What to Expect During Professional Garage Door Installation

Investing in a new garage door is one of the most effective ways to boost your home’s curb appeal and security. However, if you’ve never had one installed before, you might wonder what the process looks like.

While it may seem like a simple “out with the old, in with the new” task, a professional installation is a precise technical process. Here is a simplified breakdown of what you can expect when the experts from Empire Garage Doors arrive at your home.

Professional Garage Door Installation: What to Expect

1. Pre-Arrival Preparation

Upon technicians arrival, it’s helpful to clear out the area. Empire highly recommends moving vehicles out of the garage and off the driveway to give the team plenty of space to work and unload the new door sections. A clear radius of about 10 feet around the garage opening is ideal.

2. Removal of the Old Door

Removing an old garage door is the most dangerous part of the job, primarily because of the high-tension springs. Professionals have the specialized tools to safely unwind these springs. They will then systematically remove the old panels, tracks, hardware, and stop molding. Then old panels and parts are properly and safely disposed of.

3. Installing the New Tracks and Panels

The “build” begins from the ground up:

The Bottom Section: The first panel is leveled and secured with the bottom seal firmly against the floor. (Some pavers/floors might be un-even)
The Tracks: Vertical and horizontal tracks are installed. Precision is key here; if the tracks aren’t perfectly aligned, the door may bind or wear out prematurely.
Remaining Panels: The rest of the door sections are stacked and hinged together, and rollers are inserted into the tracks.

4. Setting the Spring System

Torsion springs are the most common system are quite dangerous if not handled by professionals. These torsion springs allow you to manually lift with the garage door with one hand. Never attempt to adjust these yourself, as they are under extreme tension, and can cause serious injuries/harm. A “balanced” garage door won’t slam down or race up and will elongate the life of the moving parts and your garage door motor.

5. Opener Installation and Testing

If you’ve purchased a new opener, it will be mounted to the wood or concrete of the garage door opening just above the door and will be securely connected to the door. The technicians will then:

Program the remotes and keypad.
Test the safety sensors (the “eyes” at the bottom of the door) to ensure the door reverses if an object is in the way.
Program “force” limits to ensure the door closes and opens the correct amount.

6. Final Walkthrough and Maintenance Tips

Before leaving, the lead technician should walk you through the operation of your new door and clean the work area. Then they will show you how to use the emergency release cord and provide tips on basic maintenance—like lubricating the moving parts, to keep your investment running smoothly for years to come!

Conclusion

A proper garage door installation usually takes between 3 to 5 hours. By hiring Empire Garage Doors, you aren’t just paying for the door; you’re paying for the peace of mind and an all-around great experience. Empire Garage Doors employs and trains all our own technicians and installers ourselves. We emphasize extreme care & attention to detail giving your home that elite curb appeal.

Ready to upgrade your home’s look? Call Empire Garage Doors today for a free estimate on your new hurricane impact-rated garage door installation!