Home › Common Problems › Garage Door Panel Damage
Garage Door Panel Damage
in Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs gets hailstorms that can drop golf-ball-sized hail, and a single storm can dent every steel panel on a garage door. Vehicle impacts in tight garages are the other main cause. Beyond looking bad, a bent panel can throw the door off its track or create gaps that let cold air and moisture into the garage, which matters in Colorado winters.
Quick Answer
Damaged garage door panels are usually caused by vehicle impacts or hail storms, both of which are common in Colorado Springs. A single dented panel does not always mean the whole door needs replacement. A technician will check whether the damage affects the door's structural sections or just the outer skin. If the door still runs straight and the damage is cosmetic, panel replacement alone may be all that is needed.
Telltale Signs
Warning Signs to Watch For
- Visible dents, creases, or punctures in one or more door sections
- The door looks bowed or wavy instead of flat when closed
- Cold air or light is visible coming through gaps around a damaged panel
- The door binds or scrapes when moving through the area of the damage
- Paint is chipped or the steel surface is cracked and showing rust
- The door shakes more than usual when operating
Root Causes
What Causes Garage Door Panel Damage?
Hail Impact Damage
Colorado Springs sits along a hail corridor and regularly sees storms with hail larger than one inch. Steel garage door panels are not thick enough to resist that size of hail without denting, and a severe storm can leave dozens of impact marks across the entire door face.
The Fix
Panel Replacement or Full Door Replacement
A technician measures the damaged sections and orders matching replacement panels if the door model is still available. If the door is older or discontinuted, replacing the full door is often the only way to get a clean result.
Vehicle Impact
Backing into a closed garage door is one of the most common garage door accidents. Even a low-speed impact can buckle a panel and bend the horizontal track section behind it. Icy driveways in Colorado Springs winters increase the chance of sliding into the door.
The Fix
Impact Damage Assessment and Panel Replacement
A technician checks whether the impact bent the track or frame behind the panel, not just the panel itself. The track is straightened or replaced first, and then the damaged panel is swapped out so the door runs true.
UV and Weather Warping
Colorado Springs gets over 300 sunny days a year, and that intense high-altitude sun degrades the paint and finish on steel and aluminum door panels over time. Panels that lose their protective coating absorb more heat, expand unevenly, and can bow or warp in ways that break the tight seal between sections.
The Fix
Panel Refinishing or Replacement
Minor warping caught early can sometimes be addressed with refinishing and sealing the panel surface. Panels that have bowed enough to break the section seal need to be replaced to restore the door's insulating performance.
Self-Diagnosis
Which Cause Applies to You?
Check the signs you're observing to narrow down the likely root cause before your inspection.
| What You're Seeing | Hail Impact Damage | Vehicle Impact | UV and Weather Warping |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple small round dents spread evenly across the door surface | |||
| One large crease or buckle concentrated in a single panel area | |||
| Damage occurred right after a severe thunderstorm | |||
| Panel is bowing outward but not dented or creased | |||
| Paint is peeling and rust is forming on the panel surface | |||
| Track behind the damaged panel is also bent or misaligned |
Free Inspection
Get a Diagnosis in Colorado Springs
An on-site inspection is the only way to confirm which cause applies to your property. Free, no obligation.
(719) 301-1673Free on-site inspection
Written estimate before work starts
Serving Colorado Springs & surrounding areas
Other Problems
Services That Fix This
Also Helpful