A commercial garage provides companies with a relatively safe place in which to perform potentially dangerous work, such as welding metals and lifting vehicles to get beneath them. A commercial garage also protects the local environment against fumes and potentially dangerous substances, and a commercial garage door is essential for it all to work. Garage doors do more than open and close, so when they're experiencing issues it can have a significant impact on the garage's ability to protect people. The following signs indicate that it's time to have a new garage door installed by local professionals.

The Door Is Not Energy-Efficient

When a garage door is closed, it essentially becomes a wall that helps to protect against the elements outside of the building. A poorly insulated garage door that enables outdoor air drafts to enter could create significant costs. According to our experts, upgrading a commercial garage door to an energy-efficient one could lower your utility bills by up to 25% per month. Commercial garages use a lot of utilities, so saving on the monthly bills could create significant cost savings. Be sure to work with a garage door company that provides quotes over the phone to understand the costs associated with installation and to learn more about how a new door can help you save on your energy bills.

The Door Insulation Is Failing

The insulation on commercial garage doors is closely related to a business's utility costs. While the garage doors on many homes lack insulation, that's not the case with commercial doors. A garage door for a business can include a thick layer of durable insulation that helps to protect the inside work environment against the outdoor weather. Over time, though, that insulation will deteriorate and suffer damage when objects fall into or back into it. If the door insulation is badly deteriorated, be sure to contact your local garage door installation contractor to address the issue.

The Door Shudders, Shakes, or Makes Noises

A garage door should open smoothly, easily, and relatively quietly. A commercial door is certain to have a motor to it and a manual backup system that enables you to open and close it. Over time, some parts are likely to deteriorate and possibly suffer from the effects of rust or corrosion. Whenever the garage door is making loud noises, shakes, or shudders while opening and closing, it's telling you to replace it, because the problem only will get worse if you do not. Take the time to reach out to your garage door installer immediately if you begin to hear these strange noises to avoid the issue growing into a more significant and costly problem.

The Door Is Too Small

A good problem to encounter with a commercial garage door is when it no longer is sufficient to allow people, items, or vehicles to come and go. The door likely worked fine when you opened your commercial garage and still operates with no problems. However, your business might have outgrown it and needs a larger opening and door to accommodate your new amount of business. When the garage door is too small, it limits what you can do inside. Call your local garage expert to have a larger door installed in order to increase the efficiency of your organization.

The Door Is Not Keeping Out Uninvited Guests

A commercial garage door should give your business a relatively secure way to bring items in and out. During your closed-for-business hours, the garage door should make it reasonably difficult for burglars to enter your commercial space. Your business likely has many valuable items, including tools, inventory, and other equipment, that may draw the attention of thieves trying to make a quick buck. If your existing garage door is relatively easy for criminals to enter and you suffer repeated break-ins, you need to replace it with a new one that is more secure. A garage door company can help you install a door that protects your business and anyone inside against potential criminal activity.

The Door Looks Outdated

Sooner or later, a good garage door becomes a worn and obsolete one. New materials, technologies, and manufacturing methods continually improve commercial garage doors, which means a better one is likely available to replace your outdated garage door. If you ever choose to sell your property, a new garage door can help to increase its value. According to HomeLight, having a new garage door installed can help people see as much as a 133% return on their investment. When making the decision to sell, be sure to contact a garage door installation company to ensure you're getting the highest value possible for your property.

The Door Does Not Pass Inspection

Regular inspections and maintenance done once or twice a year should help to preserve your garage door. The maintenance should be quick and simple with minor repairs needed from time to time. Eventually, the inspection will show the garage door needs more than maintenance or simple repairs. When the existing garage door no longer passes inspection, you need to look into replacing it. Having a professional company mount a new door will ensure you have a good one for many more years and will help to prevent accidents that might injure a worker or damage a customer's property.

The Door Needs to Be Fixed Constantly

According to HomeAdvisor, the average garage door has a life span of about 15 to 30 years when you have professionals maintain it properly and repair it as needed. Occasional repairs are necessary but should be relatively infrequent. If you find yourself paying for continual garage door repairs throughout the year, your current door is likely no longer viable. If you experience an issue after your typical working hours, be sure to work with a garage company that offers customers emergency services to begin the installation process.

The Door Raises Safety Issues

An unsafe garage door is a threat to the health of your workers, customers, and other visitors. If someone were injured by a defective garage door, the liability could be very costly and might harm your business's reputation. An insurance company might even declare you negligently continued using a defective garage door and deny coverage for personal injury liability. Instead of gambling with the health and safety of your workers and others or endangering your business, you should replace the defective door with a new one to improve safety and help limit your potential liability. If you're aware of a pre-existing issue that can impact the safety of people in your garage, reaching out to a garage door contractor is essential.

The Door Is Not the Right One for You

When you notice a better commercial garage door is available at a reasonably affordable price, you should consider replacing your existing door. Even if the current door is working as intended, a better one could help to improve the value of your property. Whenever a better door is available that fits your operating budget and could lower your operational costs while improving security and safety, you should look into installing one. A garage door installation company can help you understand the options available, so you can guarantee you'll be able to make the most informed decision possible.

Knowing when to replace your garage door can allow you to protect your business, improve its value, and help you save money. You can call A1 Garage Doors, check our online listings, or stop by our storefront today to get a better idea of what kinds of great new commercial garage doors are available for your business. We perform installation, maintenance, and repairs to help it last for many years.