Garage door replacement costs range from $5,000–$12,000 depending on size, materials, and features. A double (2-car) garage door averages $10,000 to $12,000 installed. Premium wood, architectural customization, and historic reproductions cost more. Labor, insulation upgrades, local permits, and disposal fees also impact the final price.

When it comes to replacing your garage door, the numbers can swing wildly, and so can the results. 

Whether you’re upgrading a basic steel panel or considering a handcrafted wooden design, understanding where your dollars go is key to making a smart investment. Materials, size, insulation, and even your local permit laws all factor into your total cost.

At Image Doors, we’ve replaced thousands of doors across Georgia with one goal in mind: deliver long-lasting, heirloom-quality garage doors that actually elevate your home’s character. 

From historically accurate carriage-style doors to modern builds tailored to your architecture, every door we design is built to fit, not forced to work.

If you’re serious about improving your curb appeal and want a garage door that lasts decades instead of years, this guide will show you exactly what to expect. 

Let’s walk through the costs, trade-offs, and options you should know before you get a quote.

What’s the Average Cost to Replace a Garage Door?

The cost to replace a garage door can vary widely depending on the material, size, and features you choose. In 2025, most homeowners are investing significantly more to achieve lasting quality and curb appeal.

Here’s a closer look at real-world installed prices:

  • Single (8–10 ft) garage door: ~$5,000
  • 2-car garage door (16 ft wide): $10,000–$12,000
  • Wood garage doors: $7,500–$10,000
  • Steel garage doors: ~$5,000
  • Florida homes: Add 10–15% for hurricane-rated wind load compliance

These ranges reflect turnkey installation, including labor, insulation, and removal of old materials, not just the base door cost. Premium materials and architectural styling can push the upper end of that spectrum.

If you’re asking, “How much should I spend on a garage door?”, the answer depends on your goals. 

For homeowners investing in resale value, architecture, or long-term durability, higher-end options deliver a return worth every penny.

Looking for the cheapest way to replace your garage door? A no-frills, uninsulated steel model installed by a big-box contractor may save money upfront, but it usually sacrifices both curb appeal and longevity.

What Affects Garage Door Replacement Cost?

  • Steel: ~$5,000 – Durable, low-maintenance, and energy efficient
  • Faux Wood: $1,200–$5,000 – Mimics wood aesthetics with less upkeep
  • Real Wood: $7,500–$10,000 – Handcrafted character and architectural impact
  • Composite/Glass: $5,000+ – Contemporary materials with high-end finishes and modern appeal

At Image Doors, we use fresh-cut wood species like Sapele Mahogany and Cedar. 

These are hand-stained or painted to order, not pre-fab panels from a warehouse. 

Size & Design Type

  • Standard panel doors cost less
  • Carriage house and French styles increase cost
  • Swing-out and sliding doors, our specialty, are luxury-level options few companies even offer

Installation & Labor: What to Expect

Installation usually adds $500–$1,800 to your total cost, depending on the complexity. Oversized doors, swing-out mechanisms, or integrated smart openers can increase labor time and materials. If your electrical setup needs upgrading, an electrician may charge $50–$100 per hour.

Real-World Costs by Door Type (Fully Installed)

  • Single Garage Door (8–10 ft): ~$5,000+
  • Double Garage Door (16 ft): $10,000–$12,000
  • Steel Doors: Average ~$5,000
  • Wood Doors: Range from $7,500–$10,000
  • Sliding Garage Doors: $10,000+
  • Swing-Out Carriage Doors: Start around $9,000 and climb with custom features

These prices reflect full-service installation, including removal of your existing door, hardware upgrades, and final calibration.

At Image Doors, every garage door is built to order. We don’t pull pre-fab panels off a rack, we craft architectural centerpieces, one at a time, for homes that deserve better than “standard.”

Should You Repair or Replace?

It’s a question we hear often, and the answer depends on three factors:

  • Repair costs exceeding 50% of replacement value
  • Doors older than 15 years with outdated parts or poor insulation
  • Lack of modern safety features, excessive noise, or uneven operation

If your garage door shakes, groans, or fails to seal tightly, it’s time to move on. 

Replacing rather than patching can save you thousands in repeated service calls, part failures, or even damage to your opener system.

Avoid These Common Pitfalls (And Regrets)

When replacing your garage door, rushing into the cheapest option is the fastest path to regret. Here are three common traps:

  • Lowest bidder installs often mean poor fit, gaps, or misaligned hardware
  • DIY projects can lead to injury or long-term maintenance issues
  • Overlooking energy performance increases HVAC costs in the long run

You only replace a garage door a few times in a lifetime. Choose a solution built for beauty and durability, especially if resale or architectural consistency matter to you.

What’s the ROI on Replacing a Garage Door?

Featured Product: Custom Stained Wood Carriage House Garage Doors

A high-end garage door replacement offers one of the best returns on investment of any home upgrade:

  • 98% average ROI (per national remodeling data)
  • 1–4% increase in total home value with premium curb appeal
  • Boosts resale confidence with modern security, insulation, and appearance

How to Get an Accurate Quote

Before you sign on the dotted line, here’s how to get a quote that reflects the real cost, not just the base door:

  • Request itemized pricing: door, labor, removal, opener, and permits
  • Ask about materials: pre-fab vs. custom, panel construction, insulation
  • Verify the warranty: coverage on parts and labor
  • Check lead times: especially for custom or wood builds
  • Schedule smart: fall and winter installs may save money or secure faster bookings

When you’re making a 10- to 20-year investment, guesswork shouldn’t be part of the price.

Choosing the Right Door: Aesthetic + Function

Replacing your garage door is a design decision. The wrong style can clash with your home’s architecture, while the right one elevates every detail.

Here’s how we help clients get it right:

  • Match paneling and window shapes to your home’s lines for a unified look
  • Avoid harsh color contrasts on wide doors, darker tones can dominate a facade
  • Coordinate textures like wood grain with existing trim or shutters
  • Use repeating design elements (grilles, arches, or hardware) for subtle luxury

At Image Doors, we don’t “fit a door”, we craft one that belongs to your home. 

From mountain retreats to neoclassical estates, our team considers architecture, scale, and material harmony before the first board is cut.

Why Image Doors Takes a Different Approach

Featured Product: Custom Steel Carriage House Garage Doors

There’s a reason our doors don’t look like anyone else’s.

  • We reproduce antique carriage doors with exacting craftsmanship
  • Every door is custom-built after your consultation, never pulled from a shelf
  • We use premium woods like Cedar and Sapele, cut and stained by hand
  • Our installers never cut corners, because integrity shows in the details

Why are garage doors expensive? Because when built right, they’re more than just a barrier, they’re part of your home’s legacy. That’s why our doors are designed to last generations, not just years.

Ready for a Quote? Here’s What to Do Next

If you’re replacing your garage door, you’re not just solving a problem, you’re making a statement. It’s the largest moving feature of your home’s exterior. Make it count.

Here’s how to start:

  • Request a free consultation, we’ll bring samples and ideas to you
  • Visit our design gallery for inspiration on styles, finishes, and hardware
  • Talk resale or renovation goals, we’ll help you choose a door that fits your vision and your long-term plans

At Image Doors, we help homeowners tell better stories. 

If you believe in craftsmanship, architectural integrity, and design that stands the test of time, contact us now. We’ll love to help you find the right fit.