First of all you need to purchase the components. Garage doors come in a number of varieties, if you intend on doing it yourself then it is best to choose a lightweight version. When you take delivery of the various parts it is easy to be overawed. There are rollers, springs, handles, hinges, struts, metal track, and door panels, not to mention the countless numbers of screws, bolts, and nuts. All of these are essential. Bear in mind that a garage door is by far the biggest mechanical object that you are likely to have in your home.

Before you begin, it’s important to read the instructions fully, make sure that you understand every stage of the garage door installation. Then you should check that you have been given all the required parts.

If you already have an old door in place, you will need to carefully remove this first. You should take great care as it is easy to get hurt by the springs that have been held in place. The next step is to ensure that the frame is in good condition, there must be no damage or wear as otherwise it may not be strong enough to support your new door.

For a garage door to work freely it must be level and the new tracks have to be perfectly parallel. If the initial section is not level then it will not operate and your vehicle will be trapped inside!

The brackets that are to be attached to the first section should be firmly fixed to the door as the cables that control the lifting will exert vast pressure upon them. The overhead track needs to be in perfect alignment and safely supported, this is essential as otherwise the track can fail and the door can come crashing down injuring those beneath.

Spring adjustment is another area that needs to be carried out with care. A correctly working garage door should be able to hold itself in position even when half open. If this is not the case then there is a problem with the spring adjustment. Garage door spring installation comes with a number of risks, and can even cause death if handled improperly, so use extreme caution during this important step.

If you follow the instructions in the manual or guide, then you should have no problems. It is important to regularly inspect your garage door for any problems. The track and runners should be kept well-oiled to prevent any wear and tear. Do not leave any weaknesses or problems for a considerable time as you may end up with a completely broken device. Remember to be aware of any people in proximity anytime you install a garage door or working on it. Consult your specific how to install a garage door instructions for all your necessary steps.

For the most part, experts recommend that any garage door that’s being installed and that includes an automatic garage door opener should be left to the professionals until certain skills are learned, though this doesn’t mean that a do it yourself enthusiasts can do it. It’s just that it’s not recommended for the first time a person installs a garage door.

Generally speaking, manual garage doors are those garage doors that are lifted up and pulled down by hand. They can be much lighter than an automatic door although this is changing as time goes on and technologies for garage doors improve. The downside to a manual door is that its lightness can make it unsuitable for some garages or owners who want thick, heavy wooden doors.

As far as installing a manual door goes, there are certain steps involved that should be followed in sequence. Most experts say that the first thing that should be installed is what is called the “flag bracket” and the horizontal angle track pieces. These two items are then connected to the jamb. After that, it is a matter of connecting what are called torsion tubs and springs.

Ensure that these springs are fully loaded into each bracket. Always make sure to secure the left side drum first and then follow that by securing the right side drum. Once all of those steps have been taken, it is time to attach the door’s tube retainer and wind the spring source. Never play around with a garage door spring installation, as it can be under a lot of tension in certain circumstances.

An automatic garage door install require a bit of do it yourself experience and also the assistance of a partner. If you have neither, it is a good idea to leave the installation of a garage door that’s going to be automatic up to a professional. If you still want to try it, begin by attaching the door tracks to the drive unit and then connect the rest of the track sections together.

Make sure to affix a mounting bracket to the end of the track on each side and then make sure it is attached to the beam in the ceiling above the opening of the garage door. Follow the instructions for motor installation exactly and attach that motor to the ceiling, because it can be heavy. Run the motor’s wires from the motor to the wall switch and then install the infrared sensors at the bottom of the door.

Once all of this is done, it is then okay to connect the garage door to the garage door opener. Keep in mind that you are working with electricity and also a spring on the garage door that can be under great tension. Always work with a partner when it comes to a garage door install job and never deviate from the installation instructions under any circumstance. If in doubt, leave the installation up to a professional installer.

First you need to know the measurements of your door opening. Measure the height, and then measure the width. Write these down so you won’t forget them. These measurements determine the size of the door you will need, and these rough measurements should be the same size of the door.

Now you’ll have to take the measurements for the side-room. You’re going to need at least 3-3/4 inches on the sides for installing your vertical track that involves the standard extension spring and the torsion spring. Then you need a solid 5-1/2 inches for the Extension spring system.

It’s now time to measure the ‘headroom.’ This is the space from the top of your door to the ceiling. For the standard extension spring you’ll need a required 10 inches here. Then 12 inches will be required for the torsion spring and the torsion spring system. If you should find that your headroom is restricted, then they make special hardware for this problem. If you’re planning to install a garage door opener, then you’ll need even more headroom.

Now you’re set to get the measurements for the ‘backroom’. This is the distance that ranges between the opening of the garage door all the way back to the back wall of the garage. This should be your door height plus and added 18 inches. Again, with the garage door opener installation, it’ll require some more room.

Now that you have your measurements, you’ll need to prepare the opening for installation. Inside, your door opening should needs to be framed with wooden jambs. These should be made with 2 x6 if you can. They should reach as high as the headroom measurements you already took. Make sure your jambs are plumb and the wood is not rotten. Your header should naturally be level. Be sure that any bolt heads that exist are flush and not protruding so as not to interfere with installing the new door.

It’s time to get your bottom door section ready. Lay out your hardware in groups on the floor. Find any weatherstripping and attach it. You can do this while the section rests on saw horses. Then follow your written instructions for assembling all the screws and hardware for this section of your door. This is where you hook your lift cable over your buttons found on the bottom brackets. This is also where you’ll be attaching your hinges and a reinforcement strut.

Now you can drill your holes and attach your lift handle. The next order of business is attaching the other sections of your door to the bottom section. At this point if you’ve decided on installing a keyed lock, then this is where that needs to happen. When you place your second section on top of your first one, then you need to drive a 3 nail into the jams at both ends to hold it in place. Then move on to the subsequent sections. If you need to reinforce the top for an opener, then your manual will have complete step-by-step instructions for that. Consult your manual as these are just basic garage door installation instructions, and not thoroughly complete.

Maintenance as well as inspection is the best way to prevent having to do further garage door repair. Inspect each moving part of the garage door. You will be looking for worn or loose parts such as mounting hardware, rollers or hinges. Each of these need to be replaced if repair is not an option.

Making sure that the moving parts are lubricated on a regular basis will increase the life of your garage door. Any good penetrating oil will do the trick. After half an hour for the oil to penetrate throughout the moving part, be sure to wipe each exposed part with a dry rag to remove excess oil. This will keep you from having oil stains on your clothing from bumping against an overly lubricated hinge.

Even the best inspections or maintenance cannot prevent all problems with garage doors. The torsion springs which typically are located on the wall above the door only have a usable life from between four years and seven years. When one of these springs breaks there will be a noticeable bang.

Replacing one of the torsion springs is no job for the inexperienced handyman. The amount of pressure required to install these springs can lead to serious complications for anyone not knowing what they are doing. If you have any question about your own ability to do the installation, it is time to call the repair person. Unsuspecting homeowners have lost there lives trying to mess with these springs, so seek professional know how.

One handy invention that has become very popular in recent years is the electric garage door opener. They offer security, as the garage door cannot be opened from the outside without the remote control. In addition the electric garage door opener adds convenience as the driver no longer has to get out of the car in inclement weather to open the garage door.

Garage door openers work great, until they don’t work. If you are having a problem with a garage door and need garage door opener repair, then check the owner’s manual. You will find troubleshooting directions in that manual.

If you cannot find your manual, check online with the manufacturer for an electronic copy. In this manual, you will find directions for needed adjustments to have that garage door opener working like new again.

Most problems with electric door opener problems are related to problems caused by a photoelectric sensor. It this sensor is blocked or has been bumped so that in is misaligned. This will cause the door to open but not close or to close only partially before reopening.

Additional problems can be caused by vibrations that change the force settings. While easily adjustable, you will find the best directions and illustrated drawings in the owners manual.

Begin by going to a home improvement store. Home Depot or Lowes are sure to have what you’ll need. However, you will need to know the measurements for your door before you visit a store. You should have a header clearance of about a foot over the actual door to give you the room you’ll need during installation, though there are kits for less headroom.

Be warned that there are some risks associated with installation, the main one having to do with the torsion spring, inside the garage on the header wall, which helps lift the door. It will wind and unwind as your garage door is raised and lowered. When it’s put in right, you shouldn’t have a thing to worry about, though it can be a matter of some concern.

Above all, you have to remember to follow the instructions. This should be common knowledge with any household item that could pose a danger to you. If you don’t read them and know what you’re doing, you could be seriously hurt, as the spring is such a powerful object. But, with the right knowledge, you will always be safe as you work.

If you don’t feel comfortable working with the spring even when you have read the instructions, you shouldn’t feel hesitant about calling someone to replace it for you. But before you do, check that you actually have a tension spring. Sometimes you’ll have what’s called an extension spring, and this will make everything very easy without any risk.

Know that while you’re working on hanging the tracks, you might have to try a few times before you get it right. Though it can be a bit painstaking, it will pay off in the end. More importantly, you don’t want to get caught with these pieces out of position, as they might not hold up the garage door, which can weight up to five hundred pounds on its own.

Despite all this advice, if it’s your first time getting a new garage door, you might still want to call a contractor. For some people, it comes easily, but others will face more difficulties. Don’t put yourself in a bad position just to save money. The good news here is that you can look at how they do their work so that next time you really can do it yourself.

Hopefully, all of this information will be put to good use. If you think you’re ready to take on garage door installation, by all means try it. Among everything else your gain will be an extensive knowledge of the door that can help you make any repairs you might need. Of course, above all, it’s holding on to money that makes it so worthwhile.