Question about proper garage door fitment

[Thorzdad]

This might be a silly question, but this looks like a good place to ask it...

Recently, we had our ancient overhead door replaced. The installer came out and took measurements before ordering the door. So far, so good.

They installed the door about two weeks ago. Ever since then, I've wondered if they didn't get the measurements wrong. When the door is down, there appears to be about a 1/2" gap between the edge of the door and the frame. This gap is covered, of course, by the rubberized weather stripping that came with the door, but I always assumed that the door should actually overlap the frame a little. If one were to remove the weather stripping, snow and rain would be able to blow right into the garage through the gap.

So, I guess I'm asking for opinions. Is the fit of the door that I'm describing a huge mistake or within tolerances? Obviously, if this door was measured/installed improperly, there is going to be a huge fight on my hands with the installer, who is definitely not going to want to eat the cost of a new door. I have a feeling that his fix would be to remove the weather stripping, add an additional bit of 1x trim, and replace the weather stripping. This is a 17-foot, 4-panel overhead door.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[garageking]

your door should overlap the hole width wise and heightwise,i would say he measured wrong.the only way to correct it is a new door or add wood trim which makes your door smaller

 

[scott37300]

This might be a silly question, but this looks like a good place to ask it...

Recently, we had our ancient overhead door replaced. The installer came out and took measurements before ordering the door. So far, so good.

They installed the door about two weeks ago. Ever since then, I've wondered if they didn't get the measurements wrong. When the door is down, there appears to be about a 1/2" gap between the edge of the door and the frame. This gap is covered, of course, by the rubberized weather stripping that came with the door, but I always assumed that the door should actually overlap the frame a little. If one were to remove the weather stripping, snow and rain would be able to blow right into the garage throuugh the gap.

So, I guess I'm asking for opinions. Is the fit of the door that I'm describing a huge mistake or within tolerances? Obviously, if this door was measured/installed improperly, there is going to be a huge fight on my hands with the installer, who is definitely not going to want to eat the cost of a new door. I have a feeling that his fix would be to remove the weather stripping, add an additional bit of 1x trim, and replace the weather stripping. This is a 17-foot, 4-panel overhead door.

Thanks,
Jim

I believe the doors are pretty standard, don't think there special order doors to fit your opening unless you pay big bucks. Yes the door is supposed to overlap the trim boards. I believe the rough opening is the size of the door, 17 ft. And then you put your 3/4 thick trim boards on and then weather stripping.

 

[graffix000]

I just installed a door at my place. The door should fit the opening without gaps. The door should measure out to be the same size as the opening. They aren't bigger then the opening.

This logic works correctly if the opening is square.

 

[Thorzdad]

Thanks, Scott.
So, from your description, it sounds like I need to remove the weather stripping, put down trim boards, and put the weather stripping back.

Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure the door had trim boards already. I think the installers may have broken the trim while pulling-off the old weather stripping, so they just removed it all.

Hope I can get the new stuff off intact.

 

[xterrable]

I am in the process of building my garage now. I had to alter the concrete work because I want to trim the door opening with Azek "plastoc" wood so it never rots. Usually, the build the opening to the size of the door PLUS the trim (usually 3.5 inches) But sinze Azek only comes in 5/4, we hade to make sure the concrete opening was 10 foot, plus 2.5 inches..

I wanted to make the opening a bit smaller to help seal out the wind. But None of the installer I spoke with suggested making to opening smaller than the door.

So yes, the door should just fit the opening.

 

[Thorzdad]

Thanks everyone! Great feedback!

 

[tcianci]

The most common way to frame is to make the rough opening for the door to be the same size as the door and then when you add the finish jambs and weather strip, the opening gets knocked down by about an inch on either side and the top.

 

[toolmiser]

I'm not trying to start anything, but remember that your opening also gets smaller when you choke it down. Usually 1 1/2 won't break the bank, but if it is a tight door the exta space might be nice to have.

 

[PassnThru]

I believe the doors are pretty standard, don't think there special order doors to fit your opening unless you pay big bucks. Yes the door is supposed to overlap the trim boards. I believe the rough opening is the size of the door, 17 ft. And then you put your 3/4 thick trim boards on and then weather stripping.

Bingo. Rough opening is the size of the door. Trim helps seal the gap. I see it this way - you have an older/possibly not framed correctly opening and he put a door in that would work rather than special ordering a door that would have been much more expensive. If it bothers you, add a piece of three quarter trim all the way around and then put the weatherstrip on that. That would make it just the way most doors are framed.