How To Measure Your Garage Door
- Measure the width of the garage door opening at its widest point. The garage door’s width is the distance between the right and the left side of the finished opening To obtain optimal results, there should be a wood frame approximately 2” x 6”. Be sure to inspect for any irregularities in the opening or measurements, such as irregular door jambs.
- Measure the door’s opening height at its highest point. The height of the opening is the measurement of the distance between the floor and the top of the finished opening. Make a note of any irregularities that may affect the measurements, such as a floor that is not level.
- Measure the width of the areas adjacent to the door’s openings. Installation of the vertical track requires up to 5 inches on each side of the opening. For 2-door installations, a minimum of 10” wide is required for the center post.
- Measure the “headroom,” the area between the ceiling, or its lowest obstruction, and the top of the door’s opening.
- Measure the “backroom,” the distance from the opening to the garage’s rear, or the closest obstruction. In the case of sectional doors, the requirement for the back room is the height of the door with an additional 18 inches for manual lift doors.
Additional Measuring Tips:
- Ensure that there is an electrical outlet for the garage door opener used.
- Make note of any obstructions, such as stairs, lights, or any pipes or ductwork.
- Confirm that the door header is stable and that all wood jambs are in good condition.
- Double-check the floor’s level.
- Verify whether the previous garage door was a custom or standard fit.
Measuring For A Coiling Roll-up Garage Door
- Measure the width of the door’s opening at its widest point, which is the distance between the right and the left side of its finished opening. Make note of any irregularities, including jambs that are not square or that are in poor condition.
- Measure the door’s opening height at its highest point, which is the distance between the floor and the top of the finished opening. Make note of any irregularities that could affect the measurements, such as a floor that is not level.
- On each side of the door opening, measure the side-room clearances. Be sure to review the clearance requirements for each specific door model that you are measuring for. A general guideline for side-room requirements is as follows:
– 4” to “6 on each side for manual-lift doors
– 5.25” to 9.5” on the hoist side for chain hoist-operated doors
– 14” to 18” on the motor side for electrically-operated doors
- Measure the “headroom,” the clearance between the top of the door’s opening and the ceiling, or its lowest obstruction. Be sure to verify the requirements for headroom clearances for each specific door model you are measuring for, as they can vary by door model and height.
- Measure the “backroom,” the clearance from the door’s opening or nearest obstruction. In the case of coiling roll-up doors, the headroom and backroom clearance will be the same.
Additional Measuring Tips:
- Ensure that there is an electrical outlet for garage door opener used.
- Make note of any obstructions, such as stairs, lights, or any pipes or ductwork.
- Confirm that the door header is stable and that all wood jambs are in good condition.
- Double-check the floor’s level.
- Verify whether the previous garage door was a custom or standard fit.
