Should I replace one garage door panel or the whole door?

Replace one panel when the damage is limited to that section, the maker still supplies a matching section, and the rest of the door is in good shape. Replace the door when the damage runs to several sections or the track, the door is old and worn throughout, or no match exists. A licensed garage door pro can tell you which in one visit; the choice is not worth guessing at.

When one panel is the right call

• The damage is in one place. A dent or crack in a single section from a bumper, with the neighbouring sections, hinges and track straight.
• The door is otherwise sound. The door runs smoothly and stays where you stop it, and the springs and cables are in good condition.
• A match is available. The brand still makes the section, in your size, finish and insulation.
• You are fine with a small difference. Even a good match can look slightly different next to a weathered neighbour.

For how a section swap works and why it is not a home project, read can a single garage door panel be replaced.

When the whole door is the better choice

More than one section is damaged. Replacing several sections adds up, and a door with several different ages of panel looks patchy.

The track or hardware is damaged. If the garage door and/or any of the supporting track are damaged, operating the door could be hazardous.^[1] Bent track or hardware is not a panel problem, and a new panel on a damaged door does not make it safe.

The door is worn out. If hinges, rollers, springs and cables are all aged, one panel treats the symptom. When a door fails the balance check, it needs work beyond cosmetics. CPSC says that if doors are not "balanced," or if they bind or stick, they should be serviced by a professional.^[2]

No matching section exists. For a discontinued door, the practical choices are a visible mismatch or a new door.

You want a different door. Better insulation, a different style or a new opener-ready top section are all reasons to replace the door, and for a full replacement the manufacturer's advice is never reuse old track or hardware.^[1]

The warranty point to check

If you are weighing a section against a door, check what is still under warranty. Clopay's limited warranty says it will repair or replace, at its option, any garage door section or section component that is defective in material or workmanship,^[1] but The warranty does not cover damage caused by an accident or casualty, vandalism, or normal wear and tear.^[1] And Clopay says its express warranties apply only to doors installed using original, factory-supplied sections, parts, and hardware installed in strict accordance with its instructions.^[1] Look at your own paperwork before deciding, because a repair that does not use the maker's parts may change what is covered.

Deciding between them

A quick way to compare:

• Ask two or three licensed businesses to price both options in writing: the section, fitted, and a whole door, installed.
• Ask what they found on the springs, cables, track and hinges, and what each would cost to fix.
• Weigh the section cost against the age of the rest of the door. If the quotes are close, the new door is usually the better value; if the section is far cheaper and the door is sound, repair.

The Board for Contractors says it is advisable to get at least three written bids or estimates using identical plans and specifications so you can compare prices and contractors.^[3] It also warns: "Beware of any bid substantially lower than the others".^[3]

For the price side, see how much a single garage door section costs, how much a new garage door costs and is it worth repairing an old garage door.

When to call a licensed pro

For both options, since neither is safe for a homeowner. Springs, cables and the bottom brackets are under heavy tension: springs, cables, and bottom fixtures are under strong spring tension,^[1] and "If your old door uses torsion springs, do not attempt to remove the door or the springs yourself".^[1] The work needs a licensed pro: if the work you are considering is valued at $1,000 or more, a valid Virginia Contractor's License is required for the license category in which the contractor is to work^[3] Check the licence with DPOR and ask for a written quote before you pay a deposit.

Loclis lists licensed local pros under garage doors, and there are more garage door answers. To get both options priced, describe the door and the damage once and local pros will quote it.