How Much Does a Glass Garage Door Actually Cost?

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Glass Thickness

The thickness of the door can also impact the cost since more material is required to make thicker garage doors. Generally, you can expect the cost of the garage door to increase as the thickness of the glass increases. Glass garage door manufacturers make these products in various thicknesses, ranging from ⅛ inch to 1 inch thick.

If you are looking for an affordable option, you can choose single glass panes for the garage door, which measure ⅛ inch thick. For a higher level of security, homeowners can pay a bit more for ¼ inch tempered glass. Another option is to have insulated glass installed, increasing the energy efficiency of the garage door. Standard insulated glass thicknesses include 7/16 inches, ⅝ inches, and 1 inch.

Garage Door Type

Glass garage doors come in three main types: commercial, rollup, and swing-out. The cost of the door and the installation varies depending on the type of garage door.

• Commercial glass garage doors are designed for large commercial or industrial locations. These doors are built for bigger openings, which makes them weigh more than the average residential glass garage door. Expect to pay $6,500 or more for a commercial glass garage door.
• Rollup glass garage doors are a mid-range option when compared to commercial and rollup doors. You should budget for about $4,500 if they are interested in a glass garage door that rolls up into a set of tracks positioned inside the garage, just above the garage door opening.
• Swing-out glass garage doors are the most economical choice of the three, with an average cost of $2,500. However, swing-out glass garage doors are difficult to find and they also require more maintenance than rollup garage doors.

Labor

Glass garage door installation labor starts from around $200 for a single garage door, but can increase to over $1,100 for a double or triple garage door installation. Comparing estimates can be an excellent way to find a quality company at a lower price.

Type of Glass Garage Door Frame

Glass garage doors can be made with aluminum, composite wood, fiberglass, vinyl, or wood frames.

• Aluminum frames are lightweight and durable, making them a great option to pair with heavy-duty glass. This type of glass garage door and frame combination will cost from $2,500 to $5,500 on average.
• Composite wood frames have the aesthetic appeal of natural wood, but have a higher level of durability and resistances. Plan to spend about $4,500 to $7,500 for a glass garage door with a composite wood frame.
• Fiberglass frames are the most expensive option available. When paired with a glass garage door, the installation cost starts at about $5,000 and can increase to $8,000 or more, though the investment may be worth it for the superior durability, weather resistance, and insulating qualities of fiberglass.
• Vinyl frames are a relatively inexpensive option, though they aren’t quite as affordable as aluminum frames. It typically costs between $3,000 to $6,000 to install a glass garage door with vinyl frames. This rot- and rust-resistant material is an excellent choice for an economical glass garage door installation project.
• Wood frames are tough and durable, though they need to be sealed to prevent moisture from seeping into the wood, where it may cause the wood to crack or rot. You will pay about $4,000 to $7,000 for a glass garage door with a classic wood frame.

Additional Costs and Considerations

Old Garage Door Removal

You may need to pay a $40 to $250 fee to have your old garage door picked up by a professional trash collection service. Some garage door installation companies may offer an old garage door removal option at the time of booking.

Garage Door Opener Installation

Glass garage doors can be heavy, especially if you invest in thick glass panes for added durability, security, and efficiency. With this in mind, many homeowners will pay about $200 to $550 to have a garage door opener installed.

Glass Garage Door Repair

Regular wear and tear can cause damage to the appearance and functionality of the glass garage door. Minor issues, like replacing a single glass panel, cost between $100 to $500. More severe issues, like a faulty motor or damaged tracks, can cost significantly more, ranging from $500 to $1,500.

Type of Glass

Common glass options for a glass garage door include frosted, impact, insulated, laminated, and tempered glass.

• Frosted glass garage doors allow natural light to enter the garage, but still provide privacy. This type of glass is relatively affordable, with an average cost of $4,400 for a frosted glass garage door installation.
• Impact glass uses an extra layer of film between the panes to prevent shattered glass from flying around in a storm. This type of glass is also significantly stronger and more durable than standard glass, though it comes at a higher price of about $9,000 for an impact glass garage door job.
• Insulated glass can be an effective way to improve the efficiency of the garage door. This type of glass is design to slow the flow of heat and sound through the glass, reducing heat loss in the winter, and preventing heat from entering during the summer. Slightly more expensive than frosted glass, homeowners will typically spend about $5,000 for an insulated glass garage door.
• Laminated glass is often used for garage spaces that have been converted into bedrooms or home offices because it’s shatter-resistant and tends to be more soundproof than other glass options. Laminated glass does come at a high cost of about $5,200 on average.
• Tempered glass is the most affordable type of glass used to make a glass garage door. You can expect to spend about $4,000 to install a tempered glass garage door, making this a budget-friendly option. However, tempered glass falls short in durability, privacy, and efficiency when compared to other types of glass.

Benefits of Glass Garage Doors

Making the switch from a standard garage door to a glass garage door comes with many different benefits. Not only are glass garage doors more aesthetically appealing, immediately improving the appearance of the home, the garage doors tend to require less maintenance, since they do not need to be painted or sealed every two to three years. Simply wash down glass every few months to keep the garage door looking great.

You will also be able to get more natural light into the garage with a glass garage door. Glass garage doors are resistant to rust, rot, decay, and insect damage. Rain, sleet, and snow won’t have an impact on the glass, and even the UV radiation from the sun will reflect off the glass garage door.

Why Glass Garage Doors Should Be Installed by a Pro

Putting in a glass garage door is not easy. Most DIYers do not have the skills, experience, and knowledge to handle this job on their own, which is one of the best reasons to hire a professional for this work. While installing a glass door yourself could help save between $700 to $1,500 on labor costs, the time it takes and the difficulty of the job may not be worth the savings.

Glass garage doors are big, heavy, but also potentially fragile, so little mistakes can end up costing you a significant amount in materials. Professional garage door installers will have all the necessary parts and tools to complete the installation safely and efficiently. Hiring a crew of pros typically comes with a warranty or a guarantee on the work.

Best Time of Year to Install a Glass Garage Door

Glass garage door installation is primarily handled during the spring and summer months. This is typically due to the nice weather, which makes it easier to travel, ship products, and work outdoors.

However, if you are trying to get a lower price for the work, then booking the glass garage door installation for the late fall or winter months can be effective. Prices are often lower during the off-season, when garage door installers are not as busy.