Broken garage door panels are unsightly, they breach seals between panels and the door frame and they can adversely affect door operation. Damage can occur to panels by backing into a closed door with a car, striking it with a lawn tractor or even a punch or kick from an angry teen. Lightweight materials used in modern garage door insulation panels are resilient, but no match to the solid hardwood found in the old fashioned doors used long ago.
Those doors, as solid and strong as they were, were not able to provide the level of sound deadening and the high degree of garage door insulation available in doors of modern construction. Insulation may not seem like a prime concern for a garage, but it can be if the garage also doubles as a workshop or a bay in which you can tinker on your cars. Electric or kerosene space heaters can make a difference, but the garage will stay far warmer if you have high R factor garage door insulation panels. If those panels are damaged, however, they will need replacement. Warping their shape will compromise the seal alone the edges of the door panel, allowing air to flow freely through the opening. Replacing the entire garage door would be a costly investment, so you might choose to shop around for garage door replacement panels that can be slid in to fix just the broken panel.
Check the door to see who the manufacturer is, and provide them with the measurements of the panel and the model number of the door. They should be able to supply you with purchasing information for an equivalent piece. You will want to make sure that the new panel has the same insulation characteristics as the old one. Once you are in possession of the new panel, installation may be a bit tricky depending on your comfort level and handiness with household construction.
Garage Door Insulation Panel
Door springs are potentially dangerous and unless you are comfortable handling them safely, you should probably consider enlisting the help of a professional. Whether you decide to dive in and do it yourself, or hire help, the replacement process is the same. The springs must be properly disconnected when the door is in the fully upright position, and then the panels must be removed with the door lowered, starting with the uppermost panel. If the replacement piece is a perfect fit, all the original hardware should mate properly with the new panel. When the job is properly finished, your door will back in perfect working condition.
