What's the right fix method - wrong size garage door opening?

[DigitalCK]

Doing a new construction home... builder made a big oopsie.

We have a standard single-door 2-car garage. The door is a 7' door in height.

It appears the builders built the opening too large, it's about 7'4" even with all the framing and such. There's a gap at the top of the door when closed, that full 4" or so.

The builder says he's working with the framer to fix it, but I want to be sure this is done right, and not some shortcut method.

Given the house already is drywalled, bricked, and in fact a week or two away from completion, what would be the right way to fix something like this, so I can feel good about the way it's being adjusted?

 

[DigitalCK]

Sorry, not the best picture due to shadows, but believe that on the sides, it becomes clear the opening is "too big"

 

[NikonRon]

Use the 7'4" opening, get a new door.

 

[Bill Bowman]

In my mind, it looks like the only way it will look proper, is to install a larger door, as mentioned. Anything else is going to look like a sore ****.

 

[nadogail]

Looking at the picture, I don't see anything wrong. Plese tell me what I am not seeing.

 

[PoorUB]

Check with the door manufacturer. You may be able to order just one panel 4" taller.

 

[Michigan Mike]

If you want a quick fix get a piece of 5/4 by 6'' stock the same width of the door opening and stain to match. I don't think it will be very obvious. But to do it right I agree with the talk to the door manufacturer and get a larger panel made.

 

[AndyL]

Call the door guy

Swap the bottom panel from a 21 to a 24, adjust top fixtures - depending on installer might have to lift trolley a smidge. You won't have full 7'3 clearance if you have struts but...

Wait no carriage house - nope unless it's a fiberglass - you'll need new door.

 

[DigitalCK]

Looking at the picture, I don't see anything wrong. Plese tell me what I am not seeing.

Maybe this helps

Top red line is where the garage trim ends
Bottom line is top of the door
In-between is open space

 

[DigitalCK]

Use the 7'4" opening, get a new door.

This is my preferred option - the builder said he's talking to his framer today which doesn't tell me that's what's likely. I think it'll look like garbage any other way.

 

[Tracs]

This is my preferred option - the builder said he's talking to his framer today which doesn't tell me that's what's likely. I think it'll look like garbage any other way.

New door or panel would be best. But if they frame it in and have the top re-flashed with metal, no one would ever tell the difference.

 

[readhead]

If that is a custom wood clad door then a new panel may not be the best solution. More wood is going to have to be added. Either to the top of a new panel or to the jamb. You will have to decide which is less worse. Probably the best solution is a new door if that can be worked out.

 

[Jarwop]

Agree to let them add trim at top to cover the gap, but suggest to lessen the disappointment you will experience every time you look at it, they need to add nice shelves around the walls or some other feature you cut out that you wanted.

Had a friend where the builder installed the wrong front windows, he informed them and a day or so later the house was bricked. I made the suggestion to request something else he had to cut out because of cost, and he got the garage attic floored and a bunch of extra outlets installed as the builder was glad to provide instead of tearing off the brick which would never look right when put back if he had to replace windows. Everyone happy.

 

[firebirdparts]

This should be obvious, but those diagonals would prevent you (aesthetically) from replacing just one lower piece of that door. It would have to be the top. You'll need a custom made door or you'll need to block up that opening and then trim that out. I have to think that door was expensive.

 

[jstroede]

There is no replacing a section on that door and having it look right. That appears to be a cedar clad steel door. Is that 4" gap to the bottom of the door stop attached to the top of the opening? If so then your door really should have been 7'6". I think about the only neat repair is going to have a cedar trim piece cut to fill that gap and replace the current top stop. It would blend right in to the door.

To all the people saying replace the door....well that's about a $10k custom built door these days. If it were a standard steel door, I think options would be better. In this situation, I think a custom cedar trim piece would be the right solution.

By the way, just curios, where do you live and who supplied the door?

John

 

[Neggy]

replace the top trim with something that looks like a beam is your only hope.

And get a concession on something from the builder.

 

[nadogail]

Maybe this helps

Top red line is where the garage trim ends
Bottom line is top of the door
In-between is open space

I did not see the open space, I would put a board in the open space and paint it to match the door or frame.

 

[DigitalCK]

Quick update - got the builder to commit to replacing with a custom, taller door. I believe they're doing 3 x 21" panels + 1 x 24" instead of 4 x 21"

 

[DigitalCK]

There is no replacing a section on that door and having it look right. That appears to be a cedar clad steel door. Is that 4" gap to the bottom of the door stop attached to the top of the opening? If so then your door really should have been 7'6". I think about the only neat repair is going to have a cedar trim piece cut to fill that gap and replace the current top stop. It would blend right in to the door.

To all the people saying replace the door....well that's about a $10k custom built door these days. If it were a standard steel door, I think options would be better. In this situation, I think a custom cedar trim piece would be the right solution.

By the way, just curios, where do you live and who supplied the door?

John

Builder supplied, living in Dallas Tx area

Builder said they measured wrong and put the framing too high - said he'd never seen that in his 25 years of building

 

[larry4406]

Builder supplied, living in Dallas Tx area

Builder said they measured wrong and put the framing too high - said he'd never seen that in his 25 years of building

Glad they owned up and are getting you a taller door. Garage door lead time is hideous here (8-15 weeks). You might need a closure piece for time being. Get commitment in writing.

Builder I work for we have documents called selection sheets. These are the specs for the house. These include such things as garage doors and many others.

Sounds like the builder, framer, and perhaps selection sheets were not on same page.

We have some houses with 7’, most with 8’, occasionally some with 9’, and even some odd ball ones at 7’-8” and 7’-9”. Mistakes happen but I check all my centerlines and rough openings and head heights; especially on masonry fronts.

Garage door head height rough is typically +1” relative to door size.

 

[turbowoodworker]

In this day of “standardization”, how in the world does that happen? If you call any garage door company, I bet the have three sizes (maybe I’m exaggerating). You get my drift.

 

[NikonRon]

Quick update - got the builder to commit to replacing with a custom, taller door. I believe they're doing 3 x 21" panels + 1 x 24" instead of 4 x 21"

That's the best way to do it and just so happens the cheapest way out for him.

 

[Walkers]

In this day of “standardization”, how in the world does that happen? If you call any garage door company, I bet the have three sizes (maybe I’m exaggerating). You get my drift.

There are a lot more ’standard‘ sizes than you might think. Think like, maybe, a full page list broken down by height and width.

 

[FordTruckWench]

It appears the builders built the opening too large, it's about 7'4" even with all the framing and such. There's a gap at the top of the door when closed, that full 4" or so.

Based on the style of door:

A fake barn door track. In other words, a piece of metal that makes it look like the door slides sideways. Behind the metal, fill the space with wood. Or alternately, something that makes it look like the door is hinged on the sides, i.e. a bi-fold type door.

It wasn't until I read the comments here, and really looked at the picture, that I realized that this is a standard sectional overhead door! Even if you get taller sections, I think you really do still need some fake hardware.

 

[Worsedog]

Quick update - got the builder to commit to replacing with a custom, taller door. I believe they're doing 3 x 21" panels + 1 x 24" instead of 4 x 21"

Wow. These issues usually turn into a shitstorm of finger pointing, excuses and profanity. Glad you were able to get it seemingly sorted this quickly.

 

[DigitalCK]

Wow. These issues usually turn into a shitstorm of finger pointing, excuses and profanity. Glad you were able to get it seemingly sorted this quickly.

We're less than 2 weeks from closing so they're ready to be done with this (15 month) new build... at this point, it's pretty much "do what it takes to close this out" - lucky us.... (but this is just one of many issues)

 

[CombatNinja]

That's the best way to do it and just so happens the cheapest way out for him.

Replacing a $10,000 door is definitely not the cheapest way out but it is the right thing to do. I'm sure the framer would rather half-*** install a piece of trim at the top as a band-aid. That would cost him essentially nothing. Now he's eating a $10,000 garage door because he framed the opening wrong.

 

[larry4406]

Replacing a $10,000 door is definitely not the cheapest way out but it is the right thing to do. I'm sure the framer would rather half-*** install a piece of trim at the top as a band-aid. That would cost him essentially nothing. Now he's eating a $10,000 garage door because he framed the opening wrong.

Or the builder is eating it because he did not give the framer the correct information.

 

[pattenp]

Replacing a $10,000 door is definitely not the cheapest way out but it is the right thing to do. I'm sure the framer would rather half-*** install a piece of trim at the top as a band-aid. That would cost him essentially nothing. Now he's eating a $10,000 garage door because he framed the opening wrong.

If that's a 16x7 door it can be purchased for about $4500 - $5000 in my neck of the woods.

 

[DigitalCK]

If that's a 16x7 door it can be purchased for about $4500 - $5000 in my neck of the woods.

Yes, 16x7 door - 4 pieces (steel?) - with the cedar attached to it.

 

[Wrench97]

Realistically the builder can resell the existing door on a future project and recoup the cost of original door.

 

[CombatNinja]

In the real world, 99% of builders do not have the physical space to store materials like that nor the inclination to have someone repack it and protect the finish. You can't just set it outside in the elements for 6 months until someone comes along that kind of wants a similar door. It will get junked or one of the guys from his crew will take it home.

 

[The Cobbler]

I bought a brand new garage door for 1/3 price that was intended for a new build, the size was wrong . paid $200 to have it installed by the original retailer, whom I knew

 

[PoorUB]

In the real world, 99% of builders do not have the physical space to store materials like that nor the inclination to have someone repack it and protect the finish. You can't just set it outside in the elements for 6 months until someone comes along that kind of wants a similar door. It will get junked or one of the guys from his crew will take it home.

Some contractors will save them. I have been on constuction site and watched them toss doors and windows right in the roll off dumpster. One job I was one the homeowner couldn't decide the window layout he liked. The homeowner had no vision! The contractor would frame in the wall, put in the windows the homeowner wanted. Then the owner would walk through and change their mind. The did this five times! The contractor would rip out the windows, set them by the dumster and tell all the guys on the job site to take them or they were going into the trash. At the end of the day if they were still sitting there the got tossed. I bet they tossed well over $10,000 in windows. A couple disappeared, but the bulk ended up in the land fill. The homeowner got billed for all of them!

 

[Glemon]

I know the deal is done, but I think one panel bigger than the rest on the door would bug me more than additional trim on the top of the door, most anybody could notice that, don't think much thought would be given to the trim if done so it doesn't just look like another piece of wood stuck on the bottom of the existing.

If you like big trucks though...they are only getting taller, so maybe the extra height would be useful.

 

[Cardboard Man]

Glad you were able to get the door replaced with one that's the correct size, as this is the right fix. The problem I see now is the wait time on the new door to be produced. It has been very difficult to get even standard doors, let alone a custom one like yours. You may still have to come up with a temporary filler panel to seal that opening while you wait for the new door.

 

[DigitalCK]

For more clarification, it's a new subdivision with lots of homes going up with this builder, so they said they'd just be moving it over to another home in progress.

They also said they expect no issue having it done in time for the house closing so I guess they know what they're doing.. I hope!

 

[toolmiser]

replace the top trim with something that looks like a beam is your only hope.

And get a concession on something from the builder.

I would agree with this, it would go with the looks of the door.

 

[jstroede]

For more clarification, it's a new subdivision with lots of homes going up with this builder, so they said they'd just be moving it over to another home in progress.

They also said they expect no issue having it done in time for the house closing so I guess they know what they're doing.. I hope!

That is probably what makes this possible. Probably have others on order and are just having one changed over to the larger size.

Glad to hear it is working out for the best.

John

 

[DigitalCK]

Was able to get back out to the house to get a better pic from the inside with the door closed. More clear the issue here it seems. Will update with the new door when it arrives to see how it looks with the different panels.