If your garage door has started to malfunction, you might be considering installing a new or upgraded door. Rest assured it is a smart investment. In fact, installing a new garage door yields about 84 percent in resale value, according to Remodeling Magazine. In addition to bringing you a solid return on your investment, a new garage door will improve functionality, enhance the appearance of your home's exterior, and ensure the protection of both your home's entryway and the contents of your garage. Because installing a garage door is an extensive job that involves some electrical work, heavy lifting and removal of the old garage door, it will likely require working with a garage door professional. Here are some factors to consider as you look to invest in a new garage door:
On This Page:
- What is the Price of the Garage Door Itself?
- Installation Costs and Considerations
- Types of Garage Doors
- Customization Options
- How Much Does a Garage Door Opener Cost?
How Much Does a New Garage Door Cost?
A garage door will cost anywhere from $200 for single doors to $4,000 for two or more doors, with better materials accounting for the higher cost. Most homeowners report spending about $1,060 for the door and installation. The total price should include the purchase of new tracks for the door to move along, as well as associated adhesives, connectors and fasteners. It is possible to save some money on time and labor by installing the door yourself; however, the sheer weight of some doors can pose a high risk of personal injury. If you think you'd like to attempt installation on your own, be sure to consult with your garage door retailer and choose a door that can be maneuvered safely.
Insulation, which increases energy efficiency and can help to lower utility bills, is crucial when a garage door is attached to the home. In this case, doors with high R-values are preferred. This means it has insulation that can keep the heat in. The higher the R-value, the better insulated your garage will be against outside noise and cold and hot air. Well-insulated doors will have polystyrene or polyurethane foam in their construction. Some other factors to keep in mind when purchasing a garage door include:
- Pinch Resistance: Pinch resistance pushes fingers out of the way if they're too close to a door.
- Tamper Resistance: Bottom brackets reduce injury risk from door components.
Garage Door Installation Cost Factors
Installing a garage door involves:
- Electrical wiring
- Proper removal and disposal of the old garage door
- Heavy and awkward installation
So it is always best to have a new garage door installed by a professional. Make sure that any contractor bids include the cost of removing your old garage door and installing the new tracks and additional parts listed above. The style and material of the garage door you choose, as well as whether you wish to have a garage door opener installed, will also impact the cost of your final project. Typically, it will cost less to install a steel garage door without an opener than to install a custom wood door with a garage door opener. Recent innovations have also yielded high-tech doors with thick insulation and energy-efficient glaze, as well as finished interior surfaces and other significant upgrades. These are more expensive doors, but they are also extremely durable.
Hire a Local Garage Door Installer
Garage Door Replacement Considerations
Replacing a garage door with a new installation usually averages around the same price as installing a new garage door. Homeowners might pay anywhere between $500 and $2,500 depending on a wide variety of factors including:
- Materials: You'll choose a new door from a wide variety of materials, styles, shapes and sizes, which varies widely in price.
- Workmanship: You could replace your garage door as a DIY project, but this could lead to extensive repairs and maintenance down the road if done incorrectly. So best to hire a professional.
- Location: Where you live and how your house is designed will determine the type of door you need and how much the professional quotes.
The additional costs might include removing and disposing of the old door and hardware, so be sure to ask what's included in their quote. Otherwise you could be looking an additional 20 percent for that portion of labor. There might also be additional charges for work like:
- Resizing the opening
- Replacing hardware
- Reframing the exterior
It's imperative to have a professional inspect the garage ahead of time to prevent additional garage door repairs and maintenance down the road for you. Some signs your garage might need care ahead of the garage door replacement includes:
- The garage door only closing partially, a sign the track is warped, clogged or loose
- The door has difficulty moving up and down because the springs are worn down and need to be replaced
- The metal cables connecting the springs are frayed and worn, which could cause the garage door to fall on someone
- The brackets connected to the cables could be loose, which could cause the door to come off and hurt someone
The electronics should also be inspected before or after the replacement garage door panel is installed, to make sure your door will operate properly. The sensors prevent the door from closing on someone's foot or a pet. If they don't work, someone could be injured. Also check to make sure the door opener works, since you could otherwise be locked out of your garage. Garage door opener repair can cost between $100 and $300 depending on the extent of the problem.
Need more information? Contact a garage pro today.
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Garage Door Types
The type of garage door you select -- and any extra pieces or labor required -- will influence how much you pay to have it professionally installed. Some garage door materials and styles are detailed below to help you compare:
Materials to Choose From
The first thing you should consider when selecting a material for your garage door is its longevity. Although a certain construction material can raise the price of a garage door, it may last far longer than a door made with less expensive material. Look for a door that will last at least five to 10 years. Each door material is offered in four different grades. Single-layer doors are the most affordable, but they are also most prone to dents and breaks. At the other end of the spectrum are costly heavy doors with thick insulation. These doors are expensive upfront, but they can withstand a lot more wear and tear than their cheaper counterparts. Available materials are as follows:
- Custom Wood -- This is a solid wood garage door that comes in either cedar, hemlock or mahogany. These cost more than any other type of door but are durable and will add significant natural beauty to your home's exterior.
- Wood Composite --This is made primarily from recycled materials, making it an eco-friendly option. It will need to be painted, which allows for personalization. It's also fairly inexpensive.
- Vinyl -- Vinyl garage doors are increasing in popularity because they look nicer than steel. They resist denting as well, which means less maintenance in many cases.
- Steel -- Steel is the least expensive and most commonly used material for garage doors. If you buy a steel door, consider how much insulation it will need to keep your garage temperature regulated, usually around an R-value of 12.
What's Your Garage Door Style?
There are four garage door styles available:
- Swing Out: Two doors open out from the center of the garage opening. This style is good for keeping your ceiling clear for storage.
- Swing-Up: Also called a tilt-up garage door, this style swings up from the floor as one piece and pulls into the ceiling.
- Roll-Up: Also called a sectional door, this is the most popular and most common option. It is also easy to operate with a remote control.
- Sliding: This style offers two doors that slide along a track at the top of the garage opening.
Compare Garage Door Quotes
Garage Door Customization Options
Have you considered putting windows in your garage door? Windows can turn an ordinary door into a stunning masterpiece with the right placement. And they allow natural light into the garage, so it doesn't seem as dark and dank during the day. For optimal light, place windows in the top section or near the third section of the door. Details like trim and panels can be customized on a garage door installation of any material or style for an extra price. Depending on how they're constructed, these frames and panels can be more than a decorative addition -- they can reinforce the strength of the door as well. Some roll-up garage doors offer the option of shatterproof glass or frosty plastic to add a modern touch; some designers create garage doors to pay tribute to the old-fashioned barn doors. Here are some customizations available to homeowners, as well as an explanation of what is included in their cost and installation:
Basic Door
Basic stock garage doors don't have panel designs or glass. They can be customized, but it will increase the total cost of the garage door. The total cost of customization will not include installation, but it will include the extra parts needed for the door.
Partially Customized Door
In the mid-range, you can choose panels, glass windows and a few designs from a pre-selected list. There will also be a few different colors to choose from, so you can usually match a door nicely to your home's exterior.
Custom Doors
Custom garage doors include allow you to choose colors, panels, materials and finishes to match whichever look you desire for your home. They can be made of the highest quality materials -- whether wood or steel -- and come with longer guarantees than regular garage doors. Some custom doors will include specialized insulation for increased soundproofing and climate protection. They also will typically come with a lifetime manufacturer's warranty.
For more information, get in touch with a local pro.
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Cost of the Garage Door Opener
Most modern garage doors will come with an electrical opener, but be sure to check and install one if needed (see how much it costs to install a garage door opener). Purchasing extra remotes and getting openers set up for operation will typically range from $100 to $400, which will add to the overall cost of the garage door installation. If your opener works with the new door, you won't need to have it replaced. In cases in which the new door is much heavier than the old door, however, the old garage door opener won't be able to handle the extra weight. This is something to keep in mind when you're shopping for a new garage door.
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yes, Good info for novice like myself.