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

Discover how garage door refacing and overlays can transform your home’s appearance without the cost of full replacement. Learn about styles, materials and professional installation services for a stunning garage door makeover.

Find Garage Door Repair Services

Get a fast & free quote | Schedule your service today


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.

DIY-FriendlyProfessional Recommended
PaintingHeavy overlays
StainingCustom panel designs
Installing lightweight overlays or hardwareIf structural modifications are needed
Basic tools and skills requiredIf you’re unsure of your DIY capabilities

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

The overall cost depends on the size, style, materials, quality, and number of garage doors you’re upgrading. If you’re staining or painting the door yourself, you’ll only pay for the stain or paint, plus supplies. Overlay kits run anywhere from $300 to several thousand dollars.

Most garage door refacing projects are suitable for DIY installation, especially if you’re painting, staining or dealing with lightweight overlay materials. But if you’ve chosen a heavier kit, have custom design elements or are uncomfortable with any aspect of the installation, we recommend letting us put you in touch with a licensed professional in your area.

For the best curb appeal, your overlay panels should generally match the style, color and architecture of your home. That said, style is subjective, and what’s right for you depends on your personal taste. 

garage repair service provider repairing a garage door track

Get Your Free Quote and Schedule Your Garage Repair Today

Find top-rated companies for fast garage repairs and service to make sure your garage door system lasts. Get free quotes from garage door companies in your area.

Tips and Expert Advice for Your Garage

Stay informed with expert advice on garage door maintenance, garage door service, garage door replacement, and upgrades. Explore our blog for guides, troubleshooting tips, and more.

Amarr garage doors logo

Amarr Garage Doors

Ask just about anyone in the garage door industry about some of the best names in the business in terms of reliability and quality, and you’ll hear Amarr near the top of that list. It’s with good reason with more than 70 years of production under its belt and numerous patents to help manufacture some of the best doors on the market today in various styles and materials.
Garage door rollers and track, white aluminum garage door

How to Repair a Garage Door: DIY Solutions and When to Call a Pro

Garage door repairs can range from simple DIY maintenance to complex professional interventions, with safety being the paramount concern when addressing issues like motor problems, spring tensions, or physical damage. While homeowners can perform basic tasks like lubrication and visual inspections. Most critical repairs involving electrical components, springs, and tracks should be performed by experienced professionals who can ensure safety and provide warranty-backed services.
custom wooden garage doors on coastal home, wooden garages in shutter style painted navy featuring a window pane.

Wood Garage Doors

Enhance timeless elegance with handcrafted wood garage doors, combining natural beauty with custom designs and robust materials for unique character, lasting durability, and distinct curb appeal.
CHI Garage doors logo

CHI Garage Doors

Do you want a garage door that looks good now and will in the future? Do you want a garage door that will bring a solid return on your investment while bringing added curb appeal to your home. CHI garage doors could be your answer as one of the best names in the business.
highilift garage door installation seen beside normal door from the inside of the garage

High Lift Garage Doors

Elevate your garage space with high lift garage doors. Unlock hidden vertical storage, accommodate tall vehicles, and revamp your garage’s functionality. This guide dives deep into the benefits, applications, and installation details, ensuring you know everything to maximize your overhead space. Discover how a high lift system can add significant value and efficiency to your property.
martin garage doors logo

Martin Garage Doors

Martin Garage Doors offers an excellent blend of contemporary and classical styles with many glass configurations, colors and finishes. With nearly 90 years of experience and dealers located around the country, it’s a go-to for many homeowners and businesses alike. We have fully reviewed this long-standing provider’s offerings and style options. Learn more about this premium manufacturer and our garage experts’ maintenance recommendations below.
Aerial view of a modern suburban house in Fuquay-Varina with a well-maintained lawn and driveway featuring a vinyl garage door.

Vinyl Garage Doors

Unlock worry-free garage door performance with durable and stylish vinyl garage doors. Discover how these budget-friendly doors resist rust and warping. Our guide reveals the secrets to a long-lasting, low-maintenance solution for your home. Upgrade to vinyl and say goodbye to endless upkeep.
New glass garage doors on updated ranch style home.

Glass Garage Doors

Upgrade your home with modern elegance. This guide explores the beauty and practicality of glass garage doors, covering styles, materials, and why they might be the perfect choice for your property.
garage door service provider applying garage door lubrication to springs

How to Lubricate a Garage Door

Want a garage door that opens without a racket? This guide walks you through lubricating all the moving parts so your door runs smooth and quiet. You’ll learn exactly what to lube, what not to lube, and how to do it right. Plus, we’ve got some simple tips to keep your door in top shape and save you from expensive fixes down the road.
Raynor Logo

Raynor Garage Doors

Raynor Garage Doors are among the most recognizable in the industry. Customer reviews show that it’s one of the more affordable options. This, coupled with its many finishes and included insulation, make it a popular pick among homeowners. Dive into this leading manufacturer to help you learn more about its products and the benefits of professional installation through Raynor.
Hormann garage doors logo

Hörmann Garage Doors

Hörmann Garage Doors offers basic, more conventional doors to luxury garage openings for nearly every home type. From long raised panel options to carriage house and flush modern design schemes, we’ve broken down every garage door type it provides. See how it compares to other top providers here.
Garage cble roll in action while torsion spring pulls cables to open door.

Garage Door Cable Replacement

Want to fix your garage door cables? Great! This guide will help you decide if it’s a DIY job or time to call a professional. We’ll cover the steps, crucial safety measures, warning signs for experts, cable replacement, common mistakes to avoid, and how to stay safe around the powerful torsion springs.
Garage door rollers and track, white aluminum garage door

Garage Door Track Replacement Cost: Complete Price Guide

Garage door track replacement costs typically range from $200 to $450, influenced by factors like track material, door size, and local labor rates; signs of needed replacement include bent tracks, excessive noise, or the garage door being off track. Professional garage door track installation is recommended for severe damage, ensuring safety and proper functioning of the garage door system.