The average cost to paint a garage door is $300, but prices can range from $200 to $500 depending on the size of the garage, the type of paint, and who does the labor.
Garage door painting costs typically include labor, prep, repair work, and materials. The type of paint you choose will also affect the price, but its role is smaller than the cost of labor and prep work.
If you hire a pro to paint your garage for you, you'll need to pay labor costs. This is typically around $25 to $100 per hour. Depending on your door's size and the complexity of the job, it usually takes a pro two to eight hours to finish painting a garage door.
The materials required to paint a garage door typically include paint, primer, a paint roller or sprayer, masking tape, and cleaning supplies. You might also need surface repair materials if you're repairing any damage to your garage door before painting it. All in all, you can expect to pay around $65 to $155 for these materials. If you need extra coats of paint and primer, your cost will increase.
| Material | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Paint | $22–$55 per gallon |
| Primer | $20–$30 per gallon |
| Paint roller | $8–$20 |
| Cleaning supplies | $12–$25 |
The garage door's condition can factor into the cost of painting it. Sanding or scraping away existing paint will affect the cost because of the time involved. The more detailed the panels of your garage door are, the longer it’s likely to take to prep the door. And, as you know, more labor time equals more money.
Before you paint the garage door, make sure to repair any dings or scrapes so that you have the smoothest surface and best possible canvas for your paint. The cost to repair a garage door varies depending on what repairs are needed.
For example, replacing a garage door panel can cost anywhere from $400 to $2,400, with labor included. Additionally, repairing a dented garage door will cost about $100 to $300, on average. Wood and composite materials can be more difficult to fix than metal door panels, so if your garage door is made of these and needs some extra TLC, add more room to your budget for repairs.
Acrylic latex, latex, and oil-based are the most commonly used types of paint on home exteriors. Most professional painters use oil-based paint for exteriors because it adheres well and it’s durable, though it can be slightly more costly. Acrylic latex paint is better for metal or wood garage doors since it’s resistant to cracking, and latex paint is the most budget-friendly option.
| Paint Type | Average Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Oil-based | $30–$60 per gallon | Metal or surfaces that get a lot of wear and tear |
| Acrylic latex | $25–$55 per gallon | Metal and wood surfaces |
| Latex | $20–$50 per gallon | Wood surfaces |
One of the most important factors to consider when paying to have your garage door painted is the kind of door you have. Most garage door types will be similar enough that the style doesn’t matter much, but the size of the door will be an important thing to consider.
Not sure exactly how many square feet your garage door is? No problem. Based on how many cars you can fit in your garage, here's a quick breakdown of average garage door painting costs.
| Type of Garage | Cost |
|---|---|
| One-car garage | $100–$250 |
| Two-car garage | $200–$500 |
| Three-car garage | $300–$750 |
Painting a garage door typically costs $1 to $4 per square foot, depending on the paint type, labor costs, and the current condition of your door. For instance, an existing garage door with a lot of loose or peeling paint that your professional needs to remove before repainting will cost more since it will take longer to complete the job.
Though there are many different dimensions out there for the different types of garage doors, you can use common square footage to get a good estimate of what you’ll end up paying. Most single-car garages will have a door with somewhere around 72 square feet and many two-car garages will have a door of around 112 square feet. Three-car garages can be configured in a ton of different ways (typically starting somewhere around 200 square feet for their doors), so pricing will vary widely depending on how yours was built.
| Door Size | Cost |
|---|---|
| 72 sq. ft. | $80–$290 |
| 112 sq. ft. | $120–$500 |
| 184 sq. ft. | $190–$740 |
Painting a garage door yourself will save you money since you'll only have to pay for the cost of materials. If you decide to take on this project alone, you can avoid labor costs, which usually amount to $25 to $100 per hour. This is in line with the general labor cost to paint a home’s exterior.
Your materials should cost between $25 and $75 if you already have the tools necessary, but expect to pay up to $100 if you also need to buy rollers, brushes, drop cloths, and roller trays.
On the other hand, painting a garage door can be time-consuming and potentially challenging, especially if you have to remove a lot of existing paint. If you don't love the idea of taking on the project yourself, you can always hire a local exterior painter to help. They can carry out your garage door ideas, such as applying a bold hue to add a fresh pop of color or a neutral hue for a more grounded, organic look.
If you do decide that you’d rather save time and frustration and leave the work to a professional, you should spend a little effort finding the right painting professional for you. Below are some questions we recommend asking to vet professional painters and find one that will leave you with a professional finish.
Do you have references I could contact?
How long do you expect the work to take? Will you need multiple visits?
What will the total price be including all labor and materials?
Are you fully insured?
Do you offer a warranty for your work?
Will you be doing the work or subcontracting out to another professional?
What is the cleanup process like?
The paint type your garage door needs depends on the door's material. Aluminum garage doors generally require exterior acrylic paint, while vinyl and wood doors usually call for exterior latex paint. Pros typically recommend latex and oil-based paint for steel doors. Acrylic latex paint is a great option if you need something that’s kid and pet-friendly as well as eco-friendly.
One gallon of paint can usually cover up to 400 square feet. Therefore, painting a one- or two-car garage door typically requires one gallon of paint, which should give you enough for the two to three coats experts recommend for this job. However, if you're painting a lighter color over a darker color, you might need more. Using primer can decrease the total number of coats of paint you need.
You’ll want to use a sprayer to paint your garage door, especially if the door has panels and other details. A sprayer can get those hard-to-reach places much easier than cutting in with a brush or trying to roll the paint. Once you get comfortable using a sprayer, you’re more likely to get a smooth, professional-looking finish. However, a paint roller will also work if you’ve got a flat garage door or if you don’t have access to a sprayer.
While it depends on door condition, the painter’s level of expertise, and weather conditions, it’s safe to set aside two to three days to complete this project, especially if you anticipate adding multiple coats of paint, which can take eight to 12 hours to dry. Your professional should be able to provide an estimate for the project timeline.
It’s usually a good idea to use a metal primer before painting a metal garage door, and, even if you do, you’ll need a paint that’s specifically designed to coat metal for the best results. Metal primer helps create a good surface for the paint to stick to your metal garage door, and it will help prevent bubbling, chipping, and peeling after it dries. It’s a bit more expensive to prime your door before painting, but it’s usually worthwhile, as the paint will last longer.
