Garage Door Cost UK 2026: By Type, Material & Electric vs Manual
A new garage door in the UK costs from about £400-900 for an up-and-over, £900-2,200 for an insulated roller, and £1,200-3,500 for a sectional - all supplied and fitted. Electric operation adds £300-700, and a double garage door runs £1,400-5,500. This guide breaks down Q2 2026 pricing by door type, material, manual versus electric, single versus double, and brand, using verified specialist quotes across 519 UK towns.
Garage Door Cost UK 2026: Quick Answer
In Q2 2026, a new garage door supplied and fitted for a single garage costs roughly: up-and-over £400-900 (cheapest, traditional), insulated roller £900-2,200 (space-saving, rolls vertically), sectional £1,200-3,500 (best insulation, premium look), and side-hinged £600-1,500 (barn-style, period homes). Double doors run £1,400-5,500.
Adding electric operation (motor and remote) costs £300-700 on top, or buy an electric-ready door where the operator is already bundled. An insulated double-skin door adds £200-600 but is essential for attached garages, heated rooms, and garage conversions. London and the South-East add 15-25 percent.
Jump to: By door type · By material · Manual vs electric · Single vs double · By brand · Installation & extras · Security & lifespan · Free quotes · FAQs
Garage Door Cost by Type 2026
Door type is the single biggest driver of price. An up-and-over door is the cheapest like-for-like replacement, while roller and sectional doors cost more but add space-saving, insulation, and electric operation. The table below shows fitted costs for a standard single garage, including removal of the old door.
| Door Type | Fitted (single garage) | + Electric | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up-and-over (canopy / retractable) | £400-900 | +£300-600 | Budget, traditional, simple like-for-like swap |
| Roller (insulated) | £900-2,200 | Usually included | Space-saving, short drives, tight headroom |
| Sectional (insulated panels) | £1,200-3,500 | +£400-700 | Best insulation, premium look, conversions |
| Side-hinged (barn-style) | £600-1,500 | N/A (usually manual) | Period homes, frequent pedestrian access |
| Round-the-corner (sliding) | £1,000-2,500 | +£400-700 | Awkward openings, no ceiling space, side access |
Includes the door, frame, fitting, and removal of the old door. Insulated double-skin (40mm) panels add £200-600. London and the South-East add 15-25 percent. Replacing like-for-like is cheaper than changing type, because the existing aperture is reused.
Up-and-over doors
The traditional single-panel door that tilts up and back into the garage. Cheap, simple, and ideal for a budget like-for-like replacement, it does swing outwards as it opens, so it needs clear space on the drive and is the least secure and least insulated of the modern options. A canopy version overhangs slightly when open; a retractable version runs fully back on tracks and is easier to automate.
Roller doors
An insulated aluminium roller door coils vertically into a compact box above the opening. It needs no swing-out room, suits short drives and low headroom, and almost always comes electric-ready, which is why it is the most popular single-garage upgrade. Insulated slats also improve security and reduce noise. The trade-off is that the roll box eats a little of the opening height.
Sectional doors
A sectional door lifts in horizontal panels that sit flat against the garage ceiling, so nothing projects beyond the face of the building - useful where a car parks close to the door. Sectional doors offer the best insulation and the widest range of finishes, which makes them the go-to choice for attached garages, heated rooms, and garage conversions, and they are the favourite of premium brands such as Hormann and Garador.
Side-hinged and round-the-corner doors
Side-hinged doors open like a pair of barn doors and suit period properties or garages used daily on foot, since you can open one leaf without lifting the whole door. Round-the-corner (horizontally sliding) doors curve around the inside wall on a track, leaving the ceiling clear, which makes them a clever fix for awkward or low-roofed garages. Both are usually manual, though sliding doors can be automated.
Garage Door Cost by Material 2026
After type, the material sets both the price and the maintenance you will live with. Steel dominates the market on value and strength; aluminium is the natural choice for roller doors; GRP (fibreglass) is the low-maintenance all-rounder; and timber is the premium, character option that asks for upkeep in return.
| Material | Fitted Range (single) | Maintenance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel | £600-2,800 | Low | Best value, strong, widest range; standard for sectional doors |
| Aluminium | £900-3,000 | Very low | Light, rust-proof, powder-coated; standard for roller doors |
| GRP / fibreglass | £1,000-3,000 | Very low | Will not rot or rust, mimics timber; ~20-30% over steel |
| Timber | £1,500-5,000+ | High | Authentic period look; needs repainting / staining |
Material ranges span manual to insulated electric within each type. Coastal and exposed sites favour aluminium or GRP over steel and timber. Timber doors in conservation areas may be a planning requirement rather than a choice.
Steel - the value default
Steel is the most widely used material because it offers the best balance of price, strength, and durability. Modern steel doors are galvanised and powder-coated or foil-finished in a wide palette, and insulated steel sectional doors are the everyday premium choice. Maintenance is minimal - an occasional wipe-down - though steel can corrode at cut edges in very exposed coastal locations.
Aluminium - the roller-door standard
Aluminium is light, will not rust, and holds a powder-coated finish well, which is why almost all roller doors and many contemporary sectional doors use it. The light weight is kinder to electric operators and springs, extending their life. It carries a modest premium over basic steel but is effectively maintenance-free, making it a strong choice for coastal homes.
GRP and timber
GRP (glass-reinforced plastic, or fibreglass) is the quiet all-rounder: a better strength-to-weight ratio than steel, completely rot- and rust-proof, and convincingly woodgrained without the upkeep, at roughly 20-30 percent more than the equivalent steel door. Timber remains the choice for authentic character on period and listed homes, but it is the most expensive option and needs repainting or re-staining every few years to prevent warping and rot.
Manual vs Electric Garage Door Cost 2026
Electric operation is now the default upgrade. It adds the convenience of opening from the car, better security through automatic deadlocking, and quieter operation - at a cost of the operator (motor plus one or two remotes) on top of the door. You can either buy an electric-ready door or retrofit a motor to a sound existing door.
| Option | Typical Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Manual door (any type) | £400-1,800 fitted | Lift / pull by hand; lowest cost; reliable, no electrics |
| Electric operator added to a new door | +£300-700 | Motor + 2 remotes; remote / keypad opening; auto-lock |
| Insulated electric roller (popular pick) | £1,200-2,800 fitted | Operator usually bundled; space-saving; secure |
| Electric sectional | £1,600-4,200 fitted | Best insulation + premium look, fully automated |
| Retrofit motor to existing door | £400-750 | Automates a sound up-and-over / sectional door |
| Smart / app control + battery backup | +£100-450 | Phone app control; opens during power cuts |
Roller doors are nearly always sold electric-ready, so the operator cost is built into the headline price. Up-and-over and sectional doors are quoted manual, with the operator as an add-on. Battery backup is worth specifying if the garage is your only access point.
Retrofit automation - when it makes sense
If your existing up-and-over or sectional door is in good order and runs smoothly by hand, a retrofit operator (around £400-750 fitted for a single door) is a cost-effective way to add electric convenience without a new door. The crucial caveat is condition: automating a worn, sticking, or out-of-balance door simply automates the fault and strains the new motor. An installer will check the springs, balance, and tracks first, and on a tired door will usually recommend a new electric-ready unit instead.
Operators, remotes, and smart control
A typical operator package includes the motor, rail, and one or two rolling-code remotes that cannot be cloned. Premium operators - the Hormann SupraMatic, Somfy, and SOMMER ranges - run quietly, soft-start and soft-stop to protect the door, and offer smartphone app control as an option. Battery backup, well worth specifying where the garage is the main way in, lets the door open during a power cut; otherwise you rely on the manual override release.
Single vs Double Garage Door Cost 2026
Width is the other major price lever. A double door (around 14ft / 4.2m) is not double the price of a single, but it typically costs 40-60 percent more because of the larger panel, a heavier-duty operator, and a stronger frame to carry the span. Two separate single doors on a double garage can sometimes work out cheaper than one wide door and give a redundancy benefit if one fails.
| Door Type | Single (~7-8ft / 2.4m) | Double (~14ft / 4.2m) |
|---|---|---|
| Up-and-over | £400-900 | £1,400-2,800 |
| Insulated roller | £900-2,200 | £1,900-3,800 |
| Sectional | £1,200-3,500 | £2,400-5,500 |
| Electric (added) | +£300-700 | +£400-800 |
Double-door figures assume a single wide door. Made-to-measure and non-standard widths sit at the top of each range. A heavier double door needs a more powerful operator, which is why the electric add-on is higher than for a single.
Garage Door Brands 2026: Hormann, Garador, Cardale, Novoferm & SWS Seceuro
Brand affects price, finish quality, warranty, and operator smoothness more than headline performance - all the names below make secure, reliable doors. The table positions the main UK brands on fitted sectional pricing and warranty; roller specialists are shown on roller pricing.
| Brand | Sectional Fitted (single) | Warranty | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hormann | £1,600-3,500 | 10 yr door / 5 yr operator | German quality leader; best insulation, security, SupraMatic operator |
| Garador | £1,300-2,900 | 10 yr door / 5 yr operator | UK market leader; wide range, strong value-quality balance |
| Cardale | £1,100-2,500 | Up to 10 yr finish | Long-established UK brand; solid mid-range value |
| Novoferm | £1,200-2,800 | Up to 10 yr | European engineering; good insulation, competitive price |
| SWS SeceuroGlide (roller) | £1,100-2,300 (roller) | 7 yr motor | UK roller specialist; quality without the import premium |
SeceuroGlide (SWS) and similar UK roller ranges are quoted on roller pricing, not sectional. As a real-world reference point, a Hormann LPU sectional with electric operator and an SWS SeceuroGlide roller often quote within a few hundred pounds of each other fitted. All reputable brands meet recognised UK security standards.
How to choose between them
For maximum insulation, the smoothest operator, and a premium finish, Hormann is the benchmark. For an excellent all-round door at keener money, Garador - the UK's largest manufacturer - is the default value-quality pick. Cardale and Novoferm undercut both while still offering long warranties and good insulation, making them sensible mid-range choices. If a roller door suits your garage, SWS SeceuroGlide and other British roller specialists deliver quality and faster lead times than imported alternatives. Whichever brand you choose, a reputable insured installer matters as much as the badge: a great door fitted poorly will never perform.
Installation, Removal & Structural Costs 2026
Most quotes you receive are supplied-and-fitted and already include removing the old door, fitting the new frame, and basic making good. The extras below are the items that move a quote up or down, and the ones worth clarifying before you sign.
- Removal and disposal of the old door - usually included, but confirm; standalone removal is around £60-150.
- New lintel or structural work - if the opening is widened, heightened, or the existing lintel is failing, expect £400-1,500+ for a steel lintel and making good. This is the most common reason a quote jumps.
- Aperture changes - changing door type or size (for example up-and-over to sectional, or fitting a wider door) may need the brickwork reveals and floor threshold reworked.
- Electrical supply - an electric door needs a nearby socket; running a new fused spur is typically £120-300 for an electrician.
- Made-to-measure premium - non-standard widths and heights add 10-30 percent over stock sizes and lengthen lead times to 4-8 weeks.
- Decorative and security upgrades - woodgrain or RAL-colour finishes, glazing panels, anti-lift devices, and keypads each add modestly to the price.
- Regional uplift - London and the South-East run 15-25 percent above the national figures used throughout this guide, reflecting higher labour rates.
Do you need planning permission?
In most cases, no. Swapping a garage door like-for-like - same size, shape, structure, and use - is normally permitted development and needs no planning permission. You may need it if you widen or heighten the opening, alter the lintel or structural frame, or live in a listed building or conservation area, where stricter rules and material requirements apply. Changing the door as part of a full garage conversion is a separate process involving building regulations. If you are altering the opening at all, confirm the position with your local planning authority before ordering, and read our garage planning guide.
Garage Door Security, Lifespan & Maintenance 2026
A garage is a common point of entry for burglars, so security is worth specifying properly - and a well-built door also lasts decades with light upkeep. Here is what matters when you compare quotes.
Security standards to look for
The headline accreditation is Secured by Design, the official UK police security initiative, which independently tests doors against forced entry; a door carrying it has earned it. Choose an installer that is a member of the DHF (Door & Hardware Federation) and works to its technical specifications, which cover safe installation and security. On any side or pedestrian door into the garage, fit a TS 007 3-star cylinder. Practical hardware to ask about includes anti-lift devices on roller and sectional doors, automatic multi-point deadlocking when an electric door closes, and rolling-code remotes that defeat code-grabbing. A Secured by Design door is one of the most cost-effective home-security upgrades you can make.
Lifespan and maintenance
A quality garage door lasts around 15-30 years. Springs, cables, and electric operators are the parts that wear, and looking after them is what determines whether you reach the top of that range. Annual servicing is a sensible minimum for a domestic door, rising to twice a year for high-use doors or coastal and exposed sites. A service - lubricating moving parts, checking and adjusting spring tension, inspecting cables and rollers, cleaning the tracks, and testing the auto-reverse safety on electric doors - typically costs £50-120 a visit and materially extends the life of the most expensive components.
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Garage Door Cost UK 2026: FAQs
UK garage door replacement in Q2 2026, supplied and fitted for a single garage, costs roughly: up-and-over £400-900, insulated roller £900-2,200, sectional £1,200-3,500, and side-hinged £600-1,500. Double garage doors run £1,400-5,500. Adding electric operation adds £300-700, and an insulated double-skin door adds £200-600. London and the South-East typically add 15-25 percent.
An electric garage door costs the door price plus £300-700 for the operator (motor plus one or two remotes). A typical insulated electric roller door is £1,200-2,800 fitted, and an electric sectional is £1,600-4,200 fitted. Premium operators such as the Hormann SupraMatic or Somfy with app control add £100-300, and battery backup for power cuts adds £80-150. Most roller doors are sold electric-ready, so the operator is often already bundled into the headline price.
Both are strong upgrades. A roller door rolls vertically into a compact box above the opening, so it saves the most space, needs no swing-out room on the drive, and suits short drives and tight headroom. A sectional door lifts in horizontal panels that sit flat against the ceiling and generally offers the best insulation, the most premium appearance, and the widest range of finishes. For a standard single garage an insulated electric roller (£1,200-2,800) is the popular all-rounder; for an attached garage, a garage conversion, or a heated room, a sectional is usually the better insulator.
A double garage door (around 14ft / 4.2m wide) costs roughly £1,400-5,500 supplied and fitted, depending on type, material, and whether it is electric. As a rule of thumb a double door costs about 40-60 percent more than the single equivalent because of the larger panel, heavier operator, and stronger frame. An insulated electric double roller or sectional typically lands at £2,200-4,800 fitted, with premium brands and timber pushing the top of the range higher.
Yes if your garage is attached to the house, heated, or used as a gym, office, or part of a garage conversion. An insulated door (typically a 40mm double-skinned panel, costing £200-600 more than single-skin) cuts heat loss, reduces condensation, runs quieter on an electric operator, and is more rigid and so harder to force. For a detached, unheated storage garage a single-skin door is usually fine. If a garage conversion is on the cards, insulation is effectively essential to meet building regulations.
Steel is the most popular, offering the best balance of price, strength, and low maintenance, and is the standard for most roller and sectional doors. Aluminium is light, rust-proof, and the usual choice for roller doors, often at a small premium. GRP (fibreglass) is virtually maintenance-free, will not rot or rust, and mimics timber well, costing roughly 20-30 percent more than steel. Timber gives the most authentic period look but costs the most (£1,500-5,000+) and needs periodic repainting or staining. Choose steel for value, aluminium for roller doors, GRP for coastal or low-maintenance, and timber for character homes.
Both are excellent and both carry a 10-year door warranty. Hormann is the German quality leader, generally regarded as best for insulation, security, and operator smoothness via the SupraMatic motor, with sectional doors fitted at roughly £1,600-3,500. Garador is the UK market leader, offering a wide range and a strong quality-to-value balance at roughly £1,300-2,900 fitted. For maximum insulation and a premium finish choose Hormann; for the best value-quality balance choose Garador. Cardale and Novoferm (£1,100-2,800) are sound mid-range alternatives.
Often yes. Retrofitting an electric operator to an existing up-and-over or sectional door typically costs £400-750 fitted for a single door, provided the door is in good condition and runs smoothly by hand. If the door is worn, sticking, or the springs are tired, an installer may recommend a new electric-ready door instead, because automating a failing door simply automates the fault. Roller doors are not usually retrofitted; they are replaced with an electric-ready unit. A retrofit also adds remote control, and on most kits a manual override for power cuts.
In most cases no. Swapping a garage door like-for-like, where the size, shape, structure, and use of the garage stay the same, is normally classed as permitted development and needs no planning permission. You may need permission if you widen or heighten the opening, alter the lintel or structural frame, or if the property is listed or in a conservation area, where stricter controls apply. Changing the door as part of a full garage conversion is a separate matter and will involve building regulations. If in doubt, check with your local planning authority before ordering.
Modern garage doors are far more secure than older up-and-over doors. Look for the Secured by Design police-approved accreditation, which independently tests doors against forced entry, and for DHF (Door and Hardware Federation) member installers working to its technical specifications. Useful features include anti-lift devices on roller and sectional doors, multi-point or automatic deadlocking when an electric door closes, and rolling-code remotes that cannot be cloned. On any side or pedestrian door, a TS 007 3-star cylinder adds protection. A well-specified Secured by Design door is one of the most cost-effective security upgrades for a home.
A quality garage door lasts around 15-30 years, with springs, cables, and electric operators being the parts most likely to need attention over that life. Annual servicing is a sensible minimum for a domestic door, rising to twice a year for high-use doors or coastal and exposed locations. Maintenance is straightforward: lubricate moving parts, check and adjust spring tension, inspect cables and rollers, clean the tracks, and test the auto-reverse safety on electric doors. Regular servicing typically costs £50-120 a visit and significantly extends the life of springs and motors.
A like-for-like garage door replacement (same type and opening) usually takes 2-4 hours. Adding electric operation adds 1-2 hours. Changing the door type, for example from up-and-over to sectional, or altering the opening, takes 4-8 hours and may need structural work. Double garage doors take 4-6 hours. From order to installation is typically 2-4 weeks for stock sizes and 4-8 weeks for made-to-measure or premium brands. Most domestic installs are completed in a single visit.
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Where Our 2026 Garage Door Data Comes From
- DHF (Door & Hardware Federation) - installation and security technical specifications
- Secured by Design - police-approved security accreditation
- TS 007 / TS 008 cylinder and hardware security standards
- Hormann UK, Garador, Cardale, Novoferm and SWS SeceuroGlide - door, operator, warranty and price-list data
- 519-town garage door specialist supplied-and-fitted quote dataset, Q2 2026
- Ranges reflect manual to insulated-electric within each door type
- Regional uplift modelled at +15-25% for London and the South-East
- RICS BCIS Q2 2026 labour index for installation costs
All cost ranges reflect quotes from insured garage door specialists in Q2 2026 across 519 UK towns and are indicative, not fixed quotations; your final price depends on door type, material, brand, size, and access. For how we research and verify pricing, see our editorial standards: /editorial-standards.
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