Best Garage Door and Openers Buying Guide

Can I Increase My Home Resale Value with a New Garage Door?

Installing a new garage door is one of the best ways to increase your home resale value. In fact, new garage doors can have between a 76-91% return on investment upon resale. Why?

A great garage door not only enhances the curb appeal of your home, but it also can have major benefits when it comes to energy savings. This is especially important since most homeowners use the garage as their primary entrance, meaning they're opening and closing the garage door multiple times a day.

In addition, the right garage door should last you at least 10-15 years or longer. Choosing a garage door that will save energy and last you for years to come is always a good idea.

How to upgrade my garage door on a budget?

A new garage door is a big investment, but you can get some of the best in the industry for exclusive members-only prices here at Sam's Club. And buying a new door can often cost less than garage door repairs.

We carry top garage doors and openers in a variety of styles and price points, so you'll be able to choose the one you love within your budget.

What Different Types of Garage Doors and Openers Are There?

At Sam's Club, we carry a range of types, styles, and colors to suit your home style, whether it's a carriage house, modern, country, or something else. Not sure what kind of new garage door to pick?

Sectional Garage Doors

Sectional garage doors are the most common type. They are made of several sections of panels with hinges that allow the door to bend and move up along its track.

Roll-up garage doors

Roll-up doors aren't common in residential areas. These are often commercial garage doors made of curved metal slats that roll up into a cylinder above.

Tilt-up garage doors

Tilt-up garage doors do as their name suggests and tilt up as one unit. They aren't made of panels. They're more of an overhead door fashioned with special tracks to move up and tilt flat along the ceiling

These can be canopy-style, where part of the door extends out of your garage like a canopy, or retractable so everything is flush with the ceiling. Tilt-up doors require more space, are more expensive, and require special hardware.

Slide to the Side

These are pretty uncommon, as they're an older style. Slide to the Side doors bend and move parallel to the wall inside along a track.

Chain drive garage door openers

Chain drive openers are the most common residential garage door openers. A durable chain drive uses a metal chain to pull and push the door along the track to open and close your door. Although they are efficient, chain drive openers are usually noisy.

Belt drive garage door openers

Belt drives operate similarly to chain drives, but they use an ultra-quiet belt drive. They are usually a little more expensive, but many homeowners prefer this quiet option.

Screw drive garage door openers

Screw drive openers use a threaded steel rod (like a screw) to move the door. These are more low maintenance than chain or belt drives, but they produce a lot more noise so they're not as common for residential use.

What Sizes of Garage Doors Can I Choose?

The size of your new garage door depends on the size of your garage space. Garages can come in all different sizes, but they're often measured by how many cars can fit inside. We sell doors of many sizes at Sam's Club so you'll find the right fit with us.

Single Car

A single car garage is typically 10 to 12 feet wide and 18 to 20 feet long, meaning you'll want a garage door 8-9 feet wide and 7-8 feet high.

Two Car

A two car garage is usually between 20 to 24 feet wide and 20 to 24 feet long so you'll need a door that is 16 feet wide and 7-8 feet tall.

If your garage is wider or taller, then you'll need a bigger door. Most of the garage doors we carry are standard sizes but check product detail pages to find specific sizing information.

1/2, 3/4, and 1 Horse Power Openers

Garage doors are heavy, so you need a proper opener to lift whichever size door you have.

A one-half-horsepower opener can accommodate your typical residential garage with average weight doors.

If your garage requires a larger door or you have a heavier insulated door, consider a three-quarter-horsepower opener. Anything over 16 feet wide or made of heavy material, a one-horsepower opener will be required.

What to Consider When Buying A Garage Door and Opener?

What material should I choose for my garage door?

Garage doors can be made of wood, steel, aluminum, etc. We carry doors in a variety of materials.

What size garage door do I need?

Measure your garage, check the size guide above, and sizing details on product information pages.

What kind of track do I need?

Use the track recommended by your door manufacturer.

Should I install a garage door myself?

Due to the size, weight, and difficulty, garage door installation isn't something you should DIY.

Amarr Garage Doors are custom-made and delivered with Free Shipping. Amarr will contact you after an order is made to confirm the door specifications are correct before manufacturing the custom door. They will recommend a local, accredited installer, but installation is at the discretion of the Member, and installation costs are not included with purchase.

*Contact Amarr Customer Service for further details: 1 (888)-661-4575.

What are the benefits of an insulated garage door?

Insulated garage doors have many benefits, including improved energy efficiency, lower energy bills, added durability, reduced sound, and more.

What are the best garage door colors for curb appeal?

White, beige, taupe, or gray colored garage door is typically best for curb appeal. Neutrals are the most appealing to homebuyers.

What Brands of Garage Doors Does Sam's Club Sell?

At Sam's Club, you can find some of the top brands in garage doors and openers like Genie and Amarr at everyday low members-only prices.

FAQ - Garage Doors and Openers

How long do garage doors last?

A good garage door and opener will last at least 10-15 years or longer. Some can last up to 20 years with proper use and care. It's possible the door will last longer while the opener may need replacing.

Can I paint my garage door?

Yes! There's a lot of prep that goes into painting a garage door, but depending on the material, you'll be able to tackle this project in a day or two. You'll need to clean and sand the door before painting. Use quality exterior latex primer and paint during mild weather.

Can I replace a part of my garage door without buying a whole new door?

It's possible to replace part of your garage door without buying a new one. You can typically replace things like panels, seals, and tracks. If you have significant damage, you should consider getting a new door.

At Sam's Club, our doors have warranties. Check individual product pages for warranty details.

Should you reuse garage door tracks?

It's not a good idea to reuse garage door tracks. Some doors can fit existing tracks, but most of the time, the spacing won't be right and will cause problems when opening and closing.

For best results, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

What is the fastest opening garage door?

How fast a garage door opens depends on the size and weight of the door and the power of the opener. For safety reasons, residential garage doors aren't designed to open and close extremely quickly.

We carry Genie openers, which are frequently ranked as the best, fastest, and quietest openers out there. All openers we sell are compliant with industry regulations.

Can an old garage door opener work on a new garage door?

If your old opener can handle the weight of the new door and all your measurements are correct, you should have no problem.

How much clearance do I need for a garage door?

Standard garage doors need a clearance of at least 10 inches.