Short answer, from my own installs: DoorLink is the more affordable, everyday door: simple, solid, and without special insulation. Haas is the higher-quality door with more insulation, but it is not for every budget, and a lot of garages simply don’t need a high R-value.
DoorLink vs Haas at a glance
| DoorLink | Haas | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Everyday, simple door | Higher-quality, more solid door |
| Insulation | Basic, no special insulation | Higher insulation (higher R-value) |
| Budget | More affordable | Costs more; not for every budget |
| Best for | Detached or unheated garages, rentals, “I just park there” | Attached heated garages, workshops, rooms above the garage |
When DoorLink is the smart choice
Most of the doors I install are DoorLink. If you park in the garage and don’t heat it, you don’t need to pay for heavy insulation. A DoorLink door looks good, comes in the main styles (raised panel, carriage house, flush and more), and does the job. Example: the DoorLink 3640 I installed with a LiftMaster opener.
When Haas is worth the extra money
If the garage is attached and heated, you work out there in the winter, or there is a bedroom above it, the extra insulation in a Haas door makes a real difference. You also get a more solid, quieter door. That is when I tell customers it is worth spending more.
Don’t pay for R-value you won’t use
A high R-value number sounds great on a brochure, but it only pays off if you are keeping heat in the garage. For a cold garage, the money is usually better spent on a good opener or new weather seals. More detail in my R-value guide and how to choose a new garage door.
New door installs by David (not stock photos)
Common questions
Is Haas better than DoorLink?
Haas is the higher-end door with more insulation and a more solid, quality feel. DoorLink is the more affordable, everyday door. “Better” depends on your garage: if you do not heat it and just park there, a DoorLink door usually does the job well.
Do I really need a high R-value garage door?
Not always. A high R-value matters for an attached heated garage, a workshop, or a room above the garage. For a detached or unheated garage, paying for extra insulation often does not give you much back.
Which garage door brand does David install most?
Mostly DoorLink, plus Haas and other brands. David helps each customer pick the door that fits the garage and the budget, not the most expensive one.
Can I get a price for both brands?
Yes. David can quote both options for the same opening so you can compare. As a ballpark, a door with vinyl-backed insulation starts around $2,000 installed and a 2-inch insulated steel door starts around $2,800.
Written by David Tuito, owner and technician of David’s Urgent Garage Door, St. Louis Park, MN (family-owned since 2019, MN State Contractor Registration #IR790255). Based on David’s own installs; not sponsored by either brand.