Garage Door: Getting the Installation Started
Andrew Stratton
October 12, 2009
If you have a garage door that needs to be installed, you can hire a professional. However, in some cases, it is possible to do the install yourself. Having the tools to do the job and some tips to get started can certainly help you successfully complete this project.
You probably already know that completing the install will require at least two people. The more helpers that have an idea of what they're doing, the better, as the garage door is quite heavy. The first step is to ensure that the door is the right size for the opening. You will also need to make sure everything is in the right place. This involves ensuring that jamb fasteners are flush with their corresponding jambs, which are securely bolted to the sides.
Since many doors are paneled, you will first work with a separate panel before installing it into the opening. You should have hinges, which will be deposited on either side of the panel, with one in the middle as well. Rollers will be inserted into each hinge to keep the garage door on the track. You will then lay down weather stripping on the bottom, and hold it down with a bracket and screws. You should now be ready to install the panel into the floor of the opening.
Once it is centered, you will need to put the wheels into the panel's brackets and hinges. The track will need to be wrapped around the wheels and drilled in. You can then center the next panel and place it on top of the first, drilling it into place. Repeat with the other panels, except for the last one. You will need to screw the horizontal track into the vertical track first, and then you can attach the last piece of paneling.
Next, pick the door up and keep it there with vice grips, as you will now need to attach a cable to the bottom bracket. Then, pull the cable over the electric operator's pulley to attach to the bracket, and take the other end to place it through the spring. Making sure everything is level and centered before screwing it in tightly is important, but of course you need to remember to tighten all the pieces once you're done.
Most doors come with step-by-step instructions that are fairly easy to follow. You might be able to install doors without professional help, but installing the electric system might be an issue. Unless you have a lot of expertise in this area, it is advised that you either hire someone to do it or pay close attention to your instruction book.
If you are planning to buy a garage door, New York based dealers have good ones. The doors come with a warranty and are easy to install. Find out more at http://www.garagedoorswestchesterny.com
You probably already know that completing the install will require at least two people. The more helpers that have an idea of what they're doing, the better, as the garage door is quite heavy. The first step is to ensure that the door is the right size for the opening. You will also need to make sure everything is in the right place. This involves ensuring that jamb fasteners are flush with their corresponding jambs, which are securely bolted to the sides.
Since many doors are paneled, you will first work with a separate panel before installing it into the opening. You should have hinges, which will be deposited on either side of the panel, with one in the middle as well. Rollers will be inserted into each hinge to keep the garage door on the track. You will then lay down weather stripping on the bottom, and hold it down with a bracket and screws. You should now be ready to install the panel into the floor of the opening.
Once it is centered, you will need to put the wheels into the panel's brackets and hinges. The track will need to be wrapped around the wheels and drilled in. You can then center the next panel and place it on top of the first, drilling it into place. Repeat with the other panels, except for the last one. You will need to screw the horizontal track into the vertical track first, and then you can attach the last piece of paneling.
Next, pick the door up and keep it there with vice grips, as you will now need to attach a cable to the bottom bracket. Then, pull the cable over the electric operator's pulley to attach to the bracket, and take the other end to place it through the spring. Making sure everything is level and centered before screwing it in tightly is important, but of course you need to remember to tighten all the pieces once you're done.
Most doors come with step-by-step instructions that are fairly easy to follow. You might be able to install doors without professional help, but installing the electric system might be an issue. Unless you have a lot of expertise in this area, it is advised that you either hire someone to do it or pay close attention to your instruction book.
If you are planning to buy a garage door, New York based dealers have good ones. The doors come with a warranty and are easy to install. Find out more at http://www.garagedoorswestchesterny.com
Print
Email
