Garage Door Replacement & New Garage Door Installation
Installing a new garage door offers significant benefits, from enhancing home safety and energy efficiency to providing the highest return on investment for home improvement projects. This guide covers when to consider replacement, material and style options, installation methods, and cost factors.
By: Kelly Larson | Published: April 9, 2025
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Properly maintained garage doors provide benefits that are crucial to your home’s safety, energy efficiency and value. Installing a new garage door delivers an average 193% return on investment—higher than any other common repair or remodeling project.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the signs that it’s time to get a new door, the materials and styles available, installation methods and the average replacement costs. When the time comes, Garage.com will be here to help you with your garage door replacement and installation needs.
When To Consider Garage Door Replacement
The average lifespan of a garage door is 15 to 30 years depending on its materials and how well it’s been maintained. By the end of its useful life, your garage door will have provided safety and security, energy efficiency, protection from the elements and curb appeal. But when exactly should you replace it?
The answer depends on several factors. It might be time for an upgrade if your garage door…
- Makes strange noises even after you’ve attempted basic repairs
- Has visible damage like rust, dents or cracks that could compromise your home’s energy efficiency
- Has faulty hardware or rusting components
- Is not properly balanced
- Is an eyesore that could be lowering your property value
Old doors with worn-out hardware and outdated safety features are dangerous to the people and pets in your home. If it’s even a question whether or not your door is safe, it’s time to replace it. Installing a new door provides peace of mind, boosts your home’s energy efficiency and increases its overall value.
Choosing Your New Replacement Garage Door
There’s no shortage of garage door materials and styles to choose from. One of the most important, though, is what it’s made of. Consider your area’s climate and insulation needs before choosing from:
Steel doors are durable, low-maintenance and inexpensive, making them a top pick for standard residential homes.
Aluminum is a lightweight, rust-resistant material, but it’s not as strong as steel and doesn’t contain as much natural insulation.
These high-end products are the most expensive options, but they provide excellent durability and can last 20 to 30 years with proper maintenance.
Wood Doors
Composite Doors
Fiberglass is resistant to moisture, humidity and extreme heat, making it a popular choice for homeowners in coastal locations. It’s got a long lifespan but is prone to fading in the sun.
Vinyl is a rust-resistant material, is low maintenance and available in many styles, but it has poor natural insulation, so you’ll need to add insulated panels or have a professional install more permanent insulation.
Other factors to consider when choosing a new garage door include how well it matches with your home’s colors and architecture, and any included smart or safety features.
Garage Door Installation Methods
When you hire a professional to install a garage door, the first step is scheduling an on-site consultation. The installer will assess the existing system and its dimensions and provide a parts and labor quote. Assuming you accept the quote, the installation steps will be similar to these:
- Removal and disposal of the old door and its hardware: If you’re taking on the project yourself, be prepared to haul away and recycle the old door.
- Preparation of the frame: If it’s not level or has warped over time, the installation team may need to make some adjustments.
- Track and hardware installation: The installation team will mount the vertical and horizontal tracks, along with any necessary hardware, to the garage door frame. This step requires exact measurements.
- Installation of springs, pulleys and cables: Both extension springs and torsion springs store immense amounts of pressure. Do not attempt to install springs without a professional or the proper training.
- Installing the panel sections: The pieces of the door itself are then secured to the tracks using specialized equipment.
- Attaching the new door to the opener. Whether you’re keeping your existing garage door opener or adding a new one, the installer will connect it to the new door.
The installer will then test the new system and perform a safety check. Most reputable installation companies will offer a limited-time warranty on the labor. Check the manufacturer’s guide for details on your new garage door’s warranty.
DIY Considerations
New garage doors involve heavy door sections, springs that are under extreme force, specialized tools and precise measurements. Some electrical work is also necessary to connect the new door to the garage door opener. Hiring a professional is highly recommended to help reduce the risk of serious injury.
If you do decide to go the DIY route, enlist the help of another person or two for the project and have these tools on hand:
- Locking pliers
- Screwdriver set
- Adjustable wrenches
- Hammer
- Drill
- Impact Driver
- Pry bar
- Measuring tape
- Two ladders
- Safety glasses
- Gloves
Garage Door Replacement Cost Factors
The final cost of your new garage door is determined by a number of factors. Its dimensions, material, style, insulation, hardware and labor costs all determine what you’ll pay. Steel doors, for example, run between $750 and $3,000 on average. Wood and wood composite doors typically start around $1,200 and can reach $6,000 or higher.
The sky’s the limit in terms of door styles and optional upgrades you can add to your installation. Before choosing, assess your budget, separate your must-haves from your nice-to-haves and always keep in mind the outstanding ROI potential of installing a new garage door.
Frequently Asked Questions About Garage Door Replacement & Installation
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