A sectional garage door is built from four or five horizontal panels linked by hinges. If only one section is damaged, replacing that section can bring the door back without buying a whole new door. It depends on the door's age and whether the maker still produces a matching panel.
What damages panels in Albuquerque
High desert sun.
With about 278 sunny days a year at 5,312 feet, finishes fade and chalk. Wood panels dry out, split and can delaminate. Some thinner doors warp slightly on the sunny side.
Spring wind.
Winds of 20 to 30 mph in late March and April can bend a section on a door left part way open, or bow a thin panel.
Knocks and bumps.
Balls, bikes and car bumpers leave dents.
An off-track door.
When rollers come out of the track, sections can twist and crack along the hinges.
When a single panel swap works
A section replacement is worth asking about when:
- Only one or two sections are damaged.
- The maker, model, size and color are known and still available.
- The springs, tracks and the other sections are in good shape.
Look for a label on the inside of the door, often on a panel or the end of a section. A photo of it helps the technician check availability before the visit.
When to replace the whole door
- No matching panel is made any more.
- Several sections are cracked, warped or dented.
- The finish has faded so much that a new panel would stand out badly.
- The door is old, uninsulated, and the garage gets hot.
In that case, read our guide to garage door replacement in Albuquerque.
Cosmetic or structural?
A small dent in the face of a steel panel is mostly a looks problem. A crease across the panel, a crack at a hinge, or a bend in the top section is different. It can make the door bind, put extra strain on the opener and springs, and get worse each time the door runs. If the door sticks or shudders as it passes the damaged section, stop using it until it has been looked at.
Looking after panels
- Wash the door a couple of times a year to take off dust that dulls the finish.
- Refinish wood doors on a regular schedule, since sun dries them out faster here.
- Close the door fully in spring wind and before monsoon storms.
- Check that the reinforcing strut across the top section, if there is one, is still tight.
Cost
We have not found a published figure for single panel replacement that we would stand behind, so we do not quote one. Ask for a written price that covers the panel, labor and any painting needed to match. General repair figures are on our cost guide.
Common questions
Can one garage door panel be replaced?
Often, if the same model and color are still made and the rest of the door is in good condition. A photo of the maker's label helps.
Why is my wood garage door cracking?
Strong sun and very dry air pull moisture out of wood. Without regular refinishing, wood panels can split and separate.
Will a new panel match my faded door?
Not always. A new panel can look brighter than the faded ones around it. Ask about painting the door, or compare the cost with a full replacement.
Other services
Spring Repair
Snapped torsion or extension springs replaced and the door rebalanced so it lifts smoothly.
Opener Repair
Openers that click, hum or reverse fixed, and new chain, belt or wall-mount openers put in.
Garage Door Replacement
Old, cracked or sun-worn doors replaced with new insulated doors and installed hardware.