What this covers
A garage door is the largest moving part of most homes, and installing one is mostly about the hardware. The installer removes the old door and releases its spring tension with the proper tools, checks the jambs and header, assembles the new sectional panels in the opening from the bottom up, hangs the vertical and horizontal tracks level and parallel, fits rollers and hinges, installs and winds torsion or extension springs sized to the door's weight, adds the bottom seal and perimeter weatherstrip, and connects and tests the opener. Steel, insulated steel, wood and composite doors each weigh differently, which is why springs are matched to the door and not reused.
When to call
- Panels dented, rusted or delaminated past repair.
- A wood door that is heavy, rotted at the bottom or peeling.
- A door damaged by a vehicle, wind or a fallen tree.
- A wish for insulation, windows or a style that suits the house.
What to expect
- Measure and chooseOpening size, headroom and side room are measured, and the door style, insulation and windows chosen.
- RemoveThe old door's spring tension is released, the door and tracks taken down, and the jambs checked.
- InstallPanels are stacked and hinged, tracks hung, rollers set, and springs installed and balanced.
- Seal and testWeatherseals go on, the opener is connected and its force and reversal tested, and you operate the door.
Get a certified company
Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.
Questions people ask
Insulated or not?
An insulated door is stiffer, quieter and keeps an attached garage closer to house temperature, which matters for rooms above or beside it. A detached garage often does fine without.
Why can't the old springs be reused?
Springs are sized to the exact weight of the door. A different door on old springs is out of balance, which strains the opener and makes the door unsafe to lower by hand.
How long does installation take?
A single door usually goes in within a day, including removing the old one. Two doors or a custom wood door take longer.
Related: Garage door opener installation · Garage door repair · Storm damage repair · All siding, windows and doors
This page describes what the service involves. The company you hire sets the scope, the schedule and the price, and your contract is with that company. We verify credentials and collect reviews from real jobs. We do not guarantee any company's workmanship. Safety steps are general guidance. When in doubt, leave the home and call 911.