Garage Door Life Expectancy: What to Know

How Long Do Garage Doors Last?

The general consensus is that the average garage door life expectancy runs between 15 and 30 years. Of course, people who compile these statistics take into account products that call for overhead door replacement far sooner than 15 years. By that same token, a high-quality brand that enjoys a precision garage door installation and is well maintained can exceed 30 years. Such a wide range of time suggests there must be a variety of factors that play into how long overhead doors last.

Factors That Impact Garage Door Life Expectancy

Perhaps the best way to expand garage door life expectancy is to know the issues that shorten its effectiveness. Although certain factors may be largely out of your control, identifying them helps homeowners select a model and brand best suited to handle adversity.

Climate & Weather Conditions

Weather conditions have a direct and discernable impact on most manufactured products, and overhead doors are no exception. Illinois experiences the full gamut of seasonal changes, ranging from hot, sweltering summers to sub-zero winters. These are ways the climate can negatively affect your garage door.

• Extreme Heat: Hot, humid summers can result in swollen panels and metal hardware expanding. In some cases, heat affects electrical components.
• Extreme Cold: Metal garage door infrastructure typically contracts when temperatures drop below freezing. They can also get stuck, damaging the garage door opener.
• Moisture: Subpar garage doors may be prone to rusting during the rainy season.
• Direct Sunlight: Garage door panels that do not use UV-resistant materials too often fade, lowering the curbside appeal of your property.



When thinking about weather conditions and how they affect garage door life expectancy, consider which direction the product will be facing. High winds, sleet, and snow will also affect your overhead door.

Daily Usage & Frequency

Wear and tear remain critical factors in any product’s longevity. Unfortunately, there’s not a great deal most homeowners can do to reduce the number of times they pull a vehicle into the garage or leave for work and errands. The springs, cables, and runners must be replaced at a certain point. How long they last depends on usage, quality materials, and seasonal upkeep.

Garage Door Material & Build Quality

There are a wide variety of aesthetically pleasing garage doors that can last upwards of 30 years if properly maintained. Aluminum, fiberglass, wood, and glass are naturally less durable than steel. That does not necessarily mean homeowners should only consider steel-constructed overhead doors. It’s generally a good idea to speak to a garage door professional about quality-built brands and materials to determine the best option for your unique needs.

Routine Maintenance & Repairs

A professional inspection of your garage door and performing routine maintenance and repairs ranks among the best ways to extend its usefulness. The seemingly minor tweaks and quick fixes add up to improving garage door life expectancy. They also help prevent inconvenient mechanical failures.

How to Extend the Life of Your Garage Door

It’s essential to view garage doors through the same lens as other products that are used on a daily basis and exposed to the elements. Although not an apples-to-apples comparison, property owners take ongoing measures to extend the usefulness of roofs. This may entail clearing away soot, leaves, and moss growths, and having a professional examine and caulk gaps around chimneys and ventilation pipes.



The fundamental idea is to stretch the life of the roof beyond its average. That being said, the goal of homeowners is to cost-effectively increase the longevity of their garage doors similar to roofs.

Inspect & Lubricate Moving Parts Regularly

Lubricant reduces friction during the raising and lowering of the door. Regreasing helps it open and close more easily, lowers tension on the components, and reduces the amount of torque the garage door opener is required to generate.

Protect Your Garage Door from the Elements

It might not be pragmatic to put up a protective barrier when severe weather storms hit the region. However, homeowners can enlist the support of a garage door repair specialist to conduct due diligence. Replacing outdated weather stripping, resealing gaps, applying UV protective coatings to wood, and installing a rubber door sweep are practical measures worth considering.

Make the Most of Your Garage Door Warranty

Your garage door warranty provides assurances that any manufacturer or installation defects can be rectified. To make the most of your garage door warranty, we recommend the following.

• Read and Understand the Warranty
• Ask Questions if the Warranty Appears Unclear
• Register the Product Online
• Schedule Annual Maintenance
• Document and Report Any Issues

Follow the warranty guidelines to ensure it remains actionable for its entirety.

Keep Your Garage Door Opener in Check

Your garage door opener requires support to exceed the average number of years it typically lasts. One of the best ways to make that happen involves lightening its load. Clearing away loose debris, eliminating dust accumulations, and keeping the tracks lubricated all help make smart garage door openers last longer.

Schedule Professional Tune-Ups Annually

While DIY maintenance steps certainly help add years to your overhead door, a professional tune-up is essential. By enlisting the support of a garage door maintenance and repair specialist, your product will be restored to maximum working order.

Call a Professional Instead of Attempting DIY Repairs

In the event your garage door becomes wedged, or a component fails, it’s prudent to call for professional garage door repairs. Should you attempt to perform a DIY fix, the warranty could be voided. It’s not uncommon for otherwise handy homeowners to worsen the problem, only because they are not garage door repair experts.

Contact Uplift Garage for Expert Garage Door Care

If you have an overhead door in need of general maintenance and repair, Uplift Garage has the experienced professionals to keep it operating smoothly. The care we provide helps prevent mechanical failures and extends the life expectancy of your garage door. Contact us today, and let’s get the process started.