(Newswire.net — February 14, 2019) — When you’re planning on installing a new garage door, you might be wondering how long it’ll take. If you’re working with a team of professionals, you can expect their entire installation to be over in a couple of hours. However, installing a garage door may take longer depending on several factors. So, how long to install a garage door and how much time should you allot for this task? The general rule of thumb is to set aside about 4-6 hours. Installing a garage door will typically take longer if you’re doing it for the first time as there’s a learning curve. Once you’re familiar with the quirks and parts of the opener’s specific model, you should take a shorter time to install the garage door.
Of course, the 4-6-hour estimate assumes your garage already has a suitable electrical outlet in the ceiling. Most openers require a grounded outlet close to the motor unit, and it’s impractical and dangerous to use an extension cord to connect the opener.
Factors That Influence How Long It Takes to Install Garage Door
Here are some of the factors that will determine how long it’ll take to install a garage door:
- The size of the garage door is the most significant factor in determining how long the installation will take.
- A new build will be a quicker installation. And depending on the size of the door, you should be done in about four hours or less.
- If you already have a door in place and merely installing a new door of the same type and size, the installation should be relatively quick as you can likely use the wood blocking for the bracket as well as the motor’s existing support. A 16-inch door, for example, should take three to four hours to install from scratch.
- Existing wiring and brackets help to speed up the process. However, be sure that they’re in good condition. Also, avoid reusing electrical components or wiring as the new electronics are designed for use with the new opener and more likely to be more reliable compared to the older devices. Old wiring may be damaged, worn or have weak insulation, which means they should be changed.
- The overall weather conditions can also play a factor. Favorable weather will speed up the process while harsh weather conditions will definitely slow you down.
Steps to Installing a Garage Door
There are a few essential steps to the installation process. First, you should start by disassembling and removing your old garage door. Once, you’ve removed the old door, place your new garage door panels. Next, you’ll install the tracks and rollers that move the garage door up and down. Finally, attach the springs and cabled to the garage door system. The final step involves checking the integrity of the installation to make sure the door is fully functional and safe. You can then make the adjustments that you need to make to the tracks in order to ensure that it is working correctly.
In Conclusion
If you’re up to the task of installing the garage door on your own, be sure to take necessary precautions. Always ask for help as garage doors can be very heavy and wear gloves as well as a helmet and protective shoes. However, it’s still best to leave garage door installation to professional installers since they have the expertise and ability to install is quicklier than nonprofessionals. So, how long to install a garage door? Again, the general rule of thumb is to set aside about 4-6 hours. Installing a garage door will typically take longer if you’re doing it for the first time as there’s a learning curve.