Adding, repairing, or replacing a garage door can boost your home’s curb appeal, increase its resale value, and improve energy efficiency. Expect to pay $850–$5,500 for this project, with a national average of $1,200.*

We researched garage door installation and replacement and analyzed prices from multiple home improvement reports. Our guide outlines the average garage door cost, how to save, do-it-yourself (DIY) versus professional options, and how to choose the best garage door for your home.

*Cost data in this article was averaged from multiple sources, including Home Advisor, Angi, and Remodeling Magazine.

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Average Garage Door Cost

The national average for garage door prices is around $1,200, but this can vary greatly depending on several factors. We learned that the cost of the door itself is just one part of the expense. Installation, adding an automatic opener, a possible keypad, and additional remotes may all add to the cost. There are also price differences related to the door itself, such as variances by type, material, and size.

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Garage Door Cost Factors

Several factors impact the cost of a garage door, including labor, supplies, and geographic location. Below are some of the most common cost factors.

Garage Door Cost by Type of Door

Different types of doors come at different price points. Common garage door types include the following:

• Carriage: Carriage, or side-hinged, garage doors are an old design that’s reminiscent of classic carriage house doors. They were originally made from wood, though other options are now available.
• French: French garage doors are a type of carriage door based on French countryside styles that often have glass panels.
• Glass: Glass doors have vertical or horizontal panels framed with aluminum or steel and typically tilt up as a sectional door due to the glass.
• Roll-up: Roll-up doors are made of steel horizontal sheets that roll up over a drum above the door opening. These are usually used where the ceiling is higher than the garage opening as they’re attached to the wall above the opening instead of the ceiling.
• Standard panel: Standard panel, or sectional, garage doors feature horizontal panels that move up in sections along tracks mounted to the ceiling. These are the most popular garage door models today.
• Tilt-up: Tilt-up doors have one solid panel that lifts off the floor and slides into a section on top of the garage. These can be fully or partially retractable, with the partial style known as awning doors.
• Retractable: Retractable doors are either mounted on the inside or outside of the garage wall and move out of the way horizontally. These models reflect the barn-door design and can rarely be operated automatically.

Compare the costs of the different types of garage doors below:

Garage Door Cost by Material

The most common garage door materials are aluminum, fiberglass, steel, and wood. The cheapest options are steel and aluminum. They’re easy to maintain and work in a variety of climates. Faux wood is the most expensive option because it has the curb appeal of wood without the upkeep of genuine wood that’s heavily impacted by weather.

Garage Door Cost by Size

You can purchase garage doors in one-car, two-car, and three-car options. One-car garage doors are understandably the cheapest since less material is used for construction. Two-car varieties can be purchased as a single double door or as two separate doors. Three-car varieties can be purchased as one single door and one double door or as three separate doors. Choosing double doors typically saves money.

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Additional Cost Factors

The following factors also influence the total cost of garage door installation:

• Labor: Paying a professional installer usually costs $200–$500 per door. That doesn’t include running electricity for the automatic opener.
• Manual vs. automatic: Installing a manual garage door costs anywhere from $600–$2,150. Making the door automatic will add $200–$1,300.
• Electrical work: Hiring an electrician to run electricity for an automatic door typically costs $75 per hour.
• Insulation: Insulation for your garage door costs $50–$500, though you can purchase an already insulated door for roughly $200–$600 more than a non-insulated door.
• Add-on accessories: Lights, openers, keypads, security sensors, and other accessories will add hundreds of dollars to the final price.
• Windows: Choosing a garage door with windows costs up to 70% more than a door without windows.
• Location: Homeowners in cities with a higher cost of living, more demand for garage installation, and more expensive materials can expect to add a few hundred dollars to the price.

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Garage Door Replacement vs. Repair

A repair is always more affordable than a full garage door replacement. Repairs typically cost in the hundreds of dollars whereas a replacement can be over $2,000. Opt for repair unless your garage door has severe damage, such as rotting wood. See average costs for some of the more common garage door repairs below.

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DIY vs. Professional Garage Door Installation Cost

You may have noticed that big-box hardware stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot sell garage doors. The advertised prices may tempt you to try to save money by installing a garage door yourself.

While there are DIY projects such as organizing and cleaning a garage, installing a new door isn’t one of them. Garage doors—even small ones—are bulky and cumbersome, so you’ll need more than one person for the job. The size of the doors, along with the high tension of the lifts, springs, and cable systems, makes installing them a dangerous task.

Installing a new garage door is best left to professionals. Not only do they have the proper training and experience, but they can also get the job done faster and more efficiently. Learn more about replacing a garage door in the video below.

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How To Hire a Professional

Once you’ve selected the type of garage door you want, you’ll need to find someone to install it. Choosing the right person for the job is just as important as choosing the right garage door for your home. Garage door companies generally include installation in the sticker price and often won't let you install a model on your own.

Here are a few things to consider when looking for a garage door company:

• Do they offer a warranty? It’s always better to expect the unexpected. Companies that include a warranty with their installation offer peace of mind in case anything breaks.
• Are they licensed and insured? Garage doors are heavy, awkward to maneuver, and can involve electrical systems. If a company is licensed and insured, you’ll be covered in the event of any accident or damage to your house.
• Do they offer full service? Do they offer to discard your old garage door in addition to installing the new one? Will they follow up with a repair if you have a problem in the future? Do they offer a maintenance program?

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How To Save on Garage Door Costs

There are many types of garage doors and lots of different upgrades, so the cost of a garage door replacement can add up quickly. However, there are a few ways to save money:

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How To Choose a Garage Door

You can choose from numerous types of garage doors. The most common type is a sectional—a door with hinged panels that rolls over a track—but there are also retractable, tilt-up, side-hinged, and roll-up styles available.

You’ll also need to consider the chosen garage door material. If you live in a colder climate, you may want an insulated garage door that can overall energy consumption and save you money on bills.

Insulation is graded using a system called an R-value. A regular, non-insulated garage door has an R-value of 0. Insulated garage doors have an R-value between 5 and 10. The higher the R-value, the more insulating the material.

Also decide on the style, quality, and type of automatic garage door opener you want, as there are usually several models to choose from.

Here are a few more considerations when choosing a new garage door:

• Think about your needs: If you want something low-maintenance, choose a steel garage door over a material like wood that can require frequent painting or refinishing.
• Consider your climate: Do you need a garage door that can stand up to the elements or provide additional insulation? 
• Remember aesthetic: If you want to preserve or improve your curb appeal, choose a garage door style that matches your home’s aesthetic.
• Factor in budget: It’s best to buy a standard door if you have a limited budget. If you’ve got more to invest, you can choose from many customization options.

See a breakdown of parts below on a sectional door, as illustrated in our article on what to know before upgrading your garage door.

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Our Conclusion

A new garage door can be a great investment, and there are various options to fit your budget. Repairing a garage door is also possible for a lower price, costing an average of $100–$600. Before installing or repairing a garage door, we recommend getting at least three quotes to ensure you get the best price.

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FAQ About Garage Door Cost

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