Many homeowners wonder how long their garage door and garage door operator should last. A lot of factors can impact the lifetime of your garage door and operator. Here is some helpful information that you can take into account. First, we will address your operator and door separately because they are two completely different parts.
Garage Door Operator
Your garage door operator is the device that is usually attached to the top of your garage that makes your door run up and down. A general rule of thumb is that a garage door operator will last between 15-20 years for you. Keep this timeframe in mind if you start to have trouble with your operator.
Sometimes it may not be economical to put a lot of money into repairing it if its lifespan is near the 15 to 20 year mark. How many times a day do you rely on your garage door? Obviously if you’re like most homeowners who use their garage door several times a day, your operator may wear out quicker than a homeowner who runs their door a lot less.
An operator that has received annual maintenance will outlast one that has not been properly adjusted and attended to. If your garage door is too heavy for the operator you have installed, it can abnormally wear on the operator. Overhead Door Company recommends annual maintenance on garage doors. This allows The Door People to check your operator and door for needed adjustments, lubrication and to find any parts that need to be replaced or detect any abnormal wear.
All of the Overhead Door brand operators use a DC motor to run the door. What this means is that it runs quietly and smoothly, avoiding a jerky motion. It starts opening the door at a slow speed, speeds up and then slows down when it’s close to the end of its job.
Another thing to consider is the warranty that you have on your garage door operator. For example, the Overhead Door Odyssey 1000 and Destiny 1200 both offer:
- A limited non-transferrable lifetime warranty on the motor and gearbox
- A 15-year limited non-transferrable warranty on the belt
- A 5-year limited non-transferrable warranty on the parts and chain
- A 1-year limited non-transferrable warranty on parts and accessories
- A 1-year warranty on installation
Garage Door
The lifetime of your actual garage door is a different topic! Things to consider when determining this include whether you have an insulated or non-insulated door, what the door is made of (wood, steel, etc.), and what outdoor elements it encounters (and let’s face it, thanks to our Minnesota winters our garage doors endure extreme weather). Obviously extreme temperatures, wind, sun exposure and rain, sleet, snow, ice and condensation all can take a toll on your garage door.
Annual maintenance for your garage door is equally as important as it is for your operator. They go hand in hand and are almost always addressed at the same time by the garage door professional. Making sure the rollers, hinges and other parts are properly lubricated can affect your operator and your door. Furthermore, you want to make sure your garage door is aligned properly so your operator doesn’t have to work extra hard to open and close your door. Proper alignment also can keep from damaging and bending sections in the door.
A majority of Overhead Door garage doors are backed by a limited lifetime warranty. In addition, Overhead Door Company offers a 1-year warranty on their installation.
If you have questions regarding Overhead Door’s garage doors or operators and live nearby one of our area locations, please stop into our showroom, or give us a call.
