Single vs Double Garage Door Cost: Size-by-Size Comparison
Updated 2026-06-29
A single-car door, 9 x 7 feet, runs $700 to $1,800 installed. Go to a double-car door, 16 x 7 feet, and it's $900 to $3,000. Put two separate single doors on a two-car garage instead and the combined total climbs to $1,400 to $3,600, more than one double door, but you get independent operation and a look that often suits a wide garage face better.
Plug your door size into the cost calculator for a quick estimate before calling installers.
Sizing chart: cost by door width
| Door size | Common use | Material cost | Installed cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 x 7 ft (single) | Tight single-car garage | $250 to $800 | $600 to $1,400 |
| 9 x 7 ft (single) | Standard single-car | $300 to $1,200 | $700 to $1,800 |
| 10 x 7 ft (single) | Wider single or truck | $350 to $1,400 | $750 to $2,000 |
| 12 x 7 ft (single wide) | Large single or small double | $400 to $1,600 | $850 to $2,200 |
| 16 x 7 ft (double) | Standard two-car garage | $600 to $2,500 | $900 to $3,000 |
| 18 x 7 ft (double wide) | Large two-car or RV | $700 to $3,000 | $1,000 to $3,500+ |
The most common sizes, and why that matters
9 x 7 feet for a single and 16 x 7 feet for a double cover most of the residential market in the U.S. Home improvement stores build their stock inventory around these two dimensions. Sticking to a standard size avoids both a custom-order premium and the two-to-six-week lead time that non-standard sizes usually carry.
One wide door or two narrow ones
Homeowners with two-car garages face a real choice: one wide double door, or two single doors side by side.
- One 16 x 7 double door installed: $900 to $3,000
- Two 9 x 7 single doors installed: $1,400 to $3,600 combined
- Two singles: independent operation, easier to replace just one, often the better look on a wide garage face
- One double: lower upfront cost, a single opener to maintain, simpler framing
A structural header for a 16-foot opening costs more than two separate 9-foot headers, worth factoring in if you're building new or reworking an existing opening.
Converting two openings into one
Doable, but it takes structural work to turn two openings into a single wider one with a proper header. That framing adds $500 to $1,500 or more in carpentry on top of the door cost. Have a licensed contractor confirm the wall framing can support the wider span before committing to this conversion, especially if there's anything load-bearing above it.
Custom and oversized doors
RVs, boats, and oversized trucks call for custom-ordered doors. A 10-foot-tall or 18-foot-wide door isn't sitting on a shelf at most dealers. Budget lead times of two to six weeks and price premiums of 20 to 50 percent over standard sizes. Planning a new build gives you the chance to design around standard dimensions instead, which saves both money and waiting.
Taller doors, higher cost
Standard residential height is 7 feet. Going to 8 or 9 feet for a high-lift conversion means longer tracks and a modified spring system, adding $300 to $800 in hardware and labor. If a taller vehicle or extra clearance is the goal, confirm your garage's ceiling height can accommodate the added track run before ordering, since your installer can check headroom and compatibility during the quote visit.
Does size change your energy bill?
Yes, a larger door has more surface area to lose or gain heat through when it isn't insulated. That makes insulation worth more as size goes up, especially on attached garages in cold-winter or hot-summer regions. On a 16 x 7 double door in the Midwest or Northeast, upgrading from non-insulated to polyurethane-insulated is worth the added $200 to $400. See the insulated door cost guide for the full breakdown.
Sizing questions worth asking
Is it cheaper to run two single doors on the same opener brand?
Not usually cheaper overall, since you're buying two full opener units instead of one, but it does mean either door can keep working if the other opener fails. Matching brands mostly helps with matching remotes and keypad compatibility, not with the total cost.
Does a double door need a stronger header than two singles?
Yes, a single 16-foot opening needs a heavier structural header than two separate 8 or 9-foot openings, since it's spanning a wider gap without a center support post. That's part of why converting two singles into one double costs more than the door itself would suggest.
Can I fit a modern SUV or truck through a standard single door?
Most of the time, yes. Standard 7-foot door height clears the vast majority of trucks and SUVs on the road, though lifted trucks or roof racks can be tight. If you're regularly parking something oversized, measure clearance before assuming a standard door will work.
Do two single doors cost more to insulate than one double?
Per square foot, insulation cost is similar either way, but two separate doors mean two frames and two sets of weatherstripping to maintain, which is slightly more upkeep over time than one continuous seal on a single wide door.
Bottom line for your garage
A standard single-car door runs $700 to $1,800 installed; a double-car door costs $900 to $3,000. Two separate single doors on a two-car garage cost more combined but buy you independent operation. Stick to standard sizes to dodge custom premiums and long waits, measure your rough opening before ordering, and get a written quote from a licensed installer.
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