To discover the measurements of your current garage door or garage door opening, use the figure and procedures below.
How to Measure for Your New Garage Door
Step 1: Measure your length and height.
Finding the size of the aperture is the first step in measuring for a garage door. To figure out what size garage door you need, measure the length and height of your preliminary opening (labeled 1 and 2 on the diagram). Measure from the two largest points of your garage door opening to get both figures. The preliminary opening for the door will be somewhat larger than the door you’ll need, and the finished opening should be the same size.
Step 2: Determine the Sideroom’s Width
The new track for your garage door will fit to the left and right of the garage door opening. On the left and right margins of your garage door, measure the strip of wall indicated 3 and 4 on the diagram. Installing the track for a regular torsion spring, standard extension spring, and the EZ-SET® Torsion Spring System requires a minimum of three and three-quarter inches per side. For the EZ-SET® Extension Spring System, you’ll need at least five and a half inches.
If you’re installing doors for a two-door garage, you’ll need to double the distance between the center posts. For a normal extension or torsion spring, or the EZ-SET® Torsion Spring System, this gap should be at least seven and a half inches. You’ll need at least 11 inches for the EZ-SET® Extension Spring System.
Step 3: Calculate the Headroom Height
Take the headroom measurements, which are marked 5 on the diagram. The gap between the jamb header, or the area above the doorway, and the floor joist, or ceiling, is known as headroom. You’ll have to change your measurement if you discover an obstruction on your ceiling, such as pipes or light fixtures. Calculate the distance between the top of the door and the obstruction’s bottom. For the EZ-SET® Extension Spring System or the regular extension spring, you’ll need 10 inches of headroom. You’ll need at least 12 inches of headroom for a standard torsion spring and the EZ-SET® Torsion Spring System. A specific kit is offered for garages with restricted headroom. To install an automatic garage door opener, you’ll also need more headroom.
Start measuring your headroom from the top of the door if the height of your garage door extends beyond the aperture.
Step 4: Measure the Backroom’s Depth
When the garage door is in the upright or open position, the backroom is the amount of space available. Find the measurements of the “backroom” section, which is indicated 6 on the figure. This dimension begins at the garage door opening and extends to the back of the garage. The backroom stops when your tape measure reaches the rear wall or when you encounter the first obstruction. The amount of space you’ll need is determined on the garage door’s height. You’ll need a depth of 18 inches plus your garage door height to have enough backroom. Installing an automatic garage door opener may necessitate additional space, which is normally around four feet and two inches.
Tips for Measuring Garage Doors
There are several things you can do to get the most accurate measurement when following this garage door measuring guide from ZAAAP Garage Door Repair. These pointers will assist you in spotting any difficulties that the garage door installation should be aware of:
- To the nearest fraction of an inch, measure.
- Consider obtaining each measurement from a variety of locations. You can be confident that you have an accurate number if you get the same number for each dimension numerous times.
- To install the garage door opener, find the nearest electrical outlet.
- Make a mental note of any potential stumbling blocks, such as light fixtures, ducts, pipes, or stairwells.
- Examine the condition of the door jambs and the header. If anything appears to be unequal or unstable, it may be necessary to replace it.
- Check to see if the ground is level. If your floor is uneven, it’s possible that your old door was made to order.
Garage Door Dimensions
There are three different garage door sizes to choose from in general:
1. Garage Doors With Only One Door
There are three typical sizes for single garage doors: 10-by-7 feet, 9-by-7 feet, and 8-by-7 feet. Standard garage doors of 10 and 9 feet are ideal for standard residences and automobiles. A double garage door is likely to be a better solution for larger vehicles such as RVs and Bobtails. Eight-foot garages aren’t common in new homes these days, but they are available for older homes with this size opening. Golf
carts, riding lawnmowers, and small tractors can be stored in garages with doors less than eight feet, but custom fitting is required.
2. Garage Doors with Two Doors
Double garage doors are ideal for large automobiles, work trucks, multi-car garages, and garages with a lot of storage space. 16-by-7 feet, 14-by-7 feet, and 12-by-7 feet are the common sizes for double garage doors. Clopay® garage doors are also available in lengths of 15 feet, 15 feet 6 inches, and 18 feet.
3. Garage Doors Made to Order
You may discover that your garage door opening is not a typical size after measuring it. Some Clopay® models can be purchased in two-inch length increments and three-inch height increments. A custom-fitted garage door is the best option if you’re building a custom-sized garage, rebuilding an existing garage, or trying to accommodate a garage door opening with non-standard dimensions. A custom-sized garage door can also be installed on an uneven or slanted garage floor.
