Your garage door is as old as the hills and really needs to be replaced with a new one. Whether yours is a one-piece up-and-over style or a swing style, there is a means of replacing it with a sectional door. Even if you aren’t sure whether you have sufficient space to retract a sectional door, here is what you should know.
What is the minimum space required?
For either the case of extension or torsion spring systems, if you want the door to retract up and into the garage, you need at least 4 ¾ inches (121 mm) above the door. This will be enough space if you want to add an electric garage door opener, where only 2 inches (51 mm) is required to install one.
One-piece garage doors, which haven’t been on the market since the 1960s, required about 2 ½ in. (65 mm) to open up into the garage. The spring system, of the extension type, was placed on each side of the door, so little clearance was needed to open it.
For the stylish arched swing doors, no space was required over the door as they opened toward the outside or slid to the sides.
What can be done if there is less than 4 ¾ inches (121 mm) of clearance space over the door?
Some carpentry work needs to be done to lower the header to get the minimum space you require. Keep in mind that a sectional door is made up of sections with heights varying between 18 and 24 inches (46 and 61 cm). For them to be able to turn along the curve of the track, especially the top section, they need this minimum space.
So what type of hardware should be used?
It’s called “low headroom hardware”. It can also be called a double- or dual-track system. Basically, instead of a single track, it has two tracks, one on top of the other. The top section of the door follows the upper track, while the three other sections use the lower track. Whether you choose a torsion or extension spring system, it operates the same way.
Can I choose any garage door model I want?
Yes, just as long as the door sections are 21 inches (61 cm) high or less and the height of the door is at least 6’ 6’’ (1.98 m). Beautiful options are available to you, such as the Classic, Contemporary, or Carriage House styles from Garaga, made even more stylish by the addition of a section with decorative windows.