Garage door repairs generally are inexpensive. Home Improvement Educator says that the typical repair runs from $200 to $300. This average is lowered by easy jobs that can be done quickly and don't cost a lot, such as reprogramming automatic openers and realigning sensors. Replacing garage door panels, in contrast, costs significantly more than $200 or $300. If your home's garage door has panels that need replacing, you may want to have a new, insulated garage door installed instead of replacing the panels.

Replacing Panels is Expensive

The cost of replacing one of your garage door's panels will depend on the size of your garage door. No garage door panel is cheap, though. Home Improvement Educator Lists the following prices for replacing variously sized panels:

• replacing 9-foot panels costs anywhere from $250 to $500 per panel
• replacing 16-foot panels cost between $400 and $700 per panel
• replacing custom and designer panels can cost $1,000 or more per panel

Insulated Garage Doors Don't Cost Much More

Installing a brand new, insulated garage door will cost more than replacing panels on your existing garage door, but a new one probably won't cost much more than replacing panels. According to Angie's List, the price of a 16-foot double-walled steel garage door runs anywhere from $750 to $3,500. A 16-foot insulated composite wood door runs from $1,200 to $2,200.

As a comparison, assume someone accidently backed into your garage door, and you need to replace three of your garage door's panels. If you have a 16-foot garage door, you'd have to spend between $1,200 and $2,100 to replace the three panels. That's within the price range for a new double-walled steel garage door, and it's nearly identical to the price range for an insulated composite wood door.

Insulated Garage Doors Provide Energy Savings

You'll save even more money over time by installing a new, insulated garage door rather than replacing panels on your existing garage door -- especially if your current one is older.

An insulated garage door will reduce how much heat is lost through your garage during winter, which is a significant amount. Even if you leave your garage unheated, it's one of the largest spaces in your home, and heat escapes through the door. As your garage cools down in cold winter temperatures, it draws heat from every room that's adjacent to it or overhead of it, and increases your heating costs in winter.

Of course, you'll see similar benefits in summer. An insulated garage door will keep your garage cooler in the summer so that it doesn't heat up the rest of your house. You, in turn, won't have to run your air conditioner as much.

New Garage Doors Increase Your Home's Value

Finally, installing a new garage door will increase your home's value more than repairing your existing one will. Should you decide to sell your home in the near future, you'll be able to note that the garage door was recently replaced with a new, insulated model. Homebuyers will appreciate that the garage door provides energy savings, meets modern safety standards and is made of the most advanced building materials.

If your garage door is damaged and panels need to be replaced, talk with a local garage door repair provider about replacing the current garage door with a new, insulated. A knowledgeable service person will be able to examine your door and show you what's currently available and help you make the best decision for your situation. The wisest choice may be to replace your garage door with one that doesn't cost much more, provides energy savings and increases your home's value. For more information, contact a company like AAA Garage Door, Inc.