Do you know what’s the most important task before a garage door installation? Or what should you check before you go ahead and buy a garage door replacement? The garage door framing.
Framing a garage door correctly is nearly half the story of such important jobs. Well, yes, it might sound a bit far stretched but it makes the point of stressing the significance of paying attention to the frame of the garage door.
What do we mean with garage door framing?
We are actually talking about framing a garage door opening. No wonder the garage door must always be smaller than the opening. No wonder it’s important that all measurements are taken with precision.
The technicians frame a garage door opening all around – with the ground excluded. This takes some space and so, everything must be calculated accurately so that you will choose the right garage door size.
The garage door frame is the wood pieces you see against the opening. It is the part where the garage door is attached and so, it must be durable, resistant, and well-installed. And while at first glance, such things may seem simple, they hardly are. Let us explain.
The relation of the garage door framing & the rough opening
The rough opening is the empty space from one part of the wall to the other and from top to bottom – where the garage door will be installed.
The framing covers the sides and the top of the rough opening and the space left is the space for the garage door installation. And so, all measurements here are very, very important.
- When it comes to the rough opening width, it must be 3 inches greater than the garage door.
- The height must be 1,5 greater than the garage door.
- Measuring the headroom accurately is also important but it also depends on the garage door. For example, overhead garage doors but also up-and-over (one piece) garage doors need some space room over the opening since they move across the ceiling. Such garage doors need headroom, in contrast to roll up garage doors that they don’t need the same headroom. And then, the headroom clearance also depends on the garage door springs you choose. Torsion springs, which are installed above the opening, need approx. 12 inches headroom clearance.
The garage door framing dimensions
The garage door tracks are mounted on the side frames. And so, the side framing must be at least 5 inches, while usually 2 inches of timber is often enough for the header.
Why framing the garage door accurately is vital?
Consider the framing of the garage door as its trim, as its base. The frame keeps the garage door in place and let it move adding to the curb appeal as much as the functionality. It’s enough to consider that the installation of the opener, the tracks, the torsion spring depends on the frame’s dimension and set up.
And then, measuring the rough opening accurately and installing a framing of the right size will allow you to know the dimensions of the garage door you need to buy.
Garage door frames consist of several pieces – the lumber that goes on the side – on the vertical jambs, the horizontal piece and a center pad. And all such pieces must be of the perfect dimensions for the particular rough opening to host the garage door parts and allow you to get the right garage door size. No wonder you need a good, professional garage door company for such a job.
What can go wrong with the garage door framing?
Chances are high that the garage door framing is made of wood. Most are. At one point, wood gets damaged. It may rot, or warp. It may simply wear. No wonder it’s vital that you check the frame before you replace the existing garage door. It’s highly likely you will need to replace the frame too.
When the garage door is framed properly, it works properly and is sealed all around well, leaving no gaps and so, no air drafts in. Take no risks with the garage door framing. Always check it, always entrust its installation to garage door experts.
