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Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve been installing residential and commercial overhead garage doors in and around Winnipeg for decades so there’s likely not a question we haven’t answered. 

Here are a few of the common ones.

 

The lower the gauge, the thicker (and stronger) the steel. Our doors are made 24-gauge steel which is stronger than “value-priced” doors that use 26 or 27 gauge steel.  However, “sandwich” constructed door with two 27-gauge steel skins bonded to an insulated core is stronger than a “steel frame” door with a single 24-gauge steel skin. The takeaway?  Be sure you are comparing apples to apples when comparing prices.  Like everything else in this world, you get what you pay for.

R-value is a measurement of thermal efficiency of a garage door, or how well it insulates. Insulation is an important factor to consider when purchasing a garage door because it is the largest opening in your home (or business).

In Manitoba, it’s challenging to achieve true 4 season comfort without a heated garage however, if you plan to spend a lot of time in your garage in the winter, we carry an industry leading R20.4 option. Ultimately though, your garage door should match your garage’s existing insulation.  This way, you’re not over-paying for an R value that is more than your garage’s exterior wall or losing heat through a door that is less than your existing insulation. Of course, if you’re not concerned with insulation, you can purchase a door with a lower R-value or no garage door insulation at all.

Depending on the type of construction, the finished opening should be the same size as the door you wish to purchase. The door fits against the opening from the inside. The rough opening should be finished with an exterior perimeter seal or stop molding to seal out rain and wind. For more information, refer to the Installation Manual of the door you intend to install. Doors mounted to steel jambs are typically ordered 2” wider than the finished opening to allow for side seal application.

Standard residential door widths are 8′, 9′, 10′, 12′, 14′, 15′, 15’6″, 16′, and 18′. Some models can be custom ordered in 2″ increments (8’2″, 8’4″, 8’6″, etc.) depending on the model selected.  Standard door heights are from 6′ to 8′ in 3″ increments, except for 7’3″.  Most residential garage doors are now available in extended heights up to 16′. 

For commercial garage doors headroom depends on model. Doors can be manufactured in 2” increments from 4’2” to 36’2” in width, and from 4’0” to 26’ High. Give us a call and we’ll help you find the the right door for your opening.

Headroom refers to the distance between the top of the door and the lowest point of the ceiling or any obstruction such as a garage door opener rail, pipes, or ductwork. Residential headroom depends on the type of spring system that will be installed with your new garage door. For extension springs, a minimum of 10″ is required for your garage doors to operate. Torsion springs require 12″. Remember, these amounts are for garage door operation only. If you are installing a garage door opener, additional headroom is required. Check with the opener manufacturer for additional headroom requirements.

Yes! Low headroom kits are available.  If your garage doors came with extension springs, the necessary headroom can be reduced to 4-1/2”. Torsion spring systems can be reduced to 4-1/2”.  Depending on your garage configuration, side mount belt-drive operators may also be an option.

Backroom refers to the distance from the garage door to the back wall of the garage. For residential garage doors, backroom is door height plus 18″. For commercial door installation add the door height along with 23″ for 2” track and 25” for 3” track. Additional backroom is required for the installation of an automatic garage door opener.

Sideroom refers to the measurement from each side of the garage door opening, outward to the nearest wall or obstruction within the garage. Allow 3-3/4″ on either side of the door for standard extension and torsion springs installation and 5-1/2″ for residential EZ-SET extension springs. For more information and a diagram, read this blog.

If you are reasonably handy and follow the detailed instructions in your installation manual, you can do many repairs yourself. Some of the parts that may require repair include rollers, bottom seal, hinges, lift handles, windows and window inserts – all of which you can buy from us if you have a Clopay door. However, we strongly recommend that replacing springs, door sections, tracks and operators be handled by a garage door professional. 

You don’t! Unwinding standard torsion springs requires specific tools and training. Due to the dangerous nature of this process, we recommend you contact a local garage door professional to remove the tension from the springs.

For Residential garage doors generally, a 1/3 horsepower opener is sufficient for a single-car garage door. A 1/3 or 1/2 horsepower opener is recommended for some of the heavier two-car garage doors. A minimum 1/2 horsepower is required for all Clopay Reserve Collection carriage house style wood garage doors. Remember to reinforce the garage door prior to attaching the garage door opener.

On commercial sites the power, voltage and phase of the door operator are based on your current power availability and on the size and weight of the door. Give us a call for guidance for the opener that best suits your needs.

The short answer is yes.  Just about any opener can be installed with new doors; however we recommend checking with the opener manufacturer to find out if the unit meets current government safety standards as required by law.