An existing garage can be significantly upgraded with a modern garage door. In addition to increased protection against break-ins, the ease of use is also improved and the appearance is also improved. With a little manual skill and the right tools, a garage door can easily be installed yourself.
Pre-Planning and Purchasing
The be-all and end-all when choosing the garage door are the right dimensions. The existing door opening must be measured exactly. Older or individually built garages in particular do not meet the standard dimensions. In this case, there are two options: Either the garage door is made to measure or the door opening is adjusted in size to a standard size.
When choosing, there is the option of choosing from different models, each garage door has its own special requirements:
- With the classic up-and-over door, there must be enough space in front of the garage.
- For sectional doors and roller doors, there must be space for the segments on the garage ceiling or above the door opening.
- If an electric drive is planned, a power connection should ideally be available; alternatively, electric garage door drives can also be operated with a battery.
Instructions for Self-Installation
The tasks for installing a garage door differ depending on the selected door type and structural requirements. Details on assembly can be found in the enclosed assembly instructions for the garage door. The garage door installation is carried out as an example for a sectional door in the following sections:
Have Material and Tools Ready:
- Garage door including fastening
- Garage door operator with connection cable
- Cordless screwdriver
- ladder
- Wrench
- Drill and matching drill
- Support material for the running rails
- Spirit level
- Folding rule
- screwdriver
- An extension cord or cable reel
Frame Assembly
The frame that comes with the garage door is installed first. Ideally, the individual parts are pre-assembled and then placed as a whole in the garage opening and fastened. For a free run and trouble-free operation, the frame must be precisely aligned vertically and horizontally. Then the fastening holes are pre-drilled and the frame is fine-tuned again and then fastened.
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Mount the Running Rails
Now the rails are first attached to the frame and then to the rear end. Before the final tightening, the correct position is checked again with the spirit level. Finally, the connecting rod is screwed onto the rear end of the rails.
Mount the Spring Shaft
The spring shaft is assembled and then attached to the connecting rod of the running rail in the brackets provided.
Mount the Panels
The sectional door consists of individual elements, the so-called panels. For assembly, the panels are inserted into the frame from below and screwed, and the wire pull ropes are guided along the running rail to the rope drum.
Preload Springs
The springs are mounted nameplate with the corresponding number of turns and fixed by screws to the spring shaft. The panels are then attached to the vertical running rails. After installation, it is advisable to carry out an initial test and check whether the door can be opened and closed easily. If this is not the case, readjustment must be carried out.
An up-and-over door is even easier to install: the door is correctly aligned in the opening and temporarily fixed. The running rails are then attached to the garage ceiling or the walls.
Install the garage door operator yourself
- An electric door drive is convenient and saves the annoyance of getting out of the vehicle to open or close the garage door. Just like the door itself, you can also install the drive yourself. This is basically done in the following steps:
- The garage door operator is assembled according to the instructions. To do this, the running rail is assembled and then the sliding carriage is pushed in. It is important to ensure that it runs smoothly without tilting.
- If not preassembled, the drive chain is now inserted into the track and at the same time passed through the carriage. The chain is tightened with a chain tensioner and placed on the running rail.
- In the third step, the motor is connected to the running rail and the mounting brackets are mounted on the side of the motor housing.
- The drive is attached, aligned, and fixed in the middle of the garage lintel.
- In the last step, the garage door is connected to the operator using a suitable attachment. After connecting to the power supply, the drive is ready for operation.
What Does a New Door Cost?
The cost of a garage door depends on the size, manufacturer, and of course the type of garage door. The cheapest are simple up-and-over doors, which are available for around 450 euros, sectional doors cost from 800 euros. The most expensive are roller shutters with prices starting at around 1,000 euros.
If you install your garage door yourself, you save the costs of installing it by a specialist. The installation costs are between 300 and 500 euros. Accordingly, you can save a sum in the three-digit range by installing it yourself.
