Single vs Double Garage Door Cost
Compare one single door against one double: enter each door and its install, and see the two totals side by side with the dollar difference between them.
Calculator
A single door totals $1,200.00 and a double $2,000.00, so a double costs about $800.00 more. A 16 ft double is not simply twice a 9 ft single — the wider door and heavier hardware drive the gap. Enter your own quotes; a planning estimate, not a bid.
“Single or double?” is one of the most common garage-door decisions, and the honest answer is: it depends on the bay, the framing and the prices in front of you. This tool cuts through the guesswork by totaling each option from your own numbers and showing the exact difference — no assumptions about what a door “should” cost, just the two figures side by side.
Enter the single door and its install, then the double door and its install. The result highlights the difference and lists both totals so you can see not just which is cheaper but by how much — and whether the extra convenience of one wide opening (or the flexibility of two independent doors) justifies the gap.
Formula
Total each option, then take the difference:
single_total = door_s + install_sdouble_total = door_d + install_ddifference = double_total − single_total
A double is not simply twice a single: it is one wider door on one opener and one set of tracks, but it is heavier and larger, so the price sits between “one single” and “two singles”. This tool shows both totals and the gap.
Worked example
A 9×7 single at $900 + $300 install = $1,200 versus a 16×7 double at $1,600 + $400 install = $2,000:
2,000 − 1,200 = $800
The double costs about $800 more than the single here. Whether that gap is worth it depends on the bay: a two-car garage that currently has two singles might be cheaper to keep as two singles than to convert to one double, once framing is counted.
Choosing single vs double
One double vs two singles. For a two-car garage, one 16-foot double needs a single opener, one track set and one install, which usually beats two 9-foot singles on price. Two singles, though, give you two independent doors (one can fail while the other works), a structural center post, and a more traditional look. This tool compares one door against one door; to model two singles, double the single total and compare it to the double yourself.
Watch the hidden costs. Converting an existing two-single opening to a double (or vice versa) means removing or adding a center post and reframing — structural work that is out of scope here and belongs with a builder. If the opening already suits one configuration, staying with it avoids that cost. Price the door itself by dimensions on cost by size and by material on new door by material.
Weight and opener. A double is heavier than a single of the same material, so it may need stronger springs and a ¾ or 1 HP opener where a single is happy with ½ HP. Check the weight on the weight estimator and the opener on the HP helper before you decide. The comparison here is a planning estimate from your entered prices; confirm with written quotes.
Frequently asked questions
Is a double garage door cheaper than a single?
Per door, a double costs more than a single — about $800 more in the worked example ($2,000 vs $1,200). But one double is usually cheaper than two singles because it uses one opener, one track set and one install. It depends on your bay and framing.
Should I get one double door or two single doors?
One double is typically cheaper and gives a cleaner look; two singles give independence (one can work while the other is serviced) and a structural center post. If your opening already suits one layout, converting to the other adds framing cost. Compare the totals here.
How much more is a double door to install?
In the example the double install is $400 vs $300 for the single, and the door itself is $1,600 vs $900, for an $800 total gap. A double is larger and heavier, so both the door and the labor cost more — but it is a single visit, not two.
Does converting between single and double cost extra?
Yes. Changing the opening size means adding or removing a center post and reframing the header and jambs — structural work beyond a door swap. If the opening already fits one configuration, keeping it avoids that cost.
Are these totals firm quotes?
No — they are planning estimates from the prices you enter, to help you compare. Get itemized written quotes from licensed, insured installers before committing.