How Much Do Garage Doors Cost
Garage doors are not merely for security purposes at home. They also work to increase energy insulation as well as add architectural interest to the property. So if you are shopping for garage doors, it is important that you pick the right door for your needs. This article will discuss the typical cost of garage doors in today's market.
The Cost Of Garage Doors
The cost of garage doors varies depending on the material: Steel ($800 to $1,200)
Vinyl ($1,100 to $1,500)
Wood composite ($1,000 to $1,300)
Custom wood ($2,000 to $7,000)
All prices refer to a purchase of an 8x7 foot garage door, without including installation yet.
Factors Affecting The Cost Of Garage Doors
Size. Standard garage door sizes include the following: 8x7, 9x7, 16x7, 8x8, 9x8, and 16x8. Based from the quotes of prices mentioned above for an 8x7 garage doors, a 16x7 door is usually double the price and a 9x7 door is around 10 percent more of the price. On the other hand, garage doors that are eight foot high are around 20 to 25 percent more expensive than the smallest 8x7 size.
Material. As mentioned above, garage doors vary in prices depending on the material they are made from. Steel is the cheapest of all materials; however, it has the tendency to dent. On the other hand, custom wood garage doors are the most expensive because they are made of the best materials such as mahogany, oak or cedar. Being custom, they are made uniquely. They can even be stained or left in their natural color to achieve whatever look it is you are trying to get for the property. And to top these all off, wood is a very durable material.
Decorative additions. For most garage doors, manufacturers often provide various styles. However, adding decorative elements in the garage door such as horizontal ribbing, sculpted segments, and the like make the cost of the garage door higher.
Mechanism. Garage doors usually come as tilt-up models or hinged. These models are among the cheapest of garage doors. Today, there are more expensive garage door mechanisms, especially those with automated roll up features.
Additional Costs
Garage door installation will be an extra cost all the time. This can range from $100 to $250. The price can go higher for installing specialized and customized garage doors.
Insulation of garage doors is also extra. Expect to pay around $1.50 per square foot for insulation of a garage door.
Painting or staining the garage door for a custom finish will mean you have to spend on the cost of paint or stain. This will usually cost you $20 to $50 per gallon. The cost can go higher if you hire a professional to do the painting or staining for you.
Adding garage door openers will usually cost you around $150 to $300 extra. Plus, installing openers by a professional can double the price of your door opener purchase.
Expect to spend around $100 to $200 for garage door repairs. This can include removing dents, refinishing wood, sanding wood, replacing panel, and the like. Repairing a damaged door opener costs about the same, too.
Types And Styles Of Garage Doors
To help you pick the right door for your garage, let’s discuss the types and styles of the most common garage doors available in today’s market. Let’s start with the types first (referring to material composition of garage doors):
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Steel. This is the most common material used as garage doors not only because it is the least expensive but also because steel is very low maintenance. Plus, it often comes with longer warranties than wood and a steel door can be more energy efficient as well. The only drawback of steel garage doors is that they have the tendency to dent.
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Vinyl. Vinyl garage doors may be a little more expensive than steel doors but they are gaining popularity as well these days. This is true because vinyl has the ability to resist denting. Hence, doors made of vinyl will serve you longer than steel. Moreover, vinyl doors look nicer than steel doors because they can offer a more realistic look of a wood grain pattern.
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Wood composite. Doors made of composite wood are gaining popularity as well because it is known to be the green garage door. As you know, wood composite is made basically from recycled materials. Besides this, composite wood doors can be easily painted to match the home's exterior.
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Custom wood. This is by far the most expensive material for garage doors, but most people see the price tag very much worth it given the natural beauty and strength of wood. This is especially true that custom wood garage doors are made of very durable materials such as oak, cedar, mahogany, and hemlock.
Once you have chosen the material for your garage door, it is time for you to choose the style of door that will look best for your home’s exterior. Here are the most comon styles of garage doors and what kind of look they offer to your home.
Flush Panels
These are slightly textured panels that are often used in most homes. This kind of garage door style is best used if you want to complement the surrounding wall without having to draw too much attention to the garage door itself.
Long-Raised Panels
This kind of style gives a lot of distinction and edge to the garage door. This works perfectly if you want the garage door to contribute something to the overall apperance of your home.
Short-Raised Panels
This is similar to long-raised panels only that, with the name itself, the panels are shorter. This is an excellent garage door finish for those with Victorian-style homes. Short-raised panels complement intricately detailed trims, strong architectural lines, and symmetrical facades of most colonial homes.
Besides these most common options, you can also consider painted panels and window panels for your garage door. All these options can very well bring more appeal to the garage door. Take note as well that there are a lot of other different options availabe for you, especially when speaking of custom wood. You can think of just any style that will match your home’s exterior and for sure, you’ll get a unique garage door style that you can be proud of.
Tips Before You Buy A Garage Door
Know the measurements of your garage door. It is very important that before you even go shopping, you have the right measurements to ensure you get the right quotes and get the right garage door eventually.
Know the best door style that will work best for the garage. Since the garage door makes up about 40 percent of the front view of your home, it is important that you pick a garage door that will complement the architecture of your home.
Always get the garage door from a trusted supplier. The durability and reliability of the garage door can be guaranteed only by trusted and reliable stores.
Garage doors are better installed professionally because garage door installation can be highly technical. A lot of details must be given attention when installing garage doors such as connecting the springs the right way. Take note that the act of connecting the springs can be very dangerous for an amateur installer. Plus, proper installation is very important for the best performance of the garage door.
Choose insulated garage doors to help keep your garage more comfortable for you. This is especially true if your garage is attached to your home or you are using the garage as a workshop. An insulated garage door will help reduce the outside temperature going inside the garage, making the space a better room for you. Plus, an insulated door blocks outside noises.