Panel replacement: the short answer
Garage door panel replacement swaps one damaged section instead of the whole door. It makes sense when one or two sections are damaged and the door is under about 15 years old. Nationally it costs $300 to $900 per panel installed. The new section must match your door, and on a wind rated door it must keep the door's rating. We replace single panels and answer 24/7.
Reviewed by Ben Said, Owner and Lead Technician at Majestic Garage Door · Last updated
| One panel, installed (national) | $300 to $900 (HomeGuide) |
|---|---|
| Average panel job (national) | $550, most $350 to $900 (Angi) |
| Best fit | One or two damaged sections, door under 15 years (This Old House) |
| Wind rated doors | New section must match the tested model |
| Availability | 24/7, price agreed before work |
Garage door panel replacement swaps one damaged section of your door for a new one, without replacing the whole door. It is often the cheaper fix when a car bump, storm debris or rust has hurt one or two sections. We replace single garage door panels across Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida, and we answer 24/7.
When is replacing one panel the right fix?
A garage door is built from stacked sections, also called panels. Most damage hits one or two of them. A dent from a bumper, a crease from a ball or a rusted bottom edge usually stays in one section.
A single panel makes sense when the rest of the door is sound. This Old House says a panel swap makes financial sense when damage affects one or two sections and the door is less than 15 years old. A matching section also has to be available for your door’s make, model and size.
A new door can be the better buy in other cases. If several sections are damaged, the door is old or no match exists, we price both options. Our garage door replacement cost guide shows what a full new door runs, so you can compare.
How much does garage door panel replacement cost?
Most single panel jobs cost a few hundred dollars. HomeGuide puts it at $300 to $900 per panel installed. Angi reports a national average of $550, with most jobs between $350 and $900.
| Job | National cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| One panel, installed | $300 to $900 | HomeGuide |
| One panel, parts and labor | $350 to $900, average $550 | Angi |
| Basic steel panel | $500 to $900 | This Old House |
| Glass panel | $400 to $1,000 or more | HomeGuide |
| Minor dent repair, no new panel | $100 to $300 | HomeGuide |
These are national figures, not our price list. Your price depends on the door’s material, size, insulation and style, and on whether the panel is the bottom section. We look at the door, explain what we find and agree on the price with you before any work starts.
For a deeper look at matching, materials and when a panel is not worth it, read our garage door panel replacement guide.
How do you match a new panel to an old door?
Matching starts with the door’s label. This Old House notes it is usually on the back of a section or on the door frame, and it lists the model number. A photo of that label, plus the width and height of the door, is the fastest way to start.
The new section must match the model, size, thickness and style of the old ones. HomeGuide notes that matching can be hard when the maker or color has been discontinued. Colors also fade in the Florida sun, so a new section may look a little brighter than the rest at first.
If no match exists, we tell you straight away. Then you can decide between a close option and a new door, with prices for both.
Can you replace one panel on a hurricane rated door?
Yes, when an approved matching section is available. A wind rated door is tested and approved as a complete system of parts. A DASMA sheet on component substitution warns that parts that are not identical may weaken the door. It adds that a substitution against the rules can void the door’s certification.
So on a rated door, the new section should be the same model and rating the maker specifies. A section that only looks the same is not enough. If no approved match exists, a new rated door may be needed to keep the rating. Our hurricane rated garage doors page explains how to read your door’s wind label.
A new door needs a building permit and an inspection. We’ll tell you exactly what your city requires before work starts.
Why is the bottom panel a job for a technician?
The bottom section holds the bottom brackets, and the lift cables attach there. DASMA warns that because these brackets connect to the springs, they are under extreme tension. It says they should be loosened only by a trained door systems technician.
Replacing the bottom panel means taking that tension off safely, swapping the section, then reconnecting the cables and brackets. Rust tends to start on the bottom section first, where water, sand and salt collect, so this is a common job near the coast.
What happens during a panel replacement visit?
- We check the whole door, not only the damaged section.
- We confirm the door’s maker, model, size and wind rating, and look for a matching section.
- We agree on the price with you before any work starts.
- We swap the section and move or replace the hinges and rollers on it.
- We balance the door and safety test it before we leave.
A bent panel often damages the hinges and rollers next to it. If they are worn, we tell you before replacing them. Our roller replacement page explains why worn rollers make a door shake and grind.
Dented, cracked or rusted panel? Call (813) 774-1127, or text us a photo of the damage and the door’s label. We answer 24/7, check the whole door and agree on the price before any work starts.