How to Measure a Garage Door
Step 1: Measure the width. If you have an existing garage door, the width should be the same as the existing door. If you don’t already have a garage door, the width is simply the horizontal measurement of the opening between the left and right sides.
Step 2: Measure the height. If you have an existing garage door, the height should be the same as the existing door. If you don’t already have a garage door, the height is simply the vertical measurement of the opening from the garage floor to the top of the finished opening.
Step 3: Measure the width from the garage door to the wall or any obstruction on both sides. This is called the sideroom. If you’re installing a two-door garage, the center between the two doors should at least 10 inches in width.
Step 4: Measure the distance between the top of the garage door opening and the ceiling or the underside of the joists, called the headroom.
Step 5: Measure the distance from the front of the garage to the back of the garage, called the room depth.
Installing a garage door can be dangerous. Always follow your garage door manufacturer’s instructions regarding clothing, protective equipment and safety precautions.
Garage Door Types
Steel garage doors are the most common and economical garage type on the market. Most manufacturers offer several colors from the factory, such as black garage doors, and many models can be painted to match your home. There are three types to choose from:
- Single-layer doors are stamped from a single sheet of galvanized steel. These are usually the most economical of all steel doors.
- Double-layer steel doors have a galvanized steel skin on the outside with a thick layer of either polystyrene or polyurethane as a backer. The backer provides soundproofing and additional insulating value to the door.
- Triple-layer doors are constructed of the same materials as double-layer doors, with the addition of a galvanized skin on the inside to protect the polystyrene or polyurethane from damage. The additional layer of steel makes triple-layer doors the strongest, most secure and most soundproof of all garage doors. These are also available with thicker insulation for greater R-value (a measure of thermal resistance).
All three types of doors, single-layer, double-layer and triple-layer, have options with windows. Some homeowners prefer garage doors with glass windows because of the curb appeal they offer. In addition to aesthetics, they also offer the benefit of increased natural light.
Garage Door Styles
Choose a style that complements your home’s exterior. Window panels are one way to add a personal touch to a garage door. These windows can give your home a distinct look and add curb appeal. Square windows offer a classic look, while cathedral or arched styles complement Victorian-style homes. Another way to add style is panel design. There are four main panel designs to choose from:
Carriage House Panels
These panels add extra character to traditional, raised panels. They look great with farmhouse- or rustic-style exteriors.
Flush Panels
These are flat, slightly textured panels that can be used to complement the surrounding wall area without drawing too much attention to the door itself. These panels can create modern garage doors that work well with a variety of homes.
Long Raised Panels
They give depth and distinction to the door while adding to the home’s overall appearance.
Short Raised Panels
These also lend depth to the door. They’re excellent additions to Victorian-style homes with intricately detailed trim, the symmetrical facades of colonial-style homes or the strong architectural lines of a Tudor home.
Garage Door Insulation
Many homeowners use their garages as extensions of their living space: as children’s play areas, workshops, hobby areas, laundry rooms and more. In these cases, choose a door that maintains a comfortable temperature and ensures that it’s as energy efficient as possible:
Good Insulation: Look for a door with an R-value of at least 3 in moderate to temperate climates. In harsher climates, go up to an R-value of 10.
Weather Seals Between Sections: The seal may be designed into the mating surfaces of the panels, or it may be in the form of gasket material that compresses when the door is closed.
Bottom Seal/Threshold: If the door doesn’t come with a bottom seal standard, you can always add one to keep drafts and rain out.
If you have a garage workshop, get the highest R-value you can in the door to make heating and cooling your workspace easier. Interior condensation on an uninsulated metal door can freeze to form ice buildup in cold climates.
Garage Door Parts and Accessories
Hardware
Garage door hardware is an easy and affordable way to update the look of an existing or new garage door. Add hinges and handlesets or even a set of simulated windows that can be painted to match your door for a customized look.
Garage Door Springs
There are two main types of garage door springs, torsion springs and extension springs. Torsion spring systems work via torque – the twisting force works together with a torsion tube, drums and cables to lift the garage door. An extension spring, which works with pullies and cables to lift the door, stretches under tension. Generally, torsion spring systems are considered safer than extension springs because their springs are contained in the torsion tube.
Extension springs are generally cheaper than torsion springs but torsion springs typically require less maintenance and last longer.
It’s very important to understand how these spring systems work before attempting any installations or repairs. Serious accidents and injuries have occurred during garage door repairs when there was a lack of understanding of how garage door parts, weights and springs work.
Garage Door and Opener Installation
Read our Garage Door Opener Buying Guide to learn about the available types and options. When installing a garage door, make sure you have a garage door opener that’s compatible with your door and that meets your needs. There are three main types to choose from: belt-drive, chain-drive and direct-drive openers.
Protect your garage from flooding and other elements by properly weatherstripping your garage door. If you want to make the door as airtight as possible, you may want to consider adding weatherstripping in between the door’s panels. Check these seals regularly. Since your weatherstripping is exposed to weather, it’ll eventually wear down and need to be replaced. If you live in an area where extreme weather is common, you may be interested in our guide on How to Install Garage Door Storm Bracers.
It’s important for your garage door to be functional and weatherproof, but you also want it to complement your home and reflect your sense of style. If you still have questions about what kind of garage door will work best for you, stop by your local Lowe’s to speak to one of our experts. And if you want to leave installation to the pros, let our professional independent installers install your garage door or opener.