Garage doors don’t last for ever, and just like other parts of the house they will need regular maintenance and repair. As with everything, there is a range of options for replacing your garage doors, from the budget cheap and cheerful option through to the luxury doors with all the bells and whistles. Read through the main alternatives, and this should help make the decision about what’s right for you a little clearer. A new garage door will instantly make your house look smarter and modern, and might even create that perfect first impression if you are thinking about putting your house on the market and want to achieve the best price.
Save money by refurbishing your garage door
Before you immediately rush off and start googling the price of a new set of garage doors, would it be possible instead to salvage and refurbish what you already have? It may not be feasible in all cases, but it’s certainly worth exploring first. If your garage doors are rusting or just look past their best, then refurbishment might be the answer. The refurbishing company will clean all the rust or dirt from the surface of the door, fill any holes and make any necessary repairs. Then the doors can be spray painted to either refresh the existing colour, or give them a totally new appearance. Once the work is complete, the refurbished garage door will be unrecognisable, and just as good as a brand-new door. The price for the work will depend on the state of the doors and their size, but on average the cost for repair and respray for a set of double doors is around £350.
Up and over garage doors
This style of garage door is the simplest and often the cheapest too. Up and over garage doors as the name suggests have a mechanism whereby the door pushes up, and when completely open the door lies parallel to the roof of the garage. It’s a simple design which doesn’t rely on electricity or complex moving parts to get it moving. The door itself is made from steel, with a single central lock for security. Doors can be painted to match front door colour and can be sourced in a range of different sizes to match the opening which you have already. A basic single up and over style garage door is the cheapest option if you are replacing a garage door, costing around £700 including installation.
Roller shutter garage doors
As the name suggests, this style of blind works more like a roller blind which you’d put at the window. The blind is constructed in sections rather than in a solid sheet, and when opened, coils into a roll at the top of the garage. This style of garage door can be much more secure than a standard garage door, and are often used as security doors on shops and other commercial properties. You can park your car right up to the garage door and still open it, unlike other styles of door which require room left in front of them to swing out and up. Roller Shutter Garage doors also offer the opportunity to add in extras such as remote control electronic entry, and can be used on many different shapes and sizes of garage. Quotes will vary according to the size of the garage door and any extras you have specified. Expect prices to start at around £750 for the basic model.
Side hinged garage doors
This style of garage door is more like a conventional door in that it is hinged at either side and swings outwards to open. The benefit to this style is that the two doors don’t have to be evenly sized – ideal if you want a small door for access into the garage for storage, or to be able to get through into the back garden without going through the house. The downside is that the hinges require additional space at the sides of the door, which may be a consideration if you are trying to squeeze a car inside. There’s no remote option with this style of door, but a decent lock should ensure that your car or possessions are safe inside. Most side hinged garage doors are made of steel, which can be galvanised for a longer lifespan and painted to any colour required. The starting price for a side hinged garage door is around £1000.
Sectional garage doors
Sectional doors are similar to the basic up and over door, but rather than sliding into the roof in one large panel, they are split into sections which allows the door to articulate and move. The main advantage of this is that they are space-saving – you don’t need to leave space in front of the garage door to allow it to open, and once open it doesn’t take up any extra space on the ceiling of your garage. The size of the sections also varies, and choosing large or small sections is mostly a matter of personal taste rather than having a specific function. Most sectional doors are also made from steel, but often come wrapped in PVC vinyl in a range of finishes, such as wood effect. Expect to pay a bit more for sectional garage doors, with prices starting at around £1,100.
Electrical remote control garage doors
One of the main gadgets which people like to have with their garage door is remote control operation. What could be better than opening the door from the comfort of your car in the pouring rain, driving in and then closing it again afterwards? It’s the main accessory which people want from their new garage door, but will substantially bump up the price. If you are thinking about incorporating a remote control into your new garage door, it will add around £500 onto the basic price. The installation company will usually provide two key fobs, which are best attached to your car keys. Ask about replacement batteries – if they aren’t a standard size, then replacing them can be awkward and costly.
Insulation in garage doors
The main drawback to basic steel garage doors is that they are not insulated in any way and can allow heat to escape. This might not be an issue if your garage is detached from the house and entirely separate. But in many modern houses, the garage is integrated into the house, and any draughts and cold air can seep through walls into the house. This is a particularly serious issue if you have a bedroom built over the garage, as cold air underneath can make your bedroom very cold. Most types of garage door, except the ones which roll, are suitable for adding extra insulation underneath. This should help keep cold air from getting into the garage, and maintain a more even temperature in the rest of the house. Adding insulation might mean that you can enjoy a reduction on your heating bills, but will cost around another £500 on the price of your standard garage door, potentially more.
Finding a garage door replacement company
Many garage drivers will do both refurbishment and replacement, so it’s important to be clear what services you are interested in when you get in touch. If you’re still unsure, then you can ask them to quote for both services and then decide at a later date how you wish to proceed.
One of the best ways of finding a reputable garage door company in your area is to ask around friends and neighbours who have had similar work done recently. This isn’t always possible, so if you can’t get any word of mouth recommendations, you may be faced with choosing local companies using information found online. There’s nothing wrong with using a company which you don’t have direct experience with, but it’s wise to exercise a bit more caution. Spend some time looking into what other companies are saying about garage door replacement companies, read reviews and look through pictures of jobs they have done before. If the company is claiming to be part of a trade body, then check with the relevant body to make sure what they are telling you is true.
Getting quotes for garage doors
Always approach at least three companies to come round and quote for the work. Some companies might be happy to provide a quote based on the measurements you have given and photographs which you can email, but it’s usually better to meet the business owner in person and explain exactly what you want, and the options which you might be able to consider. Make sure you tell the same thing to each company you approach, as then you’ll be basing the cost comparison on a like for like basis. Is the cheapest cost always the best? Not necessarily. It’s sometimes better to accept that you’ll pay a little bit more for a better product, or for a company which can work to your timescales. Always get prices in writing, and never pay the full amount up front for any building job, including having replacement garage doors fitted.
Cost to repair garage doors
The cost to repair garage doors in the UK can vary depending on the type of repair required, the extent of the damage, and the materials needed to complete the repair. On average, the cost to repair garage doors can range from £50 to £500 or more.
Here are some common types of garage door repairs and their estimated costs:
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Replacing broken springs: The cost to replace broken garage door springs can range from £80 to £200.
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Fixing damaged panels: The cost to repair or replace damaged garage door panels can range from £100 to £400.
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Repairing or replacing garage door openers: The cost to repair or replace garage door openers can range from £50 to £300.
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Repairing or replacing cables and tracks: The cost to repair or replace cables and tracks can range from £100 to £300.
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Fixing garage door locks: The cost to fix or replace garage door locks can range from £50 to £200.
It is important to note that these are just estimates and the actual cost of repair will depend on the specific problem and the garage door type. It is recommended to obtain quotes from multiple garage door repair professionals in order to compare prices and ensure you are getting a fair price.
