Garage Door Installation Instructions

Your garage door installation instructions can be your best friend. But if you're just wanting to get an idea of what's involved in installing a garage door, this article can give you a little insight. This in no way covers everything, but it can help you make a decision as to whether or not you want to tackle the job yourself or have it done professionally.

Of course the very first move is to take some good measurements. This will help you to know what size garage door you'll need, and whether or not you have enough room for the type of door you want. Begin with the height and then the width of your opening. Be sure and write all the figures down for easy reference.

The 'Side-room' is the next measurement you want. This is defined as the space from the outside edge of your opening all the way over to the wall on that side. For your vertical track and your standard extension and torsion spring, you're going to need 3-3/4 of room on the side. Then for the regular extension spring another 5-1/2.

Our next consideration is going to be 'Head-room'. Head-room goes from the top of the garage door opening all the way to the ceiling. For this extension spring, you're going to want to get 10 of room, and for the torsion another 12. If for any reason your headroom isn't enough, then you'll be able to get some specialized hardware to remedy the situation. And even more room will be needed for installing an electronic door opener.

Our next order of business is figuring the 'back-room' measurements. These measurements go from the opening clear to the back of the garage against the wall. This distance should match the height of the garage door with an additional eighteen inches. And the same rule applies, if you're planning on putting in a door opener, then extra room is needed.

Now that your figures are taken the door opening needs to be prepared. When you look on the inside of the opening, you should have some wooden jambs. These need to be made of good solid 2 x6 boards if it's possible, and the wood should be solid and not old or rotten. The jambs should be as high as the measurement you took for the headroom. They should be leveled up and plumbed up. Any bolts that may be there need to be flush and not be in the way of your installation.

It's time now for you to begin installing your sections. Start with the bottom one by laying your hardware out on the garage floor in specific groups. Then take whatever weather-stripping you have and attach it to the section. Working on saw horses is recommended here. It's in this stage of installation that you assemble your hinges and connect your lift cable. It's also where you'll ad your reinforcement strut.

Your garage door installation instructions will come with your door. These manuals are easy to follow and can enable most anyone with any type of construction experience to install their own door. At this stage, you simply attach the other sections you have and pound in some 3 nails into your jambs to hold the sections in on either side. It's a simple process, and if you follow your manual, you shouldn't have any trouble installing your own garage door.