Get a dose of modernity with this stunning glass garage door. The parents can chill inside while the tots are in and out of the pool. Once the summer season comes around, open up the door and use the indoor and outdoor space. Notice that the tracks are hidden by the planks above and the garage door opener doesn’t stand out. If this is your style, it’s the 18’ x 8’ California full-view garage door with transparent glass and a sleek black aluminum frame.
Need a new garage? Want to renovate an existing garage? Either way, make sure you have the information you need to make great decisions on the upcoming project!
If you find yourself scratching your head at new terms when looking for a new garage door and opener, you aren’t alone. Many people run into this same dilemma. Thankfully, garage door professionals can fill in the gaps in your knowledge!
Some of the most confusing things are garage door clearance and garage dimensions. Have you figured out what headroom is and how it impacts the right garage door opener and lift to implement? No worries, we’ll answer these questions and more.
We can help by answering five common questions about wall-mounted garage door openers, garage height, headroom, installation of garage doors, and other complicated matters. While you search for a garage door, you’ll have the information you need to make a smart decision.
We want to make sure you understand garage door opener options for high and low headroom garage doors, as well as what headroom is all about.
#1: What defines garage door headroom? Why should this be a consideration when buying an overhead door?
Measurements are key to ensuring your garage door fits the frame. Use the measurements above as a guide to be sure the garage door you choose can easily open and is sure to fit where it goes.
Headroom clearance is located between the ceiling and where the door opening ends. Knowing how much space is available there is important for garage door size and door movement to ensure the garage door can open properly without any restrictions.
#2: What are low headroom garage doors? Should I use a low clearance overhead door?
If there’s not enough room for a standard lift to fit, it’s considered a low headroom environment. This means the most popular lift for home garages won’t be a good fit.
This applies if the space over the garage door is under 8.5 inches for extension springs or less than 10 inches above the garage door header for the use of a torsion spring.
The most common situations where headroom is limited include:
- Homes built in past years when high ceilings in garages were less common
- New homes where the person designing or constructing the space didn’t leave the appropriate space for the door
- Garages with fire systems, vents, and other items that act as obstructions on the ceiling
- Underground parking situations or other constructions made of concrete
Look at this image to see how low front headroom might appear. There will be very little or even no room between the tracks of the garage door and the ceiling.
Front vs rear low headroom, what sets them apart?
Low headroom can be found at the front or the back of a garage. The primary difference is where the spring and drums are installed. So for a front low headroom situation, the front mount springs are what is close to the ceiling.
Another illustration here gives detail on the visuals of low headroom at the front or rear. You can see that the drums where the cable is wrapped don’t sit in the same spot. Low headroom hardware is also used so the tracks are on over the other.
Low headroom garage doors are an option as long as the right hardware is also installed.
Dual or double-track systems are called low headroom hardware. These are made for specific use in low headroom situations. Two tracks are included with one on top and the other on the bottom.
The lower track is used by all except the top area of the door, which uses the upper track instead. The spring system, whether extension or torsion, works just the same. The use of two tracks makes the top move faster and necessitates less room.
#3: How are garage doors installed with low clearance?
The installation of a low headroom garage door is precisely the same as an overhead, but the springs and garage door opener go in a different area. So, what is different? The hardware includes the bottom brackets, top roller brackets, and horizontal tracks.
Are you in a house that includes concrete walls as you see here? Since this can be expensive, the space can sometimes be minimized which causes a low headroom. Be aware of this when choosing a garage door and accessories. This is a 9’ x 7’ Village Collection A Design in cherry with a plank base and windows with gorgeous Cascade inserts. The addition of a pattern on these garage doors from Village Collection adds rustic appeal!
#4: What are wall-mounted openers and do I need to have one?
Jackshaft or wall-mounted openers are made to fit on the wall next to the garage door. Most of the time, these are used with sloped ceilings, cathedral ceilings, and spaces with a high lift clearance.
The reason this works is that the torsion bar for the door connects to the garage door opener. This is used in place of a rail track to open the door.
Plus, wall-mounted garage doors give you more options. They have the benefit of working with all types of lifts. That includes inclined track lifts, low front headroom lifts, and standard lifts.
Most people have only seen these in commercial buildings but that may change. More people are requesting them in homes than ever before. Be aware that the configuration for low headroom spaces might not be perfect.
Great reviews? Yes. Super popular? Also, yes. When you want a premium wall-mount garage door opener you can trust, consider the LiftMaster 8500W model. It has easy maintenance needs and comes with innovative myQ technology. That means you can check on and control your garage door from work, the grocery store, or across the country.
Store all your essentials with more overhead garage storage space
Try a wall-mounted garage door opener when you want to store things up high. The lack of a central rail and garage door opener up high gives you options.
Plus, you can utilize various products to hang your items from the ceiling. We’ll even share some inspiration from Family Handyman to help out.
- Add some racks mounted to the ceiling for your latching totes.
- Put up a few coated garage hooks to organize bicycles and tools.
- Consider a few storage lifts for heavy furniture and boxes.
- Hang a few cargo nets for all those lightweight items.
Jackshaft garage door openers can also be used to transform your garage into an extra living area
If you have a friend or family member who has converted their garage, you know how useful it can be. Use the garage as the perfect place to entertain the people you spend time with.
Create your dream garage and use it for inspiration, relaxation, or whatever else you want
Garages don’t have to be even or symmetrical to create a beautiful space. Build a lounge that you can be proud of. Windows or an open garage door can make the space feel bright and inspiring. Check out some other options by visiting HGTV’s website.
Budget Dumpster is known for providing dumpster rentals and other services to commercial businesses, contractors, and homeowners in the US. They have a few great garage conversion ideas to consider:
- Add a family room to hang out in.
- Include a playroom for the little ones.
- Create an inspired office space.
- Use the garage as an in-law suite or a studio apartment.
- Build an art studio for your creativity.
- Make it into a new bedroom.
Go even further when you turn your garage into the best pub in your neighborhood. Watch the game, stream films, and have a good time with your buddies. The video will give you extra ideas to consider!
Choosing a wall-mounted garage door opener means nobody is looking up at a huge garage door opener overhead. It looks classier for the space.
#5: What amount of headroom is mandatory for wall-mounted garage door openers?
None! Any amount can work for a wall-mounted opener. You’ll just need to purchase alternative mounting kits to make things work!
Two inches is the best in terms of space over the center of the shaft of the garage door. However, you can still install a garage door opener with less space!
Low or standard headroom can facilitate the use of a wall-mounted opener. However, you need to lower and mount the garage door opener under the torsion bar. And to do that, all you need is an alternate mounting kit. It’s a great option to give you the garage door opener you want.
With the alternate mounting kit seen above, two gear systems are in place. Install the opener on the bottom and the shaft on top. It works great with wall-mount openers that aren’t ideal for installation on a torsion bar.
Overhead space can be worked around but one measurement still matters. Make sure you have 8.5 inches of space (or more) on one side of the door to place the casing and shaft collar of the opener.
Check out the huge array of garage doors on the market
Now that you have the info you need, you can move to something more inspired: choosing the color and design of the garage door. You’ll find the right door that can match your home aesthetic and increase curb appeal.
When you work with Car-Wal Garage Doors, you can choose from 3 garage door styles. Decide whether you prefer Carriage House, Traditional, or Contemporary garage doors. Go vintage, modern, or somewhere in between with our wide range of garage doors.
On top of that, you can select a color that inspired you. Go with a neutral white, black, or beige, or choose something that stands out. We have options for any home garage.
If you like something classic and clean, try a Traditional garage door with hinges and overlays that don’t stand out. No matter which garage door you choose, it’s made custom to adhere to your specifications. Everything from the door itself to the windows and sizes comes down to your desires. If you like the one in the image, it’s the 9’ x 8’ Princeton P-11 design with Ice White overlays and doors and two rows of lite Panoramic windows.
Try fun tools to choose the perfect garage door!
Take some time to check out the Design Centre provided on our website. Look at various colors and designs of garage doors. Add on windows and decorative hardware so you can see the full effect of the garage door you choose!
It’s even possible to add the garage door to an image of your home. See how it looks and decide if it’s what you’re looking for long before you buy.
Want to get started with a new garage door opener or garage door?
When you need help with garage doors, all you need to do is give us a call at 519-685-9797!
We offer the installation of garage doors by expert technicians. Our team is motivated to handle your needs with garage door services, whether that involves a new garage door installation or a few repairs.
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