Replace an old wood garage door?

Old wood doors are heavy, and they get heavier as they absorb moisture. Springs are sized for the door's weight when it was installed. As the door takes on water and ages, the balance drifts, and the opener and springs work harder. Rot usually starts at the bottom section and around the hinges, where water sits.

Wood doors in Colorado also have to deal with dry air, strong sun, and freeze and thaw cycles. Wood expands and contracts with the season, so panels can warp, joints open up and the door can bind in the track. Repainting helps, but it does not repair rot or fix a warped panel. Hinges and fasteners that hold in rotted wood loosen over time.

If the structure is sound, a wood door can be repaired, repainted and kept. Often it is worth saving if it is an unusual custom design. If it is a standard wood panel door that is rotting, the question is whether you want to keep fixing it. A new door removes the weight, the rot and the painting. Our garage door types guide shows options, and custom looks are covered in carriage-style doors.

If only one panel is rotted, section replacement can work, but finding a matching panel for an old design can be hard. When many panels are failing, replacing the whole door is usually the practical choice.

Modern doors come in wood-look steel and composite, with insulation. The insulation question is worth a read before you choose.