Installing a garage door is a technical, physically-demanding project that usually requires at least two people. If you buy a new garage door, you might be considering hiring installers from Lowe’s. So, what does Lowe’s garage door installation cost?
Lowes garage door installation costs are highly-competitive and affordable compared with other service providers. The price Lowe’s charges for installation varies depending on the garage door type, size, and materials. On average, Lowe’s will install a garage door for between $199 to $599.
Many of us lack the time, tools, and expertise to install a garage door safely and effectively and would prefer using qualified professionals. Lowe’s nationwide network of home improvement teams offers fast and reliable garage installation, but at what cost?
Let’s take a closer look.
Lowes Garage Door Installation Costs
Countless independent contractors and large home improvement retail chains install garage doors. However, Lowe’s installs garage doors at a fraction of the cost charged by most other service providers.
In most cases, Lowe’s team of home-enhancing professionals install garage doors for an average of roughly $199 to $599. The best way to ascertain the garage door replacement cost is to contact Lowe’s and get a quote.
While Lowe’s charges different rates for garage door installation depending on various factors (see below), the retail chain’s prices are considerably lower than their competitors.
The national average cost for garage door installation is about $900 to $1200, which is substantially higher than the prices Lowe’s charges.
The minimum contractors typically charge for garage door installation ranges from $260 to $400. This price range is reasonably affordable but is not as competitive as Lowe’s minimum price of $199!
Considering what other companies charge for garage installation, there is a strong case for procuring Lowe’s services.
To get a sense of what Lowe’s might charge you to install a garage door, it is worth acquainting ourselves with the factors that will influence the total costs of the installation job.
Installation Costs for Different Types Of Garage Doors
The cost of installing a garage door varies tremendously depending on multiple factors. One of the factors with the most significant influence on installation costs is the type of garage door.
The standard garage door types are:
- Sectional
- Roll-Up
- Single Panel
- Tilt-up or Canopy
- Swinging
- Sliding
Sectional Garage Doors
The most universal garage door is the sectional type.
Sectional garage doors have between four and six horizontal panels connected with small hinges. When the door opens, it curves upwards into the garage along the underside of the roof or ceiling. Sectional garage doors operate manually or automatically.
There are metal tracks with rubber rollers fixed to the garage roof on either side of the door. These tracks enable the doors to slide inside the garage with minimal protrusion beyond the garage entrance.
Sectional garage doors are advantageous if there is limited space in front of the garage, as they don’t extend outwards when opening. These garage doors are also visually appealing. The most noticeable drawback of sectional doors is that they require more space underneath the garage roof than the single panel variety.
The average installation cost for sectional garage doors is roughly between $700 and $2500.
Roll-Up Garage Doors
Roll-up garage doors operate as their name indicates. When opened, the doors roll upwards around a horizontal bar, stopping above the garage entrance.
They’re usually found in commercial applications, but residential roll-up garage doors also exist.
Metal braces on the upper corners of the garage entrance secure the roll-up panels in place and support the door’s rotation mechanisms.
Some roll-ups are single-paneled, but sectional roll-up garage doors (usually with four panels) are also available.
Roll-ups are usually opened manually, but it is possible to automate this type of garage door.
There are several benefits to roll-ups. Roll-ups require minimal space since they are stored above the garage entrance and don’t extend into the garage or driveway. In addition, this garage door is sturdy, durable, and low maintenance (though this depends on the garage door’s material).
However, roll-up garage doors are not conducive to customization. In addition, some roll-up doors (especially metal ones) lack aesthetic appeal and tend to have a utilitarian rather than stylish look.
The cost of installing roll-ups is slightly higher than average, starting at about $850 and going as high as $3000.
Single-Panel Garage Doors
Single-panel garage doors are the simplest and least expensive to install but require a more powerful garage door opener.
This kind of garage door consists of one solid panel that opens outwards. Once fully opened (usually manually), the door extends beyond the front of the garage and hangs above the car. Each side of the single-panel garage door connects to the garage by heavy-duty springs and hinges that enable the doors to open and shut.
In addition to the ease and low installation cost, this type of garage door has a neat, clean aesthetic.
A diverse array of materials are used to make these garage doors because of the simplicity of the single panel design. Prospective customers can choose from a broad spectrum of options to suit their preferences and budgets.
One of the disadvantages of this type of garage door is that it requires extra space so it can open. Another potential disadvantage is that the door might damage your car if the hinges and springs malfunction. However, this risk is easily preventable if you ensure the hinge mechanisms are well-maintained.
The average cost to install a single-paneled garage door is between $400 and $1200 (including materials), depending on the door size and the level of customization required.
Tilt-Up Garage Doors: Canopy And Retractable
Tilt-up garage doors are similar to their single-paneled cousins. This type of door (also called a flip-up) is a single piece that opens outwards.
However, unlike single panel doors, tilt-ups connect to hinges and support systems fixed to the garage roof several feet from the entrance. With this tilt-up hinge and support framework, only about a third of the door extends beyond the garage entrance and hangs over the car.
There are two variations of tilt-up garage doors:
- canopy,
- retractable.
Canopy tilt-up garage doors have simpler opening mechanisms and cost less than retractable tilt-ups. The canopy variety of flip-up doors also protrudes further than retractable versions.
Retractable tilt-up doors are connected to pivot arms and run on tracks. These opening mechanisms allow the doors to retract and disappear almost entirely into the garage.
Retractable tilt-up doors don’t require as much space in front of the garage as the canopy variation. However, retractable canopy tilt-ups take up more space inside the garage due to their track and pivot arm size, design, and position.
The cost of installing tilt-ups is generally higher than for single panel and sectional garage doors. The average price for canopy tilt-up garage door installation is $500 to $1500. Retractable tilt-ups are slightly more expensive to install, costing between $600 and $2000.
Swinging Garage Doors
Swinging, or side-hinged garage doors consist of two panels that open outwards. This is a more traditional type of garage door than the sectional and tilt-up versions and usually operates manually.
Swinging garage doors are connected and supported with hinges on the sides of the garage entrance (like regular doors.
The primary advantage of swinging garage doors is their lack of complicated, malfunction-prone operating mechanisms. Due to the simplicity of their opening system, swinging doors are also relatively inexpensive to install. The cost of installing this garage door is roughly equivalent to the price you might pay to install a single panel door.
Sliding Garage Doors
Sliding garage doors open sideways. The type of garage door is typically less common than the garage doors described above.
Sliding garage doors have several vertical hinged panels. The doors are supported by horizontal tracks along the garage entrance’s top and bottom.
As sliding doors shift to the side jamb of the entrance, the panels bend and turn into the garage, running along two parallel tracks fixed to the side of the wall.
Garage doors that slide open require minimal space as they don’t protrude beyond the garage entrance. The doors also stand flush with the garage interior wall when opened, so they don’t take up space inside the garage.
Despite these advantages, sliding garage doors are costly to purchase. The doors also have higher than average installation costs, partly because of the length of the tracks. Average prices for installing a sliding garage door are similar to those of the retractable tilt-up variety.
Cost Of Different Garage Door Materials
The materials used to produce the garage door also determine installation costs. Distinct physical properties of the materials make some garage doors more tricky to modify and insulate than others, which increases the installation costs.
Steel
Most inexpensive garage doors are made from steel.
They’re prone to rust if not maintained and provide little in the way of insulation. However, many new homes are constructed with steel garage doors to save money.
Aluminum
Aluminum has a similar strength to steel but is rust-resistant. It’s also lighter and slightly better insulated against temperatures. This physical property reduces the installation costs in areas exposed to freezing temperatures.
Synthetic Materials (Fiberglass, Vinyl & Composite)
Synthetic materials like vinyl, fiberglass, and composite are used frequently for producing garage doors. These human-made plastic compounds often resemble wood but require far less maintenance.
The brittle nature of vinyl, composite, and fiberglass means that garage doors made from these materials are not amenable to modification and are prone to cracking in freezing temperatures.
If you’re looking to increase energy efficiency, composite and fiberglass don’t provide much insulation.
Factor in the cost of added insulation if you’re installing garage doors made from these synthetic materials. In contrast, vinyl garage doors offer better insulation, which makes them cheaper to install in areas subjected to dramatic temperature fluctuations.
Wood
Wooden garage doors are beautiful and sturdy but extremely heavy and expensive. However, wooden garage doors require frequent maintenance to keep them looking good.
Garage Door Sizes: Installation Cost Differences
The size of garage doors has a fundamental influence on the total installation cost.
The typical single-car garage door sizes and average prices are as follows:
- 8’ x 7’ = $400 to $900 (the most common size),
- 9’ x 9’ = $450 to $1000,
- 10’ x 10’ = $490 to $1100.
Double-car garage doors usually come in these generic sizes and prices:
- 12’ x 7’ = $500 to $1300,
- 16’ x 7’ = $650 x 3600 (the most prevalent size),
· 16’ x 8’ = S700 to $5000.
Costs Of Installing Manual VS Automatic Garage Doors
One of the most significant factors impacting installation costs is whether the garage doors operate manually or automatically. Garage doors powered by electric motors obviously cost more to install (and maintain) than those that open by hand.
If you’re also installing a garage door opener, expect to pay about $350 extra for labor and materials.
Wrapping It Up
Lowe’s charges for garage installation are significantly lower than the industry average.
The cost of having Lowe’s install a garage door depends on multiple factors, including the type of door and the complexity of its operating mechanisms. Insulated garage doors will cost significantly more than non-insulated ones. Finally, garage door sizes and materials also determine the total price Lowe’s charges for garage door installations.
Need help finding the perfect garage door to add curb appeal to your home? Check out our list of the best garage door manufacturers in the United States and Canada!
