Residential garage doors in Indianapolis are often made of very thin metal that is shaped in such a way as to provide a very stiff but lightweight garage door. Because of this, most will require that a garage door stiffener of one and one-half inch by one and one-half inch fourteen guage or heavier angle iron be installed at the top of the door for use with garage door opener installation. While this stiffener is built into some doors, others will require that you purchase the angle iron separately from the door kit. Without the additional piece, the garage door opener can place enough force on the top panel of the garage door that it eventually bends the panel so the door begins to bind and may not open or close.
Another common mistake is not installing the garage door opener motor in the center of the garage door. This can cause the door to twist every time the motor starts to open the door and can also lead to binding of the mechanism.
You may want to consider purchasing an insulated garage door. While not required, these panels are stiffer than the panels without insulation and can help if your want to keep your garage heated or cooled. If the garage is insulated and you add an insulated door it can actually cut the cost of heating or cooling your home, even if you are not heating or cooling the garage. In addition they help to keep noise in or out. So if you or you children are starting the next heavy metal band in your garage, an insulated door may keep down the complaints from the neighbors.
Selection of a type of lift motor is mainly a personal preference. If you have an eight foot door, most people prefer a one-third HP motor. Larger doors should have a one-half HP motor.
Be sure that light fixtures, power outlets and smoke detectors are installed out of the way of the garage door opener.
Garage doors and accessories should be mounted using lag screws and not nails. Nails will not hold up to the weight and pressure of a garage door.
The rubber gasket at the bottom of the garage door should be pressed against the garage floor to keep rain from leaking in. This gasket should be pressed down between one-quarter and one-half inch after it first touches the floor.
Your garage door should have a counterbalance system that keeps it from slamming down if it is disconnected from the opener. You should be able to stop the door anywhere on its tracks and have it stay in that position. Do not make adjustments to the springs if you do not know what you are doing. Always consult with a professional garage door company, such as the 1st Choice Doors LLC, before doing anything on your own. Garage door spring installation or removal can be dangerous.
In addition to these garage door installation instructions, always be sure that you follow the directions of the garage door manufacturer when installing a garage door.