On average, a garage door opener should last about 10 – 15 years. Some last longer and some last a shorter amount of time, but keeping up with maintenance can help increase the lifespan. If moving parts aren't lubricated, the door isn't balanced correctly, etc., the opener tends to wear out more quickly.
A common question we receive from homeowners is, “How long do garage door openers last?” Generally speaking, they remain operational for 10 to 15 years, which is contingent upon things like the regularity of maintenance and use.
If the garage door opener is relatively new, it may be worth repairing it, as it may have many more years of useful life left. If the unit is very old and has required frequent repairs, it may be more cost-effective to replace it with a newer, more reliable model.
Expect a range between $218 and $539 with the main influencing factors being the type of door, door features and accessories, and labor fees. While the opener itself can be anywhere from $200 to $900 or more, labor quickly catches up—two to six hours are often required at a rate between $60 and $80 per hour.
Old torsion springs, worn-out components, and poor lubrication can also slow your garage door opener.
A new opener system will be more efficient and offer new technology for an even longer lifespan. If your door is more than 10-15 years old, it can't hurt to consider an upgrade. There are some exceptions: If you use the system excessively, it will probably have a lifespan closer to 7-10 years.
Lubricating the chain is something that you should do at least twice a year. If you notice your garage door opener is sluggish or the door doesn't open and close smoothly, it is often a sign that the chain needs to be lubricated. All garage doors should be inspected and serviced twice a year by a professional.
Although your new garage door opener may appear similar in design to your old opener, our recommendation is that you replace the entire opener. This includes mounting hardware, rails, wired door controls and wireless remote devices.
A chain drive garage door opener uses a chain to move the door open and closed. It's suitable for most garage doors. Chain drive has been around for many years and will last a long time with routine maintenance.
If the cord is plugged in, you may want to check your circuit breaker or fuse. If none of those options have worked, it's possible the garage door opener's motor has burned out and isn't operating at all. This means it would be time to replace the garage opener.
Many springs can withstand up to 10,000 cycles. The more durable openers could have up to 25,000 opening and closing cycles. You can expect to replace your garage door opener every 10 to 15 years. You can increase your garage door opener's life span with proper maintenance.
Automatic garage door openers typically last on residential overhead garage doors for 10 to 15 years with proper care and maintenance. Several factors can influence the lifespan, including: Frequency of Use: More frequent use puts more wear and tear on the opener's motor and components.
This scenario is particularly common in hot weather, especially if you're opening and closing your garage door frequently within a short period. When you excessively operate your automatic garage door, the opener mechanisms can become overworked and begin to emit heat very quickly.
If you notice the opener is making more noise than usual, including creaking, squeaking or clanking, it's time to talk to a professional. Sluggish movement: Many different garage door components can be the culprit of slow movement.
Normal lifespan
Most garage doors openers have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years, but this isn't a hard and fast rule. In fact, many factors can influence how long your opener will last. Among other things, the age and state of the other parts of the door will play a role.
If your garage door has structural damage, you'll likely want to look into having the door replaced. Serious: If the damage to your door is so severe that your door will no longer open and close as it should, you may want to look into replacing your door with a new and functional one.
If you have a professional routinely inspect and service your garage door, chances are the mechanisms can last a long time. However, no matter how effectively you take care of a garage door opener, you will eventually need to replace it. The lifespan of most garage door openers is about 10 to 15 years.
The cost to replace a garage door opener can vary depending on the type of opener you choose and the cost of labor. A new basic chain-driven garage door opener can cost anywhere from $100 to $200, while a belt-driven opener can cost $200 to $350.
The cost of repairing minor issues on a relatively new garage door opener is often significantly less than replacing the entire unit. If the opener has several years of potential operation left, it makes financial sense to repair rather than replace it.
It takes 4 to 6 hours to install a garage door opener.
Replacing your old opener is a simple do-it-yourself project. Not only can you stop worrying about the creaking and wobbling of an old opener, new smart garage door openers can provide peace of mind by accessing the system remotely – for those times you're not sure you closed the door.