You choose the perfect color to paint or stain your garage door. Then, over time, you notice it start to fade and no longer look its best. What causes this to happen? And how can you keep your garage door looking as good as new for years to come? Read on to find out…
What’s causing your garage door finish to fade?
The number one culprit when it comes to damage and degradation of your garage door is the weather. The sun, in particular, could be responsible for a faded finish. Because just like the sun’s UV rays are harmful to our skin, they can be harmful to other materials, too. Regular sun exposure causes colors to fade.
The heat from the sun can also do some damage, especially if your garage door is in direct sunlight for extended periods. The sun’s heat and rays can damage the top layer of the garage door and cause the paint to crack. Under ongoing extreme fluctuations of temperature, the garage door material itself can even start to crack and degrade, especially if its protective top coating has been worn down by the sun.
Wind, rain, snow, and hail can also cause your garage door finish to fade. It’s not only hail that can scratch your top coating, but also dirt and debris carried by strong winds. Prolonged exposure to moisture has its problems, too, including rusted metal and moldy wood.
How to prevent fading
There are a number of things you can do to help your garage door fight the elements and keep it looking good all year round. Firstly, figure out which way your garage door faces. If it faces southward or westward, then it will be getting the sun during the times of day it’s at its strongest. If this is the case, you should employ additional measures to protect it.
You could, for example, plant trees or install sun shades to keep the sun off your garage door. Another good idea is to finish your garage door with a paint or stain that is resistant to UV light. This will help to slow down the fading process and make your garage door last longer.
Make sure you inspect your garage door on a regular basis to check for fading, wear, and any damage. If you do notice that your finish has faded, then you can simply refinish it to give it back its original vibrancy.
If you’re in need of garage door repair or maintenance around Winston Salem, Greensboro, Kernersville, High Point, NC, then contact Carolina Garage Door to find out more about our professional garage door service.