In Elk Grove, California, space is tight, especially when it comes to garage doors. When it comes to garage door opener installation, many of our customers don’t think they have the space. Their garages lack the overhead room to allow for a garage door opener in addition to the space required for the garage door to move. At least that’s what they assume.
We’re glad they think to bring it up. About 99% of the time, we can usually find a creative solution and install a garage door opener in a tight spot.
Don’t think you have enough headroom to install an overhead door with a functional garage door opener? Think again. You just need to get creative. For the majority of torsion or extension spring door systems, you’ll need at least 4 ¾ inches (121 mm) above the garage door in order to install an opener the traditional way. An overhead garage door opener will typically require 2 inches (51 mm).
But don’t worry if this space isn’t available. (This is a fairly common problem in Elk Grove, California, where confined real estate options often mean smaller than usual garages.)
Garage Door Opener Alternatives for Limited Overhead Space
What you can do is install a garage door opener on the side of the garage instead of your traditional overhead. This type of opener is also known as a side-mounted opener or a wall-mounted opener. Side-mounted openers work by using a motor to drive a chain or belt, which then moves the garage door along its track. One of the main advantages of installing a side-mounted door opener is that it can be installed in a variety of positions. This can include on the side or back of the garage, depending on your specific needs. This can be especially useful if you have low overhead space or if you want to maximize storage space in your garage.
However, it’s important to note that installing a side-mounted garage opener will naturally take up space on the side of your garage. This can limit the amount of storage space you have available, so you’ll need to plan accordingly. Additionally, you’ll need to be extra careful when backing out of your garage. The door opener can be more easily damaged by a vehicle than an overhead opener.
Creative Carpentry
While hiring a carpenter to lower the header of your garage may seem like a daunting task, it can be a great option for those who are willing to invest. By lowering the header of your garage, you can create enough space for a traditional overhead garage door opener installation. This can be achieved without sacrificing any storage space or needing to worry about backing into a wall-mounted opener. Most sectional overhead garage doors require between 18 and 24 inches (46 and 61 cm) to curve along the track. With the right carpenter, this can be achievable in some cases but isn’t the cheapest option.
If you’ve got any questions about installing your overhead garage door opener with limited space, give us a call. We’d be happy to help with a free consultation.