The installation of a garage door, either in a newly built house or for work to replace the old door, is an important step for any investment. The garage becomes an integral part of the house, fulfilling many functions beyond that of accommodating the owner's vehicles. The practical and functional use of a garage involves choosing the right garage door and, more importantly, installing it correctly. Let's clarify what we need to know about garage door installation in our guide.
How to prepare for garage door installation?
Most garage doors installed are sectional garage doors.
Let's imagine that we decided to buy a modern, durable, and comfortable sectional garage door with a track adapted to the conditions of our garage. What is the next step?
1. Note that the installation of the side opening garage doors must be carried out by a qualified installation team, preferably authorized by the garage door manufacturer.
2. You should check that all the elements necessary to assemble the door are available when you start.
3. It is also useful to check the width and height of the opening as well as the conformity of these values with the dimensions indicated on the plate placed on the garage door packaging to avoid unpleasant surprises during installation. When measuring the height of garage doors, the floor level should also be taken into account.
When to install the garage door?
The basic criterion for performing garage door installation is to think about what the end result of the work is going to be. When installing the new garage door, no homeowner wants it to be damaged or soiled due to construction work. For this purpose, it is recommended that the installation be done when the garage is finished and equipped with all the necessary elements to install the garage door.
Garage elements are necessary to install the garage door
There are elements that make an ordinary opening the definitive room in which the garage door can be installed to perform its functions. What are these elements?
1. The lintel is a construction element that is located above the jambs. This is where the top of the track and the motor will be installed. The standard height of the lintel on garage doors is approximately 350 mm. It is the height of the lintel that determines the type of track that will be suitable for our garage door.
2. The spandrels are the side surfaces that run from the edge of the window opening to the garage wall, where the angles and vertical guide rails are installed. The spandrels on garage doors should be a minimum of 110 mm each.
The durability and functionality of a garage door need to make sure that these parts are straight and form a single plane. Otherwise, not only will the garage door not cover the window opening well, but it will also be difficult to position the frame so that it is evenly loaded with the weight of the garage door. This will prevent faster wear of the most heavily loaded parts of the frame and, therefore, of the entire construction.
Finishing the garage walls
The garage door is the last element to install once the construction of your garage is complete. This means that walls and floors should be finished, plastered, and painted to eliminate the risk of soiling or damaging the garage door or its opening mechanism. Additionally, the garage door should have a rectangular shape and dimensions that match the purchased door. It should be installed in the finished window opening, ensuring the wall surface is smooth, and the walls are dry and even, without dents or cracks in the plaster. STI Garage Door can ensure this preparation is done correctly, ensuring proper garage doors installation service and long-term functionality.
Wall and frame insulation
When planning or performing the insulation of the walls of the building, do not forget about the inside of the frame. The insulating layer here will prevent the formation of thermal bridges, especially if we have chosen a garage door with good thermal insulation parameters because we want the inside of the garage to be warm. Therefore, insulation and finished walls should be prepared before the garage door assembly work.
Preparation of the floor
The floor at the garage door installation site should be horizontal and have a final height that should not be increased after installation.
The contact points of the corner posts and walls with the floor should form a right angle, so that there is no space between the floor and the bottom panel of the garage door for heat to escape and so that the inside of the garage does not become filled with water or dirt such as dust, pollen, etc.
Therefore, it is obvious that the concrete slab step should precede the installation of the garage door, moreover, the drying process should not take place with the garage door installed.
Installation of automatic garage door opener
Most garage doors currently installed by homeowners are automatic garage doors, which means that they are opened and locked by an electric motor. To make the installation of such a motor possible, it is best to consider such installation at the design stage, i.e. well before the installation of the garage door. It is also worth considering where additional equipment, such as photocells or the keypad, will be installed.
Conclusion
Installing a garage door, whether for a new home or as a replacement, is a significant investment that requires careful planning and execution. Ensuring that the garage door fits properly, the structure is prepared correctly, and the installation is done by professionals, such as STI Garage Door, can prevent future issues and prolong the door's lifespan. Attention to detail, such as wall and frame insulation, floor preparation, and the installation of an automatic opener, is crucial for optimal performance. By following these garage door installation instructions and maintaining the garage door regularly, homeowners can enjoy a functional and reliable garage door system for many years.
