How to Install a Garage Door

A garage in the home needs to be secured to keep your family’s belongings safely. It is a must then to install a sturdy door that won’t be easily opened.

The current trend in most homes is the sectional garage doors. This is the one you see going up when opened and going down to close. This type of garage door has rollers that pass along the tracks on both sides of the doorway and works through a torsion spring system. A manual containing instructions on assembling the parts normally comes with your purchase.

First attach the weatherstripping to the bottom edge of the first panel. Then position the panel in the doorway and keep it in place. You can drive nails just half way into the jambs and make sure they’re at an angle to keep the first panel steady. Next step is to attach the hinges on the door’s top edge.

The first section of the door should be in perfect level to ensure that the succeeding sections will also be parallel and level. From there, start assembling the vertical, curved and horizontal tracks. Follow the steps in the manual to make sure you’re doing it right. The brackets and the rollers are next in line. These should be installed on the door section. Start by slipping the vertical track onto the rollers on one side of the door and repeat the steps at the other one side of the doorway.

The bottom brackets attached to the first section are very important so check that they’re fastened securely to the door. Keep in mind that these brackets are attached to the cable that lift the door and therefore, are subject to a lot of force. Proceed with the second section by attaching the rollers into the vertical tracks at both sides. Fasten the hinges of the first section to the second using screws. Continue with the other sections until you get to the top.

The jamb brackets will have to be attached to the tracks and the frame.

Install the curved and horizontal tracks and attach them together. Always check the level for the horizontal track and then adjust the rear track hanger to the desired length. Screw the track hanger to the ceiling joist to fasten the horizontal track before you mount it to the hanger. Proceed with the other horizontal track.

For the final step, fit the last door section in place and remove the temporary nails.

If your garage door uses an opener, you need to install a torque tube. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and check for the alignment of the tracks. Then be sure to tighten all fasteners.