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Panels and seals in St. Louis, MO

Garage door panel replacement and weather sealing in St. Louis

Hail dents, bumper damage, rotted bottom edges and worn seals can often be fixed without replacing the whole door.

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  • Single panel replacement where the door allows
  • New bottom, side and top seals
  • Honest advice on repair versus a new door
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Step 1 of 3

What do you need?

Dented lower garage door panel and worn bottom seal in winter

Can one damaged garage door panel be replaced?

Often it can, but it depends on the door. A garage door is built from stacked sections, and each section is a panel. If one is dented, cracked or rotted, a matching replacement section can sometimes be ordered and fitted without touching the rest of the door.

The catch is the match. The new section has to fit the same profile, thickness and track size, and its color has to blend with the older ones. If the door is an older or discontinued model, or the paint has faded over many summers, a matching panel may not exist. In that case, a full replacement can be the better answer, and our new garage doors page explains how that works.

A technician can tell you which route is realistic after looking at the damaged section, checking the make and age of the door, and seeing whether the other panels are in good shape.

What damages garage door panels in St. Louis?

Spring storms are one cause. Hail can dent steel panels, crack thin ones and chip paint, which leads to rust later. Strong wind can throw branches and debris against a door.

Ordinary life does a lot of the damage too. Bumpers meet the bottom panel in tight alley garages. Basketballs, bikes and lawn equipment all leave marks. Wood doors take on moisture in the humid summers and wet winters, and the bottom edge can soften and rot. Steel doors can rust where water sits along the base. Insulated doors can come apart when the skin pulls away from the foam core.

A dent that does not crease the metal may be cosmetic only. A crease, crack or rusted edge is different, because it weakens the section and can stop the door from closing straight.

Why does my garage let in drafts, water and bugs?

The weather seals do that job, and they wear out. The bottom seal presses against the floor, and over time it flattens, cracks, or peels. Side and top stops frame the door, and they can come loose or warp. Gaps let in summer heat and humid air, cold winter drafts, leaves, rain, melted snow and insects.

Seals also suffer from the freeze and thaw cycle. A rubber bottom seal can stick to the floor in icy weather and tear when the door opens. Older garage floors are often uneven or sloped toward the door, and that leaves a gap that a plain seal cannot close. A threshold seal or a different shape of bottom seal can solve it.

New seals are one of the less costly upgrades. They can make the garage more comfortable, and they help protect anything stored near the door.

We quote in writing before work starts. A few things set the price.

  • How many sections need replacing
  • Whether the door is insulated, has windows, or has a special profile
  • Whether a matching section is available, or must be ordered
  • The type of seal you choose, and how long a run of seal is needed
  • Hinges, rollers and struts that need replacing at the same time

There is also the balance of the door. A new section can change the weight, and the springs may need adjusting so the door still lifts evenly. That is work for a trained technician, and it should be on the quote. Springs and cables are never a homeowner's job.

What happens on the day, and what about insurance?

The technician checks the door, takes out the damaged section, fits the new one, and tests the door through its full travel. Seal replacement is usually quicker. They will tell you if a panel has to be ordered, since the job may then be split into two visits. Please clear the area around the door so the crew can work.

If hail or a storm damaged your door, your homeowners policy may or may not cover it. We cannot say whether your claim will be accepted. Take clear photos before any repair, read your policy and call your insurer. Ask for a written quote to send to them.

If the door is also crooked or has a roller out of place, see our cable and track repair page. You can also return to the home page or call (314) 555-0112 to talk through your options.

How it works

1

Call or request a quote

Tell us what the door is doing.

2

Clear price

We diagnose and quote before any work.

3

Fixed or fitted

Repaired or replaced and tested for safety.

What you can expect

1

Written quotes

2

Local technicians

3

Fast response

4

Parts that fit your door

Step 1 of 3

What do you need?

Questions about garage doors in St. Louis

Is a dented garage door panel only cosmetic?

A shallow dent that does not crease the metal may be cosmetic. A crease, a crack, rust or a bulging section is more serious, since it weakens the panel and can stop the door sealing or closing straight. A technician can look at it and tell you which kind you have.

Can you match the color of my existing door?

Sometimes. A factory color may be available for a newer door, but older and faded doors rarely match a new panel exactly. A painted panel can be a close match, though it will not always be perfect. If the match is important, say so when you call.

How do I know when my bottom seal needs replacing?

Look for cracks, flat or missing sections, light showing under the closed door, water in the garage after rain, or a seal frozen to the floor. If you can see gaps or feel drafts, the seal is worn. It is a small part, and replacing it is usually a quick job.

Will the new panel make the door heavier?

It can, depending on whether the panel is insulated or has windows. A change in weight can throw off the spring balance, which is why panel replacement should be done by a technician who checks and adjusts the tension afterward.

Will my homeowners insurance cover hail damage?

It might, but that is for your insurer to decide. Take photos before any repair, read your policy for deductible and storm coverage, and call your insurer. We can give you a written quote for the work, but we cannot say if a claim will be paid.

Is replacing one panel better than getting a new door?

When the damage is limited to one panel and a match is available, a single panel is usually less costly. If several sections are damaged, the door is old, or the finish no longer matches, a new door can be the more sensible choice. We explain both and quote the one you pick.

Ready when you are. Call now or request a quote online.

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