Restore Your Garage Door With Precision Panels

Hockey pucks, trailer hitches, hail stones bigger than loonies—I’ve seen panels take every hit imaginable since the mid-2000s when I first rolled my own service truck. I’m 45 now, still quick with a tape measure, and I love bringing a battered garage door back to looking sharp. Matching panel profiles is part science, part good old-fashioned eye.

We start with a careful inspection. Sometimes only the bottom section is bruised, other times a hidden stile crack or bent strut is waiting. I point out each issue, explain what’s cosmetic and what’s structural, and we decide the plan together. No secret charges, no drama—just a friendly guy who wants your door safe and handsome again.

Sourcing the right panel matters. I keep catalog photos, supplier notes, and swatches from the jobs I’ve tackled over the years. If the original manufacturer disappeared, we talk about compatible panels or repainting so everything blends. I hold samples up under real daylight because colour chips can lie in the shop.

Removing the damaged panel happens carefully. I brace the door, release tension, and disassemble hardware without letting the weight shift onto you or me. Once it’s out, I clean the tracks, check rollers, and replace tired hinges. Putting new steel on worn hardware is a shortcut I dont take.

When the new panel arrives, we double-check dimensions before installing. I align the tongue-and-groove edges, fasten hinges with stainless screws, and add reinforcement struts if needed. Weather-stripping goes back on snug, opener limits get reset, and we balance the door until it glides like it did before the mishap—maybe better.

Got windows or decorative hardware? I transfer inserts carefully, match muntin patterns, and reinstall handles so they look factory fresh. In a pinch I’ve even fabricated faux hinge straps in my vise to match discontinued hardware. There’s something satisfying about seeing a door look brand new without replacing the whole thing.

Insurance paperwork can be a headache, so I document the process with photos and tidy invoices. My notes might include a typo—“beleive” shows up when I’m writing fast—but adjusters appreciate the detail. If you need me on the phone with them, I’ll jump in and explain what we did.

Before I pack up, I share maintenance tips: wash panels with mild soap, rinse road salt, keep an eye on seals. I give you a follow-up call within a couple weeks to make sure the finish matches your expectations in every kind of light. If it needs a touch-up, I swing back with paint, no fuss.

Panel replacement doesn’t have to be stressful. With solid materials, patient workmanship, and a tech who treats customers like neighbours, your garage door can be sharp, secure, and ready for whatever the next season throws at it. Give me a shout and we’ll tackle it together.