Question 1

How much does a new garage door cost installed in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Single 9x7 sectional steel: $1,200-$1,800 typical. Double 16x7 sectional steel: $1,800-$2,800. Premium materials (wood, glass-panel modern, full carriage style) run 2-3× the steel baseline. Smart openers add $300-$650; insulation upgrades add $100-$500.

Question 2

Steel vs wood vs aluminum-glass — which is best?

Accepted Answer

Steel: lowest maintenance, best insulation-to-price ratio, the practical default. Wood: best curb appeal, requires refinishing every 3-5 years, premium pricing. Aluminum-glass: modern aesthetic, good for mild climates, lower R-value. Vinyl: best for coastal humidity, fewer style options.

Question 3

Is an insulated door worth the upgrade?

Accepted Answer

Yes for attached garages or garages under living space — R-12 to R-18 doors return their $200-500 upgrade through HVAC savings in 4-7 years. Detached garage with no temperature concerns: vinyl-back or uninsulated is fine.

Question 4

How long does installation take?

Accepted Answer

Single door: 3-5 hours. Double door: 4-6 hours. Old door removal adds 1-2 hours. Plan a half-day for the install plus opener programming. Most contractors install Mon-Sat morning.

Question 5

Smart opener — which brand?

Accepted Answer

LiftMaster and Chamberlain (same company) dominate the market with 70%+ share, the strongest app ecosystem, MyQ smart-home integration. Genie is a credible budget alternative. Skip off-brand 'smart' openers that lock you to a single regional cloud.

Question 6

What's the warranty?

Accepted Answer

Industry-standard: 1-3 years on installation labor; lifetime limited on the door panel (warpage, rust-through); 7-10 years on torsion springs; 5-year warranty on most opener motors. Read the fine print on hardware (rollers, cables) — these are often only 1 year.

Question 7

Should I replace the springs at the same time?

Accepted Answer

If your existing door is older than 7 years and you're keeping it, yes — torsion springs are rated for 10,000-25,000 cycles and replacement is $200-400. Installing a new door always includes new springs; you don't pay separately.

Garage door — frequently asked