New Garage Door Installation

Purpose

Define the protocol for installing a complete new residential garage door - sections, hardware, springs, cables, opener, exterior weather seals. Multi-hour job, and the install determines years of customer satisfaction. Done right = customer for life. Done wrong = callbacks + reviews + a destroyed reputation.

Scope

Applies to:

• Standard residential sectional garage doors (single-car + double-car)
• Steel, aluminum, fiberglass, wood-paneled, and insulated doors
• New construction OR replacement install (slight differences in opening prep)

Excludes commercial overhead doors (separate scope + sizing), and specialty doors (carriage-style with non-standard tracks, custom widths > 18 ft).

Responsibilities

• Lead installer runs the protocol + does the spring tensioning
• Assistant holds door sections during install + finishes weather seals
• Customer approves door + handles any cosmetic adjustments

Procedure

Pre-install (1 hour)

1. Confirm sizing. Measure the rough opening; verify the new door matches.
2. Inspect the opening. Header height + width must accommodate the door height + tracks. Note any obstructions.
3. Disconnect + remove existing door (if replacement). Photograph the existing setup before dismantling. Dispose old door per local rules.

Install (3 - 5 hours)

1. Install bottom section. Square + plumb on the floor; insert the cables into the bottom brackets (if applicable to the system).
2. Install vertical tracks on each side. Plumb + secured to wall framing with appropriate fasteners.
3. Install center stops on the bottom section to hold while stacking. Stack sections one at a time, securing with hinges between sections.
4. Install horizontal tracks at the top of the verticals. Joints between vertical + horizontal tracks should be smooth - burr a finger across to check.
5. Install rear track support. Hangs from ceiling joists; supports the horizontal track at the rear of the door's open position.
6. Install springs. For torsion-spring doors: install the spring shaft + drum on the header above the door. (See Torsion Spring Replacement SOP for the wind-up step.)
7. Connect cables from the bottom brackets up + around the cable drums.
8. Wind the springs to the correct number of turns per manufacturer specs.
9. Test door balance. Lift the door manually:

• Should glide with ~10 lb effort
• Should stay where you stop it

1. Install opener (if part of the install scope):

• Mount the motor unit centered above the door
• Install the rail + trolley
• Connect the opener arm to the door's top section
• Install the safety photo eyes 6" or less above the floor on the door track
• Wire to the wall control + ceiling
• Program limits (see Adjust Travel Limits HowTo)

1. Run safety reverse test (2x4 on the floor).
2. Install exterior weather seals + finishing.
3. Clean the area + dispose of all installation debris.

Post-install (15 - 30 minutes)

1. Customer walk-through. Demonstrate manual operation + opener operation. Show wall control + remote use.
2. Provide manuals + warranty info.
3. Schedule first annual service for 12 months out.

Acceptance Criteria

• Door installed plumb + level
• Springs balanced; door stays at any position during manual operation
• Cables taut + properly wound
• Opener operates through full travel without binding
• Safety reverse passes
• All weather seals installed
• Customer signs the field report + receives warranty info

References

• DASMA / IDA installation standards
• Manufacturer literature for the specific door + opener
• Manuall internal: Torsion Spring Replacement, Adjust Garage Door Opener Travel Limits, Annual Garage Door Service