Metal Building Doors 2026: 6 Types, Sizes and Prices
Doors decide how well a metal building works day to day. The wrong size means a trailer that does not fit or a tractor that scrapes the header. The wrong type means drafts, condensation or a door that is hard to open in winter. This guide compares the six main door types, common sizes and what they cost.
Door Types at a Glance
| Type | Best for | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roll up | Garages, shops, storage, RV buildings | No ceiling track, durable, simple | Less insulated, can be noisy |
| Sectional overhead | Heated shops, homes, barndominiums | Seals and insulates well | Needs headroom and ceiling track |
| Sliding | Barns, equipment buildings | Very wide openings, low cost | Harder to seal, needs wall space beside |
| Walk door | Every building | Easy daily access | Needs framing and a good seal |
| Bifold or hydraulic | Hangars, large equipment | Huge openings, opens upward | Expensive, structural design needed |
| Framed opening only | Future doors, open bays | Cheapest now | Door added later |
Typical Prices
The ranges below are the same ones our metal building cost calculator uses for standard openings. Larger, insulated or motorized doors cost more.
| Item | Price range |
|---|---|
| Roll up door, standard size, installed with framing | $2,000 to $3,500 |
| Walk door | $600 to $1,000 |
| Window | $350 to $600 |
Ask whether the kit price includes framed openings, headers and trim, or whether those are extras. Adding a door after the building is up nearly always costs more than ordering it framed from the factory.
Common Door Sizes
| Use | Width x height |
|---|---|
| Single car garage | 9x8 or 10x10 |
| Pickup trucks and lifted vehicles | 10x10 or 12x12 |
| Boats on trailers | 10x12 or 12x12 |
| RVs and fifth wheels | 12x14 or 14x14 |
| Tractors and combines | 14x14 up to 20 ft wide or more |
| Walk door | 3x7 |
Leave about 2 feet of clearance on each side of a vehicle and at least a foot above its tallest point. For RV specific sizes, see our RV garage guide.
Roll Up vs Sectional
Roll up doors coil into a drum above the opening, so they need only a little headroom and no ceiling track. That leaves the ceiling clear for lifts and lights. Sectional doors run on tracks into the ceiling, which takes more space, but their panels are often insulated and they seal tightly. For a heated shop or a barndominium garage, sectional is usually the better choice. For storage and unheated buildings, roll up doors are simpler and tougher.
Eave Height and Door Height
The door has to fit under the eave with room for the header and framing. A common rule of thumb is to allow about 2 feet between the top of a roll up door and the eave. So a 14 foot door usually needs a 16 foot eave. Check with your supplier, because headroom needs vary by door and by drum size.
Placement Tips
- End walls are often easier for large doors because the frame can be designed around them.
- Side walls can hold several doors for drive in bays, but large doors may need extra framing between main frames.
- Prevailing wind can make big doors hard to open. Face them away from it if you can.
- Snow and ice slide off the roof edge, so avoid placing walk doors under the eave of a gable roof in cold climates.
Wind Load and Large Doors
Large doors are a weak point in high winds. When a door fails, wind can pressurize the building from inside. In hurricane and high wind areas, use doors rated for your design wind speed and make sure the building is engineered for the openings. Our permits guide explains what inspectors check.
Insulated and Motorized Options
If you heat or cool the building, choose insulated door panels and good bottom seals, since a large uninsulated door can lose a lot of heat. Wind locks and weatherstripping help too. Motorized openers are worth it on any door you use daily, and many models work with roll up and sectional doors alike. Ask whether the opener is rated for the door's size and weight, and plan an outlet near the header before the walls are closed in. For security, consider a slide lock on roll up doors and a deadbolt on every walk door. Planning these details with the building order is much cheaper than adding them later.
FAQ
What size door do I need for a metal garage?
A 10x10 roll up door suits most cars and pickups. Go to 12x12 for lifted trucks and boats, and 12x14 or 14x14 for RVs.
How much does a roll up door cost for a metal building?
About $2,000 to $3,500 for a standard size door with framing. Larger, insulated and motorized doors cost more.
Are roll up or sectional doors better?
Roll up doors are simpler and need no ceiling track, which suits storage and unheated buildings. Sectional doors insulate and seal better for heated spaces.
Sources
- Rex Metal Buildings cost calculator option rates.
- Door manufacturer size and headroom guides, checked October 2026.
Ready to price your building? Get free metal building quotes from suppliers who serve your area, or use the form on this page and our team will be in touch.