Single-door sizing and cost
A single-car door is typically 8 or 9 feet wide by 7 feet tall, with 8x7 common on older homes and 9x7 the modern standard for easier parking. A basic non-insulated steel single installs for as little as $700, while an insulated steel single averages about $1,100 to $1,200.
Because a single door is a smaller material purchase, the total cost is dominated more by labor and the trip charge than on a large door. That makes a single door especially sensitive to your local labor rate.
Cost by material
Non-insulated steel is the budget pick and works well for a detached or unheated garage. Insulated steel is the most popular single-door choice and adds only $150 to $300 for meaningfully better comfort and durability.
Aluminum and vinyl singles resist rust and dents in coastal climates. A wood or full-view glass single is available but rarely chosen for a single bay because the premium is hard to justify on a small door; those materials shine on larger, more visible openings.
When multiple singles make sense
Homeowners with a two- or three-bay garage sometimes prefer several single doors over one or two wide doors. Independent single doors can be the right call when:
- A structural post separates the bays
- You want to open one bay without exposing the others
- The garage serves different uses, such as a car bay and a workshop
- You prefer the traditional look of separate doors
Just remember each single door needs its own opener and spring system, which raises the combined cost.
Insulation on a single door
If your single-car garage is attached to the house or used as a workshop, gym, or hobby space, an insulated door is worth the small upgrade. A double-layer single door carries an R-value around R-9 to R-12 and keeps the space noticeably more comfortable in summer and winter.
The upgrade adds only $150 to $300 over a bare steel single, which is one of the best value improvements you can make on a small door and also cuts down on street noise.
How to save on a single door
Because labor is a larger share of a single-door project, the biggest savings come from bundling. If you are replacing more than one door or adding an opener, schedule everything in a single visit to spread the trip charge.
Choose a stock size and color, stick with insulated steel unless your climate calls for aluminum, and get at least two quotes. On a small job the price spread between installers can be surprisingly wide.
Single-car garage door cost by material (installed)
| Single door | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-insulated steel 9x7 | $700 | $900 | $1,300 |
| Insulated steel 9x7 | $900 | $1,150 | $1,700 |
| Aluminum / vinyl | $1,000 | $1,350 | $2,000 |
| Wood single | $1,500 | $2,100 | $3,200 |
| Add new opener | $350 | $480 | $700 |