Here are a few helpful hints when installing your new garage door and /or automatic operator. You should always install your garage door in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Installations should generally be carried out by 2 people and if there is no other means of exit from the garage, ensure that someone else is close by to ensure you don’t get trapped inside the garage. With this DIY garage door installation guide you’ll be able to install your garage door with ease.
An external emergency release is essential when you install an automatic operator to a garage with no other means of access. This is in case of a power failure and is an optional extra which should be specified when ordering your door. Ordering a garage door with a factory fitted frame will make the installation quicker and easier. Double check the measurements of your new garage door before removing the old door and/or frame. Take care when removing the old door as springs and cables will be under tension. Wear gloves & goggles.
According to John H The owner of garage Door repair Calgary: “The golden rule when installing any garage doors is to make sure your door is level and square in the opening”, if you do this the rest of the installation should be easy.
You Will Need:
- Silicone based lubricant for the operating gear and other moving parts
- Selection of fixings
- Plastic trim to complement your garage door and frame and / or matching silicone sealant
- Wedges and packers to level the door in the opening
- Clear working area of at least 2 metres within the garage, as doors are fitted from the inside
- Power supply
- Extension cable for automatic operator (if plug socket is too far away)
Tools required for DIY Garage Door Installation:
- Safety gear – goggles (essential), hard hat, gloves, safety boots
- Step Ladder – Strong, 4/5 steps
- A torch or task lighting if the garage does not have a built in light
- Voltage/metal (lead pipe) detector
- Screwdrivers – various sizes ‘+ &- ‘
- Spirit level (essential)
- Tape measure
- Hack saw
- Work bench
- Pliers
- Alum keys
- Pencil & marker pen
- Hammer
- Wire Cutters
- Drill – hammer action
- Drill bits – for timber, steel and masonry
- Spanners – 10/11/12/13/17mm
- Adjustable spanner
Installing an Electric Garage Door Operator?
Here’s what you’ll need to do when installing an electric operator:
- Always read and follow manufacturer’s installation instructions properly.
- Check the garage door operation, ensure it opens parallel /squarely in the opening and is easy to lift manually – lubricate moving parts and replace any faulty parts such as springs and runners if necessary. DO NOT EXPECT THE AUTOMATIC OPERATOR TO OPEN THE DOOR IF IT WON’T OPEN MANUALLY!
- You will be fitting a secure bracket to the lintel above the garage door – you may be drilling into concrete, steel or wood – you will need drill bits and fixings to suit.
- Locate a good fixing point in the ceiling to support the operator avoiding electrical cables / pipes.
- Once the operator is fixed in position you will be running the operator through its learning cycle and fine tuning its limits as per the instructions.
- You may need a 25mm diameter Hole Saw if installing Emergency Release Device.
