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Highlights
- The average wood garage door cost range is $900 to $4,500.
- Several factors will affect the final project price including the type, size, and style of door; local labor rates; and any needed insulation or wiring.
- Wood garage doors are durable, eco-friendly, and easy to maintain. They’re also easy to customize for a stunning addition to a designer home.
- Homeowners tend to prefer hiring a pro to install a garage door since these doors are heavy and it’s easy to install them incorrectly. Some manufacturers also require a pro installation to keep the warranty valid.
Wood garage doors offer style and sophistication in the way traditional carriage doors have always done. But with today’s modern materials and designs, homeowners can opt for the classic appearance of wood with the convenience of sectional garage panels, a tilt-up door, or a swinging garage door. Since there are many options available for the panel style, window design, and hardware, homeowners can create a customized wood garage door that fits seamlessly with their home’s aesthetic.
Factors that impact wood garage door cost include the size and style of the door, the type of wood, and the labor costs to install it. Additional factors like wiring and insulation as well as maintenance costs can add to the total cost to install a wood garage door. According to Angi, the typical cost range for wood garage doors falls between $900 and $4,500.
Key Cost Factors
While an automatic garage door is an investment in convenience and security, a wood garage door adds an element of style and durability that can be hard to come by with cheaper materials such as aluminum. The size and style of the garage door will have a significant impact on the overall cost. In addition, the type of wood the door is made of and the labor costs to install it will need to be considered to help homeowners make their decision.
Door Size
Single-car garage doors typically measure between 7 and 10 feet wide and from 7 to 8 feet tall. Garages might have a single door, a double door, or a combination of those to accommodate the vehicles within the space. Garage door sizes and costs can be estimated, but the final price will ultimately depend on the type of material and style of door.
| Door Size | Average Cost (Materials and Labor) |
| 1-car garage | $500 to $3,000 |
| 2-car garage; double door | $800 to $5,000 |
| 2-car garage; two single doors | $1,200 to $4,900 |
| 3-car garage; one double and two single doors | $1,400 to $7,000 |
| 3-car garage; three single doors | $1,700 to $7,200 |
Door Style
Wooden garage doors can be manufactured as sectional, tilt-up, or carriage style. The type homeowners choose will affect the cost of the door and the labor to install it.
| Door Style | Average Cost (Materials and Labor) |
| Carriage house | $1,200 to $8,000 |
| French | $2,000 to $6,000 |
| Roll-up | $600 to $7,000 |
| Sectional | $500 to $1,800 |
| Tilt-up | $400 to $1,600 |
| Walk-through | $700 to $6,000 |
- Carriage: Carriage doors are a traditional style that swings open or closed from the side. They can be opened manually or automatically and require more clearance than a sectional or sliding door since they open outward.
- French: Custom homes in the country often use a French garage door to complement the design aesthetic. This style uses panels that roll up a track, but the design looks like traditional French doors with panels and large windows.
- Roll-up: A roll-up garage door is the most space-saving type of door. When the door is open, the material is rolled up above the open space. It’s a durable type of door made from materials such as steel or aluminum, but it’s complicated to install. A glass roll-up door is another option that is most commonly used for luxury homes or commercial buildings.
- Sectional: This is the most popular type of door since the door panels run on a track and can be lifted up either manually or automatically. In its open position, the door sits parallel to the ceiling, saving wall space.
- Tilt-up: Tilt-up doors also require some clearance in front of the door since they protrude outward as they open on the hinge. These are sometimes called canopy doors since the door forms a sort of canopy over the entrance when open.
- Walk-through: A less-common type is a walk-through garage door, which has a pedestrian door installed within the garage door. This setup is typically used if the garage is extremely small and doesn’t have room for a separate entrance into the garage.
Wood Type
Typically, wooden garage door costs fall between $900 and $4,50, but the type of material is mostly what determines the price. According to Jay Sanders, a licensed contractor and owner of Castle Dream Construction and Maryland Contractors in Baltimore, Maryland, “High-quality woods like cedar or mahogany are expensive and…skilled labor is not cheap.” He goes on to say that choosing a less- expensive wood can decrease the cost of the project. “Keep an eye on sales or try considering the less expensive wood type like pine, which can reduce the cost by up to 50 percent without sacrificing quality,” he advises. For a similar price range, composite garage doors are another material option. Composite doors are made by combining wood fibers, plastic, and binding agents to form a door with a wood-like appearance.
Labor
If homeowners have a contractor install one of the best garage doors, labor costs for installation will fall between $200 and $500. Some contractors will provide separate prices for labor and materials, while others may price the entire job without a breakdown of costs. Labor costs can increase if the contractor finds issues with the existing garage door’s motor or track that need to be repaired before the new garage door can be installed. And of course, the labor cost to build a garage will significantly increase if the wood garage door is intended for a new-construction project.
Additional Costs and Considerations
Beyond considering the door size and style, wood type, and labor, there are a few other factors that may impact the cost of replacing a garage door or installing a new one. If homeowners need to have their existing garage door removed or choose to add an automatic garage door opener, they’ll have higher garage door prices. Additionally, wood doors require more maintenance than garage doors made of other materials, and depending on the scope of the project, homeowners may need permits before starting.
Existing Garage Door Removal
The cost of garage door replacement usually includes the existing garage door removal cost. When homeowners obtain quotes from contractors, they’ll want to ask who is responsible for removing and disposing of the existing garage doors and accompanying parts. In many cases, the contractor will include this service in the overall price. If it’s not included with the replacement garage door cost, it will cost between $50 and $200.
Insulation
Well-insulated garage doors can help regulate the interior temperature of the garage. This helps maintain a comfortable garage environment and reduces the impact of extreme temperatures on the shared walls of the home. Insulated garage doors cost more to install since they have additional materials included.
Insulation is measured in R-values from 0 to 20; lower R-values indicate less insulation and higher R-values mean more insulation. A garage door installation professional can make recommendations based on the homeowner’s individual situation and needs. Sanders says, “If you are adding insulation to a garage door, then the cost can increase by $200 to $500.”
Wiring
Automatic garage doors are the preference for most homeowners. An automatic door can add convenience, but it can also add between $200 and $1,300 to the cost of garage doors to properly install it. Homeowners can also install one of the best garage door keypads or choose a smart garage door opener for even more control and convenience. If a homeowner needs additional lighting, they can consider having it installed as part of the garage door installation project.
Maintenance and Repairs
When homeowners are considering wood garage door cost, they may want to factor in ongoing maintenance over the life of the door. Most garage doors, including those made of wood, will need some maintenance over time, such as spring replacement, and garage door opener repairs aren’t uncommon. Most garage door repairs cost between $150 and $356.
Wooden garage doors may need the same types of repairs as metal or aluminum garage doors. However, they will also require more work to maintain their appearance and lengthen their lifespan. The wood will need to be stained and sealed or painted regularly to maintain its appearance and guard against rot, insect damage, warping, and cracks.
Permits
Installing a new garage door in place of an existing garage door likely won’t require a permit. However, if the contractor is making other modifications, such as widening the door or adding another garage door, then permits might be required to complete the work.
Any of the best garage door installation companies (such as The Home Depot or Lowe’s) will be familiar with local requirements. Permits typically cost between $40 and $120, but the cost and requirements will depend on the individual municipality.
Types of Wood Garage Doors
From different colors to different panel formations, glass window styles, and hardware embellishments, wood garage doors are available in a range of styles to choose from. In addition to a variety of styles, there are different types of wood garage doors that are available as composite materials, custom designs, and prefabricated styles.
| Type of Wood Garage Door | Average Cost (Materials and Labor) |
| Composite | $650 to $4,800 |
| Custom | $1,000 to $8,000 |
| Prefabricated | $900 to $3,000 |
Composite
Composite wood doors are made from a mix of wood fibers, plastic, and a binding agent. This combination makes a durable door that has the appearance of wood but without the maintenance needs of real wood. A composite garage door cost will likely fall between $650 and $4,800.
Custom
The price range of custom wood garage doors depends on the style and customizations, but it’s not uncommon for them to reach between $1,000 and $8,000. Creating a custom wood garage door usually starts with homeowners discussing their design goals with a garage door manufacturer or a garage door installation company to determine what would work best for their home. Then they’ll receive a cost estimate and a time frame for delivery and installation.
Prefabricated
Prefabricated wood garage door cost typically falls between $900 and $3,000. The styles range from traditional to carriage house doors, and homeowners can request insulation and windows if they want. Wooden garage doors that are premade are also available in multiple types of wood and color tones, so homeowners can typically find the style that best suits their home.
Benefits of Choosing a Wood Garage Door
Aside from the natural beauty of a wood garage door, there are other benefits that make the cost and maintenance of wood garage doors worth it. Sanders says that “[wood garage doors] look fantastic and are also great for insulation. They can also last 20 years or more with proper care and maintenance.”
High Durability
Wood is a naturally durable building material that can withstand dents and dings better than aluminum or vinyl garage doors. Manufacturers typically use treated wood to protect against weathering.
Easy to Repair
Certain types of repairs, like replacing rotted or warped boards or fixing deep cracks, will be more costly than others. However, those issues are more likely to happen when the doors are neglected for years or when they’re severely damaged by accident or a storm. Common repairs, such as sanding out imperfections or repainting chipped paint, might need to happen more frequently, but they can be done by the homeowner relatively quickly. When the finish begins to wear off, homeowners can paint or stain it themselves or hire a local contractor to do the work for them.
Good Insulation
Wood has excellent insulation properties, so installing a wood garage door can help maintain a comfortable temperature in the garage. Wood garage doors will have different R-values, and choosing one that fits the needs of the homeowner is essential. If the door is constructed with layers of wood and insulation, that can increase the R-value even further.
Eco-Friendliness
Since wood is a renewable resource, it’s one of the most eco-friendly garage door materials. When the garage door reaches the end of its life, there are even ways to repurpose the wood that’s still in good condition for other projects, such as turning it into a table or shelf. And since wood is a natural element, the process to turn wood planks into a garage door results in very little carbon emissions compared with a process that manufactures a material.
Improved Aesthetics
A wooden garage door lends a high-end aesthetic to a home. Wood can be stained to maintain its natural beauty, but it can also be painted to accent the home’s color scheme. Windows add light for the interior, and other customizations, like handles and hinges, can add to the overall look of the wood garage doors. Hardware could even be customized to match the handles or lights on the rest of the home.
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
Installing a new garage door is no easy task, even if it’s simply a new door being hung on an existing track. Sanders says, “It might be challenging to install a wood garage door on your own unless you have the right tools and are pretty handy. It’s not only about hanging the door; you also need to make sure it’s perfectly balanced and safely connected to the opener and springs.” Most homeowners prefer to leave this job that’s both hefty and delicate to a pro.
A local garage door installation company can typically complete the project in a few hours. However, much of this depends on whether the existing door needs to be removed, not to mention the condition of the old door and the garage itself. In addition, a garage door technician has experience working with a variety of types of doors, motors, parts, and customization options. Most companies also provide a warranty or a maintenance plan to help homeowners feel confident about their garage door lasting the full lifespan.
How to Save Money
Wood garage doors will typically cost more than aluminum or vinyl garage doors, but there are still ways to keep costs relatively low.
- Choose a basic design. Basic garage doors won’t include windows or any stylistic embellishments, but they will provide safety and security from intruders and foul weather.
- Choose a less-expensive wood. Higher-priced woods like cedar and mahogany are more durable than other types, but less-expensive woods can still provide a beautiful and durable garage door.
- Ask about upcoming sales. Homeowners can ask contractors to go over pricing and see if there is a sale coming up.
- Obtain multiple quotes. It’s advised for homeowners to get quotes from at least three different contractors to determine which one will offer the best deal and value.
Review installation options. For new-construction projects, homeowners can review single versus double garage door prices for a 2-car garage to determine whether it’s cheaper to install one double or two single garage doors.
Questions to Ask a Pro
Asking your contractor questions when you’re deciding on wood garage door installation can help you find the right door and understand the scope of the project.
- How long have you been in business doing garage door installation?
- Are you licensed and insured?
- Do you have a portfolio?
- How many wood garage doors have you installed?
- Do you recommend a wood garage door for my area and climate?
- What other types of garage doors do you offer?
- If I don’t like the garage doors you offer, can you install one from a different manufacturer?
- Do you offer a warranty on your work?
- Do you charge more for garage door replacement than for a new installation?
- Do you provide a written quote?
- How should I maintain the garage door?
- How long will the installation take?
- What can I do to prepare the space before the work?
- Will you be able to use the existing hardware or will you need to replace it?
- What R-value would you recommend to ensure my garage is well insulated?
- Who do I contact if there is an issue during the project or after it’s completed?
- Where can I leave a review of your work?
FAQs
Wood garage doors are highly durable and offer a unique touch of design. They are also very versatile and can be manufactured in a variety of styles. However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind, such as the need for extra maintenance and a higher cost than aluminum, fiberglass, or vinyl alternatives. Still, choosing a wood garage door is a great choice for homeowners who want to blend style and function to create a stunning home exterior.
On average, wood garage doors can last between 15 and 30 years. To achieve that lifespan, regular maintenance is needed, including painting or sealing and staining the door, as well as replacing any broken tracks, cables, or springs over time. Repairs for serious issues like warped or cracked boards can be costly, so keeping up with maintenance will keep costs down and extend the lifespan of a wood garage door.
Wood garage doors require more maintenance than aluminum, fiberglass, or vinyl garage doors. Wood doors will need to be painted or stained and sealed periodically to protect them from the elements. In some climates, the wood can expand and contract with humidity changes, which can sometimes make them difficult to operate. Homeowners will want to establish a budget to accommodate the cost to paint garage doors (or stain and seal them) every 5 to 7 years.
Wood is naturally insulating, so no additional insulation may be necessary if the door is made from solid wood. However, some wood garage doors are manufactured with insulation built between wood panels. Determining the garage’s insulation needs and discussing options with the contractor is the best option for homeowners who live in colder climates.
Angi, HomeGuide, Garage Door Doctor