Installing a Garage Door Opener
Tips on How to Install a Garage Door Opener
By: Mark J. Donovan
|
|
Once you have experienced the ease of
using a garage door opener to open your garage door it is tough going without it.
Recently our old garage door opener died. The motor no longer functioned. We
went about a week before we decided that we could wait no longer to install a
new garage door opener.
While buying a garage door opener I was surprised at all the new bells and
whistles that come along with even the simplest of garage door openers.
|
Besides having a remote control that
sits in your car and a switch that bolts up to the inside of your garage, most
models also offer a wireless entry keypad that sits on the outside of your
garage. This is great for when the kids come home from school or in the event
you locked yourself out of your home.
Installing a garage door opener is easy to do, however a spare pair of hands can
be a help. To install a garage door opener you will need for tools a couple of
wrenches and screwdrivers and a step ladder.
|
|
Garage Door Opener
Mounting Brackets
To install a garage door opener the
first thing you need to do is fasten the angle iron mounting brackets to the
garage ceiling joists. If your garage ceiling is finished, make sure you anchor
the mounting brackets into the ceiling joists or trusses and not just the
drywall. Garage door opener installation manuals typically suggest a number of
recommended mounting bracket configurations, so determine what works best for
your situation.
|
Garage Door
Bracing Brackets
If you have a metal or MDF type
garage door you may need to fasten metal bracing members onto it so that the
garage door opener does not damage the garage door when pulling it up or pushing
it down. Typically you need to purchase some angle iron separate from the garage
door opener kit. Normally I fasten about a 4 to 5 foot length of angle iron
centered across the top inside edge of the garage door and a vertically centered
member that runs down approximately 1 foot from the top of the garage door.
Basically I create a T type configuration and fasten it to the garage door with
sheet metal screws.
Installing Garage
Door Mounting Bracket for Rod
After installing the garage door
brackets and bracing, next install the metal bracket just above the garage door
that will hold the end of the garage door opener metal rod. Make sure it is
fastened securely into a header that sits above the garage door.
Assembling the
Garage Door Motor, Arm and Chain Assembly
Next, assemble the metal rod assembly
and attach it to the garage door motor per the manufacturer’s instructions.
|
Photo By Mark Donovan |
Then feed the garage door opener chain around the pulley system at the far end
of the rod and feed it back around the sprocket on the garage door opener motor.
Continue around the sprocket and feed it all the way to the end of the arm and
fasten it to the sliding arm mounting bracket that is located on the rod.
Make sure to secure the chain to the garage door sliding arm mounting bracket
using the supplied chain link pieces and to tension it to the manufacturer's
recommendations.
Raising the Garage
Door Opener
Next, attach the far end of the
garage door opener rod into the mounting bracket located on the header, using a
bolt and a cotter pin to hold it in place.
Then raise the motor end of the garage door opener up to the brackets and secure
it to the brackets using bolts, nuts and lock washers.
Attaching Garage
Door Opener Arm Assembly
Next, attach the arm assembly that
attaches to the garage door (or garage door angle iron) and to the sliding arm
mounting bracket on the garage door opener rod.
Install Garage
Door Opener Optical Sensors
Next install the 2 optical sensors at
the bottom of each garage door side rail.
Run the wiring back to the motor assembly and make the electrical connections as
specified in the garage door opener installation manual.
Attach Door Opener
Switch and Wireless Entry Keypad
Now attach the door opener switch to
the inside edge of the garage door doorframe, and run the wires back to the
motor assembly and make the electrical connections as specified in the garage
door opener installation manual.
Then connect the wireless entry keypad unit to the outside of the garage, near
the garage door opening.
Power Up, Test and
Adjust
Plug in the garage door opener and
then test the garage door opener to see if the garage door opens all the way and
closes snuggly against the garage floor. Typically you will need to make some
minor adjustments by turning a couple of screws on the garage door opener motor
assembly.
Once you’ve completed the adjustments your garage door opener should give you
years of maintenance free pleasure.
For information on building a
garage addition see the
Garage Addition Bid Sheet from HomeAdditionPlus.com.
The Garage Addition Bid Sheet includes an extensive questionnaire (Request for
Quote) that a homeowner can provide to prospective general contractors and
subcontractors for bidding the garage addition. In addition, the
Garage
Addition Bid sheet also includes estimated costs and time intervals
for constructing a garage addition as well as a list of key home material
manufacturers. Finally, the
Garage
Addition Bid sheet includes an extensive
set of helpful tips and advice on making sure the garage addition is built
properly and on time and budget.
How to Finance your Home Project -
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required.
Related information on Garage Projects and Building a Garage
Addition
Additional Home, Garage and Building Resources
Free Garage Addition
Price Quotes with No Obligation!
Fill out our 3-5 minute quick and easy form, and receive a free price quote
on a garage addition from one of our prescreened and licensed garage addition
contractors. This process is free and there is no obligation to continue once
you receive your garage addition price estimate.
|
