AG Smart Garage handles full garage door conversions throughout Deerfield and the North Shore — from coordinating with your architect and structural engineer to sourcing a premium door and reinstalling your opener. Licensed, locally owned, and serving the area since 2018. Call (224) 306-2985 for a consultation.
Why Homeowners Convert Two Single Garage Doors Into One
Maybe you bought a larger SUV that barely fits through a 9-foot opening. Maybe you’re tired of the visual choppiness two separate doors create on your home’s façade. Or you’re renovating and want a clean, unified look. A double garage door conversion improves curb appeal, increases usability, and adds real market value. But this is not a weekend DIY job — it requires permits, professionals, and careful structural work.
Whatever the reason, homeowners who complete this project consistently say it was one of the best upgrades they made. The garage becomes easier to use, the front of the house looks dramatically better, and the new door itself becomes a design feature rather than an afterthought. The wider opening also makes it easier to park two vehicles side by side, load and unload large items, and use the space for projects or storage without feeling cramped.
Step 1: Get the Right Permits
This is a structural project, not just a door swap. You’re removing a load-bearing column that holds up part of your roof — or possibly a bedroom above the garage. Every North Shore municipality requires a building permit for this type of work.
Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park, Winnetka, Wilmette, Glencoe, and Lake Forest all require permits before any structural modification begins. Your contractor or architect typically pulls the permit on your behalf. Expect the permit process to take 1–4 weeks depending on your town. Projects that skip this step risk fines, failed inspections, and having to tear out finished work.
Step 2: Hire an Architect and Structural Engineer
The engineer assesses what’s holding up the structure above your garage — roof trusses, floor joists, or a full second story — and designs a replacement header beam to carry that load across the wider opening. For a 16-foot span, this is typically a laminated veneer lumber (LVL) beam or a steel I-beam, sized specifically for your load conditions.
The architect produces the stamped drawings that the building department requires for permit approval. These drawings show the existing conditions, the proposed modifications, and the engineered specs for the new header. Without these documents, most municipalities won’t issue a permit. Budget $1,500–$5,000 for this phase depending on complexity and whether there’s living space above.
Step 3: Hire a General Contractor for Framing
This is where the project gets real. A garage door company is not the right entity to handle structural framing — you need a licensed contractor who specializes in wood framing, concrete, and load-bearing construction. Make sure your contractor is insured and experienced with header beam installations specifically.
With permits in hand, the physical construction begins. The contractor removes the center column and old door frames, temporarily shores up the structure while the new beam goes in, then installs the engineered header beam supported by jack studs and king studs on each side of the opening.
The rough opening gets framed to the correct width and height for the new door — typically 16 feet wide, though some homes use 18-foot or custom-width doors. Foundation work at the slab level may be needed if the old center column had a footing below it. This phase typically takes 1–2 weeks including the inspection pause.
Step 4: Town Inspector Approves the Framing
Before any drywall goes up, a town building inspector must visit and approve the structural framing. This is a mandatory checkpoint — the inspector confirms the header beam matches the engineer’s specs and everything is built to code. Your project will have a natural pause of 1–3 days while you wait for the inspection to be scheduled and completed. Do not skip this step or try to rush past it. The inspection exists to protect you — it ensures the structural work will hold up for decades and keeps your home safe. Once the inspector signs off, you have documented proof that the work meets code, which matters for insurance and resale.
Step 5: Drywall, Finishing, and Door Installation
Once framing passes inspection, the contractor finishes the interior — drywall, tape, mud, paint, and trim around the new opening. Then AG Smart Garage handles the door installation: precise fitting, track alignment, spring calibration, and weather sealing. The entire finishing phase takes about 3–5 days for drywall and one day for the door. The door needs to be perfectly level, plumb, and sealed against weather — this is precision work that directly affects how the door operates for years to come.
Reinstalling the Garage Door Opener
Your old openers were each centered on their single doors — that center point no longer works for the wider opening. The new opener needs new mounting hardware, a center rail, and often new electrical wiring. We recommend upgrading to a belt-drive opener with Wi-Fi connectivity — you’re already doing a major renovation, so adding smart access control now saves money versus retrofitting later. Smart openers with built-in cameras, battery backup, and smartphone alerts are popular upgrades at this stage. Since the ceiling is already open for the new mounting, installation is straightforward and costs less than retrofitting later.
What Does It Cost?
Garage door conversion cost depends on several factors, but plan for $15,000–$30,000+ for a well-executed project. Here’s the breakdown:
Architecture and engineering: $1,500–$5,000. Permits: $300–$1,500. Framing: $5,000–$12,000+. Garage door: $2,000–$8,000+. Opener and smart tech: $500–$2,000+.
Cutting corners on this project costs more long-term. Homeowners who treat it as a premium upgrade — done once, done right — are consistently satisfied. Those who try to save by skipping engineering or choosing the cheapest door usually spend more fixing problems later.
How Long Does It Take?
Plan for 6–12 weeks from start to finish. Architecture and engineering: 2–4 weeks. Permit approval: 1–4 weeks. Construction and framing: 1–2 weeks including the inspection pause. Drywall and finishing: 3–5 days. Garage door installation: 1 day. Rush timelines are possible but depend on your municipality’s permit turnaround.
Serving the North Shore
AG Smart Garage is based in Deerfield and serves homeowners across the North Shore including Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Glenview, and Lincolnshire. Whether you need a simple door replacement or a full structural conversion, we bring the same level of care and expertise to every project.
We understand the permitting process in each of these municipalities and have working relationships with local contractors and engineers who specialize in residential structural work. That local knowledge saves you time and avoids costly mistakes.
Choosing the Right Door
For traditional North Shore homes, carriage-house style doors in steel with a wood-look finish work beautifully. Clopay, Amarr, and CHI all make excellent options in this range. For modern homes, full-view aluminum-and-glass doors are a popular choice — sleek, and they let natural light in. Go with an insulated door (R-value 12–18) for temperature control and noise reduction, especially with living space above the garage. For homes with attached garages where temperature matters, polyurethane-insulated steel doors offer the best combination of durability, insulation value, and long-term low maintenance.
Is This Project Right for Your Home?
Confirm you have enough width for a 16-foot door — standard two-car garages are 20–24 feet wide. A bedroom above the garage adds structural complexity but does not prevent the conversion. Start with a consultation so we can assess your specific situation and give you a clear scope. If the project reveals conditions that make it impractical — like an unusual roof structure or insufficient width — we tell you upfront rather than start work that won’t produce a good result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to convert two single garage doors into one?
Yes. You’re modifying a load-bearing wall, which requires building department approval before work begins.
Do I need an architect for a garage door conversion?
In most cases, yes. Permits require stamped architectural and structural engineering drawings.
How much does it cost to convert two single garage doors to one?
Most North Shore conversions run $15,000–$30,000+ depending on structural complexity, door selection, and finishing scope.
How long does the conversion take?
Plan for 6–12 weeks total including engineering, permits, construction, and door installation.
Can I keep my existing garage door openers?
No. Two separate openers can’t run one larger door. You need a single, more powerful opener mounted at the center of the new door.
Will this increase my home’s value?
In most cases, yes. A quality garage door conversion improves curb appeal and adds measurable value at resale. Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value report consistently ranks garage door replacement among the top ROI projects in home improvement.
What if there’s a bedroom above my garage?
This adds complexity but doesn’t prevent the conversion. The structural engineer designs the header to carry the additional load from the floor and walls above.
Ready to Get Started?
Call AG Smart Garage at (224) 306-2985 or book a free consultation online. We’ll walk your garage, assess the structure, and give you a clear scope and estimate — no pressure, no surprises.