Homes in Naperville, Aurora, Joliet and Waukegan are mostly newer detached houses and townhomes, so the typical jobs are worn springs, rollers, sensors and original openers, not rusted old doors. Check the door every season, test the reversing feature monthly and ask your HOA and city about rules before you order a new door.
A different kind of garage
These suburbs are newer than most of Chicago. Census Bureau figures for 2020 to 2024 show a median year built of 1991 in Naperville, 1987 in Aurora, 1985 in Joliet and 1967 in Waukegan. Most homes are detached houses, and a share are attached townhomes, so the garage door is often the main entrance to the house.
A door that was installed with the house is now old enough for its first round of wear parts, even if the panels look fine.
What the housing means for the door
| City | Median year built | Single-family detached | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naperville | 1991 | 62.3 percent | Original springs and openers reaching the age to check |
| Aurora | 1987 | 59 percent | Many original doors, plus a share of townhomes |
| Joliet | 1985 | 69.5 percent | Mostly detached houses with older original doors |
| Waukegan | 1967 | 51.9 percent | A wider mix, including older detached garages |
Census Bureau, ACS 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates.
Typical jobs we see in homes of this age
- Spring wear: the original springs have done their work and a break often comes without warning.
- Rollers and hinges: noise, shaking and a door that no longer glides.
- Sensors: a misaligned or dirty sensor stops the door from closing.
- Openers: an original unit that is slow, loud or has stopped responding to the remote.
- Bottom seals: cracked or flattened rubber that lets in snow, leaves and cold.
Opener age and the federal rule
The federal safety standard for residential garage door operators applies to units made on or after January 1, 1993. Homes in Joliet and Waukegan may still have an opener older than that, which is a reason to have it checked or replaced.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the reversing feature should be tested monthly. Follow your manual, and if the door does not reverse, stop using the opener and call for service. See opener repair.
Storms and power cuts
The derecho of August 10, 2020 left at least one million customers across the National Weather Service Chicago area without power, some for more than two weeks. Whatever the cause, learn where the red release handle is, because an opener cannot lift the door without power.
If the door feels heavy when you lift it by hand, a spring or cable is likely worn or broken. Do not adjust it yourself. Call for spring repair.
HOA, permits and choosing a door
Many newer neighborhoods and townhome groups have an HOA that sets door color, style or window rules. Read your HOA documents and check with your city building department before you order. Rules vary by city and HOA.
For a new door, ask for the opening size, the insulation type and a list of parts in writing. The Illinois Attorney General says to get written estimates and a written contract for repair or remodeling work costing more than one thousand dollars.
Who to call
Emil Garage Doors repairs garage doors, springs, cables and openers and installs new doors in Illinois, including Naperville, Aurora, Joliet and Waukegan. Call or send your details with a photo of the door and the opener label.
Questions people ask
How long do garage door springs last in a suburban home?
It depends on how often you use the door and on the spring's rating. A spring that has done its job for many years can break without warning, so have it checked rather than waiting.
Does my HOA control my garage door?
Often it controls color, style and windows. Rules vary by HOA, so read your documents and ask before ordering.
Is an old opener a safety risk?
Openers made before January 1, 1993 pre-date the federal standard. Test the reversing feature monthly and replace the unit if it fails.
Do I need a permit to replace a garage door?
Rules vary by city. Check with your city building department before you order, and keep the answer in writing.
Services that fit this problem
Garage door and gate help near you
We repair and install in these cities. Each page has local notes, prices and reviews.
More guides
Sources
- eCFR: 16 CFR Part 1211, Safety standard for automatic residential garage door operators (effective date)
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Final rules for automatic garage door openers (reversing feature tested monthly)
- National Weather Service Chicago: Derecho of August 10, 2020 (customers without power, Rockford tornadoes)
- Illinois Attorney General: Warning about storm-related repair scams (state license rule, permits, written contracts, cancellation)
- Census Reporter, ACS 2020-2024 5-year housing tables (year built, units in structure): Naperville, Aurora, Joliet, Waukegan