DIY Network

Install a Garage Door From "Man Caves" episode DMCV-205

	Before
	After

When Dave Albetson can't make it to the course, you'll find him teeing off in his backyard. Golf is such a huge hobby, he has paraphernalia scattered about the house and even into the garage. With a new baby on the way, it's time to clear out some of that stuff and move it to the garage, soon to be known as the man cave.

Hosts Jason Cameron and Tony Siragusa help Dave trick out the space, including installing a new, quieter garage door that allows in some much-needed natural light. Get step-by-step instructions below for installing your own garage door. It's not as complicated as you might think.

Materials:

screwdriver (flathead and Philips)
drill
hammer
measuring tape
wood jambs
sawhorses
4' level

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Steps:

1. Use the manufacturers' instructions to remove the old door. It mainly consists of carefully unlatching the door from the pulley system, then taking apart the panels of the door and unscrewing the tracks. Make sure to remove one panel at a time, or they could all fall in on you.

2. Measure the various areas where the door will be installed: door-opening height and width, headroom (from top of opening to ceiling), and back room (length of garage). For the headroom, you should have about 10 to 12 inches of space, depending on the spring system you're installing. For the back room, you should have the door height, plus another 18 inches or more of space.

	Figure A
	Figure B

3. With the proper measurements in hand, temporarily attach stops to both sides of the opening and make sure they are flush with the inside edge of the door jamb. Using the sawhorses, lay out the bottom piece of the new door, and attach any weather stripping (if necessary). Additionally, attach any hinges and lift handles to the piece.

4. Insert the bottom piece into the door frame (figure A), and use your level to properly set the piece. Once the piece is in place, tap nails partway into each jamb. Slant or slightly bend the nails to secure in place. Use the manufacturer's instructions to assemble the vertical, curved and horizontal pieces of the track and set aside.

5. Install the second panel on top of the first one, hammering nails into the side jambs to hold it place. Install the hinges and repeat the process for however many panels are necessary. You will need to anchor each piece into the door jamb. Once all the sections are secured, install the rollers in the section's roller supports (figure B).

6. With these in place, place the rollers in the assembled track, securing the track's brackets as you go along. Be careful not to have the rollers pressed too tightly against the track because friction can cause damage to the door.

7. With the vertical tracks secured against the jambs, install the curved and horizontal pieces. When installing the horizontal pieces, use your previous measurements and level to make sure that your tracks are straight and that they are pointing away from the opening at 90 degrees.

8. Now that the tracks are secured, assemble the springs according to the manufacturer's instructions. With the help of a partner, lift the door to about half length to make sure the tracks are level and parallel. Once you're all set, lift the door the remaining distance and attach the springs to the pulley system.