6 Garage Door Installation Steps

Replacing worn or outdated garage doors boosts curb appeal while better securing your interior from the elements. With the right materials, tools, and safety precautions in place, garage door installation is a project for a DIYer. Transform the look and performance of your home’s garage entrance through door replacement. Here are six steps for door installation:

1. Prepare the Work Area

Clear a wide workspace inside and outside of the garage to maneuver a bulky door. Sweep and mop the floor to prevent slipping hazards. Use painter’s tape to section off the install zone. Remove all vehicles and other items out of the installation zone. Have all tools and hardware on hand before starting, including safety gear like gloves and goggles.

2. Remove the Existing Garage Door

If replacing an old garage door, use the manual release cord to disengage the door’s automatic opener. Close the door manually, disconnect the opener’s power supply, detach the panels from the tracks, and lift the door off the hinges. Examine the opening before installing your new doors. Look for rotted wood, gaps, or bends in the track. Level and plumb irregularities or damage to the header board.

3. Install Weatherstripping and Tracks

Check for cracked, missing, or poor-quality weatherstripping and replace it with thick, durable vinyl. Quality weatherstripping reduces outside elements entering the garage, better protecting the goods inside. A new garage door installation may require the removal of the old tracks and installing a set that fits the new door’s dimensions. Measure and install tracks vertically to the door jamb at the proper height. Drill pilot holes first to prevent cracking. Hang horizontal overhead tracks using provided lag screws.

4. Prepare the Door Pieces

Unpack all door sections and prepare them by tapping the rollers into the pre-drilled holes according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Slide in reinforcement struts and secure with fasteners. With at least one helper, hoist the bottom panel into place on the tracks. Test manual opening and closing with the bottom panel to check alignment and smooth travel.

5. Hang & Finish Installing

Apply lubricant inside the tracks to reduce friction. Rehang the bottom and each section in order using short fasteners. Lock panels together side-by-side with preinstalled weatherstripping. Secure jamb brackets and torque all hardware to specifications. Reconnect and adjust the automatic opener according to the provided manual. Test functions using the remote, keypad, and manual release.

6. Add Finishing Touches

Apply weatherstripping around the exterior door perimeter to seal and block daylight gaps. Attach rigid foam board panels to the inside door surface before adding trim. Install uniform lengths of decorative trim pieces along the perimeter to conceal gaps and create a polished look. If your new doors are not pre-painted or sealed, apply two coats of exterior-grade paint or penetrating stain and protective sealer. Keep safety gear on and the work zone marked throughout the project.

Invest in Garage Door Installation Today

With attention to detail on these key steps, a DIY garage door installation helps reinvent your home’s exterior appearance. Have helpers during installation or repair to offer support when lifting heavy door pieces. Contact a professional garage door installation team today if you have any questions about installing your new door.