If you need to choose a new entryway, it’s vital to understand how to measure a garage door for replacement. Accurate measurements ensure your doors will fit as expected and help contractors give you a more precise estimate for your new residential or commercial garage door.
Garage Door Measuring Guide
Follow these steps when it’s time to replace or upgrade your doors.
1. Capture the Entry’s Width
Measure the widest point of your door’s opening. You should also check your door jambs to ensure they’re in good condition, squared and defect-free.
2. Measure the Opening’s Height
Find the highest point between the opening and the floor and note its distance. Inspect the floor for any damage or areas that aren’t level.
3. Get the Sideroom Measurements
Measure to the left and right of the door’s opening from the mouth to the nearest wall or obstacle. You’ll need about 4 to 5 inches on each side for mounting the vertical tracks. The center post should offer a minimum of 10 inches of width for two-door installations.
4. Find the Headroom Clearance
Record the distance from the top of the door’s opening to either the nearest obstruction or the ceiling. For most doors, you’ll want at least 15 inches.
5. Capture the Backroom Clearance
Measure the distance between the door’s opening and the back wall or nearest obstacle, such as a lighting fixture. For a sectional-style residential door, you’ll need a minimum of the door’s height plus 18 inches for a manually operated door. When using an overhead opener instead, add 50 inches to the door’s height to find the minimum clearance requirement.
Special Considerations for Commercial Doors
Clearance requirements for commercial models vary significantly based on the door’s style and height. Generally speaking, you’ll need:
- Backroom width equal to headroom space for coiling doors.
- Backroom equal to the door’s height plus 23 inches for a 2-inch track or 25 inches for a 3-inch track — and more if you install an overhead operator.
- Clearance of 4 to 6 inches per side for a manually operated door.
- Clearance of 5.25 to 9.5 inches per side for doors operated by a chain hoist.
- Clearance of 14 to 18 inches on at least one side for motor-operated models.
Request an Estimate From American Overhead Doors, Inc.
American Overhead Doors, Inc. is a family-owned company with over 30 years of industry experience, five-star reviews and customer praise. Our well-qualified team can help you with professional garage door replacement, residential door repair services and commercial repairs.
Take the next step and request a custom estimate today, or call us at 860-347-1507 for personal assistance.