Torsion Talk - The Garage Door Industry Podcast Tariffs, Steel Prices & Garage Door Costs in 2026: What Dealers Need to Know Now
This week brought major tariff news, Supreme Court rulings, and fast-moving executive action that could directly impact steel, aluminum, and ultimately garage door pricing. In this episode of Torsion Talk, Ryan breaks down what actually happened, what it means for your business, and why most dealers are misunderstanding the headlines.
The Supreme Court ruled against the use of certain emergency powers tied to sweeping global tariffs, but within hours a new tariff structure was introduced under a different law. While the news cycle made it sound dramatic, Ryan explains why steel and aluminum costs remain largely unchanged for our industry and why garage door manufacturers are unlikely to reverse recent price increases.
Ryan dives into how this affects residential and commercial dealers, including LiftMaster operator increases, manufacturer price hikes, and why expecting pricing to snap back to pre-COVID levels is unrealistic. He also outlines why adjusting your price book based solely on a headline could be a costly mistake.
More importantly, this episode focuses on strategy. Ryan explains why protecting open quotes is critical, why material escalation clauses should be standard in commercial and new construction contracts, and how to prepare your CSRs to confidently answer customer questions about pricing. With uncertainty around how long these tariffs may last, dealers must build flexibility into their quoting process and stay proactive rather than reactive.
Ryan also shares why this moment highlights a bigger truth: the cost structure of the garage door industry has fundamentally changed. Companies that refuse to adjust pricing, margins, and sales conversations will struggle, while disciplined operators who understand their numbers and protect their margins will win.
If you own or operate a garage door company and want to stay ahead of steel price volatility, tariff changes, and manufacturer increases, this episode gives you the clarity and direction you need.
Stay informed. Stay profitable. Stay ready.
Find Ryan at:
https://garagedooru.com
https://aaronoverheaddoors.com
https://markinuity.com/
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