Overhead garage door installation process. Measure your garage door opening before purchasing panels. Use a tape measure to carefully note the length and width of the opening. Order this size so the panels are a little smaller and fit perfectly in the entryway. The panels will be approximately 1/4 inch (6.4mm) smaller than the opening. Place weatherstripping on the bottom panel of the door. At a home improvement store, purchase rubber weatherstripping. Lay the panel flat on a workbench. The stripping is in the shape of a tube and can fit the edge of the door panel into the groove of the tube. Either panel can be used as a bottom panel. Choose one, but remember that the one with the weatherstripping is the one to put on first.
Up-and-over garage door installation process – Place the brackets on the bottom corners of the panel
Place 1 support on each side of the door on the weatherstripping. When the brackets appear flush with the edges of the door, secure them to the panel with lag screws and a cordless screwdriver. Center the door panel over the garage entrance. Ask a friend to help you lift and move the heavy panel to the door. Place the panel in the center of the door, then hold a level above the panel to make sure it is level. Use shims to adjust the panel as needed. Shims are small strips of wood that you can slide under the door panel to level the sides. Buy packages at a home improvement store.
Screw the hinges to the top of the panel
Start by installing a hinge at each of the top corners of the panel. Screw them in place with more lag bolts. Center another hinge on this top edge and screw it into place. Insert the rollers into the hinges and brackets. The rollers have metal rods that slide through the holes in the hinges and brackets. Attach 1 roll to both brackets and both side hinges
Wrap the roller track around the wheels
Pick one side to focus on first. Take the bottom of the track and place it on the wheels. It will have an indentation in which the wheels fit perfectly. Once the wheels are in place, align the track against the door frame.
Screw the track to the door frame. Make sure there is some space between the track and the door frame so that the door does not create friction later. Find the track brackets, then use lag bolts to attach the track directly to the door frame.
Up-and-over garage door installation procedure – Fixing the other panels and the track
Install 2 hinges on the side door panel. Place the door panel next to the workbench. You will install the hinges the same way you did before, but this time you will leave the side without tracks empty. Line up a hinge at 1 of the corners and in the center of the panel, then screw them in place. Leaving 1 side exposed makes it easier to adjust and install the track, do this for each panel.
Explanation
Lay the second panel on top of the first. With a friend, collect the new door panel. Place it above the first, taking care to align the side edges. Use the hinges to connect the door panels. Move the hinges of the first panel so that the top is above the second panel. See how they line up to know where the screws will go. Pre-drill pilot holes here, then secure the hinges in place with additional lag screws. Install the remaining hinge and roller. First, place the roller on the hinge. Place it on the empty corner of the door panel, but do not attach it yet. Bring the remaining running track and place it around the wheels, then screw the hinge in place.
Attach the rail to the wall. Align the remaining rail against the door frame. Slide the screws into the brackets to attach the track directly to the door frame. Before proceeding, tighten the screws on both rail brackets as needed. Remember to leave some space between the track and the door frame. Connect the horizontal track pieces to the vertical ones. Place a pair of ladders on one side of the door. You will need someone to help you lift the rail and hold it in place. Line up the curved section of rail with the piece of rail you placed earlier. Slide the screws through the holes in the rail and snap them into place.
Overhead garage door installation process – Fix the rails to the perforated angle
You will need a pair of 3.2 cm (1 1⁄4 in.) angle irons which you can find at the renovator or in the hardware store. These must be screwed to the ceiling joists. Near the end of the rails, connect the angle irons and the rails with a pair of brackets. To find studs, use a stud finder.
Complete the rails with stop bolts. Purchase a pair of 1 1⁄2″ × 1⁄4″ (3.81 cm × 0.64 cm) shoulder bolts. These go to the end of the upper tracks. Slide them into the holes, facing the wires toward the inside of the track. Then secure them with a ratchet. Put the other door panels in place. Continue stacking and securing the panels with hinges and screws. When you get to the last panel, don’t install the hinges and wheels yet. Be careful as the panel will fall forward if not held in place.
Attach the top hinges and rollers to the curved rail. The top panel hinges should be positioned in the middle of the door. Align it so that the wheels rest on the curved part of the track. Finish by securing the hinges in place with screws.
Up-and-over garage door installation process – Installing a torsion lift spring
Buy a torsion spring system. You can find DIY-friendly torsion spring kits at the home improvement store. They come with all the parts and instructions needed to install the spring system safely and efficiently. If you’re still unsure, you can always hire a professional to do the job. Instead, you can use tension springs to lift the door. These are cheaper but more likely to break. The installation consists of passing cables over pulleys and springs attached to brackets. Attach the spring to the wall brackets above the door. Measure the length of the spring to find out how to space the brackets. Screw the hold down brackets to the garage door opening, then lay the metal ends of the spring over the brackets. Pass the lifting cables through the spring. Consult the owner’s manual included in the spring kit for instructions on how to route the cables. You will need to slide the cable drums over the ends of the spring and then route the cables through the hinges to the brackets on the bottom panel of the door.
Overhead garage door installation process – Hold torsion bar stationary with locking pliers
Clamp clips on the metal ends of the torsion spring. This will keep the spring from spinning when you add tension to it. Twist the spring with a drill to wind it up. Look for a raised piece with a hole in one end of the torsion bar. Insert the end of a drill into it and turn it on to add tension. Look for a line painted on the spring to let you know when it’s time to stop winding it. If you overtighten the spring, it may break and cause injury. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Lubricate the spring. It is helpful to slip cardboard or another surface behind the spring to protect the garage. When you’re done, spray the spring with garage door lubricant. You are then ready to remove the clamp and test the door.