Size Garage Door Opening

Begin by using a tape measure to determine the width and height of the door opening in inches.

Size garage door opening.

Frame the rough opening to 3 inches wider than the garage door size you have selected. However if you are putting bricks thick river rock stones marble or anything else on both sides that is more than 1 thick you will want the rough opening the same. An opener with at least 1 2 horsepower is common for residential use. Look for an opener that has the horsepower necessary for your garage door size based on size and weight.

A heavier single door or a double steel door may need a 1 2 horsepower opener and a wooden double door may need the full 1 horsepower to open. Garage door openers typically range from 1 3 to over 1 horsepower. Therefore making the width of the garage door rough opening the same size as the door would be fine if you are going to use a thin layer of stucco vinyl siding or 1 by lumber. If you are installing a 9 wide door the opening will be 9 3 wide.

Modern openers generate electronic beams that extend across the garage door opening to provide entrapment prevention and protection. Measuring a residential garage door is more than determining the dimensions of the door but making sure the garage can accommodate a garage door opener and the door in both open and closed positions. 1 1993 consider upgrading the device to take advantage of safety features.