Why Steel Door Prices Are About to Rise — And What It Means for You

Published: May 2026

Steel prices across the UK are set to increase significantly over the coming months, and if you're considering purchasing a steel garage door, industrial door, or roller shutter, now may be the most cost effective time to buy.

A Perfect Storm for UK Steel Costs

The UK government has introduced a sweeping new steel trade measure that comes into force on 1 July 2026. Under the new rules, tariff-free import quotas will be cut by up to 60%, and any steel imported above those reduced limits will face a 50% tariff, double the current rate. For certain product categories, quota reductions of up to 90% apply.

The policy is designed to protect and rebuild UK domestic steel production, which has fallen by more than 50% over the past decade. While the long-term aim is a stronger, more self-sufficient UK steel industry, the short-term reality for manufacturers, and the customers they supply is a significant rise in material costs.

Industry analysts are currently forecasting total UK steel price increases of £150–£200 per tonne over the course of 2026, with structural steel potentially rising by as much as £300–£400 per tonne in the second half of the year once the new tariffs take effect.

Steel Prices Are Already Rising

Even before the July deadline, steel costs have been climbing. Tata Steel UK, the country's dominant flat steel producer, has already announced price increases of £125–£150 per tonne on hot rolled coil and galvanised steel products this quarter, with further phased increases planned through May and June 2026.

Galvanised steel coil, which is a primary material input for a wide range of steel door products,  from domestic garage doors to heavy duty industrial roller shutters, has been directly affected by these increases. UK stockholders have been issuing surcharge notices to customers at short notice, with increases of 18–30% already applied across the supply chain.

What This Means for Steel Door Buyers

Steel doors, whether for the home, commercial premises, or industrial use, rely heavily on flat rolled and galvanised steel. As raw material costs rise, these increases will inevitably be passed through to product pricing.

GaragrDoorsOnline is committed to transparency with our customers. We are closely monitoring the situation, and as a result of rising steel input costs, we anticipate price adjustments on selected steel door products.

Example: From 1st June 2026, prices on our GDO Up and Over, single skin, 20mm and 51mm insulated side hinged garage doors will increase by approximately 10%. Any orders placed and confirmed before this date will be honoured at current pricing. Garador prices are due to also be increased around the end of June.

Why Buy Now?

If you've been considering a new steel door, whether a simple up and over, steel side hinged, a sectional garage door, roller shutter, or industrial security door, buying now, before further cost increases take effect, could represent a meaningful saving.

• Current pricing is available on all in-stock products
• Orders placed before 1st June 2026 will be locked in at today's rates
• Lead times remain normal

The Bigger Picture

The UK is not alone in facing steel price pressure. The United States introduced a 25% tariff on UK steel exports in 2025, restricting where British-produced steel can be sold and adding further complexity to global supply chains. Analysts expect the UK to become one of the more expensive steel markets in Europe by late 2026 as the new safeguard measures restrict import volumes.
Looking further ahead, the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM),  arriving in January 2027 will add further cost to imported steel as carbon costs are factored into pricing.

Our Advice

The direction of travel on steel pricing is clear: costs are going up, and the July 2026 policy changes mark a significant step change. For anyone planning a purchase in the next 6–12 months, acting sooner rather than later is sound financial sense.

Sources: British Chambers of Commerce (May 2026), UK Government Steel Trade Measure announcement (March 2026), Tata Steel UK Q2 2026 pricing notices, Argus Media, Industry analyst forecasts.