Transform Your Home’s Exterior with Garage Door Refacing and Overlays

If your garage door system is in tip-top shape but the door could use a facelift, you don’t have to replace it to dramatically improve your home’s curb appeal. There are seemingly countless garage door refacing options, including applying paint or stain, or adding custom overlays that transform standard panels into stunning carriage house or contemporary doors. Before shelling out big bucks for a new garage door, compare your refacing and overlay options and weigh the costs to decide which route is right for you.    

What Are Garage Door Refacing and Overlay Options?

Refacing or adding overlays to your garage door is an easy, cost-effective way to transform the look of your home by adding instant curb appeal. The sky’s the limit when it comes to garage door refacing options, but some of the most common DIY projects include painting the door to better match the home’s aesthetics and using stain to mimic a wood look. Another quick way to elevate your garage door’s look is by installing magnetic hardware like handles and hinges. 

Garage door overlays are magnetic panels, often made of steel, wood, aluminum or composite materials, that can be installed tool-free by placing them over your existing garage door panels. They’re far less expensive than full door replacement, make for an easy DIY project and are compatible with most existing door types.

Popular Garage Door Overlay Styles and Designs

The best garage door overlay for you depends on your home’s architecture and your personal taste. The most popular styles today are carriage house and contemporary designs. If you have a traditional or farmhouse-style home, a carriage house overlay will fit right in with its vintage look and interesting details. Modern homes, meanwhile, will be best complemented by the clean lines and minimalist look of a contemporary overlay. 

Avoid clashing colors or stains and make sure your new panels speak to the existing aesthetics of your home. Like to go all out for the holidays? There’s no shortage of festive garage door magnets, covers and overlays to choose from to help you celebrate in style.   

Carriage House Overlays: Adding Classic Charm

Carriage house doors date back to medieval Europe and were originally used to house, you guessed it, carriages and the horses that led them. Fast forward to the invention of the gas-powered automobile in 1886, replace horses with cars, and the rest is history. 

Today’s carriage house overlays mimic the original doors’ characteristics. They feature intricate details, create the illusion of swing-open doors and are most often available in wood-look finishes. Many overlay kits also come with magnetic hardware, like handles and hinges, to complete the vintage look and instantly add curb appeal. If your kit doesn’t include hardware, you can pick from hundreds of a la carte options online or at home improvement stores. 

Modern and Contemporary Overlay Designs

Clean lines, minimalist accents, smooth surfaces and horizontal windows are some of the many design features of modern and contemporary garage door overlays. They blend seamlessly with the similarly clean lines and understated design of contemporary homes. While wood panels, composite or real, are a common choice for carriage doors, most modern overlays are made with untextured steel, vinyl or fiberglass.  

Professional vs. DIY Garage Door Refacing: What To Consider

Installing lightweight magnetic overlays or hardware is a low-stakes DIY project that can be tackled in a few hours. But if you plan on working around existing windows, installing heavy wood or composite panels, or aren’t comfortable taking detailed measurements, we recommend hiring a professional. Adding custom elements like real wood slats or non-magnetic hardware also requires specialized tools and precise measurements. Our table outlines common DIY projects and those we recommend calling a professional to handle.

If you’re at all concerned with your ability to reface your garage door or install overlay panels, it’s best to seek professional installation help. Garage.com can connect you with licensed installers in your area to offer a quote, get the job done quickly and provide parts and service warranties. 

Cost Considerations for Garage Door Refacing Projects

The average cost to replace a garage door is between $300 and $800 for professional labor alone. Tack on an additional $450 to $8,000 for the door itself, depending on its style, size, materials and other factors.

If you’re staining or painting the door yourself, you’ll only pay for the stain or paint, plus the tools and supplies you don’t already have. Overlay kits will run you anywhere from $300 to several thousand dollars. Two key factors that affect how much you’ll pay include how many doors you’re upgrading and how big they are. The materials, design details and overall quality of the overlays also impact where you’ll fall within that broad range. Vinyl and aluminum overlays, for example, are typically more budget-friendly than wood or wood composite overlays. 

Maintenance and Care for Refaced Garage Doors

Establishing a regular maintenance schedule for your newly refaced garage door is critical for protecting your investment and extending its lifespan. How much annual maintenance you need to perform depends on the materials and overall quality of the overlays. 

Custom wood panels and components need regular attention. Check for cracks, warping or discoloration and paint or re-stain as necessary. Vinyl and composite materials require less maintenance, but can still show premature signs of aging if not properly maintained. Clean them with a mild soap at least twice per year and remove any visible debris. Like you would with wood doors, also check them for fading, warping or other signs of visible damage. 

Need help with seasonal maintenance? Our licensed garage door specialists provide fast, friendly service backed by generous parts and labor warranties. 

Common Questions About Refacing Your Garage Door with Overlays