Garage door panels get old and can look ugly or can even cause a malfunction. Wear and tear can also damage the panel so it is good to find the right replacement. If you bought the door from a custom design house you will have to call to get new panels. If the door is branded, you can buy the right one from a store that carries the brand. When you change the panels you will benefit in the following ways:
- Insulated panels keep the house cool in summers and warm in winters. This will reduce energy expenses.
- Panels will look neat and the door well maintained.
- Reduce maintenance time.
If you get insulated panels you can save on energy bills. If your panels are bent due to misuse replace them before there is an accident. To work on the door panels you may need a ladder, hammer, ratcheting nut driver, vice clamps, knee pads, power drill and bits and scrap 2×4 inch boards.
Here are the simple steps you will need to take to change the panel:
OrderCompanies that sell garage doors also sell panels. If you know who sold and installed the door at your property, give them a call and ask them to come over to change the panels. If you know the manufacturer you can go directly to them to pick up the panels and install them on your own.
RemoveTo remove the old panels first shut off the automatic garage door opener and disconnect the center arm. Then raise the garage door with your hands and undo the tension springs from the turnbuckles that hold them in place. Do be careful as the springs have a lot of tension. Removing the springs will not allow the door to spring open while you are changing the panel. You can get badly hurt in such a situation and the panels will also get damaged. On the side of the panels, there are rollers that run on a trail to allow the door to move up and down smoothly. If your door panel is at the top you may have to remove several panels to reach the one you need to change. Use a scrap 2×4 to support it 3 or 4 inches above the ground so you can remove the bottom panel easily. The ratcheting nut driver will help with loosening bolts on the brackets holding the bottom panel in place. Vice clamps will hold the upper part of the door in place.
ReplaceAfter you have removed the old panel, slide the rollers into the track and let the new panel touch the panel below it which will stay where it is. Join both panels together using screws and bolts. Then go ahead and re-attach all the panels in the same order you removed them. Make sure the screws and bolts are tight and then put the springs back where they belong. Springs have to be tightly fixed into the holes from where you removed them in the first place. Now you are ready to turn on the automatic garage door opener, so plug it in and check the door to see how it is moving up and down. The panels will now slide smoothly.
FinishAfter you check the functionality, you are now ready to spruce up the looks by adding some fresh paint. If the door panel you just replaced does not match the color of the door, you will have to paint the entire door.
Author BioSimone Cury is a marketer by profession. In her spare time, she loves to write on technical topics related to garage doors and automated parking solutions.