Short answer
Raised panel doors are the classic, lower-cost steel style and suit most traditional suburban homes; carriage house doors copy the look of old swing-out doors and suit craftsman, farmhouse and many older ranch homes. Angi puts carriage house doors at about $1,200 to $8,000 installed, while HomeGuide puts steel doors at about $700 to $2,500.
What each style looks like
A raised panel door has rows of rectangular panels stamped into each section, either short panels or long ones. It is the familiar look on many suburban homes built in the 1980s and 1990s, and it comes in steel, insulated steel and wood.
A carriage house door is designed to look like a pair of swing-out barn doors: a center seam, overlay boards, often a row of windows across the top, and decorative handles and hinges. Behind the look, it is a normal sectional door that rolls up on tracks.
Side by side
| Raised panel | Carriage house | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Classic stamped panels | Swing-door overlay with hardware |
| Common materials | Steel, insulated steel, wood | Steel, composite overlay, wood |
| National cost range | $700 to $2,500 (steel, HomeGuide) | $1,200 to $8,000 (Angi) |
| Suits | Colonial and traditional homes | Craftsman, farmhouse, many ranches |
Matching the door to the house
Naperville's housing spans several eras. Harold Moser started the city's residential boom with his first subdivision in 1956, about a quarter of the city's homes were built in the 1980s, and more than 300 older homes were torn down and rebuilt between 2008 and 2017. A long-panel raised door suits many 1980s and 1990s colonials; a steel carriage door often suits a 1950s ranch or a new farmhouse-style rebuild.
Windows, hardware and color
Windows change both styles. A row of square or arched lites across the top section lets in light and breaks up a wide door. On carriage doors, the handles and strap hinges sell the look; they are decorative and placed so they do not hit the track. Darker colors and woodgrain finishes make either style read as more upscale, and they show salt and dust more than white.
HOAs and permits
Many homeowners associations regulate garage door styles, colors and materials, so check the covenants before ordering. On the city side, a same-size door in the existing opening is a straight swap; our permit guide covers when a change in size or style needs a permit.
Which one to choose
If the budget is tight and the house is a traditional two-story, a long-panel insulated steel door is hard to beat. If the house has craftsman, farmhouse or ranch lines, or you want the door to be a feature, a carriage house door is worth the extra cost. We bring samples, so you can hold both against the house before deciding.
When to call instead
Measuring the opening and checking the springs and framing comes before any style choice. Call and we will bring samples to the house.
Related: Carriage House Garage Doors, Steel Garage Doors, Garage Door Replacement.
