Roller Garage Door Measuring Guide
Are you looking to buy a new roller garage door but need help working out what size to order? If so, this simple to understand guide has been designed to help you understand the correct way to measure for a new roller door. We therefore recommend that you read the sections below that are relevant to your type of installation or contact us now for more help and advice.
How to Measure the Opening for an Internal Face Fixed Roller Garage Door
The most common way of installing a roller garage door is what we refer to as an “internal face fixed installation”. What this basically means is that the door is mounted inside the garage so that the guides and roller mechanism sit behind the opening (rather than within a timber frame). This method of installation is therefore very popular as it allows the maximum width of the opening to be maintained (which makes access much easier).
Garage Door Measuring Process
To begin with you with you will need to carefully measure the brickwork opening width. We suggest you take measurements in at least 3 places. If the dimensions differ it is advisable to use the largest measurement. Once this is established make a note of the size.
Following on from this repeat the process only this time you will be establishing the height of the opening. Again if sizes differ use the largest measurement.
Once this has been completed you should now have a good base from where to continue.
The next thing you need to establish is how much headroom is available behind the lintel as space will be required to house the roller mechanism. Please be aware that it is critical there is sufficient space available otherwise the roller may need to sit below the level of the lintel. For insulated roller garage doors the space normally required is 300mm (205mm for a compact door) and 450mm for a single skin steel roller door. If this is not available please contact us for further assistance as we will be able to offer a solution to this shortfall.
Once you have established the available headroom is sufficient for your preferred door choice you will need to check the space available at each side of the opening. This space is needed for the vertical guide sections. For an insulated roller door the space you require will vary between 60mm – 90mm depending on the size of the opening and the model of door chosen. For a single skin steel door you will need between 90-175mm of space.
When you have completed the process detailed below you should have 5 sets of figures written down which you can now use to get a quote from us.
A Note on Roller Garage Door Ordering Sizes
Please be aware that not all companies list their garage door sizes in the same way and as a result can lead to confusion on the part of the customer as to what they really need (especially if you are comparing prices online). With this in mind we find that if you follow the steps detailed below it is the easiest way to ensure you get exactly the right size to suit your needs.
How to Measure the Opening for an External Face Fixed Roller Garage Door
Although this is not a popular method of installing a residential roller garage door some customers have no option but to position the door in this manner. With this in mind the way to measure the opening and establish the ordering size is to repeat the process detailed above for the internal face fixed installation only this time take all the measurements from outside the garage.
How to Measure the Opening for a Reveal Fixed Roller Door
If the construction of your garage does not have a small return at the front of the opening where the guides would normally fix to the back of then you will have to fit the door in a “reveal fixed” configurations. This basically means the guides fit between the opening and the roller mechanism sits beneath the lintel. The drawback to this is that the clear opening width and height of the opening will become reduced.
Measuring Process
To start the process we suggest you check to see how plumb the opening is with the use of a spirit level. You will be amazed how many garages are built with out of square openings or pillars that dance about in size.
The next step is to place a tape measure across the opening to establish the width of the aperture. We strongly recommend you measure in at least 5 places to check for deviations in the brickwork
Make a note of the smallest measurement.
Repeat the process for the height by measuring from finished floor level to the underside of the lintel.
Make a note of the smallest measurement and you are now ready to use these to form the basis of a quote or to place an order.
A note on Sizes for Reveal Fixed Garage Doors
Please be aware that the dimensions you have taken will be referred to as the over-guide width and the overall height when you contact us to get a quote. You actual clear drive through width and height will be smaller than this. As such if you have a small garage we always encourage you to install the door with an “internal face fixed” configuration whenever possible.
Other Garage Door Installation Types
If the space constraints within your garage do not allow for any of the installation types detailed above please feel free to contact us today to discuss your options as in 99% of cases we are able to offer simple workaround solutions.
Roller Garage Door Installation Problems and Solutions
Take a look at some of the most common installation problems you may encounter below and learn how it is possible to overcome the issues or refer to the technical information pages to find out the size of the box and guides used on a variety of garage door designs.
Problem 1: The amount of headroom inside the garage is not adequate to house the roller mechanism.
Solution 1: If headroom is limited the practical choice would be to specify an insulated roller garage door with the addition of a half box fascia. This will cover the portion on the roller mechanism that sits below the level of the lintel when the door is fully installed.
Problem 2: The pillars are not wide enough to fix the guides to the back of them.
Solution 2: If the space available each side of the opening is not sufficient to fully conceal the guides from view you can have part of protruding into the opening. If you specify the guides to match the door this tiny detail would hardly be noticeable.
Problem 3: I want to install a single skin roller door but don’t have any side-room to mount the guides.
Solution 3: In these instances we suggest you add timber frame legs to the opening so you can provide a flat surface to face fit the guides and roller brackets.
Problem 4: One side of the garage is a straight wall whilst the other has a pillar with a return at the front.
Solution 4: Thanks to the versatile design of our insulated roller garage doors it is possible to fit them in a combination of installation configurations. As such we would advise the guide fixed to the straight side wall is reveal fixed whilst the guide on the end with the pillar can be face fixed to the back of the opening.
Roller Doors Ltd – Specialist UK Suppliers of Easy Fit Roller Garage Doors at a Price you can Afford
If you are still unsure which installation position is the best for you or need to discuss any aspect of the door that is not covered on this page please do not hesitate to get in touch with us as we will be more than happy to provide you with any help or guidance you might need.