Pick the Style First
Most doors fall into three looks.
- Traditional raised panel. The classic look on most ranch and colonial homes. Short or long panels.
- Carriage house. Looks like old swing out barn doors but rolls up like any other door. Popular on craftsman and farmhouse styles. See carriage house doors.
- Modern. Flat panels, clean lines, often with wide glass sections. Common on newer builds around Durham.
Windows across the top section bring light into the garage. Frosted or tinted glass keeps the privacy.
Materials
Steel is the most popular by far. It's low maintenance, comes in many colors, and is available with insulation. Thicker steel resists dents better.
Real wood is beautiful, but it needs regular refinishing. Durham humidity is hard on it, and it can warp or rot. It's also heavy.
Composite and fiberglass doors give a wood look without the rot. They won't rust, and they hold up well in damp weather. They're lighter than real wood, which is easier on the springs and opener.
Aluminum and glass doors suit modern homes and can be fitted with frosted glass.
Insulation
An insulated door is stiffer, quieter and more dent resistant. It makes a real difference if you have a bonus room over the garage or use the garage as a workshop or gym. More on that in insulated garage doors.
What the Install Involves
The installer measures the opening, the headroom above it and the side room. The old door comes out safely, with the springs unwound first. The new door, tracks, springs and hardware go in, with springs sized to the new door's weight.
A new door is a good time to replace an old opener too. At the least, the opener's force and limits get reset for the new door.
Low headroom is common in older Durham garages. Standard track needs about ten inches above the door. Less than that means special low headroom track, which adds cost.
Permits and Wind Ratings
In North Carolina, a same size door swap usually doesn't need a building permit. Widening the opening does, because the header above it is load bearing. Durham City-County Inspections decides on any specific job.
The state residential code applies wind load rules to garage doors. A new door carries a label showing its wind rating. Ask your installer to confirm the door meets the rating for your area.
Comparing Quotes
Ask each company for the door's steel thickness, insulation type, the spring cycle rating, what's included for track and hardware, haul away of the old door, and the warranty on both the door and the labor.
For typical prices, see new garage door cost. Still on the fence? Read repair or replace. To get a quote, send the form or call (919) 555-0136.
