Black Garage Door Cost: Steel, Aluminium and Timber Compared
A black garage door typically costs {cost:garage-door:mid} fitted. See how door type, finish and opener change the price, and whether black costs extra.
A black garage door typically costs £1,750 fitted, with most mid-range jobs falling between £1,350 – £2,300. That is for a single door, including removal of the old one. The door type you choose moves the price far more than the colour does.
Does black cost more than other colours?
Often not by much, and sometimes not at all. Our cost model prices the door type, width, opener and removal. It does not add a separate charge for colour, because for most factory-finished doors the colour is a standard option within the same range.
Black can cost more in a few situations:
- Bespoke finishes. A made-to-order colour or a textured, woodgrain-effect black is usually priced above a stock colour. Ask the supplier for both quotes side by side.
- Timber. Timber doors are usually supplied primed or stained, so a solid black finish is paint work. That means more coats now and repainting later.
- Matching other elements. Black frames, handles and glazing details on some ranges are sold as an upgrade pack.
When you compare quotes, ask whether black is included in the headline price or listed as an extra line. If it is an extra, it should be a clearly stated sum.
Black garage door cost by door type
This is what each door type costs at our mid-range tier, with everything else held equal (manual operation, single width, old door removed).
| Door type | Typical cost | What black means for it |
|---|---|---|
| Steel up-and-over | £1,550 | Factory powder-coated or polyester finish; black is usually a standard colour |
| GRP up-and-over | £2,100 | Colour is moulded or gel-coated in; dark colours are common but can show scratches |
| Timber up-and-over | £2,200 | Painted or stained black on site or at the factory; needs recoating |
| Insulated aluminium roller | £1,750 | Powder-coated aluminium, with black among the usual options |
| Insulated sectional | £2,300 | Factory-finished steel panels; black often available in smooth or woodgrain |
| Steel side-hinged | £2,200 | Powder-coated steel, a common choice for a black "carriage" look |
| Timber side-hinged | £2,800 | Painted black; the most upkeep of the group |
For the full table, including the usual range and lifespan of each type, see the breakdown below.
| Material | Typical | Usual range | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel up-and-over | £1,550 | £1,200 – £2,050 | – |
| Insulated aluminium roller | £1,750 | £1,350 – £2,300 | – |
| GRP up-and-over | £2,100 | £1,650 – £2,750 | – |
| Timber up-and-over | £2,200 | £1,750 – £2,900 | – |
| Steel side-hinged | £2,200 | £1,750 – £2,900 | – |
| Insulated sectional | £2,300 | £1,800 – £3,000 | – |
| Timber side-hinged | £2,800 | £2,200 – £3,650 | – |
Powder-coated steel, aluminium or timber?
Powder-coated steel is the value choice. The coating is baked on in the factory, so it resists chips and fading better than site-painted finishes. Dark colours do absorb heat, so check that the manufacturer's warranty covers dark colours.
Aluminium (roller doors in our table) is lighter and does not rust. Because it is powder-coated, black looks crisp and consistent. It costs more than basic steel, but the insulation and the neat roll-up action are what you are paying for.
Timber gives the richest look in black, but it is the costliest to keep looking good. Expect repainting over the life of the door. If you want the appearance of black timber without the upkeep, a woodgrain-effect steel or sectional door is usually the cheaper long-term route.
Extras that change the bill more than colour
- Opener. An electric opener with remotes adds to the price. It is the largest single option on most jobs.
- Double width. A double door costs noticeably more than a single, whatever the colour.
- Insulation. Insulated sectional and roller doors cost more than uninsulated steel. This matters if the garage is attached to the house or used as a workspace.
- Removal. If there is no old door to take away, take that line off your quote.
Do you need permission?
Usually not for a like-for-like swap. Most repairs, replacements and maintenance work do not need building regulations approval, with exceptions for heating systems, oil tanks, fuse boxes and glazing units. A garage door is not one of those exceptions. Listed buildings and some designated areas can have their own rules about appearance, so check with your council before ordering a black door in a conservation area or on a listed property.
If you add an electric opener, the wiring is a separate matter. Have it fitted by a competent, registered electrician.
How we calculate these figures
We build each price from labour hours multiplied by local rates, plus materials, then check the result against market prices and real quotes. Colour is not a separate variable in the model, which is why we say plainly that black is usually priced within the door's normal range rather than inventing a surcharge.
Getting a fair price
- Get at least three quotes for the same door type, size and opener.
- Ask each installer to state the colour, finish and warranty on the quote.
- Check what is included: removal, disposal, making good and the opener.
- Run the total through our "is my quote fair" tool to see where it sits against the range.
For a wider look at the job, read our Garage door cost guide. If you are updating the front of the house at the same time, a new New driveway or fresh Rendering will change the budget and the colour scheme, so it helps to price them together.