Are you thinking about replacing your old garage door with a new one? This article will go through everything you need to know about replacing your garage door including, whether or not you need to buy new rails, whether you can do the install yourself, and how much time it takes to install a new garage door.
Are Garage Door Opener Rails Universal?
Every garage door is made with a specific set of rails that are unique to that door and rarely is the case that rails can be used with multiple kinds of doors.
If you are planning on replacing your garage door, there is a good chance you’ll have to replace the rails as well. The good thing is that the kind of rails your garage door needs is not a secret and most doors come with rails when you buy them.
Can you replace a garage door opener without changing the rails?
In most cases, you cannot replace a garage door opener without also replacing the rails. Usually the door openers are created with specific rail dimensions that vary between doors so the chances of your rails not needing to be replaced are pretty low.
Even if the doors are made from the same manufacturing company, they are likely to need completely different rails. The rails are made for their door which ensures all the parts work together properly to avoid injury and malfunction.
Can you reuse garage door tracks?
There are many reasons that you would not want to reuse your garage door tracks. It can be bad for your garage door, the tracks, and potentially dangerous to you as well.
In some cases, the door can get stuck on improper tracks in the open or closed position. The wrong spacing of the tracks can cause the door to be unbalanced and fall on your car or on you.
To prevent injury and malfunction, you should always replace the rails when replacing your garage door.
How do you measure a garage door rail?
To measure for a garage door rail, you should measure the width of the opening at its widest position. Then measure the height of the opening at its highest point. Next measure the space between the opening and the walls. And lastly, measure the distance from the ceiling to where the door sits.
Is it possible to install a new garage door on old tracks?
Installing a new garage door on old tracks is not recommended. Old tracks are either already worn down or will wear down more quickly which can lead to injury or malfunction.
The old track is set specifically for your old door and chances are it will not fit the new door you are installing.
Rails and doors have to be specifically set for each other to ensure that the door functions properly, so using old tracks is not recommended.
Are all garage door rails the same?
No, though some bare similarities, garage door rails are manufactured specifically for specific doors. Even rails made by the same manufacturer can vary from door to door.
There are many factors that can differ between sets of rails such as width, height, length, etc. Every door that is made comes with a specific set of rails so it is best to just use those and not risk anything.
How much does it cost to replace a garage door track?
The range of cost for replacing a garage door track can be anywhere from $120 to $400. The cost to replace a garage door track largely depends on what all needs to be replaced or repaired.
How much work is it to replace garage door rails yourself?
It is possible to replace the rails of your garage doors yourself without hiring professional help, however you will likely need more than one person to assist on the project as the parts can be complicated and the door itself is rather heavy.
It is not recommended for novice repair eople to replace the door rails themselves but there are plenty of websites and videos online that show a step by step process on how to replace the rails without hiring a service to do so.
How do you know what size garage door rails you need?
In order to know what size garage door rails you need, you need to measure across the width of the roller head.
Another thing you can do is look up the door manufacturer and find the product that you’re using to find the proper rails for the door you’re installing. The manufacturer should be able to tell you what size rails you need since each rail is unique to the door that it fits.
How do you make garage door rails level?
Garage door rails are meant to slopd downward toward the door in order to function properly. The user manuals for garage doors will typically give advice for the angel at which each side should slope and how to best ensure that your rails are level for your garage space.
How long does it take a professional to install garage door rails?
The typical amount of time it takes to install a garage door rail is four to six hours for most professionals. Generally, you should allow for a full day when you’re getting a garage door installed, but it also tends to not take more than a few hours.
Most professionals will either complete the job in a day and call it done, or come back to check on the install a couple days later to make sure the door and rails are operating as they should.
Do new garage door openers come with rails?
Yes, most garage doors come with their own set of rails, so you don’t have to worry about finding the right rails for your garage door.
If for some reason your new garage door doesn’t come with rails, you can look up the manufacturer to see what rails they recommend you use, or buy them directly from the manufacturer.