When choosing a new garage door, aluminum may not be the first material that comes to mind, but aluminum provides enough advantages to make it a garage door material worth considering.
*Note that garage doors made from this material are uncommon and probably hard to find. As a result, cost is significantly higher than the cost of a steel garage door.
Aluminum garage door cost is $1,500 to $8,000, but most homeowners pay $3,000 to $4,500 for a quality aluminum door installed on their garage.
Aluminum garage doors are available in a variety of architectural styles, from classic and traditional to ultra-modern. They are lightweight, won’t rust, and are available in a wide range of prices.
In this post we’ll give you all of the details on aluminum garage doors including how much they cost, what you’ll get for your money, who makes them, and how they compare to other garage door materials.
In this Comprehensive Guide We Cover:
- Options & Types of Aluminum Garage Doors
- How Aluminum Doors Are Constructed
- The Cost of an Aluminum Garage Door
- Available Features for Aluminum Garage Doors
- Popular Aluminum Garage Door Manufacturers
- Pros and Cons of Aluminum Garage Doors
- Frequently Asked Questions
- A Comparison of Aluminum Garage Doors With Other Popular Materials
What are my Options for Types of Aluminum Garage Doors?
Aluminum garage doors are available in classic architectural styles like carriage house and traditional with recessed or raised panels, but they are also available in many contemporary styles. The contemporary options include garage doors with aluminum frames and large glass panels covering the door. These doors are called “full-view” garage doors, and they’re generally more expensive than solid aluminum garage doors.
Hormann’s Infinity Classic 7800 is an example of an aluminum traditional carriage house garage door. This Hormann garage door is available in a large selection of door panel and window designs and a realistic faux-wood finish.
A contemporary full-view aluminum garage door is typically constructed of a commercial-grade aluminum grid-type frame filled with large glass panels. An example of a full-view garage door is Wayne Dalton’s 8800 featuring either a wide or standard frame with glass panels.
How Are Aluminum Garage Doors Constructed?
The classic styles of aluminum doors are typically constructed of an interior and an exterior layer of aluminum. Insulated doors include polyurethane foam insulation between the layers of aluminum. Insulated aluminum doors can provide an R-16 or higher R-Value.
Full – View aluminum garage doors are usually made with commercial-grade extruded aluminum and tempered glass panels that are very tough and won’t shatter. The frame can be insulated with polyurethane and insulated glass is available if temperature control is needed. Some manufacturers provide an option to substitute some of the glass panels with aluminum panels to save around $15% to 25% of the cost.
How Much Does an Aluminum Garage Door Cost?
Aluminum garage door prices start as low as $1,000 for a basic panel, non-insulated door, and go above $5,000 for a full-view garage door. Installation ranges from $500 to $1,000 more depending on the door size and complexity of installation.
Here we provide a quick look at what you can expect in various price ranges.
Low Price Range: In the $750 – $1,500 price range you get a single-car, sectional, non-insulated aluminum garage door in a standard color, most likely, without windows.
Mid-Price Range: The mid-level price range of $1,500 – $3,000 retail – not installed – can get most people what they want. An aluminum garage door at this price will include either insulation, windows, or both, and possibly a custom color or faux- wood finish. This price range is also the starting point for the full-view style aluminum doors, although your design choices won’t be as wide as they will be in the high price range.
High Price Range: In the $3,000 – $5,000 price range you’ll get an aluminum garage door constructed to look like an authentic wood carriage house door, with or without windows and insulation, and finished with a faux-wood paint.
You can also find a variety of full-view garage doors with either a framed or frameless look, a wide choice of glass options including frosted, tinted, or mirrored, and finishes like custom or anodized colors.
With full-view doors, the type of glass used can increase the price substantially. For instance, insulated, laminated, and low-E glass will cost more than standard clear or tinted glass and can take the cost to $6,500 or above.
Aluminum Garage Door Features Explained
Let’s explore some key options to consider as you design an aluminum garage door that feels like a custom fit for your home.
Door Designs
Aluminum garage doors are available with numerous door panel design choices. The classic sectional doors include recessed and raised short and long panels. The contemporary panel doors also come in various designs such as wide or narrow flush or grooved panels.
The full-view aluminum doors are available with wide or narrow aluminum frames as well as doors where the frame is on the interior making them look frameless from the exterior like the Envy profile by the Overhead Door Company.
The carriage house style aluminum garage doors are available in a variety of rail and style options to create a custom look. For instance, the StyleView Carriage House profile by Raynor is available in door designs that mimic the look of a swing-up, swing-out, accordion, or bi-fold carriage house door.
Windows
With the classic aluminum garage doors, windows are available in many options to complement any architectural style. There are basic rectangular plain windows, windows with arched frames, and windows with ornate mullion and grilles.
The full-view windows are typically large rectangular panes of glass, but some manufacturers offer long narrow windows like the Horizon by Amarr.
You can also use aluminum panels in combination with the windows.
Glass Options
Both the traditional and contemporary aluminum garage doors offer glass in a variety of choices such as clear, frosted, and tinted options. Many of the full-view door manufacturers offer Low-E, thermal, laminate or tempered glass as well as choices like polycarbonate and Plexiglas.
Colors and Finishes
Colors and finishes for both styles of aluminum doors include anodized options like clear, bronzes, black, custom powder coat colors, and wood-tone finishes that replicate the look of real wood.
Who Makes Aluminum Garage Doors?
Listed below are some of the most well-known aluminum garage door manufacturers with a brief description of their aluminum garage door offerings. The following chart provides price ranges for each of these doors.
Amarr
Amarr offers two aluminum garage door profiles. The Horizon features long, narrow, panes of glass across the width of the door and the Vista has wider, shorter, panels of glass over the door. The Vista offers the option to replace the glass in some or all of the grid spaces with solid, perforated, or louvered aluminum panels.
CHI Overhead Doors
Full-View Aluminum is CHI’s (C.H.I.) aluminum garage door profile and is available with or without a polystyrene insulated frame, glass and panel choices, and over 180 powder-coated custom colors.
Clopay
Clopay’s modern full-view profile, Avante, features a narrow frame with large rectangular openings for a variety of glass types or solid aluminum panels. Clopay’s Color Blast program allows you to finish the door in any color you can imagine.
Hormann
The Infinity Classic by Hormann is a carriage house style aluminum garage door available with or without polyurethane insulation. You’ll find seven door panel designs, over 20 window options, and standard or wood-grain finishes allowing you to create a carriage house door with a custom look.
Haas Door
Haas Door offers 2 aluminum garage door profiles. The Insulated 5000 Series provides up to a 17.66 R-Value and, depending on the door panel design and window options selected, a carriage house, traditional, or modern style garage door can be created.
The Residential 360 Series is a full-view garage door made with commercial-grade aluminum and glass and is available with or without insulation in the horizontal rails. Choose from 29 glass options, 5 polycarbonate options, and standard colors or anodized finishes.
Overhead Door Company
The Overhead Door Company makes two styles of full-view garage doors. The Modern Aluminum profile features a visible frame with glass panels and the Envy profile provides a frameless appearance. Both doors are available with a variety of glass choices.
Raynor
With Raynor’s StyleView Collection you can create a carriage house, traditional, or contemporary aluminum garage door depending on which door panel design and window option is selected. The doors are all available with wood-tone, anodized, or custom color finishes.
Wayne Dalton
Wayne Dalton features full-view aluminum garage doors with wide or narrow frames through their 8800 and 8850 profiles. The 8800 model features polyurethane insulated rails and stiles and if you use SolarBan 70XL argon filled glass, the door will provide a 4 or better R-Value.
Model 8450 Luminous features glass panels mounted on top of an aluminum frame for an ultra-modern, frameless look. Glass choices include mirrored bronze or gray, opaque black or white, and translucent black.
An Overview of Aluminum Garage Door Manufacturers and Prices
| Aluminum Garage Door Prices by Manufacturer | |||
| Brand | Profile | Price Range | Style |
| Amarr | Vista | $4,500-$7,500 | Full-view, framed, rectangular window |
| Amarr | Horizon | $5,500-$8,000 | Full-view, framed, narrow horizontal windows |
| C.H.I. | Full-View | $3,500-$6,500 | Full-view, framed, rectangular windows |
| Clopay | Avante | $4,000-$6,500 | Full-view, framed, rectangular windows |
| Haas | Aluminum 360 | $3,500-$6,000 | Full-view, framed, rectangular windows |
| Haas | Aluminum 5000 | $2,500-$5,000 | Carriage House, Traditional, Contemporary |
| Hormann | Classic Safe 7200 | $4,000-$7,500 | Full-view, framed, rectangular window |
| Hormann | Infinity Classic 7800 | $2,500-$5,000 | Carriage House, Traditional, Contemporary |
| Overhead Door | Modern Aluminum | $3,000-$6,000 | Full-view, framed, rectangular window |
| Overhead Door | Envy | $4,500-$6,500 | Full-view, frameless |
| Raynor | StyleView | $1,500-$4,000 | Carriage House, Modern, Full-view, framed |
| Wayne Dalton | 8800 | $2,500-$4,000 | Full-view, framed, rectangular window |
| Wayne Dalton | 8450 | $2,500-$5,000 | Full-view, frameless |
The Pros and Cons of Aluminum Garage Doors
Every garage door material has its advantages and disadvantages. Here are the benefits of an aluminum garage door plus things to keep in mind as you consider this material and compare it to wood, steel or fiberglass.
Consider the Pros
Lightweight – Aluminum is much lighter than steel and wood so an aluminum garage door is easier to install and creates less wear and tear on the garage door opener, the springs and tracks.
Rust Resistant – A naturally occurring layer of oxide film prevents aluminum from rusting and corroding. Aluminum is much more long-lasting than steel or wood in climates with salt air or high humidity.
Durable – Because they are corrosion and rust resistant aluminum garage doors can be very long-lasting.
Green– Aluminum can be completely recycled. Some manufacturers use a percentage of recycled aluminum in their garage doors.
Allows Light In – The Full-View style allows a great amount of light into the garage. But keep in mind, these unique garage doors also give anyone “full view” of what’s in your garage.
Consider the Cons
Dents – Aluminum is a softer metal than steel and can be susceptible to denting.
Cost – Aluminum will typically cost slightly more than steel garage doors.
FAQs
How Long Will an Aluminum Garage Door Last?
Aluminum garage doors can last 20 to 40 years, or more, with proper maintenance. As the door ages, maintenance and garage door repair issues will likely become more common. You might have to replace the opener, for example, or garage door springs.
How Do Aluminum Garage Doors Compare to Garage Doors in Other Materials?
Aluminum garage doors are strong and durable and compare favorably to other garage door materials.
In the chart below you can see how aluminum garage doors stack up against doors made of other materials.
*Note – This Chart is in two tiers.
How Do Aluminum Garage Doors Compare With Other Garage Door Materials?
Below we compare aluminum garage doors with other popular materials, including fiberglass, vinyl, wood and steel.
| Aluminum vs Steel and Faux-Wood |
||||
| Material | Aluminum Classic | Aluminum Full-View | Steel | Faux-Wood |
| Cost Range | $1,000-$3,500 | $2,500-$8,000 | $500 – $4,000 | $2,000-$6,000 |
| Average Cost | $2,300-$3,000 | $4,000-$5,500 | $1,800-$2,500 | $2,500-$3,200 |
| Durability | Excellent | Average | Excellent | Excellent |
| Lifespan/Years* | 20-40 | 20-40 | 20-40 | 12-40 |
| Maintenance | Low | Average | Low | Low |
| Pros | Rust resistant | Rust resistant | Strong | Looks like wood |
| Cons | Can dent | Glass can break | Can dent and rust | Finish may chip |
| Aluminum vs Fiberglass, Vinyl and Wood | |||
| Material | Fiberglass | Vinyl | Wood |
| Cost Range | $1,200-$4,000 | $900-$5,000 | $1,000-$6,500 |
| Average Cost | $1,800-$2,200 | $1,800-$2,800 | $3,000-$4,000 |
| Durability | Excellent | Excellent | Average |
| Lifespan/Years* | 20-40 | 25-35 | 15-35 |
| Maintenance | Low | Low | High |
| Pros | Can look like wood | Won’t dent | Warm, attractive |
| Cons | Brittle in cold climates | Brittle in cold climates | Damaged by moisture |
