Garage door rail supports

[dennisoates]

I am putting a white roof sheet metel in my garage and want to change the garage door rail supports to something nicer. Right now there is a two by four coming down from the rafter and the spring and rail attach to this. I have two single garage doors . The garage is going to be drywalled and am turning it into a part/Harley garage. thanks

 

[RV77]

Get some of the angle iron w/ holes in it ( Dont know exact name ) and build from that.It will look much better than a 2x4.Also switch to torsion springs which mount above the door and the rail supports will be just that.

Also instead of drywall..Have you thought about OSB ? Its alot stronger and more options when it comes to hanging stuff on it and wont poke holes very easy.

 

[spotco2]

Get some of the angle iron w/ holes in it ( Dont know exact name )

It's called Galvanized Punched Angle.

Unistrut looks really nice too but is overkill and cost a lot more.

 

[wssix99]

IMO - The slotted stuff looks like an erector set and would not be an upgrade from a 2 X 4. If you want metal, I'd suggest scavenging and old bed frame and use the angle stock off of that to make your triangular support.

If it were me, I'd just stick with a wood support, dress it up with some routing, and paint it.

 

[dennisoates]

that makes sense, thanks

 

[Rockuf8]

As ws stated punched angle iron doesn't really look that great. I had the garage installers use white angle iron since my tracks came powdercoated white. Didn't like the look so I am in the process of covering them up with wood which I will then sand and paint satin white to match the rest of the trim. You could box in the 2x4's and add some trim molding to get this type of effect.

Almost complete

I realize this look isn't for everyone, but I do recall someone else on the side who used a simple single boxed post and it looked really good. Doubt I would be able to find it for you.

 

[blackdart66]

You wont enjoy cutting a hole for the 2x4 to come through your nice new ceiling. Mount a 2x6 or 2 x 8 between the rafters on the flat before you hang the ceiling. It should be in the approximate position of your current 2x4. When the celing is hung you can lag a piece of the punched angle to the surface of the steel and into the 2x6 and build down from that for your garage hardware. I will see if I can find a picture of mine.......

 

[JimVonBaden]

As ws stated punched angle iron doesn't really look that great. I had the garage installers use white angle iron since my tracks came powdercoated white. Didn't like the look so I am in the process of covering them up with wood which I will then sand and paint satin white to match the rest of the trim. You could box in the 2x4's and add some trim molding to get this type of effect.

Almost complete

I realize this look isn't for everyone, but I do recall someone else on the side who used a simple single boxed post and it looked really good. Doubt I would be able to find it for you.

A lot of work, but nice looking!

Jim

 

[Rockuf8]

A lot of work, but nice looking!

Jim

Eh it's not too bad. Trying to figure out how to encapsulate it took longer than the actual work. But it cost me $0 since they'll be made out of scrap wood I kept. Thanks Jim.

 

[AndyL]

I just hope you never need the backhanging's alignment adjusted.

 

[Rockuf8]

I just hope you never need the backhanging's alignment adjusted.

Fair point. But why would I have to adjust the alignment? The garage door is as smooth as can be, I can;t see the bolts becoming loose over time. I could try to add access holes throughout, not sure I would need them. Leaving access to the main bolt is all I figured I would need.

 

[AndyL]

The stupid simplified answer - buildings settle, floors heave, and not always in a level manner

The basics - sometimes settling/shifting/heaving throws tracks out of square, on occasion (albeit it's usually more common to new construction) a few years later things might need a tweak. 99% of the time, it's just backing off the 2 bolts on the sway brace, shoving the track over and tightening them back up. But I did one recently where I actually had to move the horizontal drop over 3"...

 

[Rockuf8]

The stupid simplified answer - buildings settle, floors heave, and not always in a level manner

The basics - sometimes settling/shifting/heaving throws tracks out of square, on occasion (albeit it's usually more common to new construction) a few years later things might need a tweak. 99% of the time, it's just backing off the 2 bolts on the sway brace, shoving the track over and tightening them back up. But I did one recently where I actually had to move the horizontal drop over 3"...

I see. Well the garage is approx 30yrs old, and the ceiling is being held up with a 4"x10" lam beam, don't foresee any settling. Worst case, I rip it all off and redo it.

 

[AndyL]

Yeah, it's not the biggest worry in the world, but could come up eventually...

 

[Rockuf8]

Yeah, it's not the biggest worry in the world, but could come up eventually...

But you had to just throw it out there and ruin my trim and moulding party.

 

[AndyL]

Made ya think about whether you could make it accessible didn't I

Kinda like burying water shutoffs behind drywall, chance are you wont need to touch em... But...

 

[Rockuf8]

Made ya think about whether you could make it accessible didn't I

True and now the wheels are spinning. Thanks

Kinda like burying water shutoffs behind drywall, chance are you wont need to touch em... But...

Who does that??

I am considering splitting baseball bats as covers for the slotted rail.

Neat idea, I like it.