Quality garage doors are built to last. Occasionally, though, sections or hardware can wear out because of a lack of proper maintenance. Most local garage door installers can get replacement parts from specific manufacturers or at least parts that are compatible with your door model.

Identifying the door

Garage doors should have some sort of feature, typically a sticker, on each section and the track to make identifying the door manufacturer easy. If you can find the manufacturer, your search for replacement sections will be simplified. If no manufacturer can be found, you may require the help of a professional garage door dealer to identify your brand of door.

Getting the sections right

Each section of a garage door is not necessarily the same height. All sections in a 7-foot high garage door should be the same height, but all manufacturers do not use the same height configurations. When ordering replacement sections, it is imperative that you have the correct width and height measurements of each section. Also, sections are identified from the bottom as bottom section, second or lock section, third section or top section. If your door is 7 feet 6 inches or taller, it might have additional sections between the third and top. When placing your replacement order, you will also need to notify the salesperson if your section needs a lock or windows. You will be asked what type of construction your section has, which means the salesperson needs to know if there is insulation, is there a vinyl or steel covering, are the sections tongue-and-groove or ship-lap. Attention to detail is key.

Placing the order

You can order replacement sections from either a local garage door dealer, from a manufacturer or sometimes from a retail store. For instance, Lowe's carries brands such as ReliaBilt and Wayne-Dalton; Home Depot carries Clopay brand; Menards carries Ideal brand doors. If you have found the manufacturer's name on your door, you it might be best to contact their customer service department to find out whether replacement sections can be ordered direct from the factory, from a local dealer or if you need to visit a retail store. They can provide you with a list of locations that can assist you. Be advised that it is sometimes more cost effective to purchase an entire new door rather than just replacement sections.

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