DoorLink or Haas? Read my honest comparison: DoorLink vs Haas garage doors.
Short answer: picking a new garage door comes down to five choices: the panel style, the color, windows or no windows, how much insulation, and whether you replace the opener at the same time. Get those five right and the door will look good and work well through Minnesota winters for a long time. Here is how I walk my customers through it.
1. Pick a style that matches the house
The door is a big part of what people see from the street, so it should follow the lines of the house. Most of the doors I install are DoorLink, plus Haas and other brands. The main looks:
| Style | Looks best on |
|---|---|
| Raised panel | Most traditional and ranch homes; the classic Twin Cities look |
| Carriage house / long panel (like the DoorLink 3640 I installed) | Craftsman, farmhouse and newer builds |
| Flush or recessed panel | Modern and mid-century homes, clean simple lines |
| Aluminum full view | Modern homes, shops, or where you want a lot of light |
2. Choose the color
White still goes with almost everything. Matching the trim usually looks better than matching the siding. Dark colors look sharp, but they get hot in direct afternoon sun, so if your door faces south or west, ask about the manufacturer’s rules for dark colors before you order.
3. Windows or no windows
A row of windows in the top section brings light into the garage and dresses up a plain door, while keeping things private at eye level. If the garage is heated, ask for insulated glass. If privacy or security matters more, skip them or choose frosted glass.
4. Decide how much insulation you need
For a detached garage you only park in, a door with vinyl-backed insulation is usually enough. For an attached or heated garage, or a room over the garage, a thicker 2-inch steel “sandwich” door holds heat better, is quieter and is stiffer. More on this in my R-value guide and steel gauge guide.
5. Think about the opener at the same time
A new, heavier insulated door is a good moment to look at the opener. Installing a door and a LiftMaster opener together costs less than two separate visits, and right now there is a $150-off door + opener BUNDLE offer through December 31, 2026. Low ceiling or storage racks? See low-headroom options.
What it costs (ballpark)
A steel door with vinyl-backed insulation starts around $2,000 installed, including hauling the old door away. A more insulated 2-inch steel sandwich door starts around $2,800 and up. These are starting points, not quotes: size, style, windows and color all change the price, so every customer gets a specific quote after I see the opening. More detail on garage door installation cost.
New doors David installed (not stock photos)
Common questions
How much does a new garage door cost installed in the Twin Cities?
As a ballpark, a steel door with vinyl-backed insulation starts around $2,000 installed, including hauling the old door away. A more insulated 2-inch steel sandwich door starts around $2,800. Every home is different, so David gives each customer a specific quote after seeing the opening.
Is it cheaper to replace the garage door and opener at the same time?
Yes. Installing a new door and a LiftMaster opener together costs less than doing them on separate visits. Right now there is also a $150-off BUNDLE offer for a door plus opener installed together, through December 31, 2026.
What garage door style fits my house?
Match the lines of the house. Raised panels suit most traditional homes, carriage-house and long-panel designs suit craftsman and farmhouse styles, and flush or full-view doors suit modern homes. Bring a photo of the front of your house and David will show you options that fit.
Do I need an insulated garage door in Minnesota?
If the garage is attached, heated, or has a room above it, insulation is worth it. It also makes the door quieter and stiffer. For a detached garage you only park in, a lighter insulated door is usually enough.
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). 1-year labor warranty on repairs.