What is headroom?
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.
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How much headroom do I need?
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.
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Commercial door headroom depends on not only the spring, but the track system that will be installed with your new door. There are many options available to compliment your building. Options such as Follow the Roof, Highlift, Full Vertical track, Spring cycles, Door weights and track thickness can all impact the amount of clearance required. Standard headroom requirements for a door with torsion springs, 2" thick track with a 15" radius require 16". However changes will directly affect the clearance needed. It is always best to have a professional dealer look at the opening to determine the best track application and clearance required.
Note: If you are installing a trolley or jackshaft opener, additional headroom or sideroom is required. Check with the opener manufacturer for additional headroom requirements.
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I do not have the necessary amount of headroom. Is there something I can do?
Yes! Low headroom kits are available from your local garage door dealer or retailer. 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”. More information for both commercial and residentail doors can be found in the Low Headroom Options file listed in our Installation Manuals.
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What is sideroom?
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.
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What is backroom?
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.
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I do not have standard size door openings. Can Clopay create custom garage doors to fit my needs?
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.). Check with your local dealer or retailer for custom garage doors width/model availability. 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'. Check with your local dealer or retailer for custom garage doors extended height/model availability.
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. Check with your local dealer or retailer for custom door width/height availability.
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I am constructing a new garage; what size should the rough opening for my garage door be?
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, please refer to the Preparing the Opening file listed on our Installation Manual. Doors mounted to steel jambs are typically ordered 2” wider than the finished opening to allow for side seal application
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My garage door “hangs” in the opening – is that normal? Can I fix it?
Normally, garage doors will hang about 4 to 6 inches into the opening. This helps keep tension on the cable so it does not separate from the cable drum or pulley. If your garage door operates with an electric opener, it can be adjusted so the door is pulled completely even with the opening, if necessary, to provide additional clearance for a vehicle
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How much do garage doors cost?
The cost of a garage door depends on a number of factors such as: the model, size, material, decorative options and site conditions. Because Clopay garage doors are sold exclusively through our network of distributors, they are better able to provide you with the most up-to-date pricing. Most of our distributors also install the garage doors for you, so the final quote you receive should be the "installed price." Consult our "Where to Buy"section to find a Clopay distributor near you.
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Does the Clopay garage door package include everything I need for proper installation?
The Clopay door package includes the sections, track, spring assembly and hardware required for door installation. Additional items can be purchased from your local dealer or retailer to aid in installation:
- Rear track hanger kit for attachment of the horizontal track to the ceiling in the back of the garage. Existing hangers generally can be reused. However, we do recommend that you inspect them to ensure they are in good condition and positioned properly for the new installation.
- Stop molding or perimeter seal for the exterior sides and top of the opening.
- Some garage door models do not include the opener reinforcement bracket. This can be done with a reinforcement kit or it can be done with standard 13-gauge punched angle iron. See our garage doors installation manual for details.
For some residential door installs, consider .ow headroom hardware. This is required when there is limited headroom between the top of the door and the ceiling or roof rafters.
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Can I paint my Clopay garage door?
Both Clopay's steel residential and commercial garage doors can be painted with any high quality exterior latex paint. Do not use an oil based paint.
Note: click here for important information regarding the painting process for a Coachman Collection garage door.
Wood garage doors must be painted/stained on all sides prior to installation. Most models are available factory primed. Clopay recommends wood garage doors be re-painted every 1 to 2 years (more frequent refinishing may be required in high moisture areas). For more details on painting and staining click here.
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What tools will I need to install my garage doors?
- “C” Clamps or Locking Pliers
- Hammer
- Screwdrivers
- Tape Measure
- Level
- Socket Wrench Kit
For commercial projects please include along with the above:
- Combination Open End Wench ¼"
- Impact driver
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What type of spring system comes with my new garage door?
Garage doors purchased through retail chains are generally supplied with standard extension springs on single car garage doors (10' wide and under) and EZ Set torsion springs on two-car doors (garage doors over 10' wide). Professional dealers will install the spring that is best suited for the site conditions. Consult your local dealer or retailer to determine the type of spring system that comes standard with your door.
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My garage door has a window section. Do I have a choice as to where that section is placed?
On Residential garage doors the window section can be placed in either the third section (second from top) or the fourth (top) section.
The window section can be placed in any section on a commercial door. Building codes require that glass within 32” of the bottom of the door be tempered glass.
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What type of glass options are available for the Avante Collection, or commercial steel-full view garage doors?
Tempered glass panels are available in either DSB or insulated. Acrylic windows and aluminum panels are also available. We can also accommodate special order glazing requests. Consult your local Clopay dealer or retailer for more information.
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How do I install my lockset?
For lock bars please refer to the "Lock Bar Assembly Instructions" file listed in the Installation Manual. For a cable lock please refer to the "Snap Latch Lock Assembly Instructions" file listed in the Installation Manual.
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Can I fix my garage door myself?
Clopay garage doors are built to last, but some parts do occasionally wear out or become damaged. If you are reasonably handy and follow the detailed instructions in your installation manual, you can do some repairs yourself. Some of the parts that may require repair include rollers, bottom seal, hinges, lift handles, windows and window inserts. However, we strongly recommend that replacing springs, door sections, tracks and operators be handled by a garage door professional. See the "Installation and Care" and "Teach Me About Garage Doors" section on our website for additional information.
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Where can I buy parts?
Clopay sells parts exclusively through our distribution network. See the “Where to Buy” section on the Clopay website to find a local dealer in your area.
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Are replacement sections available for my garage door?
Yes, replacement sections for Clopay steel garage doors and Clopay wood garage doors are available from your local dealer or retailer provided we still manufacture the door model you own. If your door was manufactured in the last ten years, we can identify the model by referencing the 15 to 16 digital serial number located on the interior bottom section of the door. Exposure to the elements can alter the color of a garage door over time; so the replacement section may not be a perfect match.
Due to the custom assembly of our Coachman Collection carriage house style garage doors, certain restrictions apply for replacing sections. Consult your local distributor for details.
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I am getting ready to remove my old garage door, which has standard torsion springs. How can I get the tension off the springs?
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.
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I hear a lot about R-value. What is it and is it important?
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. If you plan to spend a lot of time in your garage, or if you have a room directly above or adjacent to your garage, you will want to purchase a garage door that offers a high R-value. If your garage is not attached to your house, or you are not concerned with insulation, you can purchase a door with a lower R-value or no garage door insulation at all.
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When referring to steel gauge, does a lower number mean thicker steel?
The lower the gauge, the thicker (and stronger) the steel. For example, 24-gauge steel is thicker than 27-gauge steel. However, a “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.
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Am I required to install handles on my garage door?
Voluntary standards for the garage door industry require the installation of handles in connection with the manual operation of a garage door. To comply with these standards, Clopay designs and provides handles for installation with every residential garage door system it sells. If it is decided not to install these handles, the homeowner will be responsible for ensuring the safe opening and closing of a manually operated door.
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Can I install my old garage door opener on my new door?
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. Once verified the unit is in compliance, you can begin the project. Don’t forget to reinforce the door before attaching the opener!
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Do I need to reinforce my garage door if I am installing an automatic garage door opener?
Yes! Failure to properly install opener reinforcement will result in damage to the garage door and will void the warranty. The reinforcement configuration differs depending on the model number and size of the garage door. Refer to the installation manual supplied with our garage doors for specific instructions. For more information, see the "Attaching an Automatic Opener to "Pan Construction" Garage Doors Using Punched Angle" file listed on the Installation Manuals page, available here or "Attaching an Automatic Opener to "Sandwich Construction" Garage Doors Using Punched Angle," available here.
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What horsepower garage door opener do I need for my garage door
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. Consult your local dealer for guidance for the opener that best suits your needs.
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Does Clopay offer reinforced garage doors for high wind areas?
Yes. These garage doors feature added steel reinforcement struts, upgraded springing and heavy-duty commercial grade track and rollers to meet wind speeds and gusts from 75 mph to 170 mph. Your local building code authority can provide information on the windload rating required in your county.
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I live in Florida and purchased one of your garage doors with impact windows – how do I clean them?
Clopay's Impact Resistant Windows are made with Polycarbonate. Refer to the WindCode portion of our website for Impact Resistant Window cleaning instructions by clicking here.
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Can I install an Avante Collection garage door in a high wind area?
It depends on the local building code requirements for your area.The Avante Collection is available in a W1 rating up to 14' wide, and in a W5 rating up to 20'2" wide. Refer to our WindCode section for specific details.
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Is the Gallery Collection garage door in a high wind area?
Clopay's Gallery Collection is available with WindCode reinforcement. Refer to the WindCode section for specific information
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Are Coachman Collection garage doors offered with WindCode?
Clopay Coachman Collection steel carriage house style garage doors are available in W4, W5 and W6 WindCode categories. Consult your local dealer or building inspector for specific code requirements in your area.
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