A new garage door is one of the more straightforward home-improvement decisions you’ll make — but the range of types, materials, and automation options means prices vary enormously. Expect to pay £500–£3,500 fully installed for a standard single garage, with double-width openings adding 40–60% to that figure.
Security, insulation, space, and budget are the four factors that determine which door type suits you best. This guide covers every mainstream option with realistic 2026 UK costs.
Types of Garage Door
Up-and-Over
The most common type in UK homes built before 2000. A single panel swings outward and up on a canopy or retractable track. They are affordable and straightforward to fit, but require clearance in front of the garage and inside the ceiling.
- Canopy mechanism — panel protrudes by about a third when open; slightly cheaper.
- Retractable mechanism — panel travels fully inside the garage; better for fitting a motor later.
- Typical single-width price installed: £500–£1,200
Roller Doors
A curtain of insulated steel or aluminium slats rolls into a compact box above the opening. No swing-out required — ideal for drives where cars park close to the door.
- Usually supplied with a motor as standard.
- 40–50 mm insulated slats offer better thermal performance than traditional up-and-overs.
- Typical single-width price installed: £1,000–£2,200
Sectional Doors
Horizontal panels hinge together and rise vertically behind the ceiling on tracks — similar to a roller but with a flat-panel appearance and superior insulation values.
- Panel thicknesses of 40 mm achieve U-values around 1.0–1.5 W/m²K.
- Flush with the opening when closed; no protrusion.
- Typical single-width price installed: £1,200–£2,500
Side-Hinged Doors
Traditional timber or steel doors that open outward like barn doors. Popular in older properties and workshop conversions where the garage is used as much for storage as for cars.
- Simple mechanism, easy DIY maintenance.
- Not suited to electric automation without specialist hardware.
- Typical single-width price installed: £600–£1,400
Side-Sliding (Lateral)
Panels slide along a track to one side rather than upward. Useful when ceiling height is limited, but requires clear wall space beside the opening.
- Less common; expect to pay a premium: £1,500–£3,000+
Cost Comparison Table
| Door type | Single width (supply & fit) | Double width (supply & fit) | Electric motor included? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up-and-over (canopy) | £500–£900 | £800–£1,400 | Optional (add £200–£400) |
| Up-and-over (retractable) | £650–£1,200 | £1,000–£1,800 | Optional (add £200–£400) |
| Roller | £1,000–£2,200 | £1,600–£3,200 | Usually standard |
| Sectional | £1,200–£2,500 | £1,900–£3,800 | Usually standard |
| Side-hinged | £600–£1,400 | £1,000–£2,200 | Rarely available |
Prices include a mid-range door and basic installation on a prepared opening. Structural lintel work, brickwork repairs, or new electrical sockets add cost.
Materials
Steel dominates the UK market. Powder-coated steel is durable, low maintenance, and available in any RAL colour. Gauge thickness matters — 0.5 mm is entry-level; 0.8 mm or above resists dents better.
Timber offers character but demands regular painting or staining (every 3–5 years in UK weather). GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) can mimic timber convincingly without the maintenance burden.
Aluminium is lightweight, rust-proof, and suited to contemporary designs with large glazed panels. More expensive than steel.
GRP is lightweight, thermally stable, and increasingly popular for mid-range roller and sectional doors.
Insulation and Thermal Performance
An uninsulated garage loses heat rapidly. If the garage is integral to the house or converted to habitable space, insulation matters.
- Non-insulated steel (single-skin): U-value ~6 W/m²K — fine for a detached outbuilding.
- 40 mm insulated section: U-value ~1.0–1.5 W/m²K — recommended for integral garages.
- Fully insulated roller/sectional doors can meet Building Regulations requirements for elements adjacent to habitable rooms (Part L requires U-value ≤1.6 W/m²K for new dwellings).
Security Ratings
Look for doors tested to LPS 1175 (Loss Prevention Standard) or PAS 24 for enhanced security. Most roller and sectional doors with a decent motor incorporate anti-lift brackets and locking bars as standard. Side-hinged doors should have a multi-point lock.
Electric doors should comply with BS EN 12453 (force limits for automated gates and doors) and have auto-reverse obstruction detection — mandatory under current UK product safety rules.
Electric Automation
Adding a motor to an existing manual door costs £250–£500 for a retractable up-and-over and £350–£700 for a sectional. Most current motors are WiFi-enabled and can be paired with a smartphone app or integrated with smart-home platforms.
Factor in a dedicated power circuit if there is no existing socket in the garage; an electrician will charge £100–£200 to install one.
Planning Permission
Replacing a like-for-like garage door does not normally require planning permission in England. However:
- If your home is in a conservation area or is listed, any change to the appearance of a door visible from the highway may require consent.
- Altering the size of the opening (e.g. widening to a double door) is likely to need approval.
- Check with your local planning authority before proceeding.
How to Choose
- Measure the opening accurately — width, height, and the depth of ceiling clearance available. Many installers offer a free survey.
- Decide on manual vs. electric before choosing a type; some doors suit motors better than others.
- Match the material to your maintenance appetite — steel or GRP for low effort; timber if character matters more.
- Check the security rating if the garage connects to the house interior.
- Get at least three quotes from FDIS (Federation of Door Industry Standards) member installers or Checkatrade-listed specialists.
A mid-range roller or sectional door with an electric motor is the most practical upgrade for most UK households — it improves security, insulation, and convenience in a single purchase.
