How to Install a Garage Door | This Old House

[@raymonds.9021]

Before watching this video I was debating spending up to $1500 for a new garage door installation. My main concern was for my own safety, this video definitely makes it clear to me I am capable. Thank you very much This Old House! My grandpa loved your show when he was alive and now I also appreciate it

[@AbigailPriceTV]

I was like saying the same thing. If you know you know!

[@BayouHotBoy1]

$1500? That's nothing.

[@raymonds.9021]

@@BayouHotBoy1 Okay rich guy

[@raymonds.9021]

@@BayouHotBoy1 Privelage

[@thenerdguy123]

@@BayouHotBoy1 Not sure why people are hating on your comment. You can easily spend 2-5k per door, depending on the quality/insulation/style/etc.

[@michaelmiranda4615]

I really want for you to know that watching these videos literally have changed my life. With everything that is going on these days. I really just can't explain how important it is to me that when ever I dont completely understand something. I can come home, watch a couple episodes of this old house and not only improve my handyman skills. But as of late I have felt comfortable enough to call myself a carpenter. Only once or twice, but still. I mean I learned floating shelve, charged 50 a pop. 100 for stained. That episode on how to repair a sagging deck. GOD, IF I ONLY had see that video when I was living in P.A I would have cleaned up hard. Especially is the poconos.

[@bassetwrangler]

Tom should have described the numbering system on the hinges as they relate to the door sections. The door sections are numbered and installed in ascending order. The bottom section with the floor seal is section 1. The left and right hinges hold the rollers at an increasing distance from the door section on each successive section to accommodate the slope away from the wall of the vertical door track. Center hinges (which don't have rollers and whose number vary based on the width of the sections) on all sections are labeled "1". The left and right hinges between sections 1 & 2 of a four-section door are labeled with a "1". Between 2 & 3 labeled "2" and so on based on the number of sections.

[@dereksoderstrom54]

I've been in the door business over 20 years and although this isn't the way I would install a Garage Door it's still perfectly fine example of a good installation. for you youngsters that are going back and forth about who can install a door the fastest one day you will learn it's not about speed but the quality of work and whether or not you're getting call backs.

[@leathercheerio1]

Derek Soderstrom it's all about speed. Nobody makes money when it takes you all friggin day. You take too much pride in your work..its a damn garage door for christs sake.

[@roxannetallack4058]

Derek Soderstrom kid

[@cstone9364]

Speed is key as well as quality. Sections are a breeze. For example ur track should be set on a 10 ft wide door at 10'5" the door is hardwared on the ground then u set a track set the bottom set ur other track level door, stack set top of track throw up horizontals headplates then spring line then top section wind springs throw it up 2 and a half sections back hang and ur done! Cake work. It gets heavy when u do full view window panels. I do commercial. This is smaller and quicker. Hardware on ground leave one side of track loose but screwed to wall and u can pop the rollers in easily. Dont use these springs they're horrible. U have enough room for a headplates and a spring line do it. But rolling steel is the way to go!

[@billyandjohnny7734]

Derek Soderstrom o

[@alialhusani8965]

Derek Soderstrom I liked

[@tacomsal]

Just checking my homeowners garage door fix. It worked. Thank you saved $250.

[@PeterGlazewski]

I am a home improvement contractor since 1984. Tom and This Old House, are the best. Great shows, and information always.

[@cooldog60]

What do you do when the door hits the roof on one end when you try to open it?

[@simplytrueyou9202]

I've been a fan of This Old House for probably 35 years. While these videos are great, they are not exactly step by step. They are not novice quality videos that explain every single thing that you should know about a garage door installation. They are helpful when you already have a good handle on what you are doing and you are checking for a certain part in the process where you need some guidance. I needed some extension spring information for an older used door install, and found it here. Not everyone has a torsion bar system on every single door, so we need to know both systems. I am glad they showed extension spring installation.

[@raofthesun7558]

I’ve been doing this 10 years now, started at 30. And I must say… not everything I would do, but that the interesting thing about this trade. I’ve seen so many styles of installations when I replace full doors and this is definitely one I run into that I am not like haha. Great job, but I would love to have a garage door installation competition. I think I’ve learned from many skilled workers and have a great formula.

[@garthcarrier]

im at this job for over 30 years. they are not pros at doing garage doors. but they have a big ass noledge off houses. great job .

[@TheBenjammin]

You are not a pro at spelling .

[@rikmuao4699]

I haven't installed a res door in years. I'm strictly commercial overhead doors. This is not a bad video. It's pretty simple.

[@JohnnyEla]

Nylon rollers, great choice. Very quiet. Those door sections are actually really heavy but well worth the install.

[@timwilson3190]

I have been installing garage doors for 15 years and running my own company for 5. I am puzzled by the negative comments. Garage door guys do tend to be bitter and angry most of the time so I'm sure it's just knowitall door jerks. Overall it was a good install of a basic steel door.

[@lowerf0_rtyei8ht92]

Tim Wilson Why do they tend to be bitter?

[@NWinnVR]

Maybe because it's hard to _endoor_ all the door puns...

[@daddybear7062]

After 24yrs everyday is doorjavoo

[@5eyes1294]

I know this comment is old.....However, one crucial part was left out. This Old House is assuming the slab is dead level, which I'm sure it is not. The top of the lower tracks need to be dead on level from right to left or the cables will spool up uneven from one side to the other causing the door to ascend and descend crooked, causing noise and wear. After the bottom panel is put against the opening, it needs to be leveled, and reference marks need to be applied to the rough opening to assure the lower tracks are level from one side to the other before fastening them. Never set the lower tracks on the slaband assume it is level. EVER!

[@researchandbuild1751]

Must be why the guy that repaired my door spring seemed irrirated he had to show up at all

[@Jim-oo7dk]

That's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life.

[@KingCaravaggio]

a part of this video that may confuse people is the assumption that the door/floor is level, which is why he is simply ensuring the vertical track has even spacing, although it's not necessarily true in all cases, specifically if your floor is strangely out of whack like mine is. (level under the door but out of level where the track sits on the ground.) best thing to do is ensure the track is plumb without making assumptions about width from door. while that may work for 99 percent of cases it's good to check regardless.

[@raofthesun7558]

Extension springs are very rare where I am from (Northern California). Torsion is 99% of everything, but this way of installing seems very learned through experience which seems to be the way of the trade haha

[@Aaronlee83]

I’ve just started a job installing overhead garage doors. I love it. It’s not that hard and it’s a good learning experience. I hate the extension spring doors. Pay the extra money and get a motor with belt drive.

[@dalesworld1308]

You still need a spring to balance the weight of the door.

[@RussSchampers]

Agreed with Dale. Springs are absolutely required especially if you buy a motorized lift. If you install a lift without springs you're going to burn out your lift motor because the motor will have to lift the full weight of the door. The whole point of springs is to make the door weight near neutral - whether a human is doing the lifting or a motor.

[@B.T.S129]

Your uncle from BOSTON!

[@larryworkman2093]

Great video guys. Helped me a ton and it should be a piece of cake at this point. Thanks for your contribution!

[@heroknaderi]

I always enjoyed this video. Oh and now a suggestion for a futire video. is Converting two small doors to one big door.

[@jerzeedivr]

I like your install better then Clopays Doors because they stack doors with temp. nails bent over then attack side rail.Your way is Safer!

[@hassanbazzi3545]

This very informative. I live in Florida and some how it is different. The put the tension spring on the wall on top of the garage door with a metal bar. Great video

[@zekesmith538]

Thank you for the east to follow along with video….. made my project go by very smoothly!

[@slade01gaming59]

I don’t actually have a garage I just enjoy watching these episodes

[@aaronbays4]

IMO that is a job you hire out. Also installing a well sealed, insulated garage door makes a huge difference in the energy efficiency of your house. Here in the south, the "basement" hangout for the kids/teenagers is the rec room/bonus room over the garage. I know after my parents installed well insulated/weather tight garage doors back in the late 90's, the temps in that room above the garage were warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer by a few degrees. Don't know how much, but you could tell a difference after installing those air tight/insulated garage doors in the room above the garage.

[@davidjacobs8558]

probably so. I'm pretty sure most garage door makers don't sell garage doors to consumers directly.

[@556suppressor]

Except Home Depot and Lowes sell direct.

[@ljprep6250]

I can't believe they still use those old extension springs! I love the torsion springs because they're so much safer and are so easily adjustable to make the garage door float.

[@simplytrueyou9202]

I came here because I neeeded to know how to install an extension spring on a new garage door.... so it is still out there. Or in the case of getting a used door when you need to save money, this video is relevant for some people.

[@davidmiles4394]

I Like your video this is the first time I'm installing a garage door for myself thank you

[@alekrudy5993]

Nice explanation. Thanks guys. I don’t need this knowledge right now, but after I accidentally got here, I stopped and listened. Nice and clear interesting way of talking. And these trade skills also seams interesting, after learning about all those small details.

[@333alliedeagle]

This looks sooo easy.

[@ryhanpeacefeather9278]

Very helpful for the garage door repair that I am doing. Thanks from Port Townsend, WA!

[@rultonncube4265]

thank u guys I already installed mine

[@brisaidap.d.67]

Excelente video, muy ilustrativo , gracias por compartirlo. Saludos y feliz Año Nuevo

[@heroknaderi]

Very informative 😎

[@Peanutlover-rj8vj]

I watched this video a few times and then put up my cloplay door in a little over an hour

[@050Hidden]

I read this shitpost a few times and laughed for a little under an hour.

[@onuw]

@Robert Hardt too bad he only shows half the process for the safety cable. I'm afraid your wife is doomed.

[@cooldog60]

@@onuw Yeah where did he attach the other end?

[@livewireOrourke]

@@cooldog60You're right. He didn't show that it's his cat 🐈 that is holding the other end of the cable.

[@boknows8936]

Safety cables? Wouldn’t some good fishing line do the same thing?

[@chrisbfishin9325]

Always level the bottom section. If the door is too far off of level it will eventually throw a cable. I have cases in new construction where freshly poared concrete isn't even level.

[@workingcountry1776]

Thanks guys

[@PowersDave1966]

Fantastic video. I watched others and this is much easier

[@556suppressor]

Best door video on KZbin !!!

[@davidjacobs8558]

I live in Southern California, and I usually don't see this type of spring for garage doors. I'm not sure whether it's regional thing, but this type of spring seems to be easier for homeowner to change if it breaks.

[@jerzeedivr]

Most common spring in Philly!

[@cheetahryu8112]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@joseemajor9693]

Hi, Need advice/ help. Have old garage wood door installed now. 9 x 7 Used (?aluminum) door available for replacement. Can i just replace door slats onto existing track and hardware (rail springs etc) ? semi handy woman. Feel like i could achieve that but not reinstalling whole track system. Jo of all trades. Definitely master of none. Please let me know as soon as possible. Thank you Josee

[@King_TuTT]

that safety cable is very important. I had springs like these and one broke nearly missed my head and struck a shop light in the ceiling and made a mess. good lord protected me that day.!! but really I didn't know people were still using springs these days.

[@jasonzupke1474]

Great video as always. You showed how to attach only one side of the safety cable.

[@felixalonzo2847]

😂 yes. Still trying to figure out where the other end goes.

[@nav5897]

Thanks for sharing your wonderful knowledge.

[@Historyprepares]

Who do you think levels levels? Toms eyeballs.

[@roxannetallack4058]

Hayden Fisher slfkfkels

[@noahlong7608]

Alex Jesso c fvfrfi vfvfff vfvvrvfv

[@onuw]

Extension system - doesn't require Tom's eyeballs.

[@Aaronlee83]

Only reason I use a ratchet on the track nuts is if my impact gun doesn’t fit. Like if there’s a wall or some other structure in my way. Also I hate extension springs. We always use front torsion springs on a shaft. Those extension springs break and can go flying around and hurt someone really bad. Even with the safety cable. Front torsion can break but they stay on the shaft. Also you can always adjust the front torsion spring after it wears over time. If you have extension springs, ask for a conversion kit from your local garage company. And find a company who sells C.H.I. garage doors. Clopay, Safeway, and others are usually hard to work on because the parts aren’t made anymore.

[@OL4___]

Got a job interview for a garage door company.. i have zero experience so i came to watch this lol

[@KR-ne1bl]

onlygudcronicplz4 seems legit lol

[@mikespino3209]

onlygudcronicplz4 exactly why I’m here 😂😂😂

[@label1877]

Are you still in the garage door business?

[@OL4___]

@@label1877 actually yes and believe it or not, i have my own business now

[@plumer56]

Same 😂

[@syn707]

Most garage doors openers I’ve had experience with have had bracing fore and aft of the motor. This new house I bought only has punch hole bracing on rear side. The door rail does shake quite a bit. Do I need to add punch hole brackets on the front side as well? '

[@cloudstrifeification]

One thing I noticed is the top of those side brackets probably should have a couple of extra screws installed.

[@SoulGasmProd]

awesome vid

[@Retroweld]

Great video. Thanks!

[@iRsemple]

6:46 when he attaches a "safety cable to the spring" I can't tell where the other end of the cable goes? He just sticks a wire through the spring and attaches one end to the metal bracket. But what's the other end attached to? Is it just dangling by the pulley-end of the spring?

[@dansanger5340]

Those steel cable brackets can cut through the cable after several years of use. To prevent this, you can use a steel cable eye loop thingie (not sure what it's called, but a couple bucks at hardware store).

[@johng5261]

what part gets cut through?

[@dansanger5340]

@@johng5261 At 6:05, the edges of that little metal piece are sharp, and after several years can cut through the steel cable. It happened to me, and I had to replace the whole cable. I replaced the little metal piece with something resembling the cable loop that he slipped over the bolt at 5:53.

[@label1877]

Or a little grease to kill the friction.

[@timstill152]

I have a door that's come off it's rail on one side. To uninstall the door, would I simply do this installation in reverse?

[@anthonycellucci3759]

Im curious what did Tom Silva mean by putting a little tension on the top hinge.

[@brapperdan]

If you follow these directions there’s a good chance your door will not run right. They left out two very important pieces of information. 1. After installing both side tracks measure from the roller to the top of the verticals track on both sides, adjust the height of the tracks so they are even. 2. Both cables must be an even length before installing the 3 hole clip and S hook.

[@jamessoltis5407]

...somehow, I never pictured Larry David as a guy who'd help install a garage door.

[@12dollacigarette]

James Soltis 🤣

[@zentoco]

FIRST thing I thought of too! ROFL!

[@JBMOTORSMORE]

Pretty pretty pretty good 👍

[@cnigeldgriff6283]

Easy..Curb your enthusiasm!

[@Stahodad]

"Pretty Good..pretty good." Glad Tom's name isn't Hugh.. lol.

[@garagedoorrepairco3829]

Garage Door Repair does involve knowing the facts to keep from getting hurt and being successful.

[@DJ-kx6gr]

Looks good to me and very educational. Wish I was taught this stuff in high school instead of some bullshit science on clouds and whatnot

[@ErossMcCloud]

I put up doors a little bit different but it's still good !!

[@Christian_Soja]

Thanks, that was very helpful,

[@rexrexford5249]

Nice job gentlemen. Found your presentation very helpful. Thanks.

[@Elculichi2]

Anyone know where I can buy these garage doors besides Home Depot or Lowes in Los Angeles California? I will be installing them my self . Thank you in advance.

[@556suppressor]

Very helpful tip @2:50.

[@Super4speed]

What brand of door is this? Clopay and general use metal studs inside the door, also the bottom gasket is already installed on the door! Maybe he purchased it at Home Depot or equivalent. I did door for thirty years. So slow.

[@whammybar98]

LMFAO! 'Ill just eyeball it." good luck on having the rails come out square.

[@trixie20058]

I follow this tips and the Manuel some how my door is not heady enough to hit the floor, the tension on the spring is enough to open the 7ft of my garage door I did a test to add more weight and it work but I can’t add to bc it suppose to be normal any suggestions thanks in avance

[@tassonscomedy1826]

How long does this process usually take to complete?

[@SmiloHolding]

Very good video

[@Eliusalmo1]

Fantastic! Thanks a lot Sammy.. Definitely a master!

[@AlMai222]

It’s Tommy god dammit ! Put some respec on his name

[@mrmadame28]

5:00 great job... :p Good video anyway, thank for the info

[@MattMorris481]

I see they don’t have to use the doors with the big braces on the inside like the ones that have to be installed in Florida for hurricane code.

[@cnigeldgriff6283]

"Eye bawl it"

[@jashimuddin7716]

Thank you very helpful

[@jaimesanchez1847]

Gracias por este video muy Claro explicado todo con puntos claves Para entender gracias me a servido mucho Para hacer mis trabajos thank you

[@General1Cal]

Can this be done to a two car garage door?

[@orionred2489]

This cable goes to the conner braaket on the dawr.

[@Cormin]

all these old houses seem brand new. I have an old house they can come film in.

[@MrUbiquitousTech]

I guess in the real world one doesn't have to deal with out of square openings, dry rot, wet rot, termites, previous repairs, botched repairs and installations. Me and you, we're not in the real world.

[@mynonameyt]

Level the bottom panel first.

[@tripjet999]

Dump the cheap nylon wheels and get metal ones.

[@MrJohndeere3720]

i need a new door. :) my old 1 is going 2 be fixed soon. :) & yes a pro is doing it. :)

[@cooldog60]

You put the safety cable through the spring you attached one end. What did you attach the other end to?

[@Jskh]

Same question here lol 🤣

[@jeremyrackley810]

i love your vidoes :)

[@rodbuilder3657]

Hey "thanks" for giving us a close -up on where to route the cable around the track! C'Mon guys.

[@TheHeadlessHorseman]

1:13 the multiple drills going at the same time made it seem like the home owner torqued the fuck out of the screw.

[@jc3825]

Good !

[@adamlough6579]

The top fixtures were upside down the So if he was to put an operator on it the operator has to go up really high now rather than your 3"

[@Denbig.]

Dennis a man of few words.

[@myimplace7114]

Great job.

[@jeremyrackley810]

i a'm 7 year :) :) :) :) :) old i love your vidoes i love them soooooooooooo bad your vidoes are the good ones every im in 1rst grade

[@gunther955]

What is a good brand door but not to expensive ? I looked at lowes but they have mixed reviews on the pella doors . Mine is 108 by 84 . I just want a plain jane door to replace a wooden door thats all to pieces .

[@onuw]

Amar

[@billbutler-klein8239]

nice job.

[@wingnut5730]

I've installed thousands of doors and I can say I've never installed top brackets upside down.

[@lazaronogueira595]

tom put bob villa out the game

[@Prairiedrifter1]

Watch that dooh!!

[@jerzeedivr]

LOL!

[@myhealthtoo]

most important part how to pre drill the holes for hinges

[@alcastro9422]

Best Video until 12.2017

[@andywagner212]

Why on Earth would you choose to use extension springs?

[@onuw]

Because it's DIY

[@jerzeedivr]

In Philly they are the most common spring used!

[@556suppressor]

A homeowner can install and replace extension springs without hiring a contractor. I have replaced 2 springs by myself. Pretty easy to do.

[@andywagner212]

@@556suppressor they still generally run like crap versus torsion.

[@556suppressor]

I love my extension springs. To each his own.

[@dcmkcbbq]

One thing I would of done was slap a level across the bottom panel just to make sure the door sits level.

[@buckhorncortez]

The door has to fit the floor - not be level. If the door is level, but doesn't seal against the floor - it's not installed correctly. You have to fit the door to the existing conditions.

[@AGEnderRedCarpetHandPoured]

No, you actually want the door to be level, if it's not level to the world, then it will jam as it goes up crooked. If you have gaps between the door and the floor after installation, they make a wider bottom rubber, and a different style retainer then that door has.

[@cup_and_cone]

AG Ender - agreed

[@nrfa6229]

Wouldn’t you have to use a level on each garage door rail, to make sure that’s level? In the video it shows that, just using you eyes will make it go up and down smooth. I’m looking to do my first garage door bc my barn needs a new door and new rails. Any advice would be nice. Thx.

[@mrtimbs1239]

Robert Hardt deff has to be level

[@sgorneau]

Where is the other end of the safety cable attached?

[@dandyfunhouse]

Good quick overview but skipped a lot of stuff.

[@Chuck59ish]

But when in doubt, let the pros do it.

[@905legends]

2,000 dollars later, I think I'll do it myself in a days work.