Garage Door Buying Guide: Everything to Consider Before Buying a New Door
If you are considering buying a new gate, there are many things to consider. We believe that the buying process can be divided into five main steps:
- Think about what you need and what you want.
- Consider the options (material and manufacturer).
- Choose design features and consider the functionality of the gate.
- Choose the level of insulation for your garage door.
- Think about the opening mechanism of your garage door.
If you follow these five steps, you can decide which garage door is best for your home.
Each of these steps involves a lot to consider, so we will explain them here. We’ll cover everything you should consider before ordering a garage door and show you how Firstline Garage Door Repair can help you make an informed decision.
Table of Contents
Step 1- Think about what you want and need
Your starting point should be what you want and need in a garage door. Every home is unique, so you should consider its architectural style and the type of door that is suitable.
But just as important, you need to calculate your budget to determine how much you can spend on the project. Then, consider things that will influence your choice, like the weather where you live and how you want the door to operate, as we explain below.
Budget: How much can you afford to spend?
As with any home improvement project, your budget is one of the first things to consider. In the United States, garage door costs depend on the type of door you want and the features you want to include.
For example, a standard one-car steel garage door costs between $650 and $3200, while a custom-made two-car wooden garage can cost between $6,000 and $25,000.
Every homeowner is different, so starting with your budget gives you a clear idea of your options. It will also rule out any too expensive options for you and give you a great starting point for your research.
Requirements: Where do you live?
Next, consider where you live. In Illinois, winter temperatures drop below freezing, so installing an insulated garage door is an excellent option if you use your garage for anything other than storage.
Also, consider how other environmental factors like UV rays, wind, and rain might affect the longevity of your garage door. This will impact the materials you choose for your garage door – more on this shortly.
Functionality: How do you want the door to operate?
There are numerous ways to operate a garage door. Smart garage door openers and sensors are highly convenient but more expensive. You can also opt for keyless entry pads for enhanced security.
Budget-friendly options include garage doors that require manual operation. These types of doors are popular with homeowners, but they’re not the most convenient choice.
Further down our text, we will consider these two options as well.
Step 2 - Consider your options - the different types of garage doors available
You can start researching your options after considering what you want and need in a garage door. You need to think about the material and manufacturer, two things that we introduce to you in this section
Choosing a material
The most important thing to consider is what material you want for your garage door. Standard options and their pros and cons include:
Stell
Benefits | Drawbacks |
Reasonably priced & widely available | Without proper treatment, the door is susceptible to rust |
Durable and long-lasting with little maintenance required | If painted, a steel door may flake, requiring you to re-paint it from time to time |
Available in numerous colors and textures | |
High level of insulation, good R value. |
Aluminum
Benefits | Drawbacks |
Extremely lightweight compared to other options, making them easy to handle and operate | They are not as strong as steel doors and offer less security for your home |
Aluminum is naturally rust-resistant | If you consider the Full-view aluminum door, with windows, very high price. |
It’s one of the cheapest options for garage doors | |
Though lightweight, aluminum is secure, robust, and durable | |
There are different colors of the profile | |
Use in modern style architectural project | |
Use together with glass, car service stations, auto shop |
|
Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP)
Benefits | Drawbacks |
GRP doors are straightforward to maintain and don’t require painting | They’re prone to cracks, particularly if they’re subject to accidental damage |
You can order GRP doors in numerous styles and textures | Compared to steel and aluminum, GRP doors are expensive |
They won’t warp or rust in the long run |
Wood/timber
Benefits | Drawbacks |
For most people, timber doors have the best curb appeal and look elegant once installed | The biggest issue is that wood doors require regular treatment and maintenance, or they can rot and warp |
Timber doors are highly customizable and can be styled in different ways | Timber doors tend to be one of the most expensive options for homeowners |
Wood is a natural insulator, helping to control the temperature in your garage | Wood is vulnerable to weather, including UV rays, wind, and rain |
Timber doors are strong and highly durable if maintained correctly | Stylish wooden doors can reach up to $25,000 for a two-car garage |
Wooden doors, remain the classic style of choice for your home | Heavy whole door load on the mechanisms |
Vinyl
Benefits | Drawbacks |
Durable and resistant to dents | Vinyl expands and contracts depending on the temperature |
Energy-efficient, thanks to insulation properties | The color of vinyl fades over time |
Cheaper to buy than wood and steel doors | Vinyl doors are more difficult to repair than wood or steel doors |
Choosing a manufacturer
At Firstline Garage Door Repair, we only work with the best manufacturers. So, after considering the available materials, it’s time to choose a manufacturer. Our recommendations include:
- CHI Overhead Doors offers high-quality, energy-efficient steel, aluminum, glass, and wood doors for residential and commercial properties.
- Clopay: One of America’s favorite garage door brands, Clopay’s steel rolling doors are particularly popular, but numerous other materials and designs are available.
- Wayne Dalton: Founded in Ohio, Wayne Dalton has grown into one of the nation’s leading door manufacturers. Aluminum, fiberglass, steel, vinyl, and wood options are all available.
- Haas Door: Haas garage doors are highly customizable and crafted with thick steel. They are very popular in the US. Choose from over a dozen residential models and add environmentally friendly insulation.
- Amarr: Another long-standing US brand, Amarr garage doors are available in numerous colors and materials. They even offer a bespoke “design your own” garage door service to homeowners.
Step 3 - Select design features and decide on the door’s functionality
You’re now ready to consider the features you want to include on your new garage door and how you want it to function.
Types of garage doors
Again, there are numerous options to consider:
Up-and-over doors
Up-and-over retractable garage doors are very popular among US homeowners. As the name suggests, they tilt up and lift into the garage. These doors tend to be operated manually and are opened with a key. Sufficient ceiling space is required to install an up-and-over garage door. Often found in the southern states of America.
Roller doors
Though more commonly installed at commercial properties, roller garage doors can also be a viable residential option, particularly in garages with limited ceiling space. These are usually highly robust steel doors operated by a switch. Such doors are not cheap, but repairs are not as frequent as with overhead doors. But if they break, they are expensive to repair.
Sectional doors
Sectional garage doors, widely chosen by US homeowners, comprise paneled sections, each connected with hinges. When the door is operated, the wheels roll across a vertical track, and the door opens by essentially folding in on itself. Most people opt for steel sectional doors, a high-quality and durable option. Very common in the United States. They are also called overhead doors. Many of our customers call these doors the “best garage doors,” the reason for good quality at the best price.
Side-hinged doors
This simple garage door opens and closes from a hinge on one side of the garage. It opens like a standard door and is an easy and highly convenient choice for some homeowners. A side-hinged door is an excellent option if your garage has limited headroom.
Sliding or folding doors
Another option to consider is sliding doors that fold into the side of your garage. When opened, the door bends in at the side, running on low trolleys and powered by a retractable motor. This highly modern option is aesthetically pleasing but requires sufficient wall space before installation.
Of course, a key part of the selection process is choosing a door that fits your home, both aesthetically and physically. You must take measurements and consider whether you want a single, double, or even triple garage door. If you’re unsure, feel free to contact one of our garage door experts for advice.
Choose the level of insulation for your garage door.
You should also consider insulating your garage door, particularly if you choose an aluminum door. Insulation increases your garage’s R-value, making the room cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Therefore, insulation is important if you plan to use your garage for anything other than storage.
Polystyrene and polyurethane are commonly used for garage door insulation. If you plan to insulate your door, make the budget available, as it’s best to do it from the start.
Regarding the insulation of garage doors, you can go to our page on one of the blogs, where we wrote in great detail Why Garage Door Insulation Matters: Improving Home Efficiency & Other Benefits.
Insulation is very important for garage doors, especially when necessary in the cold states of America.
- If we consider metal doors of steel, the best option is to order an insulated door because it will not cost you much. This is around $ 1800-2000 dollars for one door for two cars.
- If we consider aluminum garage doors, it is better to choose the option of not insulated doors because they will be costly.
- Regarding wooden gates, they are insulated. The main thing is to install them correctly and ensure that rubber bands (door stops, bottom seal) are correctly installed and there are no gaps. Then, the temperature will be warm inside the garage.
- Not insulated steel garage doors are not considered high quality and are installed for a short period. In cold states, such gates usually begin to rust, covering all mechanisms. After that, many parts are changed, and very often, in our practice, such doors are changed after 8-10 years after installation.
Think about the opening mechanism of your garage door.
Additionally, there are many ways to customize the look of your garage door depending on how you want it to look and whether or not you need additional opener features. These include:
Regular opener or Jackshaft
It is very important to talk to garage door specialists when you choose your garage door opener. Experts will advise you on the right opener for your new door based on its weight, the manufacturer’s company, and its size.
Many of our customers have wished to install a Jackshaft Opener instead of a regular one with a rail. And sometimes it works out, sometimes unfortunately it doesn’t. So when choosing a garage door, you should talk to experts who will advise you on the right Opener for your new door.
Smart garage door openers
Smart garage door openers make it much easier to open and close your door on demand. Most smart garage door openers have mobile phone apps, enabling you to control the garage door remotely. This helps with convenience and safety, allowing you to control your garage door even when you’re not at home.
Entry pads
You can bolster your home’s security by installing a keyless entry pad to operate your garage door. Some entry pads also include a camera, another excellent way to secure your property. Most entry pads are operated with a passcode, making them highly secure.
Sensors and lights
If you want to increase the safety of your garage door, a sensor is a great addition. Sensors prevent the door from closing when there’s an obstruction and help protect your family members (mainly kids and pets). You can even install motion-activated lights on your garage door, activated when any motion is detected.
Are you ready to buy a new garage door?
If you’ve reached this stage, you might have a better idea about the type of garage door to go for. Still, we’re sure you’ve got many questions, as there is so much choice.
At Firstline, we provide garage door installation and repair services throughout Illinois and would be delighted to help you decide which door is best for your home.
For more information and a no-obligation quote, send us a message today or call us directly at 847-620-9249 to chat with one of our friendly operatives.
Garage Door Buying Guide FAQ
How do I know what garage door to buy?
There are many things to consider before choosing a garage door. Consider your home’s architecture and aesthetic, and consider the door’s size, material, and manufacturer. You also need to decide on the door type – sliding, rolling, or sectional – and whether to include advanced features like sensors, insulation, and entry pads.
What is the best type of garage door to have?
The best type of door for you will depend on numerous factors, including your budget and preferences. That said, steel is a very popular option as it’s highly durable and reasonably priced. It’s also customizable to suit your requirements.
We can choose from uninsulated doors, steel doors, or the cheapest option with a chain-drive opener. This is a selection of the best materials at a realistic price.
How much should I spend on a garage door?
As highlighted in our guide, buying a garage door in the USA typically ranges from $1300 to $25000, but the materials, door type, and manufacturer you choose will all impact the price.
In the chart below, we offer a look at door types, benefits, and prices (including price for material and installation) for the year 2025.
Garage Door Costs in 2025
Here is a bar graph illustrating the different types of garage doors, their benefits, and average prices for a two-car garage. This provides a clear visual comparison for decision-making.
How do I know if I need a new garage door?
You might need a new garage door if your current one is visibly damaged, cracked, or corroded. Old garage doors negatively impact your home’s curb appeal and may affect your home’s energy efficiency. Therefore, installing a new door is a great home improvement project.
Written by Alex Caraus.
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I wish you good luck with your garage door repair!!!
