Horizontal track source?

[DaveLab]

I'm a newbie to the field. Wrapping up the build on my small shed/garage (tractor and utility trailer storage), and looking at DIY garage door options. I appear to have discovered two shocking things:

1) no one sells a complete garage door hardware installation kit; I have to piecemeal it somewhat
2) almost no one sells horizontal track (i.e., including the curved piece) to guys like me

Please tell me I have it all wrong.

 

[kbuhagiar]

You have it all wrong.

Garage Door Parts | DDM Garage Doors, Inc.

Garage door torsion & extension springs, EZ Set Springs, and TorqueMaster Springs; hinges, cables, rollers, top & bottom fixtures; weather seals, tracks & openers.

ddmgaragedoors.com

365 Garage Door Parts Professional

www.365garagedoorparts.net

 

[DaveLab]

Thanks. I did find that first one. The second doesn't appear to sell track, though. I've also since found that Menard's has a good deal on 14-gauge track. But that's about it!

Does anyone sell complete, generic garage door hardware kits? No can find.

 

[Lynden]

Use a sliding door instead.

sliding garage door tracks and rollers

 

[Stuart in MN]

Where are you located? There are a lot of garage door companies around, there may be one in your area. For instance, the Overhead Door Company has dealers all over the US; I know they do repair work on existing doors, but don't know if they sell parts and pieces, you could call them.

 

[BillK]

Where are you looking ??? Like Stuart said I have done three garage doors over the years and have always purchased everything from a local garage door company. Had no problem getting anything I wanted.

 

[NUTTSGT]

If you buy a overhead door, it will come with the track and hardware.

What are you trying to accomplish ?

 

[DaveLab]

Use a sliding door instead.

sliding garage door tracks and rollers

Sliding? Could you elaborate? You mean "barn door" style? Your link appears to show a mix of both track and sliding types, so I want to be sure I understand you.

 

[DaveLab]

Where are you located? There are a lot of garage door companies around, there may be one in your area. For instance, the Overhead Door Company has dealers all over the US; I know they do repair work on existing doors, but don't know if they sell parts and pieces, you could call them.

I'm in western Massachusetts. I could try locally, I suppose. Just doesn't seem promising. I was thinking that the sales-and-installation shops (like you mention) aren't into selling parts. But I could be wrong.

 

[DaveLab]

Where are you looking ??? Like Stuart said I have done three garage doors over the years and have always purchased everything from a local garage door company. Had no problem getting anything I wanted.

Interesting. I hadn't thought local folks would want to sell me parts (without the labor). Did the pricing seem decent?

 

[DaveLab]

If you buy a overhead door, it will come with the track and hardware.

What are you trying to accomplish ?

I haven't seen such door+hardware sets for DIY use. But I was hoping to save some money and build my own door. The doors alone I've seen are more than I was hoping to spend. It's for a 16x20 garage I'm building. The rough opening awaits. (And the snow's a-flying.) The foundation folks took forever to do their bit, and it pushed the whole project into winter!

 

[DaveLab]

Nothing to see here.

 

[The Cobbler]

If what you're looking for is a complete overhead door assy, they come as a kit. pretty much any supplier will likely sell you the package, but, in my experience around here, the install price is not worth it for me to tackle that part .

 

[Skooterj]

I've bought 4 garage door "kits" from Menards in the last 8 years and installed them all myself. The last 2 I did all by myself, no help. Assemble panel, stand in place, temporarily tack. Repeat until door is assembled. Install vertical tracks. Install horizontal tracks. Install torsion bar, pulleys, cables and springs. Wind springs. Done.

 

[PCustoms]

What size is your door?

Do you already have door panels? If not, why are you trying to find a hardware kit?

Overhead Door company will have everything, from the full setup down to parts.

Home depot has everything as well as most would say lower quality.

I'm getting the sense you really haven't looked at all.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I haven't seen such door+hardware sets for DIY use. But I was hoping to save some money and build my own door. The doors alone I've seen are more than I was hoping to spend. It's for a 16x20 garage I'm building. The rough opening awaits. (And the snow's a-flying.)

You're going to build a 16x20 door ? That's going to be a huge door.

What are you going to build it out of because I can't imagine how heavy it is going to be and what you'll need for springs.

 

[PCustoms]

You're going to build a 16x20 door ? That's going to be a huge door.

I read it as 16x20 garage...

If that is the door then even more reason to go to a door supplier for turn key.

 

[racecougar]

You're going to build a 16x20 door ? That's going to be a huge door.

What are you going to build it out of because I can't imagine how heavy it is going to be and what you'll need for springs.

The OP is building a 16x20 garage. He hasn't mentioned the door size.

I am curious what material the OP will use to construct the door though.

 

[PCustoms]

The OP is building a 16x20 garage. He hasn't mentioned the door size.

I am curious what material the OP will use to construct the door though.

I don't see where he said he's making the door?

 

[PassnThru]

Try a local company. I have a nice Clopay insulated door that my wife backed into one day. Bent it up enough that I had to replace the two lower panels. First local company I went to had no problem selling me the panels - I think for about $100 a piece which wasn't a bad price at all for that particular door. They had them in stock and threw in a few hinges just in case I needed them.

 

[mike93lx]

I don't see where he said he's making the door?

Post 12

 

[NUTTSGT]

I misread the OP on the size of the door.

What I saw on my phone

16x20 garage.....
....rough opening...


My brain said "16x20 garage door".

 

[DaveLab]

If what you're looking for is a complete overhead door assy, they come as a kit. pretty much any supplier will likely sell you the package, but, in my experience around here, the install price is not worth it for me to tackle that part .

Not what I'm after. Just the hardware. Preferably, in a turn-key set, but no can find.

 

[DaveLab]

I've bought 4 garage door "kits" from Menards in the last 8 years and installed them all myself. The last 2 I did all by myself, no help. Assemble panel, stand in place, temporarily tack. Repeat until door is assembled. Install vertical tracks. Install horizontal tracks. Install torsion bar, pulleys, cables and springs. Wind springs. Done.

No untacking? I jest. Thanks! I may be on my way!

 

[DaveLab]

What size is your door?

Do you already have door panels? If not, why are you trying to find a hardware kit?

Overhead Door company will have everything, from the full setup down to parts.

Home depot has everything as well as most would say lower quality.

I'm getting the sense you really haven't looked at all.

The reason for the post is that I spent most of a day looking, actually. And what I said is true. Almost no one seems to sell horizontal track to DIYers (at reasonable prices). At least not online.

Door is 7x14. Have not built any of it, yet. I'm trying to find hardware because I'd like to do it all at once, more or less. I also am not completely decided on type of door (Traditional horizontal panels? Bifold hanger type? Other?), so there's that.

 

[DaveLab]

The OP is building a 16x20 garage. He hasn't mentioned the door size.

I am curious what material the OP will use to construct the door though.

Still undecided on door materials. Leaning toward simple wood construction. 2x4 framing. Not sure about actual panel material. I have lots of rough-sawn 1x8 stock (soft wood) of varying lengths that I'm going to use for lap siding once it's dry enough.

 

[PCustoms]

Still undecided on door materials. Leaning toward simple wood construction. 2x4 framing. Not sure about actual panel material. I have lots of rough-sawn 1x8 stock (soft wood) of varying lengths that I'm going to use for lap siding once it's dry enough.

I don't think this is going to work out the way you want it to.

Sorry.

I maintain if you call overhead door, they will have track available at their closest warehouse.

 

[DaveLab]

I don't think this is going to work out the way you want it to.

Care to share?

 

[PCustoms]

Care to share?

Since you've been asking about track, I assume you are building a sectional overhead door.

A 2x4 frame skinned with rough cut pine is going to be both heavy and not very stiff.

 

[manwithtools]

I don't think this is going to work out the way you want it to.

Sorry.

It may take a minute, but OP is going to discover this is fact. Making your own wooden door for less money than a conventional garage door is just at the edge of the stratosphere in comparison to earth...

In other words, it's not going to happen. Way to many things going on here to be able to explain the shortcomings of your plan.

 

[DaveLab]

Open to suggestions on DIY door build specifics that would work.

 

[PCustoms]

Open to suggestions on DIY door build specifics that would work.

Don't DIY build an overhead door.

There are ways to build solid wood sectional doors, but if if you can't source the hardware then I think that level of woodworking is beyond your skill level.

I have the tools and general concept , so I could do it, but unless I wanted some specialized look or wood for some reason (or someone was paying me because they wanted those features) buying a commercial door is going to be months of time and $$$ ahead.

 

[nadogail]

In my admittedly limited experience, I am of the opinion that door tracks seem to be pretty generic. I have not had to prove this assumption, but the few I have had to work with all looked alike.
Because new doors come with new tracks, when the garage door dealers sell a new door a full set of tracks comes with it. The installers typically haul away the old door and tracks.
The old tracks seem to find their way to the Scrap Metal bin. If I wanted some door track I would suggest you have a chat with an "Off Duty" installer and exchange a mutually agreeable currency for the stuff you want.
I once traded a case of beer for a washing machine motor, we both were happy.

 

[The Cobbler]

first off, if you don't know the weight of the door, you cannot order proper springs for it.
that's just the beginning.

 

[DaveLab]

Don't DIY build an overhead door.

There are ways to build solid wood sectional doors, but if if you can't source the hardware then I think that level of woodworking is beyond your skill level.

I have the tools and general concept , so I could do it, but unless I wanted some specialized look or wood for some reason (or someone was paying me because they wanted those features) buying a commercial door is going to be months of time and $$$ ahead.

Thanks. You're free to go.

 

[DaveLab]

first off, if you don't know the weight of the door, you cannot order proper springs for it.
that's just the beginning.

Of course I would wait on the springs till I knew the weight of the door.

 

[mike93lx]

Edit... I somehow forgot about the saving money part.


What is your goal in building a door yourself?

Saving money? Even if you get the material for free, you will have to disregard the value of time.

Getting a specific look? Feels a bit odd when talking about 2x4 construction as that is not how doors are built, other than cheap hinged ones for sheds.

A project for the hell of it? Send it! But i agree with the others, buy a door any find another project

 

[PCustoms]

Thanks. You're free to go.

I've tried to help you...

Go ahead and build this awesome 2x4 framed pine door and prove me wrong. Hope you find the hardware and tracks you are having issues locating.

 

[The Cobbler]

I was hoping to save some money and build my own door.

I don't see where he said he's making the door?

there .
but in the end I wonder if we will see pictures of the finished product

 

[PCustoms]

there .
but in the end I wonder if we will see pictures of the finished product

Yes, this was clarified in post #21

Post #11 and #12 have since both been edited.