Your old reliable garage door is finally showing its age. It takes its sweet time opening and closing. The garage door’s once gorgeous exterior looks worn and outdated.
After putting it off for months, you’ve decided it’s time to give your garage door a refresher. Before you begin, you wonder if you can create custom garage doors without having to call a professional.
Are you curious to learn if custom garage doors are an easy DIY fix? Here’s what you need to know.
Can You DIY Custom Garage Doors?
The answer is yes, customizing or fixing your garage doors can be a DIY fix. Your home improvement skills, however, will determine how much you can fix on your own.
Most homeowners can perform basic garage door maintenance on their own. Others have no problems making minor repairs or giving their garage a fresh paint job. You can also replace some of the hardware with ease, too!
With today’s technology, you can find helpful articles and Youtube videos to learn how to fix your garage door as you go. You can save money and time by fixing your garage door yourself.
Regular Garage Door Maintenance
Like everything in your home, your garage door will require regular maintenance. By following these key maintenance tips, you’ll keep your garage door in great working order.
The average garage door moves up and down over one thousand times each year. This causes a lot of vibration and movement that loosens screws and other hardware. Regularly check and tighten bolts, screws, and roller brackets.
You should check your garage door rollers at least twice each year. The more you open and use your garage door, the faster the rollers will wear, crack, and chip. Replace your rollers every seven years or as soon as you notice any chips and cracks.
Keep your garage running smoothly by lubricating any moving parts. Springs, opener chains, and screws will need regular greasing.
The cables lifting your garage door can injure you or your family if severely worn or improperly handled. Check the cables for wear such as broken strands and damage. If you notice any wear, contact your local garage door handyman to fix your cables for you.
Test your garage door’s balance by disconnecting it from the opener. Using your hands, lift it halfway up and let go. The door should remain in place. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to check the springs.
You can learn more about DIY garage door parts torsion springs and adjustments online. If you’re unsure about doing any of these maintenance tips yourself, call a local garage professional for help.
Fix Your Garage Door Speed
One of the most annoying signs of an aging garage door is a slow speed.
You should note that residential garage doors aren’t rapid and should open seven to ten inches every second. The ideal time to open your garage door should take ten to fifteen seconds.
Most garage openers have a speed setting unit on the opener which allows you to adjust the speed. If this is the case with your opener, you can make the adjustments yourself. Refer to the owner’s manual to ensure you follow the proper steps.
If your garage door is opening slower than usual, it’s a cry for help. Start by lubricating moving parts and performing the maintenance tips from above.
DIY Custom Garage Door Ideas
Does your garage door function fine, but just look worn and tired? A tired garage door can put a damper on your home’s curb appeal.
You can jazz it up by updating the exterior. Here are a few great ideas to add some zest to your aging garage door.
Add Embellishes
A quick and easy way to spruce up your garage door is by adding temporary embellishes. Attaching magnetic faux hinges and handles to a plain or monochromatic door can give it an elegant high-carriage appeal.
There are adhesives garage designed to make your garage door look like it has windows. These are a great DIY alternative to replacing your garage door with something far more expensive.
Repaint the Door
Every decade or so, exterior home color combinations change. The gray siding and brown accent you chose years ago may not look as aesthetically pleasing today.
Refresh your garage door with a fresh coat of paint. You can choose a color that better accents your home and gives it a contemporary feel. Consult a paint professional to choose the right color and hue to fit your home’s color scheme.
Always choose high-quality exterior paint to ensure it lasts for years.
Feeling extra creative? Your garage door makes for an excellent canvas. Customize your garage with unique artwork such as a mural of a landscape, contemporary art, optical illusions, and more.
If you don’t think you have the artistic skills to create it yourself, consider commissioning a local artist or the artist in your family.
Alter the Surface
Make your garage door look completely new by altering the surface. There are paint brushing techniques you can follow to make a metal garage door look like wood.
Do you prefer the look of real wood but don’t want to spend the time or money to replace your garage doors? Consider adding thin beams and sheets of wood to your garage door. These attach directly onto the door and will give it the appearance of natural wood.
You can find online DIY garage door facade kits cut and shaped to fit the size and shape of your garage door.
Add a Light
Adding an outdoor garage light is functional and aesthetically pleasing. Once you’ve finished your Custom Garage Doors customization, illuminate it with a light. Even a bland garage door can appear welcoming when illuminated by a light.
An exterior garage light will make it easier to navigate your driveway at night without adding a floodlight.
Start Your DIY Garage Door Customization Today
If you’re tired of your aging garage door, why wait to update it? With these easy DIY maintenance and customization tips, you can transform your garage door into something you love. You’ll have custom garage doors in no time, updating your home’s exterior and adding to your curb appeal.
Do you enjoy DIY projects to improve the look of your home? Learn more ways to upgrade your home in our latest Real Estate articles.
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