So, I'm installing Clopay garage doors soon. 9x7. 25 gauge, not insulated. I've read the instructions which call for 'pinning' the assembled doors to the frame opening first, then putting up the track rails. Is that really the best way? I've seen other videos of the track installed and then stacking the doors into the already assembled track. I thought the latter would be the way to do it but and Im leary of the stacked door approach and would like to hear what others experience is with the doors first approach.
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Tracks first?
- Thread starter hometex
- Start date
txvwnut
Well-known member
When I put up mine I did mine tracks first then put the doors in. I left the tracks just loose enough so I could adjust as necessary, then tightened everything up when I liked how it all looked.
PassnThru
Well-known member
If you put the tracks up first there is always a possibility that you could set them too close or too far apart when you start putting the door sections in. So if you go that route then set the bottom section in first with the hinges and rollers installed - you don't have to pin it just put something heavy behind it to hold it up. Now that you have a reference set your tracks making sure they are plumb. Then install the rest of the door sections.
It's a hybrid approach.
It's a hybrid approach.
Yep. Thanks for that input. I'm into the hybrid approach for sure. I've enclosed a 3 bay car port/garage that has steel posts separating 3 bays. I've framed everything carefully and am ready to install the doors. I know that after the first one the next 2 will be easy. I realize there is about 1/2" to maybe 1"+ of room on the roller spindles for installer variance. Here goes nothing!If you put the tracks up first there is always a possibility that you could set them too close or too far apart when you start putting the door sections in. So if you go that route then set the bottom section in first with the hinges and rollers installed - you don't have to pin it just put something heavy behind it to hold it up. Now that you have a reference set your tracks making sure they are plumb. Then install the rest of the door sections.
It's a hybrid approach.
Jacko264
Well-known member
Cut a wood lat as long as the door and rollers + width
so you can check the width of the channels as you go
make the lat to fit in the channels
so you can check the width of the channels as you go
make the lat to fit in the channels
andyvh1959
Well-known member
When I installed the 16 x 7 four panel steel insulated OH door in my shop, I set the bottom panel in place (rollers and hinges attached) and centered it on the door opening. I "pinned" it in place with blocks of wood and screws. Then started the vertical rails, got the rails attached to the wall plumb and parallel. Then inserted the next two panels. Once I got that far I installed the bent rails and horizontal rails. Finally did the fourth panel. At least then I had the opening enclosed and I could take my time doing the torsion springs and cables.
TurnipTruck
Well-known member
I pin the door panels to the wall first with a couple nails next to each panel end, then bend the nail over to trap the panel tightly to the wall.
I've done it both ways. Either worked. If you get the tracks straight and correctly placed, putting them up first is fine. I pre-installed one wheel on each bracket, then pivoted them in. But it was only a 9 foot wide door. For a bigger door, that might be hard to handle. Have to keep the panel level, or the wheel will slide too far in or fall out.