How to Install Garage Doors

Installing garage doors is a complex and difficult process and might be best left to a professional. If you choose to install a garage door yourself, read over all the instructions for your door kit as the exact installation procedure can vary. The three major components of the door include the door panels, the tracks that contain the panels and the hangers holding the tracks to the ceiling. There are also the rollers that allow the panels to travel along the tracks and all necessary jambs and brackets that mount the parts in place.

Things You'll Need

• Garage door kit
• Screwdriver
• C-clamps
• Hammer
• Tape measure
• Level
• Socket wrench set
• Pliers
• Drill with 1/4, 3/16 and 3/8-inch bits
• Stepladder
• Sawhorses
• Bolts, nuts and screws

Instructions

1. Fasten the weatherstripping to the bottom edge of the door's first panel. Place the panel into the garage doorway. You can hold it in place by partially nailing the panel jamb into place.

2. Assemble all the pieces of track into three parts: the vertical, curved and horizontal tracks.

3. Connect the rollers onto each side the first door panel (this will likely require brackets) and slide the horizontal track into place on the rollers. Screw the hinges for the panel into place on the top edge.

4. Attach rollers and upper hinges to second panel; place it within the door tracks (this will require an assistant's help). Fasten this panel to the lower one with the hinges. Repeat for all but the very top door panel.

5. Mount the vertical tracks onto the wall once you are sure the door is level. Screw their top plates and jamb brackets all into place.

6. Bolt the curved and horizontal tracks to each other and then attach them to the vertical tracks. Measure the horizontal track's level with the ceiling, then cut the track hangers to the correct length, screw the hangers to ceiling joists and bolt the track to each hanger.

7. Mount the door's torque tube to the upper wall and connect it to the tracks; the exact mounting procedure can vary. If you are attaching an electric garage door opener to the door, don't attach the torque tube until after you connect the opener.

8. Remove any nails you temporarily attached to hold the door in place and tighten all connections and fixtures.