Introduction to Garage Door Conversion
I received an estimate to convert my old one-piece garage door over to a sectional roll-up garage door. Why is there an extra charge to convert?
Challenges When Converting Garage Door Types
A: When you have a one-piece garage door and would like to convert it to a sectional roll-up garage door, several adjustments must be made to ensure the garage door opening can accommodate the new system. If your existing garage doors are older models that slide back and forth, usually comprising two doors where one slides behind the other, additional costs may also arise.
Fitting Issues and Associated Costs
Whether you need to modify the garage opening to fit the new door or adjust the door to fit the existing opening, extra costs are invariably involved. It is rare to provide an estimate for a roll-up conversion without needing additional work on the door opening.
Adjustments for Proper Fitting
Typically, if you need to adjust the garage door opening to accommodate the new door, you will likely have to add wood to the sides of the opening, particularly if it is wider than 16 feet. Ideally, the garage door opening should be around 15 feet 11 inches for seamless installation, as most openings are not perfectly square unless they are newly constructed.
Specific Adjustments Based on Door Width
In some cases, if the garage door must be adjusted to fit the opening, additional costs will arise from cutting the door panels. For instance, if your garage door measures 15 feet 6 inches wide, and there are no manufacturers offering a door of that exact size, a garage door company would need to trim 3 inches from each end of the panels to ensure proper fitment.
Sealing and Functionality Concerns
Regardless of the adjustments made, it is crucial to ensure the garage door fits properly to create a good seal. A one-piece garage door is not designed for a tight fit; instead, it maintains space between the sides of the door and the jamb, which helps prevent the door from rubbing against the jamb during operations.
Headroom Challenges in Garage Door Conversion
Another element causing additional costs is the requirement for headroom. One-piece garage doors typically demand less headroom compared to sectional roll-up designs. Sectional doors require at least 10 inches of headroom for conventional tracks to function effectively.
Low Headroom Solutions
If your garage has less than 10 inches of headroom, you can use low headroom tracks designed specifically for sectional roll-up doors under these conditions. It’s common for homes with multiple stories above the garage to face headroom challenges due to structural support needs.
Case Study: Extreme Headroom Situations
For instance, during garage door installations for Costco in the San Francisco Bay Area, we frequently encountered homes with extremely limited headroom. In one particular case, the garage opening was 8 feet wide and only 2 inches of headroom available, requiring significant adjustments to fit the new door.
Preparing the Garage Opening for Installation
To properly prepare the opening for a sectional roll-up door, it may be necessary to frame down the space. If the opening is 7 feet 6 inches tall, bringing it down to 7 feet involves adding several 2×4 pieces to create adequate headroom for installation.
Understanding Cost Implications
This process adds to the overall costs—lumber and labor for these adjustments contribute to the increase in your estimate.
Alternative Solutions to Consider
If these adjustments seem too costly, another option is to replace the old one-piece garage door with a steel one-piece design that mimics the appearance of a sectional roll-up door. This alternative operates similarly to a one-piece garage door and typically incur fewer extra charges.
Conclusion: Making Informed Decisions
When considering the conversion of your garage door, it’s essential to understand the potential additional costs involved in adjustments for fittings and headroom. Consulting with a professional will provide a clearer picture of the requirements and expenses, guiding you toward the best decision for your needs.