Fitting a garage door, due to the size, weight and the facts that it’s not an easy object to handle and manoeuvre may seem like an impossible task to a newby DIY’er, however it’s certainly something that can be done.
To this end, we have produced the below guide to walk you through all the essentials to know when fitting a garage door, read on to find out more.
Why Would you Need to Replace a Garage Door?
There are numerous reasons why you may want to fit or replace a garage door, but the main reasons are, if it’s a new build garage and a door obviously needs to be fitted and, that the existing door has come to the end of its life and needs to be replaced.
If it’s a brand-new garage structure that’s just been built then it will have been constructed with a specific type and size of door in mind that will have been stated in the plans. The opening should have been constructed to the exact same size for the door to simply slip in.
When it comes to replacing a garage door, as said, this is generally due to the fact the door has been damaged beyond repair and the only option is to replace it.
Most of the time this occurs with timber doors when they are left un-maintained for periods and then they rot and sag, making them unsecure and allowing water and moisture into the garage interior.
At this point, replacement often means replacing them with a nice new metal door that also requires a lot less maintenance.
If a metal door needs to be replaced then this is normally because it’s been damaged to the point it can’t be repaired. Often this is due to it either being damaged due to a break in, an integral part of the door has worn and failed or that someone has accidentally driven into it. As metal garage doors don’t rot, it’s normally human intervention that creates the need for replacement.
Different Types of Garage Door
There are numerous different types of garage door available today and each type of door is often differentiated by the way in which it opens, and these are as follows:
- Side opening/traditional garage door
- Up and over/canopy/retractable garage door
- Roller garage door
Side Opening/Traditional Garage Door
Traditional garage doors were very often made of timber and came in two leaves, a left and a right leaf or door. They were hung on sturdy band and hook hinges that needed to be capable of carrying and supporting the weight of the door.
Despite their solidity they often had a limited life span because their weight meant they could sag after a while and damage would be caused to the bottom of the door scraping on the ground.
Once damaged, rain and moisture would cause them to rot, and once rotted they were pretty much done for. This is also the case if they’re not maintained correctly
Up and Over/Canopy/Retractable Garage Door
These days garage doors are usually the up-and-over light weight type that have a long life, as they are usually constructed of either aluminium or galvanised steel.
Due to being constructed of such materials they are also almost maintenance free, requiring only a lick of paint to the outside to keep them looking fresh and a little oil and grease here and there on moving parts and the runners the door may slide in.
Quite often these types of door are referred to as canopy doors as when they are opened up, roughly a third to a half of the door protrudes out from the garage opening, providing a “canopy” to work under.
As for the retractable garage door, as you may imagine this operates in a very similar way to the canopy door, but rather than part of the door protruding out from the opening, the entire door retracts inside the garage and provides no cover.
Roller Garage Door
The roller garage door is somewhat of a newer innovation and is based on the larger roller shutters doors you might find on big industrial units.
The door itself is made up of many hinged sections that when opened up, roll onto a spindle that is hidden inside the garage, above the opening.
In pretty much all cases, unless built to fit a standard size opening, they are made to measure your existing frame. This is always a good choice as you can be 100% sure the fit will be correct. Additionally they tend to take up less space in the garage itself when opened.
As they are rolled up, to open them, this is normally done using a pull chain, or in many cases, an electric motor by a push button or through using a remote control.
This type of door would normally be installed if there was an obstruction blocking the full entry of the door into the garage such as vertical brick piers or electric or gas meters.
Sectional Garage Door
Sectional garage doors are a little similar to roller doors in that they are made of sections, however the sections are generally much larger.
Like a roller door, the sections are fixed in between vertical sliding rails. At the top of the door, horizontal rails run back into the garage and the door slides into these, so that nothing protrudes outwards as it does with a canopy door.
Sectional doors are generally very strong and sturdy and due to their opening mechanism, save a lot of space, however they are quite costly.
The above is a brief run down on the types of garage door, if you would like to learn more, see our how to choose a garage door project here.
Materials Used for Garage Doors
Generally garage doors are made of 4 different materials; Traditionally timber, but newer doors, generally galvanised steel or aluminium or even fibre glass or GRP (or glass reinforced plastic).
At the end of the day, the choice of what you go for is up to you, but on the whole, aluminium and steel doors are light, easy to use, last a long time and require little maintenance and fibre glass/GRP doors more expensive, but come in a range of different styles, are very strong and sturdy and don’t require any maintenance to the actual door, just the opening mechanisms.
Can you DIY Install a Garage Door?
The answer in short is yes, you certainly can install a garage door on a DIY basis, however if you are new to DIY and don’t have much of a base knowledge of the subject, then you may struggle a little.
Pretty much all garage doors are supplied with detailed instructions that walk through the entire installation process in detail, so as long as you follow them to the letter, you shouldn’t go far wrong.
Also, due to the size of the door itself, it goes without saying that this is really a 2-person job and should only be done as such. Those that have done the job numerous times may be able to do it alone, but would certainly suggest that you don’t try it.
Costs of Installing a Garage Door
The cost of installing a garage door will pretty much depend on the type of door you go for. As a very rough idea, a basic steel or aluminium garage door can cost as little as around £350 whereas some top of the range garage doors can cost up to and over £5000.
The above is just for the cost of the door, if you’re not keen on the idea of installing it yourself then you will have to pay 1 or normally 2 tradesmen to do so. This will cost an additional £150 – £250 per tradesman.
As commented, these are very rough costs and they will depend greatly on the type and quality of door used, the experience of the tradesmen and also the area of the country you live in.
Regulations for Installing and Replacing Garage Doors
Generally, there are no building regulations that apply to the installation of a garage door if you are changing an existing door like-for-like, or fitting a door to an opening of a new build garage structure, as this will already have had planning agreed and the plans will state what door should be fitted.
The only times that planning would need to be sought would be if you were altering the size of the opening in some way such as extending it or if you live in a conservation area where planning consent is required to ensure that any changes to your property still meet and compliment the aesthetics of the surrounding area.
What to Think About When Fitting a Garage Door
Before simply going ahead and replacing a garage door there are a number of things that you should think about as they will all have a bearing on the outcome of the job as a whole.
Firstly the size of door you’re going for. If it’s a direct replacement for a standard sized door and opening, then your new door should drop right in without issue. However if you’re fitting a new door to a non-standard sized opening then you will obviously need to adapt the opening to fit.
Another decision that must be made is the position of the new frame. If it is fitted between the brick reveals and to the underside of the lintel of the garage opening, this would marginally increase the internal length of the garage. But if the frame is fitted behind the reveals it would increase the opening width available.
Also, the type of door you’re fitting will need to be considered. Again if it’s a like-for-like swap then there should be no issues, but if not then you will need to consider fixing points for frames, hinges etc. as all of these will probably be different.
Tools Needed for Installing a Garage Door
To successfully install a new garage door in an opening you will need the following tools and products.
- Your chosen garage door kit
- Drill/driver
- Selection of screwdrivers
- Mitre saw
- Reciprocating saw
- Selection of drill and screwdriver bits
- Suitable screws
- Wall plugs
- Pair of decent pliers
- Decent mole grips
- Tape measure
- Pen/pencil
- Circular saw
- Suitable lengths of timber (if needed). Make sure it’s pressure treated
- Spirit level
- Clamps
- Suitable PPE gear – goggles, gloves, old clothes
- Oil, grease or lubricant (depending on type of door)
- At least 4 chocks
You may not need all of the above items, it will very much depend on the job at hand, however it will be useful to have them to hand if required.
How to Install a Garage Door
For the purposes of this example we are going to be installing a standard up and over canopy garage door.
Installing a new garage door to an existing or new garage will almost always require the services of two people. This is necessary, not only for the lifting and manoeuvring of the door, but also for the sighting and positioning of the opening mechanism.
Before starting the installation, the instructions delivered with the door should be studied closely. The instructions that will be attached to the product are usually clear and easy to follow and will highlight each step of the job.
Step 1 – Remove the Old Door
The first job is to remove the old garage door, frame (if there is one) and any fittings for it. How this is done will very much depend on the type of door it is.
If it’s a side hinged door then this is probably the most straight forward as you simply lift each door off the hinge hook and move it to one side. You may need to remove a split pin, nut or similar from the top of the hook if there is one.
However in most cases as we’re working on an up and over door, you will be removing the same. In this case, to help the door open there will either be a weight or a spring.
Great caution should be taken when removing either of these. The weights are heavy and can be awkward to lift and remove and the springs are often under tension. As they are quite strong springs to take the weight of the door, the tension can be great and if you’re not careful they can cause serious injury when any pressure is released.
The best way to do this is to move the door to a point that the tension is released or at its minimum and then remove them, this is normally in the closed position, however, do not ever trust that it’s totally free of tension. A second pair of hands is essential here.
If for some reason the door needs to be opened to do this, be aware that as soon as the tension is off it can come crashing closed!
Step 2 – Check the Existing Frame
Once the old door has been removed, the next task is to check the frame to ensure that it is totally square to enable the new door to be fitted correctly. The position of the existing frame should be checked to make sure that it is still in its original position and is vertically upright and square.
To perform this check, a spirit level will show whether the frames are still true vertically whilst the horizontal distances between the vertical frame members should also be examined by taking three or four measurements across the opening width and these should all be the same.
A final check should be made to ensure that the two diagonal distances between the opposite bottom and top of the vertical frames are the same.
If there is a significant difference in any of these measurements it shows that the frame has moved out of position during use and, if it cannot be rectified, a new frame will be required.
Additionally, you will also need to check the condition of the frame if it’s timber. Inspect it in detail for any damage, especially rot. If any is evident then it will need to be removed and replaced.
Step 3 – Check all Fixings
Before assembling anything, run through the instructions included with the garage door and find the list of all the items that should be included with your kit.
Next, unpack all of the fixings and lay them all out in piles on the floor and then run through all the items in the list in the instruction book to make sure that you have everything that should be there. There’s nothing worse than getting half way through a job to find that an essential item is missing!
Step 4 – Assemble Door Fixings
Next, locate all of the fixtures and fittings for the door and follow the instructions to assemble it all.
While you’re helping hands hold the door upright, assemble the inner and outer handles and the rods connecting the handles to the locking mechanisms.
Once assembled, test that when you turn either handle, the rods pull the catches down and the door is released so that it can open.
You may need to adjust the connecting rods where they attach to the catch and handle so that there is enough pull to fully release any catches to allow the door to open.
Next, if required, assemble any other items that attach to the door, this may include the mountings for the springs or counter-weights, any gap filling covers or any other items.
If your particular door doesn’t feature a frame then it is most likely fixed to the opening by brackets that also form the mountings for the counter-weights/springs. If this is the case then you will need to attach each spring/weight in place and then any arms and brackets.
It may also be the case that the door features a sliding pivot that slots into such a bracket and allows the door to remain in a vertical position while it’s opened, so you will need to ensure that this is in place also.
Again, any and all of these should be stated in the instructions.
Step 5 – Fix Frame in Position
Depending on the type of door you have it may feature a frame. If so then the frame that surrounds the door is generally fixed either inside or behind the garage opening and the door then pivots on the frame.
The frame will either come in whole sections or parts that are then slotted together.
Assemble the frame as directed in the instructions. Lay the door face down on the garage floor and position the frame around it and then attach the brackets/fixings from the door to the frame.
As said, if the door features pivots/sliders that slide inside the frame, make sure these are engaged before the frame is attached. Once done, stand the door up.
Once up, move the frame and door (or just door if it there is no frame) over to the garage opening and adjust it so that it sits where it is to be mounted, either inside the reveal or behind it.
Using your chocks and spirit level(s), chock the door and frame if there is one up and adjust until it is absolutely square. Also measure the gap around the door and frame (if there is one), this should be the same all the way around.
Continue to adjust until square, it is absolutely essential that it is before it’s fixed firmly in place.
Finally, using the brackets supplied with the kit, fix the frame to the garage using the screws provided. These will either be screws and wall plugs or concrete screws.
The instructions should state the correct size hole that will need to be drilled for whatever is included.
Fix each in place one by one, making absolutely sure everything is square each time
If there’s no frame, often the door is fixed using large brackets that also retain the weights/springs. The fixing procedure for this is pretty much the same, only you will have to chock and square the door in the opening before fixing.
Step 6 – Adjust Weights or Springs
Once the door is secured in place you will then need to open it and test that it opens as it should. If it’s either too loose or stiff then you will probably need to adjust the spring or counter-weight so that they balance which will make the door open much more smoothly.
As before, how this is done will depend on the mechanism you have. Full adjustment guidelines will be stated in your instructions.
Once fully adjusted you should then be able to raise and lower the door with one hand.
Finally, using some good quality 3-in-1 oil, lubricate up and moving parts and if there are any areas where something slides up and down, then apply some good quality lithium grease or similar to these areas
Once at this stage, you’re pretty much done, top job! have a clear up and then get the kettle on.
How to Maintain a Garage Door
In order to keep your new garage door in tip-top condition it will require some periodic maintenance.
In the case of steel, aluminium and also GRP doors, you will need to apply oil to any moving parts to ensure their smooth continued operation and for anything that slides you will need to apply a little grease, again to ensure its continued smooth operation.
Additionally, springs and weights may also need adjusting to ensure the door continues to open and close smoothly.
In some instances, over time, the paint (if they have been painted) on metal doors will crack, blister and fade causing them to look less than appealing so they will need to be repainted. This will probably be every 10 years or so, if they have been painted correctly and if not may be a lot sooner.
For full information on how this should be done, visit our Painting a Metal Garage Door project here.
If you’re working with a timber door then this will also require maintenance, but unfortunately this will be on a much more regular basis, generally every 2 years or so to prevent them looking rough and also, more importantly, to keep water and moisture out and prevent rotting.
Full information on this can be found in our painting a wooden garage door project here.
Finally as most garage doors use band and hook side hinges, these wear due to opening and closing so will also need to be replaced, how often depends on how regularly they are used.
Fitting a garage door may seem like a very tricky job if you have never attempted anything like this in the past, however if you take your time and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter then it’s certainly something that can be done by anyone.
For part two of the below video visit the DIY Doctor YouTube channel