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Garage door..

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B

BUTCH1

Lifer
I'm considering replacing my '70's contractor grade fiberglass door (single car) with one that has a decent wind code rating, should I DIY this or let a pro do it, my current door has long springs on the side not the torsion type that new models have if that makes any difference. Installation is an extra $500..
 
I am not too much of a DIY kinda guy and a Garage door sounds like a death trap to me... its heavy and the springs are really strong... be careful
 
I called around some more, turns out the guy at Home depot quoted me the wrong price, another company will install the same door for $600 and Home depot's price for the door alone is $395, for the extra $205 I think I'll let a pro handle it..
 
As long as it's sized right (which should be the same as the one you're replacing), it's not a difficult install.

Save the money on the installer and buy one with even better insulation or upgrade weather stripping. You'll notice a big difference in the winter.
 
Scarpozzi said:
As long as it's sized right (which should be the same as the one you're replacing), it's not a difficult install.

Save the money on the installer and buy one with even better insulation or upgrade weather stripping. You'll notice a big difference in the winter.
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I live in Daytona so the winter is not much of an issue, hurricanes are though and with my current fiberglass POS door I have to install an elaborate 3 piece "3/4 plywood contraption if a 'cane comes by, a huge PITA..
 
Installation is pretty simple - it's a relatively easy DIY project. Before you pay someone $200+ to replace it, take 10 minutes to watch a couple of youtube how-to videos. If after the videos you decide, "yeah, it's worth it to pay someone $200+ to do 2 hours of work for me" then hire it done.

example: here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnAGq9ozNYg
(And, if you diy, now you owe me a consultant fee for helping you save money. 😛 )
 
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If the door is exact same width and height, you can do the install yourself. Roll the old door all the way up, springs will be under no tension. Disconnect them and very slowly lower the old door down. Now just start at the top and unbolt each hinge and roller, 1 panel at a time and remove each one. Install is the reverse, starting with the bottom most panel and working upward. Raise the door, support it with 2 2 x 4 and attach your springs. You do not need to use a Torsion Spring if you do not want to. The old style coil springs will do fine. You may need to get new ones or a spring with more capacity, depending on door weight. The new door may come with them. Recheck your tracks are squared to the door and nothing binds. If you use on, reattach the arm for the Door Opener mechanism. Even for a DIY'er this is only about a 4 hour job.
 
DrPizza said:
Installation is pretty simple - it's a relatively easy DIY project. Before you pay someone $200+ to replace it, take 10 minutes to watch a couple of youtube how-to videos. If after the videos you decide, "yeah, it's worth it to pay someone $200+ to do 2 hours of work for me" then hire it done.

example: here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnAGq9ozNYg
(And, if you diy, now you owe me a consultant fee for helping you save money. 😛 )
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Actually I've seen that one but they move kinda quick for me!. Bruceb suggested re-using old track and springs but I wouldn't do that as my current door is not wind rated at all, I would be afraid it would fail in a storm and that's one of my main reasons of replacing it..
 
Let a pro do it if you are not confident. I used to install garage doors and there is more to it than just throwing it in. Winding the spring is the most dangerous part.
 
DaTT said:
Let a pro do it if you are not confident. I used to install garage doors and there is more to it than just throwing it in. Winding the spring is the most dangerous part.
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Yea, the instructions seemed long for such a supposedly simple project and I would have to work carefully so I'm thinking it's gonna be longer than 2-4 hrs..
 
The track could be reused as long as it is correct for the rollers and length. If not, just unbolt it after the door panels are out and follow the instructions for mounting the new tracks. I did say earlier, that you want to replace the springs or you may need heavier ones for the new door. And since you are not using a door with a Torsion Spring, you do not need to worry about winding one up. That job, I would leave to a Pro as it is very tricky and can cause injury. And of course you can pay a pro to do it.
 
I've even seen people on DIY forums say to just get a pro. Those torsion bars can be evil.

Personally I'd give it a try anyway and see how far you can get.
 
bruceb said:
The track could be reused as long as it is correct for the rollers and length. If not, just unbolt it after the door panels are out and follow the instructions for mounting the new tracks. I did say earlier, that you want to replace the springs or you may need heavier ones for the new door. And since you are not using a door with a Torsion Spring, you do not need to worry about winding one up. That job, I would leave to a Pro as it is very tricky and can cause injury. And of course you can pay a pro to do it.
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One of the issues is the current track is mounted to an old 2X4 that's flimsily attached to the CB wall, I would want to replace it with a fresh 2X6 and some tapcons since that is what essentially would hold the door in place during a storm. Hard to tell what kind of spring the door comes with, Clopay uses both tension and torsion with the '9 door models, I may have to go to home depot to investigate further..
 
If you need to replace the framing lumber, you may want to have a carpenter do that to be sure everything is strong enough, the correct rough opening size for the new door, it is square and properly mounted in place. Even still, if you can use a square, a tape measure, a saw, hammer and various wrenches, you can do this yourself. Just watch the weather for 1 - 3 days of good weather, in case you across any issues.

Some good links on how to do it:

http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-replace-a-garage-door/index.html

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,20294087,00.html

http://www.coolhouseplans.com/articles/replacing_a_garage_door.html
 
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my brother got me a great deal on a Marantek motor. very quiet, belt driven...

it is sooo nice not to have to listen to the clankety clankety clank of my old sears model.

i highly recommend investing in an upgraded motor.
 
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