High Lift Garage Doors

Installing a high lift garage door is a great option for anyone looking to upgrade their garage. This can be due to the need for more storage, to set up a home gym or car repair shop or to simply give your garage a facelift. 

We recommend that you book with one of our top garage pros to attempt this upgrade in your home. If you’re considering the DIY route, our guides to garage maintenance and repair can help you to create a custom solution for your needs.

What Is a High Lift Garage Door System?

High lift garage door systems raise your door more vertically than standard-lift systems. High lift doors have extended vertical tracks with a shorter section of curved track at the top. These are distinct from vertical-lift doors, which have no curved or horizontal track sections. In most cases, such doors require torsion springs and a jackshaft opener to function well, along with increased safety measures. Your spring and opener’s lift capacities will depend on the weight of your door, and should be assessed by one of our top licensed pros.

The Benefits of High Lift Garage Door Conversion

According to DASMA—the Doors & Access Systems Manufacturers Association—the return on investment for installing a new garage door can be up to 193% of its initial cost. If you’re planning on selling your home, or just want to increase your property value, installing a high lift door could be worthwhile. 

There are plenty of reasons why homeowners would want to install a high lift garage door. Many of these relate to increased or alternative use of their garage space. These doors require more overhead room, but are a great addition to garages with higher rafters. 

When you hire a pro to replace your conventional garage door with a high lift system, you’ll need to purchase the needed sections of vertical track, a new garage opener, new springs and possibly more. Note that, if your garage is under the above recommended clearance, it may be impossible to convert your garage rafters or ceiling to a necessary height. This process could require an additional consultation from a carpenter or contractor.

Cost Factors for High Lift Garage Door Installation

The circumstances in which you’d install a high lift garage door can vary. Some homeowners do it to make space for a four- or two-post car lift, while others need more overhead space for storage. 

Regardless of circumstance, you won’t have to fully change your door to convert it to a high lift system. A full replacement of your track system and possibly your opener could be necessary. When you get a professional quote, your garage door technician will factor in the following:

• Track material
• Track length requirements
• Ease of access to the space
• Door replacement (if needed)
• Hardware requirements
• Opener requirements (if needed)
• Labor

Given a four to six-hour installation time, and a typical rate of $75 to $150 per hour for garage door maintenance or repairs, you can expect a high lift door to cost $300 to $900 without materials. 

Our guide to affordable garage doors can provide you with plenty of options starting at $800. We’ve also included some typical hardware and component costs here:

*Source: Price points reflect Home Depot, DDM Garage Doors and DK Hardware costs as of April 2025.

Professional Installation vs. DIY Considerations

Even if you’re replacing a conventional residential garage door with another traditional door, we recommend professional installation. Attempting the conversion process to a high lift system will require trained expertise. You’ll also benefit from labor warranties that typically come with such service. 

Licensed pros have the insurance and qualifications to properly level your door after installing new mounting brackets. Cheney Door Company in Kansas estimates a time-to-complete of four to six hours for this service.

Frequently Asked Questions About High Lift Garage Doors