Garage Door Panel Repair in Newton, MA
A dent or a crack in one panel does not always mean a new door. Sometimes one section can be fixed or swapped. Sometimes it cannot.
Signs of panel damage
- A dent from a car or a bike or a ball
- A crack along a panel or near a hinge
- A panel that bows or sags in the middle
- A section pulling away from the hinges
- Soft spots or rot at the bottom of a wood door
- Rust or ice damage on the lowest panel
Why panels get damaged
- A car tapped the door in a tight driveway
- Snow and ice packed against the bottom panel
- Road salt and damp rusted the bottom edge of a steel door
- The door closed on something in its path
- A door out of balance strained the panels
- Age. Old panels get brittle in cold weather.
Repair or replace
| Situation | Often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A small dent in a steel panel | Leave it or repair it | Light dents often do not stop the door |
| One cracked or crushed panel | Replace the section | Depends on whether that section is still made |
| A bowed panel | Reinforce or replace the section | A bowed panel can strain the hinges |
| Several damaged panels | Replace the door | See new door installation |
| Panels wrecked by a crash or storm | Replace the door | See emergency installation |
Matching an older door
Many Newton homes have older doors. The maker may have stopped making that section. Paint and finish fade over time. A new panel can look different next to old ones. We check the door model and tell you if a match is possible. Sometimes a new door is the cleaner answer.
What we do
- Look at the whole door. A bent panel often points to another problem. We check the cables and the springs and the balance.
- Tell you if one panel can be repaired or replaced.
- Repair or replace the section if it is available.
- Check the hinges and rollers and test the door.
Please do not
- Force a damaged door to close
- Remove a panel yourself. The springs hold the weight of the door.
- Run the opener against a bowed door
A door that is cracked through or off its track should not be used. See off-track repair.
Newton notes
Winter does most of the damage to bottom panels. Snow banks and ice press on the lowest section. Salt eats the bottom edge of steel doors. Clear the base of the door after a storm. If your home is in a historic district check with the City of Newton before you change the look of a door.
Panel questions
Can a dented panel be repaired?
Small dents in steel can often be left alone. Deep creases weaken the panel. A technician can tell by looking.
Can I replace just one panel?
Sometimes. It depends on whether that section is still made.
Will a new panel match my old door?
Not always. Color and finish can differ.
Does insurance cover panel damage?
Damage from a crash or a storm may be covered. Wear usually is not. Check your policy.
Is the door safe to use?
Not if a panel is cracked through or bowed. Stop using it until it is checked.
Damaged panel?
Send a photo of the damage and the door size with your request. It helps us tell you what is possible.