How little overhead can I get away with?

[johnnyhotdog]

Hey all,

Will be replacing old existing wooden garage door sometime soon.

At the moment with standard track , the overhead clearance at the top of the arc is like 2 inches. Here are some photos of the measurements I have.

I don't really want to do a wall mount.

Are there any track systems on the market that can possibly increase my clearance enough? Haven't been able to find any on my own that state they address such tight overhead.

Thanks!

 

[firebirdparts]

Are you saying you want an opener?

 

[Old tool guy]

Have you researched web site of door manufacturers?

 

[johnnyhotdog]

Are you saying you want an opener?

Yeah, so I'm trying to determine what peoples' experience with 1-2" of overhead clearance are when installing openers. I can see how that wasn't clear.

 

[jstroede]

What is your floor to ceiling height, and what is your door height? If it is an old wood door, available steel doors may not match height wise as sometimes they were odd.

 

[OccupantRJ]

There are special upper hinge devices that lay the door back much faster upon initial opening, changing the arc of the door top. I had to use a pair of them on my door to be able to use a fluorescent light fixture in that area. I got them from a local overhead door company for $20 at the time.
My door was striking the lower chord of a truss, and this device allowed about 2-1/2” in that area if I remember correctly. If I got out there today I will try to get a pic for you. I could not even install a ceiling before that.

Top Fixture Set, Low Head Room Quick Closing Bracket, Set of 2

Heavy-duty low headroom quick closing bracket for sectional garage doors, designed for smooth movement and proper alignment in tight overhead spaces.

www.northshorecommercialdoor.com

 

[Innovate1]

What do the tracks near the upper corner look like? Might be able to use some low clearance tracks to gain some clearance for the opener. I'm thinking of double tracks something like this.
https://www.menards.com/main/hardwa...m-kit/low-headroom/p-1444433956510-c-7577.htm

You could just whack a notch in the ceiling supports for the opener track. Would not recommend this approach that previous owner had done in a place we rented out. Ceiling was sagging. It was joists not trusses. I put additional joists higher and cut out the sagging ones and was able to make it work.

 

[johnnyhotdog]

What do the tracks near the upper corner look like? Might be able to use some low clearance tracks to gain some clearance for the opener. I'm thinking of double tracks something like this.
https://www.menards.com/main/hardwa...m-kit/low-headroom/p-1444433956510-c-7577.htm

You could just whack a notch in the ceiling supports for the opener track. Would not recommend this approach that previous owner had done in a place we rented out. Ceiling was sagging. It was joists not trusses. I put joists higher and cut out the sagging ones and was able to make it work.

Ah, the one photo that did not upload. See here:

 

[johnnyhotdog]

There are special upper hinge devices that lay the door back much faster upon initial opening, changing the arc of the door top. I had to use a pair of them on my door to be able to use a fluorescent light fixture in that area. I got them from a local overhead door company for $20 at the time.
My door was striking the lower chord of a truss, and this device allowed about 2-1/2” in that area if I remember correctly. If I got out there today I will try to get a pic for you. I could not even install a ceiling before that.

Top Fixture Set, Low Head Room Quick Closing Bracket, Set of 2

Heavy-duty low headroom quick closing bracket for sectional garage doors, designed for smooth movement and proper alignment in tight overhead spaces.

www.northshorecommercialdoor.com

Oh, cool. Thanks for this. All I was seeing was that Sneaky brand which are like 75 bucks.

 

[Innovate1]

Low overhead tracks should be able to work there. Surprised you had trouble finding information on that.

 

[mike93lx]

I had two overhead doors in my last house with no more, and maybe less, clearance than that. Regular openers worked fine

 

[MovingAlong]

Looks like one person believes it could be done with 2 inches...

 

[johnnyhotdog]

I had two overhead doors in my last house with no more, and maybe less, clearance than that. Regular openers worked fine

Your door was two inches from the ceiling at the top of the arc as the door opened?

 

[mike93lx]

That top pulley was at least as close to the ceiling. I can't remember exactly how close it was but remember that it was very close. 7' door with 7.5' ceiling

 

[Old tool guy]

You could just whack a notch in the ceiling supports for the opener track.

That’s a really bad idea. The bottom of the joists are in tension, you’re going to seriously weaken the joist in the worst possible location.

 

[Innovate1]

That’s a really bad idea. The bottom of the joists are in tension, you’re going to seriously weaken the joist in the worst possible location.

Obviously. I said it wasn't recommended and something someone else did that I had to repair. It was a joke.

 

[firebirdparts]

I think you might pull it off with the tracks you have. 6 inches above the tracks is really pretty good. That late picture looks worse somehow.

 

[wssix99]

All of the answers to the questions you seek: https://www.clopaydoor.com/buyingguide/garage-door-track-options

 

[Old tool guy]

All of the answers to the questions you seek: https://www.clopaydoor.com/buyingguide/garage-door-track-options

Thanks, that answers #3.

 

[twistedstang]

We ended up lowering the door frame 6" and buying a 6" shorter door. that gave us the clearance needed for the spring and tract