Garages simplify our lives in a lot of different ways. They provide us space to store large mechanical items, host events, and overwinter outdoor plants.
So, it can be a bit of a stressor to say the least if you start having problems with the functionality of your garage door! If you frequently move large items in and out of your garage and you suddenly have to take the time to manually shimmy your garage door up, it can be a recurring nuisance that can drive you a little mad in the midst of already stressful moving tasks.
If you host events or gather in your garage, rain, wind, and cold weather getting through newly formed cracks in your garage may make your garage unusable for the purposes you intend. Or, if you take an exceptional amount of pride in the appearance of your garage, a garage door in disrepair will sully the well-kept image of your garage (or your wider home) you’re trying to maintain to friends and family.
Of course, any home improvement comes with a cost, and none of us have money trees growing in the back yard, so we’re going to lay out some of the costs associated with different types of garage doors (including parts and labor), and we’ll go over some of the explicit benefits of investing in a garage door replacement so you can decide when the best time is for you personally to upgrade your garage door.
Garage Door Installation Costs By Material
According to Jay Larson, 20 year Garage Door Installation professional, at Hilltop Garage Doors, the prices of garage door installation by material on average can vary according to the prices shown below:
- Aluminum $600 – $2,500
- Faux Wood $1500 – $4,500
- Fiberglass $900 – $2,200
- Steel $500 – $2,500
- Wood $600 – $2,200
- Wood Composite $750 – $4,200
- Vinyl $8,00 – $2,400
Many folks find these prices surprising. A common question relates to why composite wood material and faux wood material are more expensive than wood and steel. The reason is that faux and composite wood materials today have some fantastic properties. For example, they tend to have exceptional structural strength while being lighter than other strong materials like steel.
Plus, the synthetic materials mean the door can be crafted to have very nice looking facades in a range of styles ranging from very nice looking traditional wooden facades to more contemporary designs. Also, the lighter weight means your door can open quicker with less work on the garage door motor.
Reach out to a professional to learn more about the nuances of the pros and cons of these different door materials so you can be sure you’re getting the door configuration that suits your needs the best.
Garage Door Replacement Costs by Style
Style is the second biggest factor after material that affects the pricing of garage door installation. Unlike garage door material costs, the pricing by style is commonsensical. Generally, the more complex the closing mechanism, the more cost it is going to cost to install the door and motor. According to Jay Larson, 20-year Garage Door Installation professional at Hilltop Garage Doors, these are the prices on average are generally associated with the installation of various garage door styles:
- Carriage $1,600 – $13,000
- Custom $600 – $6,600+
- Glass roll up $600 – $7,800
- French $2,500 – $6,500
- Roll up $350 – $2,000
- Standard Panel $450 – $950
- Tilt up $530 – $1,600
Word of caution: Even standard panel garage door installation should be left to professionals, but of course, there is more risk of injury, violating local construction codes, or wasting money on installation only to have to pay someone else to redo it professionally. Consider hiring a professional for these doors, but especially the more complex doors styles.
Garage Door Installation Costs By Amount of Insulation
Insulation is another big driver of installation costs, but it is something you’ll want to seriously consider if you live in an area where it gets cold in the winter. Garage doors are not made by default to have heat insulation, so don’t expect to be able to keep any amount of heat in your garage with standard garage doors. While some doors come with built-in insulation options, you can also install insulation yourself or hire someone to do it for you.
Many companies make insulation kits specifically for garage doors, so the installation process is straightforward. The insulation typically comes as sheets, and you can cut them to the sizing that works for the panels on the inside of your garage door. This style of insulation typically goes for under $100 USD for enough panels to the inside of a one car garage door.
However, the more insulative the material, the more it’s going to cost; you can spend a lot more money if you want the best insulative material on the market.
Of course, folks on the inside of your garage will see the insulation, so if you don’t want your guests to see an unfinished surface on the inside of your garage, then definitely consider spending the extra cash to have a garage door with insulation pre-built into the door material. While this tends to be a bit more expensive, it means less work for you and a likely nicer looking garage interior by default.
Typically, insulated versions of garage doors go for a few hundred USD to upwards of $500 USD for a door with built-in insulation. Remember to ask the professional you’re working with for installation about how insulative the materials are in the door you’re buying. Unlike after-the-fact insulation you can install yourself, the insulation built into your garage door can’t be removed and replaced!
Installation Costs for One-Car vs Two-Car Garage Door
A perhaps obvious factor that drives cost of garage door installation is how much garage door you’re getting.
A one-car garage door is a little over half the price of a two-car garage door. This is due to the fact that, while the door is half the size for a one-car garage, the motor and tracks still need to be installed the same regardless of door size, so cost doesn’t scale down to quite half for a one-car garage vs a two-car garage.
This is why most three-car garages tend to have a one-car garage door and a separate two-car garage door (to save on installation costs). Plus, two-car garages are a little easier to get large vehicles into, so they’re preferred by most over two separate one-car garage doors.
Garage Door Opener Installation Costs
Of course, a big driver of installation cost is whether you decide to go with an automatic vs manual garage door. According to homeadvisor.com, having a manual garage door installed is generally $200-$500 USD cheaper than having a garage door installed with an opening/closing motor.
Three big factors that come into play when it comes to installation costs are:
- The quality and type of the garage door motor
- Existing electrical wiring in your garage
- How many remotes you’ll need
Remotes need to be configured with the motor and take some manual labor. This is one of the trickiest parts of garage door installation. Do not attempt this job yourself, especially if you need to install new wiring/receptacles in your garage; incorrectly installed wiring can result in a fire hazard!
Additionally, you need to consider the horsepower of the motor you use for the specific type of garage door you have installed. Using the wrong type of motor and horsepower can result in failure and a garage door that can swing loose and injure folks.
3 Benefits of Replacing a Garage Door
More Safety and Security
- A new door will close and lock more securely.
- Doors will fit the opening better for a tighter fit.
- Insulated doors make breaking and entering more difficult.
- More sophisticated coding systems to prevent unwanted entry.
- Newer doors have sensors to prevent doors from closing on top of people.
Better Insulation
- Insulated garage doors keep the garage warm in winter and cold in summer.
- Creates a comfortable space that can serve multiple purposes.
- Lowers utility bills; those savings mean the door will pay for itself.
Increased Home Value
- Replacing the garage door is one of the top remodeling projects, according to Remodeling Magazine
- Homebuyers highly desire high-quality, attractive, low-maintenance doors
Garage Door Replacement FAQs
DIY Garage Door Install vs Hiring a Professional?
Installing a garage door isn’t a simple process like painting or installing tile inside your home. Since it involves a heavy piece of equipment (the garage door) and mechanisms to move the door, mistakes in installation can cause the door to swing freely and injure people walking through one of the most high-traffic areas of your garage. If you plan on doing any part of the garage door installation yourself, consider doing the programming of garage door remotes to save money or perhaps installation of extra insulation on the inside of your professionally installed garage door.
How long does it take to install a garage door?
A professional can typically be done with the installation of a garage door in about four hours. However, this may take longer if you have special requirements for your installation or if the professional needs to install extra electrical receptacles in your garage for an automatic garage door.
How much does Lowes charge to install a garage door?
For the installation of a basic garage door, services like Lowes typically charge from a couple of hundred dollars to $600 USD. Of course, this is an estimate for a basic installation, so be prepared to pay more for higher-quality doors or openers. Expect to pay more as well if you don’t have a receptacle in your garage and you want an automatic door.
How much does it cost for Home Depot to install a garage door?
Home Depot has a similar charging structure to Lowes. According to homeguide.com, garage door installation costs from Home Depot range from $250 to $375 USD on average.
Can you install a new garage door on old tracks?
You can install a new garage door on old tracks if the tracks are still stable and functional and if the new garage door type is compatible with the old tracks. If the new door is the same as type/style as your old door, the chances are good that you’ll be able to use the old tracks, but a new door of a different type probably won’t be compatible. The good news is that most new doors come with their own tracks, so new tracks rarely need to be purchased separately.
How much does it cost to install a 2-car garage door?
According to homeadvisor.com, two-car garage doors typically range from $800 USD to $4000 USD.
Can one person install a garage door?
A single person can install a garage door, but this is strongly advised against. Installation of a garage door is the job of a professional service with the right number of people with the right skills for the job. Risk of injury from doing this job as a single person is much higher than doing it as a team!
How difficult is it to replace a garage door?
Replacing a garage door is not a simple task. Please refrain from attempting to replace the garage door yourself and contact a certified professional garage door installation service. There are many services at many price points, so it won’t break the bank to do it right!
When should I replace my garage door?
This is a matter of preference for the most part. As long as the garage door is on its tracks and the motor is in good shape (for automatic garage doors), then the biggest factor that comes into play when deciding to replace your garage door is how nice you want your garage door to look and function for your guests. If your door is in bad shape aesthetically, this is always a good reason to upgrade. Also, a door that makes unpleasant noises when opening is also a good reason people point to when considering a replacement or repair.
