How Much Should Your Garage Door Cost?
ShareIt's not every day that you buy a new garage door, so chances are you're not sure how much one should cost. There are plenty of factors that can influence how much you'll end up spending on a garage door. The following takes a look at some of these factors, as well as a few tips that can help you save a few bucks on your next garage door.
Types and Styles
The type of garage door you choose for your home will be one of the major factors that influence its cost, starting with the material it's built from. Steel and vinyl garage doors are usually the most affordable type of doors available due to their extensive use of lost-cost but durable materials. Solid wood garage doors rely on harder-to-find and custom-made materials, making them exceptionally pricey when compared to steel and vinyl doors.
Sectional and tilt-up garage doors are common go-to styles for the average homeowner, making them relatively affordable and easy to purchase. Carriage doors and sliding doors are less common and often require special hardware to work, making them more expensive in comparison.
Pre-built garage doors will always be more affordable than a custom-made solution. If you want a garage door that mimics the look and function of an old-fashioned barn door, then be prepared to pay significantly more for design, materials, and labor.
Garage Door Sizes
Size matters when it comes to estimating the cost of your new garage door, but it's not something you can readily change unless you're in the middle of designing a new garage. Then you'll have the option of choosing between a single garage door and a double garage door that can easily accommodate two or more vehicles.
Many garage door manufacturers offer standardized sizes that make it easier and less expensive to replace your existing garage door. However, it's not unusual for a home to have a garage door with a custom width and height that's not readily available. If you have a custom door, then there's a good chance you'll end up paying more for your contractor to create and install a replacement that fits properly.
If you're switching from one style to another, you might not be able to reuse your existing hardware. A complete hardware replacement may also be necessary if your current hardware is in bad shape.
Garage Door Openers
Unless you enjoy a good everyday workout or have a door that's light enough to lift without any issues, you'll need a reliable garage door opener to do the heavy lifting. According to HomeAdvisor, an automatic garage door opener could set you back an additional $200 to $472, depending on the type of opener you choose. Chain-driven automatic openers tend to be the most affordable of the bunch, while belt-driven and screw-driven openers are often more expensive.
Nifty security and convenience features such as keypad entry, rolling-code security, and dual-frequency technology can add a significant premium to a typical garage door opener. It's important to consider the type of features you want from your opener and how they'll impact your overall budget.
Professional vs. DIY Installation
The decision to install your own garage door or have a professional take care of it can also influence your garage door's overall bill. According to CostHelper, you may end up paying $750 to $1,200 to have a typical 16-foot-by-7-foot garage door professionally installed - perhaps even more if the door itself requires custom hardware or the installation process takes longer than expected.
At roughly $300 to $500, a DIY installation can be significantly cheaper than hiring a contractor. However, you won't be able to benefit from the high quality and reassurance that a professional installation offers. Talk to local contractors to get a garage door estimate, and then decide what features will fit your budget.