Your residential garage doors already have the WOW factor; it’s time to give them that NOW factor. The best time of year to tackle a retrofit project is spring or early summer. But how do you know if this is the year to take on a garage door retrofit? Here are some guidelines from the experts at Creative Door Services™ to help you decide!

Why Retrofit Your Garage Doors Now?

If any of the following statements apply to you, now’s the right time to retrofit your garage doors:

• You have new priorities for your home. Do you plan to use your garage for a new purpose, like turning it into an office or studio? Do you want to enhance your energy efficiency or improve your property’s resale value? Retrofitting your garage door is an excellent investment if you’re planning home improvement.
  
  
• Your garage door is old. If your garage door is an older model, but you still like its esthetic charm, retrofitting can prevent that attractive door from getting damaged by malfunctioning mechanics. Plus, modern garage door openers provide increased efficiency.
  
  
• Your garage door is damaged. Worn-out or malfunctioning mechanics are more than just a nuisance; they can be dangerous. Retrofitting your garage door can keep your loved ones safe and eliminate the little annoyances of opening and closing that old door.
  
  
• You’re concerned about cost. Retrofitting your garage door is cheaper than completely replacing it. In the long run, improving your garage door’s operational and energy efficiency will continue putting money back into your pocket.

A professional garage door installer can inspect your current system and recommend the best upgrades.

Why Retrofit Rather Than Replace?

Whether you replace or upgrade your residential garage doors, you’re investing in the long-term value of your home. Here are a few reasons to retrofit rather than replace.

• Retrofitting is an economical way to modernize your existing garage door. If the door itself is still in good condition, why replace it?
• The mechanics on older garage doors aren’t as safe as those on more modern entries.
• You can introduce modern features to improve your door’s operating efficiency and enhance your home’s security.

If your garage door is authentic to the original style of your heritage home, retrofitting will help you maintain the character of your abode while bringing the functionality up to contemporary standards.

Retrofit Improvements to Consider

If you love the look of your garage door but want to improve its functionality, consider upgrading these elements:

• The wall-mounted opener may have seen better days. Explore newer models of garage door openers with faster or quieter operation.
  
  
• The spring is what moves the door up and down. If your garage door is older, replacing an outdated extension spring with a torsion spring will enhance your door’s safety. If your garage sees more traffic than it used to, switching to a high-cycle torsion spring might be an ideal upgrade.
  
  
• The rollers can get noisy over time. Replacing your metal rollers with nylon or polyurethane rollers designed to absorb vibration can make your door quieter.
  
  
• The track guides the rollers as the door opens and closes. A standard 17- or 18-gauge track is more vulnerable to damage from minor impacts. Switching to a 14- or 15-gauge track can help it withstand harder knocks.
  
  
• The weatherstrip is a small feature that can add massive value if you replace it regularly.
  
  
• New functionalities include Wi-Fi access and home monitoring for added convenience and enhanced home security. You can maintain your home’s authentic historic beauty and, at the same time, increase your home’s efficiency and safety.

Although retrofitting is often about keeping the door but updating the inner workings, you may consider changing your one-piece door to a sectional door. Adding a window feature with tempered glass, privacy-enhancing finishes, or a grille overlay can bring light into your interior and add visual appeal to your exterior.

Updating Residential Garage Doors for Western Canada’s Homes

Creative Door Services™ has the expertise and the inventory of replacement parts and accessories to bring your outdated residential garage doors into the 21^st century. And when we’ve done that, our planned maintenance program can help you keep it in top condition. Ready to talk retrofits? Contact us today to discuss your needs and request a free quote.

We serve residential and commercial clients across Western Canada from our conveniently located branches in Kelowna, British Columbia; Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Fort McMurray, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Winnipeg, Manitoba.