Installing a garage door isn't as simple as installing a regular door. Not only can it be difficult, but it can also be dangerous. But if you're handy, you may want to know how to install a garage door yourself.
Installing a manual door is much easier than installing an automatic one because a manual one is so much lighter and doesn't require a motor or cables. But if you find a solid wood door, or another heavy one that you really love, it's going to have to be automatic. Plow Bolts And Nuts
Aside from being easier to install, manual garage doors are easier to fix (because they don't have many parts), and they're often more secure. Automatic garage doors have radio-operated motors, which anyone can hijack with an inexpensive device that "sniffs" out the door motor's frequency.
An automatic door will stop closing and remain open if something blocks its path. This safety feature means someone can put something in the door's path to keep it from closing, making it easier for them to enter your home.
Finally, manual garage doors require key entry, which can make them difficult to break into. Automatic garage doors, however, offer convenience for drivers who may need to enter and exit their garage multiple times a day.
Your new garage door should come with an instruction manual. Every garage door is a little different, so the best way to safely install your new door is to follow the installation process outlined by the manufacturer.
Read the manual once through before starting, and refer to it throughout the installation process. Check online to see if your manufacturer has videos showing the different steps.
Here is an overview of the basic steps of a typical garage door installation.
If you're not experienced with do-it-yourself projects, the installation of a garage door is probably best left to a professional.
There are several types of automatic garage door openers, including belt drive, chain drive and screw drive. Each uses a different mechanism to attach the motor to the garage door. Each garage door opener is slightly different, so follow your manufacturer's directions.
Here are the basic steps to installing a belt or chain drive garage door opener:
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