Repair or replace sectional garage doors?

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Repair or replace sectional garage doors?

Resnick

242 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 58

Lifetime subscriber

#321473 20-Aug-2025 08:26

Hi,

We have 20 year old sectional garage doors with unsightly corrosion along a few of the folds, pictures attached for reference. Is it worth trying to repair and repaint the doors or is replacing a more sensible option? Getting between the sections to remove corrosion seems like a near impossible task without removing and disassembling each section which is probably getting beyond weekend DIY.

I'm in the Manawatu if that helps.

Thanks in advance

richms

29098 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10207

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3405792 20-Aug-2025 10:01

I have just had a quote for a door to get fitted - 4 panel sectional and its basically $4k. Waiting to get time off to be able to get a couple of other quotes for work I need done to the house inorder to proioritize them but its about double the cost for the door compared to when I last looked into it 15 years back or so. If only pay had doubled in that timeframe.

Richard rich.ms

SirHumphreyAppleby

2938 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1860

#3405794 20-Aug-2025 10:13

We had a single door installed recently (Auckland) and it was surprisingly inexpensive.

As for your current door, I would replace it. The rust needs to be removed, powder coat cannot be repaired in-situ and a coat of paint will never look as good. If the rust is only on the bottom panel, you could have that replaced, but it will never match.

Resnick

242 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 58

Lifetime subscriber

#3405800 20-Aug-2025 10:33

I had exactly the same thoughts with regards to repairing, corrosion removal, paint matching etc. I guess it's time to start getting quotes for a new door.

openmedia

3449 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 877

Trusted

#3405808 20-Aug-2025 11:06

We swapped our old door for a modern insulated sectional door with a quiet track and it made a huge difference. The old motor was very noisy and it made a huge difference in garage temperature.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

eracode

Smpl Mnmlst
9332 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6198

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3405822 20-Aug-2025 11:44

richms:

I have just had a quote for a door to get fitted - 4 panel sectional and its basically $4k.

Was that for door only or did it include side tracks and/or new motor etc?

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

richms

29098 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10207

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3405842 20-Aug-2025 13:39

eracode:

Was that for door only or did it include side tracks and/or new motor etc?

All new tracks, some work to lower the lintel slightly as the old door is a tilt one, no motor as I don't want one on it.

Very little price difference between 3m wide and a 4.8m so what I do will come down to the availability and price of the recommended builder to fill in the section of wall to make it narrower.

TBH the level of customer service from door companies is terrible, only 1 seemed to have a working CRM system and get back to me promptly from a web enquiry and one other wants to discuss it on a phone call so I know which way I will be going.

Richard rich.ms

Mighty Ape

Shop now at Mighty Ape (affiliate link).

Resnick

242 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 58

Lifetime subscriber

#3406216 21-Aug-2025 17:35

Onsite quote today; I'm looking at around $3k to replace panels, springs, hinges and rollers. Exact number depends on the panel type. Not too terrible if I'm being honest, so thanks for the push everyone (4.8 x 2.4 is anyone is curious).

Handle9

11923 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9674

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3406225 21-Aug-2025 19:12

FWIW I just got a quotes for $8.8k - $7.5k to replace a double garage door and install an additional single garage door.

Both doors are insulated panel doors with openers etc. The single door requires some extra framing as it's on a carport.

If anyone has any feedback about Sovereign Garage Doors in Auckland I'd be interested.

SirHumphreyAppleby

2938 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1860

#3406226 21-Aug-2025 19:18

Handle9:

FWIW I just got a quotes for $8.8k - $7.5k to replace a double garage door and install an additional single garage door.

That does sound steep, but those extras likely add up. Did you try Doors 2000? We used them a few months ago but have purchased a few doors through them over the last 15 years. I was surprised how inexpensive it was to go from a tilt to sectional door.

Handle9

11923 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9674

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3406232 21-Aug-2025 19:25

SirHumphreyAppleby:

Handle9:

FWIW I just got a quotes for $8.8k - $7.5k to replace a double garage door and install an additional single garage door.

That does sound steep, but those extras likely add up. Did you try Doors 2000? We used them a few months ago but have purchased a few doors through them over the last 15 years. I was surprised how inexpensive it was to go from a tilt to sectional door.

The lower quote seems pretty reasonable for what we would be getting. The double door is replacing an old tilt door that has massive gaps around the outside and would give the house a properly sealed door and make a significant difference to the house. I also rather like the look of the sovereign system as it's a dual skin door with foam in the middle rather than a normal garage door with insulation stuck to the back.

Jase2985

13730 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6202

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#3406284 21-Aug-2025 20:04

Handle9:

The lower quote seems pretty reasonable for what we would be getting. The double door is replacing an old tilt door that has massive gaps around the outside and would give the house a properly sealed door and make a significant difference to the house. I also rather like the look of the sovereign system as it's a dual skin door with foam in the middle rather than a normal garage door with insulation stuck to the back.

Sounds like what i got.

3m single and a 4.8m double, 5 panel doors as they are 2.4m high. Both insulated with dual skin, openers tracks etc and the infrafred beam to go across the main door. i think i was a little shy of $8k in 2020.

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

Handle9

11923 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9674

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3406285 21-Aug-2025 20:13

Jase2985:

Handle9:

The lower quote seems pretty reasonable for what we would be getting. The double door is replacing an old tilt door that has massive gaps around the outside and would give the house a properly sealed door and make a significant difference to the house. I also rather like the look of the sovereign system as it's a dual skin door with foam in the middle rather than a normal garage door with insulation stuck to the back.

Sounds like what i got.

3m single and a 4.8m double, 5 panel doors as they are 2.4m high. Both insulated with dual skin, openers tracks etc and the infrafred beam to go across the main door. i think i was a little shy of $8k in 2020.

The doors themselves are reasonable (about $6k for both.) There's a fair bit of building work involved. I think we'll go ahead.

duckDecoy

946 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 432

Subscriber

#3406383 22-Aug-2025 11:12

Resnick:

Onsite quote today; I'm looking at around $3k to replace panels, springs, hinges and rollers. Exact number depends on the panel type. Not too terrible if I'm being honest, so thanks for the push everyone (4.8 x 2.4 is anyone is curious).

They will no doubt tell you when you get it installed, but make sure you book in a service to have the springs re-tightened after the recommended period (normally 6-12 months). They stretch a bit which puts additional strain on your motor.

Resnick

242 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 58

Lifetime subscriber

#3406392 22-Aug-2025 11:43

duckDecoy:

Resnick:

Onsite quote today; I'm looking at around $3k to replace panels, springs, hinges and rollers. Exact number depends on the panel type. Not too terrible if I'm being honest, so thanks for the push everyone (4.8 x 2.4 is anyone is curious).

They will no doubt tell you when you get it installed, but make sure you book in a service to have the springs re-tightened after the recommended period (normally 6-12 months). They stretch a bit which puts additional strain on your motor.

I will set a reminder either way. Good call, thank-you.