Expert Garage Door Panel Replacement Services in Northern Beaches

Once we’ve got your panel sourced and ready, the actual installation usually takes 2-4 hours depending on your door type. Sectional doors are quickest, while tilt doors or custom timber work can take a bit longer. The sourcing time varies – common panels arrive within a week, but older or custom doors might need 2-3 weeks to track down matching sections. We keep you updated throughout the process so you’re never left wondering what’s happening.

Paint might hide cosmetic damage temporarily, but it won’t fix dents, cracks, or structural issues that affect how your door operates. Here in the Northern Beaches, once salt air gets into a damaged area, corrosion spreads underneath paint and makes things worse. If the panel’s just got minor scratches or fading, we can sometimes refinish it, but dented or cracked panels need proper replacement. We’ll assess your specific situation and tell you honestly what’ll actually work long-term.

Most Northern Beaches homeowners find that storm damage or vehicle accidents are covered under their home and contents policy, minus your excess. You’ll need to check your specific policy and take photos of the damage before we start work. We provide detailed quotes and documentation that insurance companies accept for claims processing. Keep in mind that general wear and tear or rust from salt air exposure typically aren’t covered – that falls under maintenance rather than accidental damage.

Single panel replacement on a standard sectional door typically runs $400-$800 depending on the panel size, material, and whether it’s insulated. Custom timber panels or hard-to-source discontinued styles can push higher, sometimes $1,000-$1,500 for specialty work. That’s still way cheaper than $3,000-$5,000 for complete door replacement, which is what most Northern Beaches homeowners face when they think panels can’t be replaced. We give you exact pricing after we assess your specific door and source the matching panel.

We’ve successfully sourced panels for doors that are 15-20 years old, sometimes even older if we get lucky with supplier stock. The challenge isn’t always finding the panel – it’s matching the color after years of Northern Beaches sun and salt air have faded your existing door. Sometimes we track down the panel but recommend a light refinish on adjacent sections to blend everything together. We’re upfront about what’s possible before you commit to anything, and we’ve got enough supplier connections that we surprise ourselves sometimes with what we can find.

Wash your panels every few months with fresh water to remove salt buildup – that’s the biggest thing you can do to extend panel life in Northern Beaches. Check the weathersealing annually and replace it if it’s cracking or pulling away, because moisture intrusion behind panels causes corrosion. Touch up any scratches or chips in the finish immediately before salt air gets in. We provide specific care instructions based on your panel material, but regular washing really is the key to longevity in coastal areas.

Unless multiple panels are actually damaged or showing significant wear, there’s no need to replace panels that are still in good condition. We replace what needs replacing and leave the rest alone – that’s how you keep costs down. The exception is if you’ve got an older door where we’re struggling to match the finish, or if several panels are borderline and likely to fail soon anyway. We talk through these scenarios with you and explain the pros and cons of each approach so you can make an informed decision based on your budget and plans for the property.