Garage door tracks and ceiling clearance

Posted by Nunya on September 24, 2006, 6:11 pm

I read in a thread here that "You need 18" clearance above the door
opening to get STANDARD door tracks (15" radius) to install easily."

If I complete the framing of my garage project with two standard top
plates I will come up with 15 1/2 inches from bottom of header
(including trim) and the bottom of the ceiling joists.

Can anyone tell me if 15" radius will still fit in this 15 1/2 inches
or would it be absolutely necessary to go to a 12" radius track? I
guess I am focused on the word "easily" in the quote. It is not to
hard, either, to just add additional layers of top plate, what? two
more courses, to get really close to 18 inches. Might be that is the
best solution.

As I write this it occurs to me that in my situation the 15 inch radius
track would have to be mounted flush on the surface of the ceiling
whereas usually they are mounted on "stand off" brackets, right?

Of course, if I sheetrock the ceiling I loose another 1/2". Also, note
that the ceiling joists run parallel to garage door.

I plan on installing 7 ft x 9 ft door(s).

Thanks.

Posted by Glenn on September 24, 2006, 7:02 pm

No big deal. Just use a double track low overhead version. My 16
x 8 works just fine that way.

> I read in a thread here that "You need 18" clearance
> above the door opening to get STANDARD door tracks (15"
> radius) to install easily."
> If I complete the framing of my garage project with two
> standard top plates I will come up with 15 1/2 inches
> from bottom of header (including trim) and the bottom of
> the ceiling joists.
> Can anyone tell me if 15" radius will still fit in this
> 15 1/2 inches or would it be absolutely necessary to go
> to a 12" radius track? I guess I am focused on the word
> "easily" in the quote. It is not to hard, either, to
> just add additional layers of top plate, what? two more
> courses, to get really close to 18 inches. Might be that
> is the best solution.
> As I write this it occurs to me that in my situation the
> 15 inch radius track would have to be mounted flush on
> the surface of the ceiling whereas usually they are
> mounted on "stand off" brackets, right?
> Of course, if I sheetrock the ceiling I loose another
> 1/2". Also, note that the ceiling joists run parallel to
> garage door.
> I plan on installing 7 ft x 9 ft door(s).
> Thanks.

Posted by DT on September 24, 2006, 8:27 pm

I don't know about the standard tracks, but I had my Wayne Dalton 7' doors
installed in a garage with an 8' finished ceiling using their low clearance
track. There is still about 2" clearance between the tops of the pulleys and
brackets to the ceiling, so I guess it could be installed with as little as
10" clearance. I even installed a Genie Pro door opener which just fits in the
2" clearance between the upper arc of the door and the ceiling. It is a very
smooth operating door, so I wouldn't shy away from the tight radius tracks.

--
Dennis

Posted by Nunya on September 24, 2006, 9:10 pm

Thanks guys, I think I will forego the additional top plates.

I am going to have a professional install the doors. He tells me that
17" is the optimal clearance. Never said that something less was
impossible, just not "optimal".

$350 per door (installed) sounds fair? Yes? No? That is, automatic,
powered doors. Non insulated, no windows in the doors.

Again, thank you. Very much.

Posted by Steve Barker LT on September 24, 2006, 11:54 pm

My dads place has about 6" of clearance and used standard tracks. The trick
is to use a special hinge/roller assy for the top one. I could send a
picture of it in a couple of weeks.

--
Steve Barker

>I read in a thread here that "You need 18" clearance above the door
> opening to get STANDARD door tracks (15" radius) to install easily."
> If I complete the framing of my garage project with two standard top
> plates I will come up with 15 1/2 inches from bottom of header
> (including trim) and the bottom of the ceiling joists.
> Can anyone tell me if 15" radius will still fit in this 15 1/2 inches
> or would it be absolutely necessary to go to a 12" radius track? I
> guess I am focused on the word "easily" in the quote. It is not to
> hard, either, to just add additional layers of top plate, what? two
> more courses, to get really close to 18 inches. Might be that is the
> best solution.
> As I write this it occurs to me that in my situation the 15 inch radius
> track would have to be mounted flush on the surface of the ceiling
> whereas usually they are mounted on "stand off" brackets, right?
> Of course, if I sheetrock the ceiling I loose another 1/2". Also, note
> that the ceiling joists run parallel to garage door.
> I plan on installing 7 ft x 9 ft door(s).
> Thanks.
>

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