What is the difference between a single and a double garage door?
A single garage door typically measures 8 to 10 feet wide and covers one vehicle bay, while a double garage door — also called a two-car garage door — spans 16 to 18 feet wide and covers two bays with one continuous panel. The choice between the two comes down to your garage’s physical opening, your vehicle needs, curb appeal goals, and budget.
At Precision Door Service of Central & South Jersey, we’ve helped more than 140,000 homeowners across Ocean, Monmouth, Mercer, and Middlesex Counties choose and install the right door for their home. Understanding the difference upfront saves time, money, and regret down the road.
Which is less expensive — a single or a double garage door?
A single garage door costs less than a double garage door, both in materials and installation labor, but the gap narrows when you compare two singles against one double covering the same total opening width.
- A standard single garage door (steel, basic insulation) typically ranges from $700 to $1,500 installed, depending on material and style.
- A double garage door for the same two-car opening typically ranges from $1,200 to $2,800 or more, depending on material, insulation, and design.
- Two single doors covering a two-car garage can cost 10–20% more in total than one double door, but offer operational independence — if one door fails, the other still works.
Precision Door Service offers free estimates on all new garage door installations, so you’ll have exact pricing before any commitment. Financing is also available through GreenSky with an easy online application if you’d prefer to spread the cost.
What are the pros and cons of a double garage door?
A double garage door creates a clean, unified look across the full width of a two-car garage and is generally the more popular choice for new construction and remodels in Central and South Jersey neighborhoods.
Advantages of a double garage door:
- Stronger curb appeal — one wide panel creates a balanced, symmetrical facade.
- Lower upfront cost than two separate single doors for the same opening.
- Only one opener, one set of springs, and one set of tracks to maintain.
- Easier to maneuver larger vehicles, SUVs, and trucks through a wider opening.
Disadvantages of a double garage door:
- One mechanical failure affects access to both bays.
- The door itself is heavier — typically 200 to 400 pounds — requiring properly sized springs and hardware. (See our guide to garage door weight and spring sizing for more on this.)
- Replacing or repairing a single large panel can be more complex than a smaller door.
What are the pros and cons of two single garage doors?
Two single garage doors give each bay independent operation, which means a broken spring or opener on one side won’t leave you completely locked out of your garage.
Advantages of two single doors:
- Independent operation — one door can be repaired while the other still functions.
- More design flexibility — you can choose different colors or styles per bay, or stage upgrades over time.
- Easier to balance aesthetically on asymmetrical home facades.
- Generally lighter per panel — individual doors typically weigh 90 to 150 pounds — which is easier on opener motors and springs over time.
Disadvantages of two single doors:
- Higher total cost than one double door for the equivalent opening width.
- Two openers, two sets of springs, two sets of rollers and cables — more components that will eventually need maintenance or repair.
- The center post (mullion) between two single doors is a structural element — it must remain in place, which limits the effective drive-through clearance.
Does NJ’s coastal climate affect which type of garage door I should choose?
Yes — homeowners in Brick, Point Pleasant, Toms River, Manahawkin, and other shore-area communities along the Ocean County coastline should pay close attention to material choice, not just door size.
Salt air, high humidity, and nor’easter wind loads accelerate corrosion on standard steel doors. For coastal and near-bay locations throughout our service area, Precision Door Service of Central & South Jersey typically recommends:
- Galvanized or coated steel with a factory-applied polyester or Kynar finish for rust resistance.
- Fiberglass or composite doors, which don’t rust and can mimic the look of wood grain without the maintenance.
- Higher insulation values (R-12 to R-16 or above) to handle both winter cold and summer humidity that’s common along the Jersey Shore corridor.
Whether you choose a single or double configuration, material selection matters more near the water than it does for inland homes in Princeton, Piscataway, or Freehold. Our experienced technicians will walk you through the right options for your specific location during your free estimate.
What size opening do I need for a single vs. double garage door?
Most single-car garage openings are 8 feet or 9 feet wide; single doors are available in those widths and also in 10-foot widths for oversized single bays. Double garage door openings are almost always 16 feet wide, though 18-foot openings exist in some custom homes.
Before selecting a door, a certified technician should measure your rough opening width and height, check headroom clearance (the space between the top of the opening and the ceiling), and assess side room for the tracks. Non-standard openings — common in older homes throughout Middlesex and Monmouth Counties — may require custom sizing or structural adjustments. Our team handles these situations regularly and will flag any issues before installation begins.
What’s included in a new garage door installation from Precision Door Service?
A new garage door installation from Precision Door Service of Central & South Jersey includes professional measurement, removal of your existing door, full hardware installation (tracks, rollers, cables, springs, and weatherstripping), opener compatibility check, and a comprehensive safety inspection before we leave.
Here’s what else to expect — and what to ask about — when getting a quote:
- Disposal of the old door: Confirm whether haul-away is included or priced separately.
- Opener compatibility: A new double door is heavier and may require an opener with higher horsepower (typically ½ HP to ¾ HP or greater). If your current opener is undersized, that’s an additional cost to budget for.
- Spring sizing: Springs are matched to the specific weight of your new door. Improperly sized springs are a safety hazard — our technicians size them correctly every time using high-quality replacement parts.
- Insulation upgrades: Available across our full line from manufacturers including Amarr, C.H.I., Clopay, and Fimbel — insulated doors cost more upfront but reduce energy loss and noise.
- Financing: GreenSky financing is available via online application if you’d prefer not to pay the full amount at once.
We provide free estimates for all new garage door installations — no pressure, no obligation, just honest recommendations from trusted local garage door experts who’ve been locally serving Central & South Jersey since 2000.
Should I repair my existing garage door or replace it with a new single or double door?
If your garage door is less than 10 years old and the damage is limited to a single component — a broken spring, worn rollers, or a cable off the drum — repair is almost always the more economical choice. If the door is older than 15 to 20 years, has significant panel damage, poor insulation, or repeated mechanical failures, replacement typically delivers better long-term value.
Our technicians perform a comprehensive safety inspection on every service call, explain exactly what they find, and give you an honest recommendation — whether that’s a targeted repair or a new door. We do the right thing for the customer, not the most expensive thing. As covered in our repair-vs-replace guide, factors like dent severity, spring cycle life, and opener age all factor into that decision.
Precision Door Service of Central & South Jersey has been earning homeowners’ trust across Ocean, Monmouth, Mercer, and Middlesex Counties for more than 25 years — and that customer-first approach is why more than 140,000 local homeowners have called us. Precision is always the right decision.
This guide was prepared by the experienced installation team at Precision Door Service of Central & South Jersey, locally serving Brick, Toms River, Freehold, Princeton, Edison, and communities throughout Central and South Jersey since 2000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a double garage door cheaper than two single garage doors?
Generally, yes — one double garage door covering a two-car opening is typically 10–20% less expensive than two separate single doors covering the same total width, because it requires only one opener, one spring system, and one installation setup. However, two singles offer the advantage of independent operation if one door fails.
How wide is a standard double garage door?
Most double garage doors are 16 feet wide, though 18-foot widths exist in larger or custom homes. Single garage doors are typically 8, 9, or 10 feet wide. Precision Door Service measures your exact rough opening before recommending a size to make sure the fit and hardware are correct.
What type of garage door is best for a home near the Jersey Shore?
Coastal homeowners in areas like Brick, Toms River, Point Pleasant, and Manahawkin should prioritize galvanized or coated steel, fiberglass, or composite doors that resist salt air and humidity. Insulation values of R-12 or higher are also recommended to handle the shore’s seasonal temperature and moisture swings.
Do I need a stronger opener for a double garage door?
Yes — double garage doors typically weigh 200 to 400 pounds and generally require an opener rated at ½ HP to ¾ HP or higher. If your current opener was sized for a lighter single door, it may need to be upgraded when you switch to a double. Precision Door Service checks opener compatibility as part of every installation.
Does Precision Door Service offer free estimates on new garage doors?
Yes — Precision Door Service of Central & South Jersey provides free estimates on all new garage door installations, with no obligation. Financing through GreenSky is also available via an easy online application for homeowners who prefer to spread out the cost.