driveway in the winter or if you live in an area with higher salt content in the air, such as near the ocean.
• Glass – Glass garage doors are desirable for the natural light they let in. They are also resistant to rust, rot, and pests. However, the panels can develop cracks, plus dirt and grime can show up much more clearly on the panels. 

Inspect It Regularly

You should inspect your garage door regularly. Give it a look-over every few months for signs of weathering or deterioration. This can include rust, rot, or pests.

• Rot – For wood doors, you can easily check for rot, which starts most often at the bottom of the door, by prodding it with a screwdriver or other tool. If it is soft and gives away, that means you may have a rot problem.
• Rust – For steel doors, rust can often be found at the bottom of the door where there’s more moisture from rain or snow. Surface rust can be easily washed off with a cloth soaked in white vinegar. However, if the rust goes deeper, you may need professional assistance. Please always check with the door manufacturer to ensure that you’re using a product that’s safe for your door and one that does not negate your warranty.
• Pests – You can also keep an eye open for small holes or tunnels that indicate the presence of termites or boring beetles. 

Wash It At Least Once Per Year

Not only do dirt and grime make your garage door look worse by themselves, but they can also lead to corrosion and rot, further deteriorating the visual appearance of your door. Dirt and grime can trap moisture against the door, promoting rust in metal doors or rot in wooden ones. 

Furthermore, steel garage doors can rust more quickly when exposed to salt, such as road salt or ocean spray. Washing your garage door with warm water, a clean cloth, and a mild detergent helps to reduce the risk of rust.

Consider Refinishing It

Whether they’re painted or stained, wood garage doors should be refinished every few years. If you don’t, you may end up with peeling or cracking in the topcoat. It helps to refresh the look of your garage door, and it helps to protect the wood. Cracks in the finish can allow moisture in, leading to rot or rust, so refinishing is a key part of maintaining your wood garage door.

Check the Weatherstripping

Inspect the weatherstripping around your door. It can be easy to overlook but the weatherstripping is a vital part of maintaining the appearance of your garage door. The rubber can become cracked and brittle over time, leading to a shoddier appearance. Replacing old weatherstripping with a fresh one can improve the visual appeal of your garage door.

Call a Maintenance Professional

One of the best ways to keep your garage door in great shape is through professional maintenance services. A professional garage door maintenance technician will conduct a thorough inspection of your door. They’re highly experienced in spotting issues that you might overlook, providing you with a way to address them quickly and easily. 

Trust Creative Door Services with Your Garage Door Maintenance

Creative Door Services provides professional maintenance services for residential garage doors throughout Western Canada. When you use your garage door as often as you do, you need comprehensive maintenance services that can keep it looking good and operating smoothly. That’s where we come in.

Creative Door® residential garage door maintenance services help you keep on top of your maintenance and protect your garage door. We also have parts and accessories that allow you to do your own maintenance in some cases.

Whether you want to protect your new garage door or revitalize your old one, follow the maintenance tasks in this blog and you’ll have a great-looking door for a long time.

Contact us at one of our eight locations in Kelowna, British Columbia; Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Fort McMurray, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; or Winnipeg, Manitoba.