Open your garage door in style
Front doors get all of the glory, but it’s the humble overhead garage door that can really spruce up your curb appeal. After all, the wide expanse of a garage door will likely be the first thing people notice as they drive by or pull into the driveway. Residential garage doors are not an item homeowners replace very often, so the topic may seem overwhelming. However, you’re actually only dealing with a few basic types of garage doors. Explore all your options before you order your new garage doors.
Installing a garage door without prior experience can be extremely challenging and potentially dangerous. It's highly recommended to contact a pro if you need a garage door installed.
There are five popular garage door types that you’ll find in residential areas.
Sectional garage doors are the most common type in the United States. These doors feature panels that split into sections (thus the name) held together with hinges that allow the door to bend and move up a vertical track as it makes its way to the ceiling. The sections that make up this design enable it to fit nearly any size or shape of garage.
Sectional garage doors are relatively cost-effective, safe, and come in a variety of visual styles. On average, this type of garage door ranges between $300 and $800. If you’re replacing your sectional garage door, be sure to also replace the track it runs on to maintain safety.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Secure | Not ideal for low ceilings |
| Customization options | Complex installation |
| Durable | Complex repairs |
Best for: Homeowners looking for custom design options.
Sliding garage doors feature a time-tested design that does not require electricity. These doors do not bend upwards or run parallel to your ceiling. Instead, they bend to one side and run parallel to the interior wall. This is a good choice for garages with minimal headroom. Also, homeowners can manually operate this type of garage door, as they do not require too much force to open and close.
The side sliding garage door cost is similarly priced as sectional garage doors as both use standard panels, ranging between $300 and $800.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy manual operation | Require frequent maintenance |
| Partial opening capability | Security concerns |
| Customization options | Outdoor clearance required |
Best for: Homeowners who prefer the flexibility of partially opening the garage door for quick access
As the name suggests, these doors open by tilting up and into your garage. This is another popular choice for residential homeowners, as they look great and suit various home exterior aesthetics. Due to the nature of the design, it is possible to build glass windows and garage door screens into a portion of a tilt-up garage door.
There are two tilt-up variations for garage doors: retractable and canopy. Retractable doors tilt upward and move inside the garage, whereas canopy doors tilt upward but remain outside, forming a distinctive canopy appearance. Tilt-up models require an extraordinary amount of clearance to fully retract into the garage, which can be frustrating for space-conscious homeowners.
This type of garage door is also relatively expensive compared to a standard sectional garage door. Tilt-up garage doors cost between $500 and $1,200, on average.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Customization options | Cost |
| Durable | Requires outdoor clearance |
| Suitable to home styles | Security concerns |
Best for: Homeowners residing in harsher climates seeking a durable option.
Otherwise known as swing-out doors or carriage doors, side-hinged garage doors resemble large barn doors when they open and close. This is because they include hinges on the side, allowing the doors to swing open instead of moving up. As you can guess, side-hinged garage doors can help save space in the garage itself, as the doors position and swing outward. These doors can also swing inward if conserving garage space is not a priority.
Side-hinged garage doors can be one of the costlier options for homeowners to choose from. On average, the cost of a carriage door ranges between $1,000 and $10,000.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Traditional appearance | High cost |
| Versatile materials | Requires outdoor clearance |
| Easy manual operation | Security concerns |
Best for: Homeowners with a big budget looking for a traditional or classic appearance.
You know how posters roll up into a cylinder for easy storage and carrying? That is the basic design behind roll-up garage doors. Roll-up garage doors feature multiple horizontal slats, which allow the doors to curve and bend as needed. As these doors open, the components wrap around a barrel near the garage ceiling.
Roll-up garage doors are durable and easy to use, though they can look drab and utilitarian compared to other door types. For this reason, roll-up doors are often found in commercial or industrial settings instead of residential neighborhoods. Roll-up garage doors feature a mid-range cost, averaging between $400 and $1,500.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Smooth and quiet operation | Limited design options |
| Secure | Less aesthetic appeal |
| Durable | Cost |
Best for: Homeowners prioritizing security.
Aside from deciding on the best type of garage door for your home, there are other factors you'll need to consider when buying a garage door.
A significant part of your garage door style is in the materials. You can choose from wood, metal, glass, or fiberglass.
Wood: Generally considered visually appealing, wood garage doors boast energy efficiency in warm and dry climates. However, these doors are susceptible to rot and warping in extreme conditions. They also require maintenance, with regular painting or staining every few years.
Wood Composite: Often more affordable than real wood, wood composite garage doors offer enhanced moisture resistance. While they may lack the natural beauty of wood, higher-end options feature appealing high-density fiberboard. This door material is filled with polystyrene insulation, providing superior energy efficiency.
Steel or Aluminum: Metal garage doors are renowned for their resilience in adverse weather conditions, particularly in the Midwest. Unlike wood, these materials resist rot and warping, making them more cost-effective. While aluminum doors may dent upon impact, steel doors exhibit remarkable durability, withstanding even substantial force like basketball impacts. However, it's important to note that metal doors conduct heat, potentially posing challenges for air conditioning systems in regulating temperatures during the summer.
Glass: For a contemporary aesthetic, glass garage doors provide a visually stunning option. However, they may not be ideal for those seeking privacy. Despite their thickness, glass doors lack the durability of natural wood, aluminum, or steel. Glass doors are susceptible to damage from hail and strong winds, which require frequent repairs. The garage door repair cost for glass replacement can range between $100 and $200. Installation can also be quite high, with the average glass garage door cost ranging between $2,500 and $8,000.
Fiberglass: Fiberglass garage doors stand out for their lightweight construction, ensuring quiet operation during opening and closing. While resistant to warping and rot in moisture, they are less effective insulators, potentially leading to increased heating and cooling costs in extreme weather conditions.
An insulated garage door is designed with a layer of insulation between its panels to provide a barrier against extreme external temperatures. This insulation helps regulate the temperature inside the garage, making it a valuable feature for those who use their garage as a living space, a workshop, or have climate-sensitive items stored inside.
Insulation helps maintain a more consistent and comfortable temperature inside the garage, especially for climate-controlled garages, reducing the workload on heating or cooling systems. This can result in energy savings and lower utility bills. Additionally, the insulation serves as an effective sound barrier, muffling external noises and creating a quieter environment within the garage.
On average, an insulated garage door cost ranges between $700 and $2,300. For homeowners concerned about energy efficiency in their homes, the cost can greatly outweigh the potential loss of energy (and resulting increase in energy bills) over time.
Garage doors with windows can significantly enhance a home's curb appeal by adding a touch of elegance and allowing natural light to enter the garage space. The added natural light can also contribute to a brighter and more inviting interior within the garage, which is a benefit if the garage is used beyond storing vehicles and other items. The windows come in various styles and shapes, allowing homeowners to customize the appearance of their garage doors to complement the overall design of their homes.
A pedestrian door within the garage is another consideration for homeowners looking for a secondary access point. The door provides convenient entry and exit without the need to open the entire garage door. This is particularly beneficial for quick access to the garage without using the main entrance, such as when fetching items from storage or working on projects. A pedestrian door also enhances the overall accessibility and functionality of the garage space, making it a versatile addition for homeowners who utilize their garage for various purposes.
Installing a garage door is a complex and potentially hazardous task not recommended for DIY projects. Garage doors are heavy and operate under tension from springs, making the installation process intricate and dangerous. Incorrect installation can lead to serious injuries or property damage. Malfunctioning doors also pose a risk to both the homeowner and others.
Professional garage door installers near you have the expertise to ensure the garage door is properly balanced, aligned, and equipped with the necessary safety features. The average garage door replacement cost ranges between $1,500 and $6,000 and is worth the investment to ensure your and your family's safety.
Lawrence Bonk contributed to this piece.
